IT IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY FOR BNP

DHAKA: Bangladesh's opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide parliamentary election on Friday, returning to power after nearly two decades and positioning party leader Tarique Rahman to become prime minister as the country emerges from months of unrest and economic disruption.

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Rahman, the son of former premier Khaleda Zia and assassinated former President Ziaur Rahman, faces immediate challenges in restoring political stability, reviving investor confidence and rebuilding key industriesincluding the garment sectorafter prolonged turmoil following the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024.

An interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has since been in charge. A clear outcome was seen as key for the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million after months of deadly anti-Hasina unrest disrupted everyday life and industries including garment manufacturing. Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel exporter.

"A strong majority gives the BNP the parliamentary strength to pass reforms efficiently and avoid legislative paralysis. That alone can create short term political stability," said Selim Raihan, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka.