If the trends hold in official results, Tarique Rahman, the BNP chairman, will become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his ‘warm congratulations’ to Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a decisive victory in the Bangladesh elections. Hasina, now in exile in India, served as prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024. BNP ties with India Before Tarique took over, the BNP was led by his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who died on 30 December 2025, after suffering from prolonged illness. The Islamist party has been in mainstream politics, but has never had a prime minister.

Source: Mint February 13, 2026 10:22 UTC