After nearly two decades in opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formally returned to power on Tuesday, with party chairman Tarique Rahman taking oath as the country’s 11th prime minister in a historic ceremony at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Complex.
President Md Sahabuddin administered the oath to Tarique Rahman at 4:06pm before a large gathering of national and international dignitaries, senior political leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, and thousands of party supporters who lined Manik Mia Avenue in a festive atmosphere.
The swearing-in marked the beginning of a new political chapter following the 13th National Parliamentary Election, in which BNP secured 209 out of 300 seats -- comfortably surpassing the 151 required to form a government and obtaining a two-thirds majority.
The ceremony also signified the end of an 18-month interim administration led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, which assumed responsibility after the fall of the Awami League government during the 2024 mass uprising.
A break with tradition
In a departure from long-standing custom, the oath-taking ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex instead of Bangabhaban.
The open-air venue underscored both the scale of the political transition and the public enthusiasm surrounding BNP’s return.
Tarique Rahman arrived at 3:58pm, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.
Dressed in a white shirt, dark suit and coat, he received a standing ovation from the audience.
President Sahabuddin joined shortly after, and the program began with a recitation from the Holy Quran.
Following the prime minister’s oath, 25 ministers and 24 state ministers were sworn in.
Sixteen of the full ministers are new faces.
Senior BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud (Tuku), and Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed were among those taking oath as cabinet ministers.
Three technocrats were included among the 24 state ministers, all first-time appointees.
Earlier in the day, around 10:45am, newly elected BNP members of parliament were sworn in at the Parliament’s swearing-in chamber by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed clarified to MPs that they were elected in accordance with the Constitution but were not taking oath as members of the proposed Constitution Reform Council.
At the parliamentary party’s first meeting, Tarique Rahman was unanimously elected leader of the House and parliamentary party leader, paving the way for his appointment as prime minister.
Jamaat‑e‑Islami MPs initially refused to take oath, protesting BNP’s stance on the proposed Constitutional Reform Council. They eventually joined the swearing‑in, cementing their role as the main opposition.
Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has been named Leader of the Opposition, with Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher as his deputy, while National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam serves as Opposition Chief Whip.
Regional presence
The ceremony drew high-level regional participation.
Among the foreign dignitaries present were Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla of India, Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Shering Tobgay, Pakistan’s Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal Chowdhury, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nand Sharma, and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa.
Also in attendance were Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, members of the outgoing Advisory Council, Chief Justice Zubair Rahman Chowdhury, Supreme Court judges, the chiefs of the three armed forces, senior civil and military officials, and leaders from various political parties.
Streets filled with supporters
From early afternoon, BNP leaders, activists and supporters began gathering along Manik Mia Avenue.
By 2:30pm, the area resembled a celebration, with party slogans echoing through loudspeakers, digital screens broadcasting live footage of the ceremony, and cultural performances taking place along the avenue.
For many supporters, the day symbolized both political restoration and emotional closure after years of legal battles, imprisonment and exile faced by BNP’s top leadership.
Cabinet priorities
Speaking to journalists after taking oath as Finance and Planning Minister, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the new government would prioritize economic stabilization and institutional reform.
“Political democratization must go hand in hand with economic reform,” he said.
“We will take necessary measures to recover funds sent abroad and restore investor confidence.”
Newly sworn-in minister Jonayed Saki, leader of Gano Sanghati Andolon, emphasized anti-corruption efforts, saying the government must fulfill “the aspirations of those who sacrificed their lives for democratic change.”
State Minister Shama Obaid outlined priorities in education, healthcare and law enforcement, stating that coordinated efforts across ministries would begin immediately.
A long political journey
The day’s events carried deep historical resonance for BNP.
Founded by president Ziaur Rahman, the party first won a parliamentary majority in 1979, securing 207 seats.
After Zia’s assassination, Khaleda Zia assumed leadership and led BNP to power in 1991, becoming Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.
BNP again formed government in 2001 in alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, winning 195 seats.
However, the end of its 2001–2006 term was followed by a severe political crisis over the caretaker government system.
Disputes surrounding the appointment of Justice KM Hasan as chief adviser led to escalating violence.
On October 29, 2006, then-president Iajuddin Ahmed assumed the role of chief adviser, and on January 11, 2007, a military-backed caretaker government took control.
In March 2007, Tarique Rahman was arrested on corruption charges.
After 18 months in prison, he was released in September 2008 and later relocated to London, where he remained politically active in exile for 17 years.
During this period, Khaleda Zia was imprisoned in 2018, and Tarique Rahman served as acting chairman from abroad.
He formally returned to Bangladesh on December 25 last year.
Following Khaleda Zia’s death on December 30, he assumed full leadership of the party as chairman.
This election marked the first time Tarique Rahman directly led BNP in a national poll.
A changed political landscape
The 13th election reshaped the country’s political balance.
While BNP secured 209 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 of 297 declared seats, emerging as the principal opposition.
The National Citizen Party secured six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis won two, and several smaller parties and independents shared the remaining seats.
For BNP, the mandate represents its first return to office since 2006 -- nearly 19 years ago.
As the sun set over the Parliament complex and crowds gradually dispersed, a sense of transition lingered in the air.
For supporters, it was a day of vindication.
For the country, it marked the beginning of a new political era -- one shaped by the memory of upheaval, years of polarization, and renewed expectations of governance.