Tarique Rahman, leader of Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the BNP, returned to Dhaka on Thursday after living abroad for more than 17 years. His arrival has stirred excitement among supporters and comes just weeks before the country’s national elections in February 2026.
Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had been living in London since 2008. He returned with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, and was welcomed by large crowds of cheering supporters at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Security was tight, reflecting the tense political climate in the country.
His return became possible after the courts overturned several criminal convictions that had kept him away from Bangladesh. Now, he steps back into a central role in his party, aiming to rally supporters ahead of the elections.
The timing of his arrival comes amid recent unrest in Dhaka, including a crude bomb explosion that killed a man, and protests following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. These events have raised concerns about security as Rahman returns to a politically charged atmosphere.
Supporters see him as a potential future prime minister, and his homecoming is expected to energise the BNP ahead of the polls. Many believe his presence could shift the balance in the upcoming elections and challenge the long-standing dominance of the ruling party.
Rahman plans to visit his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who has been under medical care, and also attend a large public reception. His return is seen as both a symbolic and strategic moment in Bangladesh’s politics, marking the re-entry of a key opposition figure into the country’s political scene.
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