New Delhi: In Bangladesh’s landmark 2026 general election, Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a decisive landslide victory, capturing a commanding majority across the nation and positioning Rahman, exiled for nearly two decades, to assume the role of prime minister.
This outcome marks a dramatic shift in power following years of political turmoil and the collapse of the previous regime.
However, a notable counter-trend emerged in constituencies bordering India, particularly those adjacent to West Bengal. The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami demonstrated exceptional strength in these border regions, leveraging its deep-rooted networks in rural areas, mosques, and madrasas to claim significant wins. The party swept all four parliamentary seats in Satkhira district, secured three out of four in Kushtia, and posted strong performances in key districts such as Khulna, Rangpur, Naogaon-2, Joypurhat-1, Sherpur-1, and Gaibandha-1. These gains created a concentrated bloc along the frontier with West Bengal, Assam, and the strategic Siliguri Corridor.
While the BNP dominated urban centres and remittance-dependent zones like Sylhet, Chittagong, and Mymensingh, Jamaat’s localised successes in border belts highlight its enduring grassroots influence despite past restrictions. Indian security analysts are worried about this situation, saying that Jamaat’s increased political acceptance might allow for ongoing radical activities, like spreading their ideas through Friday sermons, madrasa education, online outreach, family connections across the border, careful infiltration, and informal funding sources. Such dynamics risk exacerbating communal tensions, pressuring minority communities through land disputes and subtle displacements, and intensifying border monitoring needs.
Although no overt foreign interference (such as from Pakistan’s ISI) is explicitly cited, analysts feel the primary challenge stems from a sustained radical ecosystem rather than imminent threats. Tarique Rahman’s incoming administration may recalibrate bilateral ties with India, but Jamaat’s regional foothold represents a fresh strategic complication along the shared border.