DHAKA (MNN); Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years in exile, receiving a massive welcome from thousands of party supporters in what is being seen as a turning point in the country’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.
Rahman arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport along with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, stepping barefoot onto Bangladeshi soil under tight security arrangements. His return comes at a critical time as Bangladesh prepares for general elections scheduled for February 12 under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took power after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in August 2024.
Widely regarded as the de facto leader of the BNP and a leading contender for the prime minister’s office, Rahman’s homecoming has boosted party morale. His mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been hospitalised in critical condition since November 23.
Rahman, 60, is the eldest son of former president Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister. He has lived in London since 2008 and has served as BNP’s acting chairman since 2018, when his mother was jailed during Sheikh Hasina’s rule.
He rose to prominence during Khaleda Zia’s second term between 2001 and 2006 but later faced allegations of corruption, money laundering and political violence. He was arrested in 2007 during emergency rule, later released on bail, and left for the UK for medical treatment. The BNP has consistently maintained that the cases against him were politically motivated. Following the 2024 uprising, most charges and convictions against Rahman were stayed or overturned, paving the way for his return.
Addressing supporters at a rally in Dhaka, Rahman called for unity and inclusivity, saying the people of Bangladesh once again stood together in 2024 to protect the country’s sovereignty. He stressed the need to build a safe Bangladesh where all citizens could live without fear.
Rahman’s return comes after the Awami League was barred from contesting the elections, following the sentencing of Sheikh Hasina by a tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity related to the violent crackdown on protesters last year. Analysts believe the BNP is now well positioned to fill the political space left by the Awami League’s absence.
Recent opinion polls suggest the BNP is the frontrunner in the elections, raising expectations that the party could return to power after nearly two decades. Observers say Rahman’s presence on the ground will play a key role in shaping the party’s campaign and the country’s political future.
