Article 7(c) of the Constitution: Tareq Rahman is now the chairman of BNP

Following the death of former Prime Minister and longtime BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on December 30, 2025, her son Tarique Rahman has automatically assumed the role of party chairman, according to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) constitution.

Although no official announcement has been made yet, senior BNP leaders confirm that Tarique Rahman—previously serving as acting chairman—now holds the full responsibilities of chairman under Article 7(c) of the party constitution. The delay in formal declaration is attributed to the ongoing national and party mourning period for Khaleda Zia.

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister, led the BNP for over four decades after taking over following the assassination of party founder and her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. Under her leadership, the BNP came to power three times. She had been imprisoned since February 8, 2018, prompting Tarique Rahman to assume the acting chairmanship as per constitutional provisions.

Article 7(c), Sub-section 2, states that in the temporary absence of the chairperson, the senior vice chairman performs all duties as acting chairman. Sub-section 3 further provides that if the chairperson's post becomes vacant for any reason, the senior vice chairman assumes the chairperson's responsibilities for the remaining term until a new chairperson is elected.

Senior party figures, speaking to media outlets, emphasised that no separate declaration or election is required for this transition. BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku noted that the nation and party are in deep mourning, with priorities focused on grief rather than leadership positions. He affirmed, however, that Tarique Rahman is unequivocally the current chairman.

The three-day state mourning declared by the interim government concluded recently, while the BNP observed a seven-day mourning period. 

Leaders indicated that a formal announcement regarding the chairmanship could be made at the next Standing Committee meeting.

Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh from exile in London on December 25, 2025, continues to be referred to as acting chairman in some party communications amid the sensitive timing.