Deep in the heart of London, where political winds blow far from his homeland, Tarique Rahman has finally broken his silence. The heir apparent to Bangladesh’s opposition leadership declared his imminent return home after a twenty-year exile that has left many wondering about the future of this South Asian nation.
“The time has come,” Rahman told reporters in his first face-to-face interview since 2004, his words carrying the weight of both promise and uncertainty. As acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Rahman’s return could reshape the political landscape ahead of February’s watershed election.
The timing is particularly significant. Bangladesh stands at a crossroads following the tumultuous events of 2024, when mass protests forced the departure of three-term Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Those demonstrations, which began as student-led movements, evolved into nationwide unrest that claimed an estimated 1,400 lives according to international observers.
Rahman, whose mother Khaleda Zia once led Bangladesh, has watched these developments from afar since 2008. Now, with all charges against him cleared by the post-Hasina government, the 58-year-old political scion sees an opening for his return.
“This is an election for which people have been waiting,” Rahman stated, his voice carrying the determination of a man preparing to step back into the spotlight. “I cannot keep myself away during this time.”
The political terrain Rahman would return to has shifted dramatically. The interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has suspended the Awami League’s political activities pending the completion of trials against its leadership. Hasina herself faces charges of crimes against humanity from her handling of the 2024 protests, allegations she and her party firmly deny.
While the BNP appears positioned for a strong showing in the upcoming election, new challenges have emerged. The Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami has gained momentum, particularly among young voters, with recent victories in university student union elections. However, Rahman dismisses concerns about this development, noting the historically limited impact of such results on national elections.
“The BNP has faced competition before,” Rahman observed with the confidence of a seasoned political strategist. “There is nothing to be worried about.”
As Bangladesh approaches this pivotal moment in its democratic journey, the return of Tarique Rahman could mark either a new chapter of stability or another complex turn in the nation’s political narrative. For a country that has weathered numerous storms since its independence, the coming months may prove as crucial as any in its history.
