Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary polls have delivered a knockout blow to the opposition, propelling the BNP to 209 seats and the helm of national governance. Prime Minister-designate Tarique Rahman now oversees a critical party process: selecting the successor to President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
Whispers in Dhaka’s corridors of power, amplified by social media and press, spotlight a shortlist of BNP stalwarts. Prothom Alo reveals strong backing for Standing Committee veteran Khondaker Mosarraf Hossain, based on anonymous party sources.
Fellow committee member Nazrul Islam Khan is contending fiercely, while Ekhoon TV expands the field to include Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Abdul Moyeen Khan.
Insider leanings favor Hossain, setting up what appears to be a smooth transition. Tuesday’s oath-taking for the 209 victorious lawmakers kicks off proceedings, with cabinet formations under active review—many positions reportedly locked in.
Shahabuddin, who assumed office unopposed in 2023 courtesy of Awami League, has telegraphed his exit plans. At 75, he told global media last December he wouldn’t cling to power beyond the new government’s inception, truncating his five-year mandate ending 2028.
With BNP’s ironclad parliamentary majority, the presidency election—via MP votes per the constitution—looms as mere pageantry. These maneuvers signal BNP’s blueprint for stability, blending seasoned leadership with fresh mandates to steer Bangladesh through upcoming challenges.