B Mirror Report: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has been recognized by New York-based TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2026.

The annual list, published on Wednesday, features global figures including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Pope Leo XIV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, among others.

Tarique Rahman has been included under the “Leaders” category.

In his profile, TIME noted that only months ago Rahman had been living in exile in southwest London. Here is the corrected version in clean English (no Bangla mixed):

However, the political shift in Bangladesh in 2024 elevated the 57-year-old from an opposition figure to a central political leader, a trajectory that culminated in a landslide electoral victory in February after 17 years away from the country.

The report highlighted that Rahman’s return also marked a continuation of his family’s political legacy, following his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. It mentioned that her death came just days after his return to Dhaka.

Despite personal loss, Rahman told TIME he aims to focus on national unity and economic revival. The magazine observed that Bangladesh faces key challenges, including high inflation, rising youth unemployment, and strained relations with India.

TIME also noted that past corruption allegations though later dismissed by the courts could limit any extended honeymoon period for the new leadership. Nonetheless, it emphasized Rahman’s determination to act swiftly after years in political exile.

“We need to work together, unite, so that people can have their political rights,” Rahman said in an interview with the magazine.