Tarique Rahman has formally assumed office as Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) following the death of party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

The decision was unanimously approved on Friday night at a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.The position of BNP chairman fell vacant due to Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing.In accordance with the party’s constitution, a meeting of the BNP National Standing Committee was convened to address the leadership transition.

At the meeting, the committee unanimously decided to appoint Tarique Rahman to the vacant post.The decision was taken in line with the party’s charter, through which he officially took charge as BNP chairman.

According to article 7 (Ga), sub-clause 3 of the BNP constitution, if the position of chairman falls vacant for any reason, the Senior Vice Chairman shall assume the post for the remainder of the term, and continue until a new chairman is elected under the constitution.

As per sub-clause 2, Tarique Rahman has been serving as Acting Chairman since 8 February 2018, following Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment.