Tarique Rahman Returns to Dhaka After 17 Years, Boosting BNP Ahead of Elections

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned to Dhaka after 17 years in exile, receiving a warm welcome from supporters. His arrival is expected to energize the party as it prepares for the upcoming parliamentary elections on February 12. Amidst a politically charged atmosphere following the assassination of a youth leader, Rahman's return also highlights the strained relations between India and Bangladesh. He is set to visit his critically ill mother while navigating a tense political landscape where the Awami League is barred from contesting the elections. This development could significantly impact the future of Bangladeshi politics.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 25, 2025, 15:41 IST

Tarique Rahman's Homecoming

Dhaka, Dec 25: After spending over 17 years in self-imposed exile, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), made his return to Dhaka on Thursday, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from party members and supporters. This event is anticipated to invigorate the BNP as it prepares for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12.

At 60 years old, Rahman, who is the son of the ailing former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, is seen as a prominent candidate for leadership as the party aims to regain power. His return comes amid a politically charged atmosphere, particularly following the assassination of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a significant figure in last year's protests that resulted in the downfall of the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina.

Accompanied by his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima, Rahman was welcomed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party officials, all under tight security. He then traveled in a bulletproof bus to a mass reception where thousands of supporters had gathered.

Rahman is also expected to visit his critically ill mother, who is currently receiving treatment in the ICU at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Prior to his departure from London, the BNP indicated that Rahman was eager to be by his mother's side during this challenging time.

Before departing the airport, Rahman had a brief phone conversation with interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, although the specifics of their discussion were not revealed.

In preparation for Rahman's arrival, approximately 4,000 personnel from the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police were deployed throughout Dhaka, implementing strict security protocols, including drone restrictions in sensitive areas.

The political environment remains fraught, with the Awami League unable to participate in the upcoming elections due to the Anti-Terrorism Act, positioning Jamaat-e-Islami—BNP's former ally—as its main competitor. Rahman's return also coincides with deteriorating relations between India and Bangladesh, exacerbated by unrest following Hadi's murder and concerns from New Delhi regarding the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.