Aspiring prime minister and prominent political figure Tarique Rahman received an emotional homecoming in Bangladesh today as thousands of supporters filled the streets of Dhaka following his return after 17 years in self-imposed exile.
Rahman, son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and widely regarded as the heir apparent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), greeted party leaders upon his arrival at Dhaka airport. Traveling with his wife and daughter, he waved to gathered supporters before leaving in a security-escorted convoy, according to party-shared footage.
From the early hours of the morning, BNP supporters converged in the capital, lining roads with banners and posters bearing Rahman’s image. Patriotic music echoed through loudspeakers as crowds held placards and cut-outs portraying him as a symbol of political resilience.
Rahman departed Bangladesh for London in 2008, saying he faced politically motivated pressures at the time. Now serving as acting chairman of the BNP, he is expected to steer the party through the upcoming February 12 general election — the first since the departure of former premier Sheikh Hasina following last year’s student-led uprising.
The BNP is viewed by many observers as a leading contender in the polls, and Rahman is anticipated to be nominated for prime minister should the party secure a parliamentary majority.
Meanwhile, his mother, 80-year-old Khaleda Zia, remains hospitalized in Dhaka due to ongoing health complications. Despite years of illness and periods of imprisonment, she had vowed in November to participate in election campaigning before being admitted to intensive care shortly afterward.
Rahman’s return also unfolds against a backdrop of tension linked to the recent killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, known for his outspoken criticism of India and his involvement in last year’s mass protests. Hadi, 32, was shot in Dhaka by unidentified attackers earlier this month and later died in a Singapore hospital. His death triggered widespread unrest, with arson attacks targeting multiple buildings, including major newspapers and a cultural institution.
