Explainer: Key Priorities of Bangladesh Nationalist Party After Election Landslide

DHAKA – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the Feb 13 general election, a result expected to restore stability after months of unrest following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.

The party, led by Tarique Rahman, is set to return to power after two decades. Rahman, the son of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, is widely expected to be sworn in as prime minister.

Here are the key pledges outlined in the BNP’s election manifesto, titled “Bangladesh before all”:

Reforms

• Implementation of all points in the July Charter aimed at establishing new constitutional bodies

• Introduction of a bicameral Parliament

• Broader structural reforms in line with commitments made by political parties

Trade

• Revival of closed industries and diversification of the export sector

• Measures to ensure legally operating foreign businesses can repatriate profits within 30 days

Employment

• Creation of nearly one million new jobs in the information and communication technology sector

• Introduction of fair, inflation-indexed wages, with a review system every two years

• Development of youth technical and language skills and merit-based recruitment in government jobs

Economy

• Introduction of international payment systems

• Establishment of regional e-commerce hubs

• Promotion of “make in Bangladesh” initiatives

• Launch of a “family card” scheme for low-income households to purchase essential commodities monthly

Health

• Gradual increase in public health spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product

• Recruitment of 100,000 health workers nationwide

• Expansion of preventive healthcare programmes

Social Development

• Launch of a mid-day meal programme for students

• Introduction of a new education policy focused on skills and values

• Development of improved sports infrastructure and training facilities

• Establishment of training-based welfare programmes for religious leaders of all faiths at places of worship

The sweeping victory signals a new political chapter for Bangladesh as the BNP prepares to implement its wide-ranging reform and development agenda.