Dhaka, 13 February (H.S.): The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) declared itself ready to form the next government on Friday, maintaining an impregnable lead from Thursday's 13th parliamentary elections across the 300-seat Jatiya Sangsad, with its media cell asserting on X that the party had surpassed the majority threshold for unchallenged rule.

Local media, including Prothom Alo, reported vote counts completed for 236 of 299 constituencies: BNP and allies securing 166 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami and partners 58, Islamic Andolan Bangladesh one, independents and others 11, while the National Party drew a blank—handily exceeding the 151 seats required for governance and fueling speculation of BNP chair Tarique Rahman as next prime minister pending Election Commission certification.

Amid the triumph, Rahman urged supporters, workers, and citizens to forgo victory celebrations due to his mother Khaleda Zia's recent passing, instead praying for her soul's peace after Friday's namaz, underscoring a somber yet resolute mandate in Bangladesh's first post-Hasina polls.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar