Tarique Rahman or Shafiqur Rahman or… Who will be Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister?

General elections to form a new government and select a Prime Minister in Bangladesh could be announced at any time. The Election Commission has made full preparations to hold elections for the 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad. Following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster from power, the electoral landscape in Bangladesh has completely changed. For the first time, there are four major contenders for the post of Prime Minister in Bangladesh. All four are entering the race for the post for the first time.

To form a government in Bangladesh , winning all 151 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad is essential. This time, the political contest in Bangladesh is between three major parties. The oldest party, the Awami League, will not contest the elections. The Election Commission has banned the Awami League on the initiative of the interim government.

Who will be the next PM?

Tarique Rahman: The BNP, the leader of the largest opposition party in Bangladesh, is the leading candidate for PM. Currently living in London, Tarique Rahman is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. All surveys conducted in Bangladesh so far show the BNP leading.

If the survey results materialize, Tariq could become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Tariq’s mother last served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh in 2001. Since then, Tariq’s family has been out of power.

Zubaida Rahman: Tariq’s wife, Zubaida, is also in the running for Prime Minister. It is being said that if the BNP comes to power and Tariq is unable to become Prime Minister for some reason, Zubaida could be the next candidate. Zubaida has been active in Bangladeshi politics since the coup against Sheikh Hasina.

While Zubaida’s husband has yet to return to Bangladesh from London, Zubaida has been in Dhaka, holding regular meetings with party workers. Bangladesh’s politics has been dominated by women leaders for the past 30 years. Therefore, Zubaida’s claim is considered even stronger.

Shafiqur Rahman: Jamaat-e-Islami has seen a rapid rise since Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power. Consequently, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Shafiqur Rahman is being considered a contender for the prime ministership. Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that it will contest all seats on its own.

Jamaat leaders are preparing to enter the electoral fray by making religion an issue. However, its past role in the Bangladesh Movement makes the path ahead difficult for it.

Nahid Islam: Student leader Nahid Islam, who played a key role in Sheikh Hasina’s overthrow, is also considered a contender for the post of Prime Minister. Nahid announced a third front just before the election announcement. His party has formed the National Democratic Front with seven other parties.

Nahid has also served as an advisor in Yunus’s government. If the contest becomes three-way and his party emerges as the kingmaker, he could also be the prime minister. Nahid has already begun openly staking his claim.