Two decades after being scrutinised in international correspondence, Tarique Rahman now stands at the centre of Bangladesh’s political transition.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman addresses supporters during a public event. | ANI
Tarique Rahman, once described in US diplomatic cables as the “Dark Prince”, has led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s Parliamentary Elections, securing around 210 of 299 contested seats, according to the latest count.
The win marks the first national election since the 2024 student-led uprising that ended the Awami League’s tenure and forced the resignation of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. With the simple majority mark set at 151 seats in the 300-member Parliament, the BNP’s result positions Rahman to form the next government.
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The moniker “Dark Prince” originated not from Bangladeshi political rivals but from US diplomatic correspondence during the BNP-Jamaat government years.
In a December 2005 diplomatic cable, then US Charge d’Affaires Judith A Chammas referred to Tarique Rahman as the “Dark Prince”, remarking that he carried “the Zia name, political cunning, and mountains of cash generated by his Hawa Bhaban’s collection of tolls from businesses and BNP political aspirants”, as reported by the Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune in 2023.
Former US ambassador James F Moriarty also referred to Rahman in sharply critical terms. A 2011 WikiLeaks disclosure quoted him as calling Tarique “a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics in Bangladesh” and accusing him of “flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes” in exchange for government contracts as well as appointments. He reportedly recommended restricting Rahman’s entry into the United States.
Those cables later became public and have since shaped international perceptions of Rahman’s political past.
The current election, however, unfolds in a very different context. Around 61 per cent of registered voters participated, according to officials in Dhaka. While the BNP secured 210 seats, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won 73 seats, and independents claimed 8.
Jamaat-e-Islami expressed dissatisfaction with the results, stating it was “not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results” and alleging irregularities in certain constituencies.
Rahman secured the Dhaka-17 seat with 72,699 votes, finishing 4,399 votes ahead of his closest challenger. He was also unofficially declared elected from Bogra-6, where he polled 216,284 votes.
The election also included a referendum on the July National Charter, addressing constitutional reforms such as limits on prime ministers’ terms and the restoration of a caretaker system.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman, describing the outcome as a “decisive victory” and expressing readiness to strengthen bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also extended congratulations, signalling regional willingness to engage with the new leadership in Dhaka.
Observers say the BNP’s return to power could shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, particularly in trade, connectivity and regional cooperation.
Also Read: After BNP’s decisive win, India and US signal readiness to engage Bangladesh’s new leadership
Rahman, son of former president General Ziaur Rahman, has now moved from opposition leadership to the centre of power. His electoral mandate marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape and represents a striking contrast to the international scrutiny that once defined his image abroad.
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