Ending a long political hiatus, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has returned to state power after 20 years.

Following a landslide victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the President has appointed party Chairman Tarique Rahman as the new Prime Minister of the country.

On Tuesday evening (February 17), the Cabinet Division issued a notification, followed by the official publication of the government gazette. The President made the appointment in accordance with Clause (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution.

The Cabinet Division notification stated that the President, as per the Constitution, decided to appoint Tarique Rahman—the Member of Parliament who commands the confidence of the majority—as Prime Minister and granted consent for the formation of a new government under his leadership.

With this appointment, the Advisory Council of the current interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus stands dissolved. Taking office for the first time, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister of the country.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the BNP secured a two-thirds majority by winning 209 seats single-handedly. The swearing-in ceremony for the newly formed cabinet took place on Tuesday afternoon.

The massive 50-member cabinet includes 25 full ministers and 24 ministers of state.

The notification further mentioned that the President, exercising his constitutional powers, entrusted Tarique Rahman with the responsibility of governing the country as the leader of the majority party.

This marks a significant political milestone for Tarique Rahman, who returned to the country after 17 years in exile.

The BNP was last in power until 2006. With the party reclaiming the mantle of governance after two decades, a festive atmosphere prevails among party leaders and activists across the country.