The Tamesis
February 19, 2026
Dhaka – While the BNP’s victory was by no means in doubt, its landslide victory was surprising given the fierce competition among challengers. The massive turnout showed confidence in the restoration of democracy after a long period of authoritarian rule. The previous Awami League government led by Hasina Wajid ruled the country for 15 years before being ousted in 2024. The party was banned from participating in elections.
Bangladeshis voted for a nationalist and secular party that has ruled the country many times in the past and suffered persecution under Hasina Wajid’s regime. The defeat of the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance was seen as a rejection of conservative, religion-based politics. Voters also supported constitutional reforms, including term limits for prime ministers, the establishment of a bicameral parliament and greater representation of women.
After independence, Bangladesh alternated between civilian and military rule. The country’s political landscape has been dominated by two political dynasties led by two women – Hasina Wajid and Khaleda Zia – who came to power one after another.
Hasina Wajid, who was sentenced to death by a Bangladesh special court for crimes against humanity, is currently in exile in India, while Khaleda Zia, who once led the BNP and served as prime minister twice, died after being released in December last year. Her party is now led by her son Tariq Rahman.
Rahman, who recently returned to Bangladesh from self-imposed exile in the UK after the previous government was ousted in 2024, was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister. He fled the country in 2008 after being accused of corruption by a military-backed caretaker body. Rahman, who has never held government office before, led the party in the election with a nationalist and reform agenda.
He took office at a time when Bangladesh was still recovering from the political turmoil that led to the overthrow of a civilian dictatorship. Generation Z’s revolt has changed Bangladesh’s political landscape. A major challenge for the new government is to improve governance and purge state institutions of political influence. The constitutional reform package that voters overwhelmingly approved may help address some of these issues.
Despite a long history of dictatorship and political instability, Bangladesh has performed well in terms of economic development. Bangladesh went from nothing to becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the region. It is also ahead of most South Asian countries in terms of social indicators.
But in the past few years, economic growth has slowed significantly and rising inflation has affected people’s lives. The ready-made garment industry, vital to the country’s exports, faces a crisis. The economic slowdown has also exacerbated unemployment, especially among the younger generation.
Economic recovery is the biggest challenge facing the new government. The prime minister pledged to diversify the economy and focus on social welfare programs to cushion the impact of high inflation. The youth population is surging and unemployment will become a major test for the government.
Furthermore, despite the new government’s two-thirds majority in parliament, significant efforts will be needed to restore political stability. Despite being barred from contesting elections, the Awami League, which has ruled for most of the country’s history, remains a major political force that can cause problems for the government.
Hasina Wajid appears to be actively channeling supporters in exile in India. She refused to accept the election, calling it a farce. It appears that the Indian government will not agree to Bangladesh’s request for her extradition. The issue remains a sticking point in relations between the two countries.
Bangladesh borders India on three sides and has developed very close relations with New Delhi under the Awami League government. In fact, critics accuse the former prime minister of turning India into a client state. Hasina Wajid’s ouster is a huge setback for New Delhi.
Not only has Narendra Modi’s government refused to extradite her, it has apparently not halted her political activities. Relations between the two countries have hit a new low in the past few months, with Dhaka accusing New Delhi of providing protection to fugitives suspected of murder.
Although the new government has expressed its intention to recalibrate relations with India, there are still serious problems that are difficult to resolve, including water disputes and border incidents. Anti-India sentiment among large segments of the population has led to calls for a foreign policy independent of New Delhi.
Over the past few years, Bangladesh has maintained a delicate balance with India and another neighbor, China, which has emerged as Bangladesh’s largest trading partner. China is also investing heavily in infrastructure projects. The deterioration in relations with India has made Bangladesh more dependent on China.
Meanwhile, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have improved significantly under the caretaker government after the fall of Hasina Wajid’s government. The two countries have not only established close economic and trade relations, but also cooperated in the field of defense. They have also restarted direct flights.
In his first press conference after the election, the new prime minister emphasized regional cooperation and building relations with all countries, putting Bangladesh’s national interests first. He also talked about reviving SAARC, which actually disbanded due to tensions between India and Pakistan. A politically stable Bangladesh under a democratic government bodes well for regional peace.
