Key points
- Tarique Rahman to end nearly 17 years in exile on December 25
- BNP expects large public mobilisation on his return
- Legal obstacles eased after key convictions were overturned
- Rahman seen as central figure for BNP ahead of polls
- Return follows major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape
ISLAMABAD: Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will return from exile on December 25, after nearly 17 years, ahead of national elections and is expected to energise the party’s base.
Senior BNP officials say Rahman will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow, calling the move historic for a party that has spent years operating under pressure and leadership constraints. Preparations are underway for receptions in the capital and other cities, reflecting expectations of renewed political momentum.
Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 amid political turmoil and a series of legal cases, later settling in London. He faced several convictions in absentia, including a life sentence linked to a 2004 grenade attack, allegations he has consistently denied. Subsequent legal developments have removed key barriers to his return.
Despite leading the BNP from abroad as acting chairman, Rahman’s prolonged absence limited on-the-ground mobilisation. Party leaders believe his physical presence will help rebuild organisational coherence, sharpen campaign strategy and strengthen alliances ahead of the next general election, expected in early 2026.
The timing of his return coincides with a transformed political environment following mass protests and the exit of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Analysts say this shift has reopened space for opposition forces previously marginalised.
With former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in frail health and largely out of active politics, Rahman is widely viewed as the BNP’s principal leader going into the election cycle. Supporters portray his return as restoring competitive politics, critics warn of renewed polarisation.
