Tarique Rahman to take oath as first male Bangladesh PM in three decades: Who are the attendees?

Tarique Rahman to take oath as first male Bangladesh PM in three decades; newly elected MPs sworn in

Bangladesh is set for a significant political transition as Prime Minister-elect Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, prepares to take oath at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan in Dhaka. The open-air venue was selected instead of the traditional Durbar Hall at Bangabhaban due to the large number of guests expected to attend the ceremony.

However, the swearing-in comes amid political tensions within the ruling alliance. The Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) have warned of protests if the BNP does not take the oath linked to the July Charter. Both Jamaat and the NCP, coalition partners of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have announced that they will boycott the oath-taking ceremony.

Earlier in the day, newly elected MPs of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party were sworn in at the same venue. However, they did not take oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council.

Party leader Salauddin Ahmed said the MPs acted on instructions from Rahman, maintaining that the council has no constitutional basis and must first be formally incorporated following a referendum.

The developments underscore emerging friction within the alliance even before the new government formally assumes office, setting the stage for a politically charged beginning to Rahman’s tenure.

International participation and India’s representation

The oath ceremony has drawn a wide range of foreign dignitaries from South Asia and beyond. India will be represented by Om Birla along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Lok Sabha Secretary-General Utpal Kumar Singh.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend as he is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai.

Other foreign guests expected at the ceremony include Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Sri Lankan minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Turkish diplomat Beris Ekinci. Bangladesh authorities have invited around 1,200 domestic and international attendees, highlighting the regional importance of the political change.

Return of BNP after years in opposition

The swearing-in marks the formal end of the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus and the return of the BNP to power after nearly two decades outside government. Rahman will also become the country’s first male prime minister in more than 30 years, a symbolic shift in Bangladesh’s leadership landscape.

The incoming administration faces immediate challenges, including political reconciliation after the 2024 student-led uprising and expectations for institutional reforms. The BNP leadership has emphasised constitutional restructuring and governance reforms as priorities for its first phase in office.

Minority representation in the new parliament

The elections also represented minority communities. Four BNP-backed candidates, including two Hindus and two Buddhist representatives, secured seats in parliament. Observers say the outcome could influence domestic political messaging as the new government attempts to project inclusiveness and stability.

Yunus farewell speech and mention of the seven sisters

In his farewell address, Yunus said his interim government restored three pillars of external engagement, “sovereignty, national interests, and dignity,” and declared the country is no longer a “submissive” nation.

Referring to India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” alongside Nepal and Bhutan, without directly naming India. He also outlined a sub-regional economic framework linking Bangladesh’s maritime access with Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states, describing the sea as “a gateway to the global economy.”

The remarks have sparked debate over Dhaka’s future foreign-policy direction as the new administration prepares to assume office.

A new phase for Bangladesh politics

As the first male Prime Minister in over 30 years, Rahman’s swearing-in is seen as the start of a new political chapter, with the BNP now tasked with balancing reform promises, economic recovery, and regional diplomacy amid a deeply polarised domestic landscape.

With strong international attention and a large diplomatic presence at the ceremony, the transition signals both a domestic reset and a moment of regional significance — one that could shape Bangladesh’s governance and geopolitical positioning in the years ahead.

What is the July Charter?

The July Charter proposes converting Parliament into a Constituent Assembly for 180 days, allowing the newly elected House to amend Bangladesh’s Constitution and reform democratic institutions and procedures.

The BNP had grudgingly signed the July Charter, but its leaders have been saying that the party has issues with several provisions. The BNP has also said that it wasn't consulted when the July Charter was drafted.