Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh as Prime Ministerial Hopeful Ahead of Polls

Post by : Saif Nasser

Tarique Rahman, a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a likely candidate for prime minister, is set to return to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years in exile. His return comes just weeks before the country’s parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for February 12, and marks a major moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

The BNP says it is preparing a massive welcome for Rahman in the capital, Dhaka. Party officials aim to gather around five million supporters to greet him along the route from the airport to a public reception venue. The show of strength is intended to highlight the party’s growing popularity ahead of the vote.

Rahman, 60, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been unwell for several months. Party leaders say concern for his mother’s health was one of the personal reasons behind his decision to return at this time. After attending the reception, Rahman is expected to visit her.

His return follows a dramatic shift in Bangladesh’s politics. Last year, long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power following a student-led uprising. An interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus has since been managing the country and preparing for elections. During this period, the BNP has gained momentum, while Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from taking part in the polls.

Rahman had lived in London since 2008 while facing several criminal convictions in Bangladesh, including charges related to money laundering and an alleged plot to assassinate Hasina. After Hasina’s removal, courts cleared Rahman of all charges, removing the legal barriers that had kept him in exile.

Recent opinion surveys suggest the BNP is on track to win the largest number of seats in parliament. This has made Rahman one of the strongest contenders for the post of prime minister. Other parties, including the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, are also contesting the election. Meanwhile, supporters of the banned Awami League have warned of unrest, raising concerns about security during the election period.

Bangladesh, a nation of nearly 175 million people, is going through a sensitive phase. Many observers see Rahman’s return as a test of whether political parties can mobilise supporters peacefully and whether the interim government can deliver a fair and credible election. Although authorities have promised calm and order, recent incidents of violence and attacks on media outlets have caused public concern.

New political groups that emerged from last year’s protest movement have welcomed Rahman’s return. Leaders from the National Citizen Party said his homecoming carries strong symbolic meaning and could energise democratic forces in the country.

As Bangladesh approaches a crucial election, Tarique Rahman’s return signals a turning point. Whether it brings stability or new challenges will depend on how leaders, supporters, and institutions act in the coming weeks.