Ziaur Rahman

Tarique Rahman, son of the late Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister) and Ziaur Rahman, is the newly elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a landslide victory in the February 2026 elections. This marks a significant shift in Bangladeshi politics, ending Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule and an 18-month period of caretaker governance. Rahman's return from a 17-year exile followed Hasina's ouster, and he quickly became a leading figure, unveiling the BNP's manifesto and garnering considerable support. The election campaign was heavily influenced by the legacy of the 2024 uprising against Hasina's autocratic rule. Rahman's leadership is seen by some as a potential catalyst for change, although questions remain about his dynastic background and ability to unite a politically divided nation. His election follows the recent death of his mother, Khaleda Zia, a pivotal figure in Bangladeshi politics.