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EYE ON INDIA FEBRUARY 20, 2026 | The Indian Eye 6

Bangladesh After the Ballot: Unity

Promised, Challenges Loom

With the BNP’s sweeping victory marking a dramatic political shift, Bangladesh now

faces the twin tests of democratic restoration and economic recovery

OUR BUREAU en “our multifaceted relations and
advance our common development
Dhaka
goals.”
angladesh has entered a new The BNP responded warmly,
political chapter following stating, “We look forward to engag-
Bthe Bangladesh Nationalist ing constructively with India to ad-
Party’s (BNP) decisive victory in the vance our multifaceted relationship,
February 12 parliamentary elections guided by mutual respect, sensitiv-
— the first national vote since the ity to each other’s concerns, and a
violent 2024 uprising that led to the shared commitment to peace, stabili-
removal of former prime minister ty, and prosperity in our region.” The
Sheikh Hasina. emphasis on mutual respect suggests
The BNP-led alliance secured that Dhaka will seek a pragmatic for-
212 seats in the 300-member par- eign policy balancing domestic prior-
liament, comfortably crossing the ities with regional partnerships.
151-seat threshold required to form
the government. The Jamaat-e-Is- Voter turnout stood at around
lami-led bloc won 77 seats, emerg-
ing as the principal opposition. Ha- 59 per cent, and a constitu-
sina’s Bangladesh Awami League tional referendum on gov-
was barred from participating in the Tarique Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP
elections, a factor that continues to ernance reforms passed
shape the political narrative around and son of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia, cast his vote for alongside the elections. This
the results. the 13th Parliamentary elections (ANI)
In his first remarks after the out- signals public appetite for
come, BNP chief Tarique Rahman incoming administration, therefore, the first things maybe the new Prime structural change beyond a
framed the verdict as a democrat- inherits not just power but respon- Minister will think about is to lift the
ic endorsement. “Freedom loving sibility — to stabilise the economy, ban on the participation of the Awa- simple transfer of power.
pro-democracy people of the country restore institutional credibility and mi League.” She observed that the
have once again brought victory to address concerns over governance. BNP alliance and the Jamaat-e-Isla- Tarique Rahman’s personal po-
the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” The political transition has not mi alliance had been “neck to neck,” litical journey adds further weight to
he said. Calling the result broader been without controversy. Sheikh but congratulated the BNP for secur- this moment. The 60-year-old leader
than party politics, he added, “This Hasina formally challenged the legit- ing a “great two-thirds majority.” returned to Bangladesh in December
victory belongs to Bangladesh, be- imacy of the elections, calling them The question of political inclu- after 17 years in exile in Britain. As
longs to democracy, this victory be- a “disgraceful chapter” for Bangla- sivity will be central to Bangladesh’s the son of former president Ziaur
longs to people who aspired to and desh’s democracy. She alleged wide- democratic future. With the Awami Rahman and former prime minis-
have sacrificed for democracy.” spread manipulation, claiming that League excluded from the elector- ter Khaleda Zia, he carries a legacy
Rahman struck a conciliatory “voters were absent at the polling al contest, the parliament reflects a deeply intertwined with the country’s
tone, urging reconciliation after years stations; yet votes appeared on the reconfigured but incomplete polit- post-independence political history.
of polarisation. “Our paths and opin- counting tables!” The Awami League ical spectrum. Reintegrating major Whether the BNP’s landslide
ions may differ, but in the interest of also pointed to what it described as stakeholders into the democratic becomes a foundation for demo-
the country, we must remain united,” “highly inconsistent and unrealistic process could determine whether the cratic renewal will depend on how
he said, emphasising that “national patterns” in turnout data, noting that current mandate leads to lasting sta- it addresses the economic fragility
unity is a collective strength, while while 14.96 per cent of votes were bility or prolonged contestation. and institutional weakening Rahman
division is a weakness.” cast by 11:00 a.m., the figure rose International reactions have himself has acknowledged. His call
Yet even as he celebrated the sharply to 32.88 per cent by noon been swift. Indian Prime Minister for unity — “national unity is a col-
mandate, Rahman acknowledged — implying a rate of approximately Narendra Modi congratulated Rah- lective strength” — will now be test-
the scale of the task ahead. “We are 381,339 votes per minute nationwide. man, stating that the victory “shows ed in practice.
about to begin our journey in a sit- These allegations underline the the trust of the people of Bangladesh Bangladesh has delivered a deci-
uation marked by a fragile economy fragile environment in which the new in your leadership.” Modi reaffirmed sive mandate. The future will hinge
left behind by an authoritarian re- government will operate. Former In- that “India will continue to stand in on whether that mandate translates
gime, weakening constitutional and dian High Commissioner to Bangla- support of a democratic, progres- into inclusive governance, credible
structural institutions and destroying desh Veena Sikri suggested that, now sive and inclusive Bangladesh” and institutions and economic recovery
law and order,” he cautioned. The that the results are declared, “one of expressed his intention to strength- — or deepens existing divides.

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