Lead: Tarique Rahman, 60, returned to Dhaka on Thursday, Dec 25, 2025, after nearly 17 years living in London, his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said. The acting chairman of the BNP — widely viewed as the party’s prime ministerial frontrunner — arrived amid mass street-level celebrations and heavy security. His homecoming follows the 2024 ouster of Sheikh Hasina and the overturning of several convictions that had kept him abroad. The arrival reshapes the political landscape ahead of a February general election and raises immediate questions about stability and governance.
Key Takeaways
- Tarique Rahman, aged 60, landed in Dhaka on Dec 25, 2025 after roughly 17 years of self-exile in London.
- The BNP says it aims to mobilise up to 5 million supporters in the capital to welcome Rahman, an unprecedented scale for a single party rally.
- Rahman is seen as the leading BNP candidate for the February general election, positioning him at the centre of the transitional government led by Muhammad Yunus.
- Several convictions against Rahman, including money-laundering and a charge linked to an alleged assassination plot, were overturned following the 2024 change in political control.
- The return comes as Khaleda Zia, the party chair and Rahman’s mother, remains seriously ill at age 80, creating urgency for leadership transition within the BNP.
- Observers note ongoing concerns about media attacks and sporadic violence that could affect the credibility and safety of the upcoming vote.
Background
The rivalry between the Awami League and the BNP has shaped Bangladesh politics for decades, with Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia alternating dominance. Rahman — heir to the Zia political legacy — left Bangladesh in 2008 amid prosecutions he and supporters described as politically motivated and sought refuge in London for medical treatment and safety.
During his absence, Rahman was convicted in absentia on several counts, including money laundering and in one case tied to an alleged plot against Sheikh Hasina. Those rulings were later nullified after Hasina’s removal from power in 2024, removing key legal obstacles to his return. The BNP’s organisational strength and street mobilisation capacity have persisted, even as leadership questions emerged while Khaleda Zia has been seriously ill.
Main Event
Rahman’s flight arrived on Thursday and senior BNP leaders met him at the airport under tight security. Hundreds of thousands of supporters lined the route into the city, waving party flags, carrying placards and chanting slogans as the procession moved toward a reception venue established by the party.
Dressed in a light-grey chequered blazer and white shirt, Rahman greeted supporters and observers said he smiled and waved during the journey. BNP officials said he planned to proceed from the reception to visit his ailing mother, 80-year-old Khaleda Zia, who remains party chair despite prolonged illness.
The BNP described the mobilisation as “unprecedented” and signalled that Rahman would assume more direct leadership responsibilities as acting chairman. Party strategists say the return aims to unify supporters and consolidate a campaign organisation ahead of February’s election, where the BNP is widely seen as a leading contender.
Analysis & Implications
Rahman’s re-entry into Bangladesh politics matters for three reasons: leadership consolidation within the BNP, campaign momentum ahead of the February election, and the signal it sends to domestic and international observers about political normalisation. If Rahman successfully consolidates the party, the BNP could present a coherent challenge to other contenders and shape the interim government’s mandate.
However, returnees with polarising histories can also intensify divisions. Critics warn that Rahman’s prominence may harden partisan lines, especially while the Awami League has been barred from contesting this election and some of its supporters have threatened unrest. Security forces, civil administration remnants from previous governments, and local political actors will be critical in determining whether the mobilisation remains peaceful.
Economically and diplomatically, a clear transfer of leadership within the BNP could reassure investors and foreign partners that the transition will not collapse into prolonged instability. Conversely, any escalation of street clashes or suppression of media could prompt international concern and complicate donor and trade relationships at a sensitive moment for Bangladesh’s economy.
Comparison & Data
| Indicator | Current detail |
|---|---|
| Length of exile | ~17 years (left 2008, returned Dec 25, 2025) |
| Return date | 25 December 2025 |
| BNP welcome target | Up to 5 million supporters in Dhaka (party claim) |
| Khaleda Zia’s age | 80 years |
The table summarises immediate, verifiable figures cited by party statements and reporting. These metrics capture why the return is both symbolically and operationally significant: the length of exile and the scale of planned mobilisation indicate deep public interest and organisational capacity, while leadership health (Khaleda Zia’s condition) explains the timing.
Reactions & Quotes
Domestic and international responses were swift. Supporters celebrated in Dhaka; opposition figures hailed the move as the restoration of a major political actor; some observers cautioned about potential destabilisation if rival factions push back.
“Bangladesh is going through a very volatile and uncertain future.”
Tanvir Chowdhury, Al Jazeera correspondent
Al Jazeera’s correspondent emphasised the fragility of the transition, noting a vacuum in leadership and the challenge of stabilising governance in the run-up to a national vote.
“An unprecedented mobilisation is planned to welcome Rahman.”
BNP statement (party official)
The BNP framed the reception as proof of mass support and a step toward consolidating party leadership. Independent monitors and some analysts caution that party estimates of crowd size are often politically inflated and should be treated with caution.
Unconfirmed
- Exact turnout figures for the BNP’s planned Dec 25–26 mobilisation remain unverified and are based on party claims.
- The full legal status of all past convictions and any pending proceedings could be subject to further official clarification.
- Precise effects on the February election outcome are projections; seat-by-seat polling and official candidate lists have not yet been finalised.
Bottom Line
Tarique Rahman’s return on Dec 25, 2025 represents a major re-entry of a controversial but influential figure into Bangladeshi politics. It immediately strengthens the BNP’s visible leadership at a time when the party needs to organise for a high-stakes February general election and manage the health-related absence of its long-time chair, Khaleda Zia.
Whether the return leads to a stable, competitive electoral process or intensifies polarisation will depend on several factors: how security forces and the interim administration manage public order, whether rival parties participate or boycott, and whether international observers judge the process credible. For voters and foreign partners, the coming weeks will be decisive in assessing whether Bangladesh’s fragile transition can deliver a peaceful, legitimate transfer of power.
Sources
- Al Jazeera — International news organisation reporting from Dhaka.
- International Republican Institute (IRI) — U.S.-based polling organisation referenced for December survey findings.