- By Aditya Jha
- Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bangladesh Politics: Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) registered a landslide victory in the recently conducted election in the country. Rahman took oath as the prime minister on Tuesday, ending the decades-long "battle of begums" between ousted Sheikh Hasina and the death of former Prime Minister Khalida Zia. After decades of their rule in Bangladesh, the people have chosen a male prime minister for the first time in over three decades. Tarique Rahman's rise has written a new chapter in the politics of Bangladesh with no involvement of Hasina and Zia.
End Of 'Battle Of Begums'
Sheikh Hasina and her rival, Khaleda Zia, were personally associated with the people who fought for the independence of Bangladesh. While Hasina is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding father, Zia was the widow of former president Ziaur Rahman. While Bangladesh witnessed significant economic growth under the leadership of Hasina, she was accused of destroying democracy, especially in her last term.
Khalida Zia was known for her administrative skills and became the first prime minister of Bangladesh in 1991 and held the top post in 1991, 1996, and 2001. She was accused of supporting anti-India forces during her tenure; however, she maintained good ties with New Delhi.
How Did The Battle End?
The battle between Hasina and Zia ended abruptly in 2024 after the students strongly protested against the Awami League government, leading to the ouster of Hasina. Khaleda Zia could not have returned to active politics due to her illness, leading to the end of a decades-long battle.
Rise Of Tarique Rahman
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in 2025 after a long exile of 17 years. He led BNP in the recently concluded polls and registered a massive victory, leading to a new chapter in the politics of Bangladesh.
"It is time for us all to build the country together. In this country, there are people from the hills, plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians. We want to build a safe Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, no matter who a woman, man, or child is, they should be able to leave their homes safely and return safely," Rahman said while addressing a crowd.