After spending 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, Tarique Rahman returned home on 25 December last year and quickly assumed full command of the BNP, steering the party to victory in the election.
His return was marked by personal tragedy. Within five days of his arrival, he lost his mother – Khaleda Zia.

Carrying personal grief but projecting political resolve, Tarique Rahman launched an energetic nationwide campaign centred on a comprehensive 31-point reform agenda. The platform resonated strongly with voters, translating into a decisive and nationwide mandate at the ballot box.
Under his leadership, the BNP secured a landslide victory, consolidating broad-based public support and positioning itself at the forefront of what it calls Bangladesh’s democratic renewal.

Tarique Rahman took the oath of office under the open sky at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

Other members of the new cabinet also took their oath at the same ceremony, held in a celebratory yet graceful atmosphere marked by national pride, orderly arrangements and enthusiastic presence of dignitaries from home and abroad.

In a historic break from tradition, the swearing-in ceremony was held outside the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban for the first time in the country’s history, reflecting what organisers described as a spirit of national celebration and democratic transition. The cabinet’s swearing-in ceremony in Bangladesh is usually held at the Darbar Hall of the official residence and principal workplace of the President, but the longstanding practice was set aside this year.

It was late afternoon, with the weather pleasantly balanced – neither cold nor hot. Guests were seen dressed in suits and coats, while many others wore traditional Panjabi and pajama, adding a touch of colourful elegance to the breezy and agreeable setting.

In such a vibrant and orderly atmosphere, Tarique Rahman took oath as the prime minister of Bangladesh for the new term.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office and oath of secrecy to him at 4:13pm. After the swearing-in, Tarique Rahman signed the oath of office and oath of secrecy books.

His spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman and other family members were present at the oath-taking ceremony.

Clad in a black striped suit with stripes and a white shirt, Tarique Rahman was looking very confident and lively at the South Plaza during the gathering. The historic venue was overflowing with about 1,200 guests, while many of them were seen standing there beyond the seating arrangement.

The new prime minister, as the head of the government, was given a standing ovation when he entered the venue of the oath-taking ceremony, which began with the recitation from the Holy Quran.

Minutes later, President Shahabuddin entered the venue where Tarique Rahman took the oath as the prime minister for the first time in his life.

Tarique Rahman took the oath first pledging to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the country’s independence and sovereignty.

Simultaneously, a 49-member cabinet – comprising 25 ministers and 24 state ministers – took oath at the same ceremony. The President administered their oath, while Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Ghani moderated proceedings.

The 25 ministers are Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Maj (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram, AZM Zahid Hossain, Dr Khalilur Rahman (Technocrat), Abdul Awal Mintoo, Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Zahir Uddin Swapon, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid (Technocrat), Afroza Khanam Rita, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Asadul Habib Dulu, Md Asaduzzaman, Zakaria Taher, Dipen Dewan, ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, Sarder Md Sakhawat Hossain, Fakir Mahbub Anam, and Sheikh Rabiul Alam.

The 24 state ministers are M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Anindya Islam Amit, Md Shariful Alam, Shama Obaed Islam, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Barrister Kayser Kamal, Farhad Hossain Azad, Md Aminul Haq (Technocrat), Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Habibur Rashid, Md Rajib Ahsan, Md Abdul Bari, Mir Shahe Alam, Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, widely known as Zonayed Saki, Ishraque Hossain, Farzana Sharmin, Shaikh Faridul Islam, Nurul Haque Nur, Yasser Khan Chowdhury, M Iqbal Hossain, MA Muhith, Ahammad Sohel Manjur, Bobby Hajjaj and Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam.

Top dignitaries from different countries, including President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr Nalinda Jayatissa attended the ceremony.

Besides, guests present at the jam-packed glittering South Plaza included outgoing Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and advisers of the interim government, the chief justice, chief election commissioner, judges of the Supreme Court, MPs, political leaders, chiefs of the three services, members of the diplomatic corps, senior journalists, and high civil and military officials.

The 13th parliamentary election was held on 12 February, where the BNP attained a resounding victory, bagging 209 seats.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami will now play its role as the main opposition in Parliament with 68 seats. Other parties and independent candidates have won the remaining seats.

Earlier in the day, people from all walks of life gathered along Manik Mia Avenue in colourful processions from different parts of the capital, chanting slogans and cheering Tarique Rahman as a dynamic leader of the younger generation.

Early life and political journey

Born on 20 November 1965 in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. During the Liberation War, he, his mother, and his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko were detained.
He studied at Dhaka Residential Model College and Adamjee Cantonment College before enrolling at Dhaka University in 1984.

At the university, Tarique Rahman became actively involved in grassroots political activities, studying works of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire and Marx, shaping his political philosophy.
He formally joined BNP in 1988 and played an active role in the anti-Ershad movement, which culminated in the 1990 mass uprising.

Tarique Rahman had conducted nationwide electioneering tours with his late mother, promoting democratic processes within BNP, including secret-ballot leadership selections at the district level.

He was appointed senior joint secretary general of the BNP in 2002, coordinating grassroots conferences and responding to over 18,000 letters, while promoting farmers’ subsidies, pensions for the elderly, environmental campaigns, and scholarships for female students.

Married since 1994 to cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter of former Navy chief and former minister Mahbub Ali Khan, Tarique Rahman has a daughter named Barrister Zaima Rahman.