He and his team of advisers can now ride off into the sunset with their heads held high. To the extent that this election was a product of the July Uprising, the result was expected to reflect it. These tendencies all speak to that aversion to radical upheaval, and the search for a safe harbour, over new pastures. Since arriving back in Bangladesh on December 25, Tarique has been the centre of attention, treated almost as a godsend by liberal sections of society fearing an Islamist takeover. Enayetullah Khan is Editor-in-Chief, United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Dhaka Courier.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 17, 2026 07:45 UTC