Dhaka, Jan. 9 -- The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has named Tarique Rahman its new chief, formally passing the torch to the next generation of its founding family.

The scion of the Zia legacy and the party's de facto leader for the better part of a decade, the 60-year old politician has been officially crowned the party chairman in a move heavy with symbolism, inevitability, and dynastic continuity.

The confirmation came late Friday night, when BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir briefed the media following a meeting of the party's highest policymaking body, as the party braces for a crucial electoral battle next month.

"An emergency meeting of the National Standing Committee was held at 9pm, presided over by Party ...