Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh Prime Minister, Ending 35-Year Wait For A Male PM
Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister on Tuesday, marking a watershed moment in the nation’s political history. With his oath of office, Rahman becomes Bangladesh’s first male prime minister in 35 years — ending an era defined almost exclusively by two women at the top: his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, and longtime rival Sheikh Hasina, a period widely referred to as the “battle of begums.”
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka. Earlier in the day, the BNP parliamentary party convened at the parliament building and formally elected Rahman as its parliamentary leader ahead of the ceremony.
India was represented at the swearing-in by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla a signal of New Delhi’s willingness to engage with the incoming government following a period of strained bilateral ties after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s exile.
Rahman’s rise to the country’s top office follows a remarkable political journey. He led the BNP to a decisive landslide victory in the February 12 general elections after returning from 17 years in exile. According to the Election Commission, the BNP on its own secured more than 151 seats in the 300-member parliament, while the broader BNP-led alliance swept 212 seats in total.
The son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman will serve a five-year term at the helm of Bangladesh’s government.