In his first remarks after securing a big win in the Bangladesh national elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman called for unity. He dedicated the win to those he said had “sacrificed for democracy”.
Rahman, poised to take over as Bangladesh’s next prime minister, said the nation must remain united despite its political differences. “Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united. I firmly believe that national unity is our collective strength, while division is our weakness,” he said, according to a report by The Daily Star.
In the first polls since the violent 2024 uprising that led to the ouster of former premier Sheikh Hasina, the BNP secured a sweeping victory.
Responding to a question on India-Bangladesh ties, the BNP chief said, “The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy.”
VIDEO | “The interests of Bangladesh and its people will determine our foreign policy,” says BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman in response to a question on ties with India.(Full video available on https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/olakg8htte — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 14, 2026
On BNP’s victory, Rahman said it belongs to the people and pledged to work towards restoring institutions and improving citizens’ lives.
“This victory belongs to Bangladesh. This victory belongs to democracy. This victory belongs to the people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy. From today, we are all free, with the true essence of freedom and rights restored,” he said.
The 60-year-old leader's party has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Pakistan, secured 68 seats. The Awami League party of Hasina was barred from contesting the elections, which recorded 59.44 per cent voter turnout.
The result is a major turnaround for the BNP, long targeted under the 15-year rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government which collapsed following nationwide student-led protests in August 2024.
The BNP was founded by Rahman's father Ziaur Rahman, a military ruler turned politician. The party was led by his mother Khaleda Zia for nearly four decades after the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1981.
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