TheBangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP) appears to be consolidating its lead over its once ally Jamaat-e-Islami as the counting for the crucial general elections to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024. Unofficial results on Friday morning suggested the BNP is headed for a massive win and was leading in almost 155 constituencies. The BNP had earlier announced that if it was voted to power, Rahman would be the next prime minister of Bangladesh, ending the past 18-month rule of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.

According to unofficial results tallied so far by local news media outlets, the BNP has won 158 seats, Jamaat 41 and others five seats. Counting had been completed for 204 out of the 299 constituencies where polling was held. BNP chairperson Tarique Rahman contested from two constituencies - Dhaka and home district in Bugura - and has secured victory in both. The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement. An EC spokesperson said the results in several seats were still being processed and were likely to be announced in a few hours.

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Rahman returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile in December last year. Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former Bangladesh President late Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister later Khaleda Zia. During his mother's tenure, Rahman was often referred to as 'Dark Prince' and he was believed to be the de facto boss. Many claimed that he ran a "shadow PMO" out of Hawa Bhaban.

Meanwhile, the BNP also has a plan-B. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the veteran secretary general of the BNP is the 'Plan B' candidate for Tarique Rahman. If legal technicalities or the proposed 'July Charter' reforms create obstacles for Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul is the most likely stabilising figure to take the oath.

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on the implementation of a complex 84-point reform package, known as the July National Charter. There was a direct contest between the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami in the absence of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League.

Apoorva Shukla is a journalist at Times Now, where she thrives on dissecting political developments both at home and abroad. A graduate of Delhi Univ...View More

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