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What happened
Tarique Rahman was appointed chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on January 9, 2026. The BNP Standing Committee approved the appointment in a meeting convened to address the vacancy under the party constitution. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the appointment to the media. Rahman returned to Bangladesh on December 25 after 17 years of self-exile in London, and he has emerged as a leading contender for prime ministership in the polls.
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Key insights
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1
BNP leadership transition filled a constitutional vacancy: The BNP convened a National Standing Committee meeting to address the chairman vacancy under the party constitution and approved Tarique Rahman’s appointment.
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2
Rahman positioned as a prime ministership contender: Rahman was described as a leading contender for prime ministership in the polls.
Takeaways
Tarique Rahman now holds the BNP’s top leadership post as the party heads toward February polls in which the Awami League has been barred from contesting.