Om Birla Attends Swearing-In of Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman

Om Birla, Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha, represented the India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government led by Tarique Rahman. The ceremony took place five days after parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.

Tarique Rahman Becomes Prime Minister

Tarique Rahman, 60, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as Prime Minister on February 17, 2026. He had returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after more than 15 years in exile.

Unique Twin-Oath Procedure

Some Members of Parliament took two separate oaths—one for Parliament and another for the Constitution Reform Commission.
This twin-oath system was introduced to integrate parliamentary election outcomes with a referendum aimed at major constitutional amendments.

Role of the July Charter

The constitutional reforms are based on the July Charter, adopted by the interim government on October 17, 2025, in consultation with political parties. The charter proposed governance changes following the overthrow of the government led by Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.

Political Background

Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former President Ziaur Rahman, who ruled Bangladesh from November 1975 to May 1981 and founded the BNP in 1978. After his assassination, the party was led by his widow Khaleda Zia, who served as Prime Minister during 1991–1996 and 2001–2006.