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  "path": "/partner/bangladesh-rahman-thanks-democracy",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-14T16:13:02.000Z",
  "site": "https://nukta.com",
  "textContent": "\n\n\n\nBangladesh's prime minister-in-waiting Tarique Rahman on Saturday dedicated his landslide election win to those who \"sacrificed for democracy\", calling for unity after the first polls since a deadly 2024 uprising.\n\nBangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Rahman, 60, the scion of one of the most powerful political dynasties, is set to lead the South Asian nation of 170 million people after sweeping elections on Thursday.\n\n\"This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy,\" he said, in his first speech since the vote. \"This victory belongs to people who aspire to and have sacrificed for democracy.\"\n\nHe will take over from an interim government that has steered Bangladesh since the student-led uprising ended the iron-fisted rule of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.\n\nThe success of BNP chief Rahman marks a remarkable turnaround for a man who only returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in Britain, far from Dhaka's political storms.\n\nThe BNP alliance won 212 seats, compared with 77 for the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, according to the Electoral Commission.\n\n### 'Remain united'\n\nJamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, 67, had initially alleged \"inconsistencies and fabrications\" in the vote, but earlier on Saturday, he conceded.\n\nHe said he would \"serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition\".\n\nHe noted that his Islamist party -- which had been crushed under Hasina -- had quadrupled its seats in parliament from its previous best, calling it \"a foundation\" for the future.\n\nHasina's Awami League party was barred from taking part. Hasina, 78, who was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India decrying an \"illegal and unconstitutional election\".\n\nBNP chief Rahman called for all to work together after a tumultuous political period.\n\n\"Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united,\" Rahman said.\n\n### 'Freedom-loving'\n\nHis father, president Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981, while his mother, Khaleda Zia, served three terms as prime minister and dominated national politics for decades.\n\n\"The freedom-loving, pro-democracy people of the country have once again brought victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,\" he added, in an initial speech in English, before switching to Bangla.\n\nRetiring interim leader, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, earlier on Saturday said Rahman \"would help guide the country toward stability, inclusiveness, and development\".\n\nThe US embassy congratulated Rahman and the BNP for a \"historic victory\", while neighbouring India praised his \"decisive win\", a notable shift after deeply strained ties.\n\nChina and Pakistan, which both grew closer to Bangladesh since the 2024 uprising and the souring of ties with India, where Hasina has sheltered since her ouster, also congratulated the BNP.\n\nInternational election observers said the polls had been a success, with the European Union saying Saturday they had been \"credible\".\n\nThe Election Commission said turnout was 59 percent across 299 constituencies out of 300 in which voting took place.\n\nOnly seven women were elected, although a further 50 seats in parliament reserved for women will be named from party lists.\n\nVoters on Thursday also endorsed proposals in a referendum for a sweeping democratic reform charter backed by Yunus, to overhaul what he called a \"completely broken\" system of government and to prevent a return to one-party rule.\n\nThose include prime ministerial term limits, a new upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.\n\nBut Rahman said the new government he will lead faces daunting challenges.\n\n\"We are about to begin our journey in a situation marked by a fragile economy left behind by an authoritarian regime, weakening constitutional and structural institutions, and destroying law and order,\" he said.",
  "title": "Bangladesh PM-to-be Rahman thanks those who 'sacrificed for democracy'"
}