Tarique Rahman, the Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a leading contender for the nation’s premiership, returned to Dhaka on Thursday, ending nearly two decades of exile in London. His arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport marks a seismic shift in the South Asian nation’s political landscape following the collapse of the Awami League administration in August 2024.
Stepping onto Bangladeshi soil for the first time since 2008, Mr. Rahman was met by a massive gathering of thousands of supporters. In a poignant gesture of humility and connection to the motherland, Rahman stood barefoot on the tarmac alongside his wife, Zubaida, and daughter, Zaima, amid heightened security.
Rahman’s return coincides with a pivotal transition period overseen by the interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. With national elections scheduled for February 12, 2025, and the Awami League currently barred from participation, the BNP has emerged as the clear frontrunner in recent polling.
The wait of 17 long years has finally come to an end.
Today, Dhaka witnessed history as millions of people gathered to welcome BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman back to his homeland. After 17 years of political exile, the leader of the masses has returned to his motherland.
The… pic.twitter.com/WNNjw3alM4— Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) December 25, 2025
Key Highlights from Rahman’s Address
- A Call for Unity: Addressing a jubilant crowd, Rahman drew parallels between the 1971 War of Independence and the 2024 uprising, urging citizens to build an inclusive and safe Bangladesh.
- National Security: He emphasized a vision for a country where every citizen—man, woman, and child—can move freely and safely.
- Political Evolution: Analysts note the BNP’s strategic pivot toward a secular, centrist position, underscored by its recent separation from the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party.
Legacy and Future Leadership
The 60-year-old leader, son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, assumes de facto leadership of the party as his mother remains hospitalized in critical condition. While his past was marked by controversy and legal challenges under the previous regime, the majority of charges against him have been stayed or overturned since the 2024 revolution, clearing his path to power.
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A recent poll by the International Republican Institute (IRI) places the BNP at the top of voter preference with 30% support. International observers view Rahman’s return as “the last piece of the puzzle” for the nation’s electoral preparations, signaling a likely return to elected governance for the first time in over fifteen years.
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