BNP set to return to power in Bangladesh; Modi congratulates Tarique Rahman, assures continued support

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman is on the verge of victory with a huge majority in the first election held in Bangladesh after the 2024 uprising. Official reports say that the BNP won 151 seats out of the total 300 seats. However, unconfirmed reports say that they won more than 200 seats.

Tarique Rahman, who returned to the country after 17 years of exile, will be the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The BNP's rival Jamaat-e-Islami has got only 46 seats so far. The election commission has not released the official figures in full as the votes are yet to be counted.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and American Ambassador, among others, congratulated the BNP on its victory. Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman for leading the BNP to a landslide victory in the Bangladesh parliamentary elections. He also said that India will continue to support Bangladesh.

I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.

India will continue to stand in support of a democratic,…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 13, 2026

Congratulating Tarique Rahman, Shehbaz Sharif said that he is looking forward to working closely with the new Bangladeshi leadership. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen said that he looks forward to working with the new government.

Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on a successful election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman on your historic victory. The United States looks forward to working with you to realize shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries.

— Ambassador Brent T. Christensen (@USAmbBangladesh) February 13, 2026