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Bangladesh politics has changed forever. Will it change for the better?

The new government has been tasked with delivering sweeping political reforms and strengthening a fragile economy. It cannot afford to stumble.

Newly minted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s most immediate task will be to stabilise Bangladesh’s shaky economy, says the writer.

Newly minted Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s (right) most immediate task will be to stabilise Bangladesh’s shaky economy, says the writer.

PHOTO: AFP

Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta

When

Bangladesh’s new prime minister Tarique Rahman took oath on Feb 17

, it seemed that the country’s politics had come full circle. In fact, Bangladesh’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift and will never be the same again.

Mr Rahman, son of former prime ministers Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, had gone into exile for 17 years and returned home only in December 2025 to be with his mother on her deathbed. The interim years saw the country’s politics dominated by the Awami League party, until it was overthrown 18 months back by the “Monsoon Revolution” and saw its leader Sheikh Hasina flee to India.

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