Khaleda Zia’s son to return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile: Why BNP sees Tarique Rahman’s comeback as a turning point

(FILES) This handout photograph taken and released on June 13, 2025, by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Office of Interim Government shows Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus (R) and acting Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman (R) shaking hands during a meeting in London. (Photo by Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Office of Interim Government / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/BANGLADESH'S CHIEF ADVISOR OFFICE OF INTERIM GOVERNMENT" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairperson Tarique Rahman, the elder son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is set to return to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending nearly 17 years of political exile. His homecoming comes at a critical moment, just months before national elections scheduled for February 2026.

The BNP has received official permission to organise a public reception to mark Rahman’s return. Party leaders see his arrival as a turning point, with Rahman widely regarded as the party’s chief strategist and political heir. His presence on the ground is expected to energise the opposition’s campaign at a time when Bangladesh’s political environment remains tense, with recurring violence and growing space for radical groups.

Rahman’s return also coincides with mounting uncertainty under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. With the Bangladesh Awami League barred from contesting the upcoming polls, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is widely seen as the frontrunner. BNP leaders believe Rahman’s return could further consolidate public support unless there is an unexpected political shift.

In recent months, Rahman has become increasingly vocal on political and foreign policy issues, often drawing clear lines between the BNP and the interim government. In May, he questioned whether an unelected administration had the authority to take long-term foreign policy decisions and reiterated his party’s demand for timely elections and democratic reforms.

At a rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area, Rahman outlined what he described as a “Bangladesh First” policy, arguing that national interest should take precedence over alignment with any external power. His remarks were viewed as a contrast to both the interim government’s approach and the policies of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose government maintained close ties with India while balancing relations with China and keeping distance from Pakistan.

While the BNP has long criticised the Hasina administration for authoritarianism and weakening democratic institutions, it has also clashed with the Yunus-led interim government over delays in announcing elections. Political observers say sustained pressure from the BNP played a key role in fixing February 2026 as the poll timeline.

With the Awami League out of contention, the BNP has emerged as the dominant political force. Party leaders argue that any further delay would hurt the BNP, which has already built campaign momentum, while rival groups remain less organised at the grassroots.

The BNP has collected nomination papers for Khaleda Zia from the Bogura-7 constituency. Tarique Rahman is expected to contest from Bogura-6 (Sadar), a seat his mother won repeatedly between 1991 and 2008.

Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 after spending 18 months in jail and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family. His return now marks a major political development ahead of what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in Bangladesh’s recent history.