After more than 17 years in self-imposed exile, Tarique Rahman, the son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Dhaka on Thursday in a dramatic political comeback that could reshape the country’s leadership ahead of national elections scheduled for February.
Rahman, 60, arrived from London under heavy security at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where vast crowds of supporters gathered to welcome him home. His return marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s volatile political landscape, with many observers viewing him as a leading contender to guide the country’s next government.
A Long Exile Comes to an End
Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 to seek medical treatment abroad after being mistreated while in custody during a military-backed caretaker administration that governed from 2006 to 2008. He remained in London for nearly two decades, during which he continued to exert influence over domestic politics from afar.
As acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one of the country’s two dominant political parties, Rahman maintained control over party strategy and leadership despite his absence. Analysts note that his authority within the BNP went largely unchallenged, reinforcing his status as the party’s central figure.
Massive Show of Support in Dhaka
Supporters flooded streets stretching several kilometers from the airport to a public reception venue, with many camping overnight in anticipation of his arrival. It took hours for Rahman’s motorcade to reach the stage, where he addressed the crowd with calls for unity, stability, and peace.
He pledged to work toward building a secure and inclusive Bangladesh, emphasizing harmony among communities and religions. His speech was met with loud applause and chants from supporters who see him as a symbol of political renewal.
Following the event, Rahman said he planned to visit his mother, Khaleda Zia, who is hospitalized and in critical condition. Zia served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006 and remains one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh’s modern political history.
Political Legacy and Rivalries
Khaleda Zia rose to prominence after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She later became prime minister in 1991 after playing a key role in a mass movement that ended military rule.
For decades, Bangladeshi politics has been dominated by rivalry between Zia and Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister who led the country for 15 consecutive years until her government fell in 2024 amid widespread protests. Hasina was later sentenced to death in absentia on charges related to a violent crackdown during the uprising. She fled to India, which has declined requests for her extradition.
A Nation at a Turning Point
Bangladesh is currently governed by an interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, tasked with restoring order and overseeing a transition back to democratic rule. However, the government has faced criticism from international human rights organizations over alleged restrictions on civil liberties, press freedom, and minority rights.
Concerns have also been raised domestically about growing influence from Islamist groups and challenges to maintaining law and order. Rahman initially backed Yunus when he assumed leadership, but relations between the interim government and the BNP have since become strained.
Legal Battles and Political Future
During Hasina’s tenure, Rahman was convicted in multiple criminal cases, which he consistently described as politically motivated. In recent months, appellate courts under the interim administration have cleared him of all convictions, including allegations connected to a deadly 2004 attack on a political rally.
With his legal hurdles removed and his physical presence restored, Rahman’s return has energized the BNP and intensified speculation about his role in the next government. As election campaigning accelerates, his leadership could prove decisive in shaping Bangladesh’s political direction after years of upheaval.
