On February 17, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is poised to establish a government with a significant two-thirds majority, during which Tarek Rahman is expected to take the oath of office as Prime Minister. This oath-taking ceremony will invite representatives from various countries, with Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla being part of the delegation. Unlike a typical power transition, this event symbolizes a pivotal moment following prolonged political turmoil, as a newly elected government prepares to assume power in Bangladesh.

In the wake of the BNP's electoral success, opposition parties find themselves marginal, with only a handful of seats left. In light of this, a 'Shadow Cabinet' has been proposed as a means to hold the new government accountable. The conversation about establishing this alternative governing body has emerged from narratives shared by leaders from defeated parties or those who garnered minimal representation in the recent elections. Asif Mahmood Shoaib, spokesperson for the National Citizen Party (NCP), conveyed via Facebook that they are preparing to form a Shadow Cabinet aimed at ensuring government transparency and accountability to the citizens.

This initiative indicates the ongoing challenges within Bangladesh's political landscape, characterized by a bifurcation in power dynamics where the newly empowered BNP government may face scrutiny from a coalition of opposition forces, despite their reduced representation. With both the formation of the government and the proposed Shadow Cabinet, the situation illustrates not just the complexity of Bangladeshi politics, but also the demand for oversight and transparency in governance following a contentious electoral period.