Tarique Rahman Returns to Dhaka, Signals BNP Campaign
Tarique Rahman Returns to Dhaka, Signals BNP Campaign
After 17 years in exile, Tarique Rahman lands in Dhaka to lead BNP's election push, meet supporters, and visit his ailing mother Khaleda Zia.
Tarique Rahman has landed back in Dhaka, marking a pivotal moment for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party as it gears up for the February general elections. The BNP acting chairman recently returned to lead the party’s campaign in a renewed bid to rally supporters from across the country. He is expected to address party members and visitors soon and to visit his mother, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who remains hospitalised in the capital.
The return comes after Rahman spent nearly 18 years abroad, including time in the United Kingdom, and follows a period of legal acquittals and a reshaped political landscape in Bangladesh. BNP sources say the party has prepared a house in Dhaka and outfitted additional bulletproof vehicles to support Rahman’s campaign travels in the coming weeks.
Security in Dhaka is tight as Rahman’s homecoming coincides with a period of unrest linked to political tensions ahead of the polls. A recent bombing in the Mogbazar area underscored the volatile environment as supporters await what could be a major public rally.
Observers note that Rahman’s re-entry is being positioned as a turning point for the BNP, with the 60-year-old son of Khaleda Zia emerging as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming elections. Khaleda Zia’s illness and absence from recent rallies further complicate the party’s dynamics, but Rahman’s return signals a concerted push to consolidate support from across the country.
As Dhaka braces for a high-stakes political season, Rahman’s arrival is set to galvanize BNP workers and supporters, who hope the former exile’s presence will translate into a stronger campaign infrastructure and broader public visibility. Whether this will translate into decisive momentum before the February vote remains a focal point of discussion among analysts and opponents alike.
