Victory on the Horizon: Khaleda Zia’s BNP Poised for a Historic Win as Jamaat Fades Away in Bangladesh Elections
Dhaka saw a significant political shift on Thursday as the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, emerged as a frontrunner in the nation’s 13th parliamentary elections. With results still being tallied, the BNP has secured 120 of the 300 parliamentary seats while leading in an additional 55, positioning it ahead of its rival, the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, which currently stands at 38 seats. This election marks the first since the contentious “July Uprising” that ousted long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Voter turnout was reported at just 47%, a number analysts deemed unimpressive, especially given the interim government’s promises of a “free, fair, and inclusive” electoral process. Sheikh Hasina condemned the election as a “well-planned farce,” highlighting the low turnout as a clear rejection of an election conducted without her Awami League party, which was banned from participating and notably absent from the ballots for the first time in 30 years.
Tarique Rahman, who won seats in both Bogra and Dhaka-17, is poised to assume the role of Prime Minister, an outcome that appears to be amenable to India. Historically, the BNP has maintained a hostile stance towards India, largely in reaction to the Awami League’s pro-Delhi approach. However, diplomatic relations may be taking a new turn, as demonstrated by Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar’s attendance at the funeral of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia last year.
The election was conducted simultaneously with a referendum on an ambitious 84-point reform package dubbed the “July National Charter 2025.” Voters were asked to indicate their agreement with the proposals through a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Notably, polling was held in 299 constituencies due to the death of a candidate in Sherpur-3.
Despite overall peaceful polling conditions, some isolated incidents of violence were reported, and the participation of minority communities, particularly Hindus, appeared to be relatively low. A prominent minority leader noted that while they would not say these voters were absent, their presence was decidedly minimal, amid ongoing concerns for their safety following attacks since the fall of Hasina’s government.
Shafiqur Rahman, the head of Jamaat-e-Islami, acknowledged the challenging situation and indicated his party would not engage in opposition politics for its own sake, suggesting a potential concession as the vote count continued. “We will do positive politics,” Rahman said, signaling a shift in strategy for his party.
As the BNP strengthens its foothold in Bangladesh’s political landscape, the implications for governance and foreign relations, particularly with India, remain to be seen. The electoral outcome has emphasized shifting political dynamics in the country, as it navigates a new chapter following years of political turbulence under the Hasina administration.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/khaleda-zias-bnp-heads-for-big-win-in-bangladesh-jamaat-lags/articleshow/128281794.cms
Category :
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-02-13 06:00:00
