Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh, Elevating BNP Ahead of February Elections
Rahman, 60, returns to Bangladesh politics after 17 years in exile, becoming BNP's de facto leader ahead of February 12 elections as security surrounds arrival.
Overview
Tarique Rahman, aged 60 and acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, returns to Dhaka after 17 years in exile, signaling a possible shift in BNP leadership ahead of polls.
His arrival in Dhaka occurred under tight security on Thursday morning, with thousands greeting him along a 2-kilometer route between the airport and reception venue.
From London, Rahman maintained party unity by participating in online meetings and rallies, positioning himself as a unifying figure for BNP during the February 12 elections under an interim government.
Rahman plans to visit his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, during the trip, while regional tensions rise as Hasina faces a death sentence in absentia and India withholds extradition.
Analysts view Rahman's return as a pivotal moment in Bangladesh's political crossroads, with BNP presenting a centralized leadership while thousands of supporters fill streets, signaling heightened public interest.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing Tarique Rahman's political significance and the tumultuous political landscape in Bangladesh. Language choices like "massive crowds" and "political crossroads" highlight the charged atmosphere. The focus on Rahman's return and his party's expectations suggests a narrative of potential political change, while the structural choice to detail past political turmoil underscores ongoing instability.
Sources (4)
FAQ
Tarique Rahman has faced multiple convictions in Bangladesh, including cases related to corruption and criminal charges dating from the 2000s; these convictions have previously kept him in exile and could legally constrain his ability to hold office or travel depending on whether convictions are overturned, pardoned, or enforced under Bangladeshi law[2].
Rahman’s return is seen as energizing BNP supporters and centralizing leadership, which analysts say could boost the party’s electoral momentum and organisational unity ahead of the February 12 polls; surveys cited around his return suggested BNP was positioned to win a large number of seats, increasing the party’s competitiveness under his de facto leadership.
His arrival was accompanied by tight security and large public turnout, with thousands—reported as hundreds of thousands by some outlets—lining a roughly 2-kilometre route from the airport to the reception venue, waving flags and chanting slogans as authorities secured the area[1].
Rahman planned to visit his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, during the trip; reporting describes her as ailing, and Rahman has previously cited her health among reasons for his return, though details of her current medical status were not extensively detailed in contemporary reports.
History
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