Who is Tarique Rahman? Front-runner to be Bangladesh PM, Khaleda Zia's son returns after 17-year exile

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has made a resounding comeback to the country from where he was exiled for nearly two decades. He landed in Bangladesh on Thursday, December 25, and headed directly to 300 Feet to address a rally.

The return of Rahman, who had been in exile for 17 years, marked one of the most consequential moments in contemporary national politics in the country.

Tarique Rahman's homecoming comes at a time of deep uncertainty, high public expectations and mounting challenges ahead of the Bangladesh parliamentary election.

Now, preparations are underway to welcome Tarique Rahman. The BNP made extensive preparations to accord him a large public reception. A massive stage was erected on a 300-foot stretch on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka Tribune reported.

Who is Tarique Rahman?

Tarique Rahman, an aspiring Bangladesh prime minister, is the son of BNP supremo and former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia.

He is the heir to Bangladesh's longtime ruling family and a leader of its most powerful political party — the BNP.

Why was Tarique Rahman exiled?

Rahman was living in London under self-imposed exile for 17 years amid multiple criminal convictions.

According to local media reports, Rahman left Bangladesh for London in 2008 after what he has described as political persecution.

Back then, Tarique was reportedly facing trial on a slew of graft charges.

He left a note at the airport that read: " I, Tarique Rahman, do hereby declare that as of today, 11 September 2008 I resign the post of senior joint secretary general of the BNP and thereby, retire from active politics."

Tarique Rahman is back. Why is significant?

Rahman’s decision to return is driven by both political developments and personal circumstances. ​His mother has been seriously ill for months, prompting what party insiders describe as an urgent trip home.

His return to the country after nearly two decades of exile also marks a significant shift in the national politics after the BNP's foe, Sheikh Hasina, was ousted following the 2024 student-led protests.

Following the fall of Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, 2024, the country has been governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Moreover, the national election in Bangladesh is due in February next year, when the BNP will fight to return to power in the country.

The BNP aims to gather five ‍million supporters to welcome its leader in a show of strength as he emerges as a leading contender for prime minister in the February elections.

According to Reuters, a December survey by the US-based ⁠International Republican Institute suggests the BNP is on course to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, with the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party also in the race.

Hasina's Awami League party, which has ‍been barred ‌from the election, has threatened unrest that some fear could jeopardise the vote.

One killed in crude bomb explosion in Bangladesh

Aday before the arrival of Tarique Rahman, a person was killed in a crude bomb explosion in the Bangladeshi capital on Wednesday, police were quoted by news agency PTI as saying.

Witnesses said unidentified men hurled the bomb from a flyover in front of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, the central office of 1971 Liberation War veterans, in Dhaka's Moghbazar area.

A crude bomb, hurled by unidentified men from the flyover, struck a person who died on the spot, Inspector (Operations) of Hatirjheel Police Station Md Mohiuddin, was quoted as saying by The Daily Star newspaper.

Police said the deceased was a private shop employee who was having a cup of tea at a roadside stall under the flyover.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury earlier said that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain maximum vigilance and adopt top-tier security measures.

Authorities have deployed a “double-layer” security cordon combining state and party measures across Dhaka ahead of Rahman’s arrival.