A quick interpretation of BNP's landslide victory

1. Bangladeshis never make a mistake when it comes to voting. This they have proven this time around once again as they did in the previous elections held under the caretaker government system. Hasina deprived the people of their decision-making power. But they started applying their mind as soon as they were given freedom.

2. Through this election the voters have proved that they are religious, but they will not allow theological extremism, and they rightly opted for a pluralistic and moderate governance system. 

3.The election results also reflect a strong showing for the rise of women power. More than half the voters are women and they did not like being told they are no good at leading a political platform. They did not like the idea of being labelled as people of moral decay if they come out to workplace. The male voters were also repulsed at such arcane thinking of a political party vying to lead a country.

4. BNP successfully played up the global aspirations of women empowerment. The participation of Tarique Rahman's daughter in the campaign fuelled that women friendly image of the party.

5.BNP projected a changed, youthful image of the party. Tarique and his campaign team looked smart and modern in white shirts and denims to project the image that Bangladesh needs to go forward and not backward. 

6. Jamaat and its allies kept the spectre of mobocracy alive while BNP projected a more tolerant approach to future. People were worried about law and order, an issue that BNP successfully highlighted and vowed to bring back order in public life.

7. Although Jamaat lost the race, results still show a significant rise in far right voters. 

8. One can only hope the opposing political ideas will play a constructive role in parliament to put democracy back on a firm footing.

Finally, Tarique's return from his long 17-year exile in London was a strong impetus for the party's rank and file. Quickly overcoming the shocks from the sad demise of his long ailing mother, he shouldered the stewardship and took whirlwind tours across the country. He proved himself and finally led the party to the landslide win. The rest is to be seen how he plays as a statesman.