Bangladesh is set for an important political moment as Tarique Rahman, a senior member of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returns home after nearly 17 years spent abroad. Rahman’s return will come at a pivotal time in its political landscape with elections scheduled to be held February 12, 2026 and deep divisions between major parties. Geo News looks at this timely development for more.
Tarique Rahman, 60, acting chairman of the BNP has resided in London since 2008 when he left Bangladesh due to political persecution from a then-ruling Awami League government that led to legal proceedings and convictions against him and other members of his party. Rahman consistently denied these charges as political, dismissing them all outright as politically motivated.
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According to reports, Rahman is expected to return home on December 25, 2025 after serving out his exile and setting the stage for a potentially transformative period in Bangladeshi politics. BNP leaders have identified his arrival as a crucial event ahead of critical elections; plans are already in motion for large public gatherings and warm welcome in Dhaka city itself. With all this news out of Dhaka’s political scene being planned around his arrival – which may mark an end of Rahman’s prolonged exile and mark his return, Geo News plans on covering his arrival homecoming on December 25th 2025!
Rahman’s return is both symbolic and practical in significance. He is widely seen as being part of one of Bangladesh’s most influential political families; his father, Ziaur Rahman was both military commander and later president; while his mother Khaleda Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party for decades before it fell out with Awami League power, contributing to an increasingly divisive political atmosphere since early 90s.
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However, in the last year the political context has dramatically shifted. A mass uprising led to Sheikh Hasina being ousted and further demands for democratic reform intensifying. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has since been barred from participating in elections and an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has promised an impartial process.
Rahman’s return is both personal and political urgency; as his mother remains hospitalized due to serious illness, her presence in BNP campaigns cannot be guaranteed without her participation being limited by hospital confinement. BNP leaders have indicated that Rahman will take over leadership duties from her and reinvigorate its election strategy.
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Leading up to his arrival, the BNP has mobilized supporters and planned for an expected massive turnout in Dhaka; party figures estimate several million may gather to welcome him as an anticipated show of strength that may demonstrate its dominance within politics as well as appeal to a wide array of voters in advance of election season.
Rahman’s return has generated excitement among his supporters; however, it also poses questions and presented challenges for Bangladeshi politics. Bangladesh remains politically fragile with periodic unrest and concerns over electoral stability a priority; further complicating matters is Awami League ban and Islamist parties’ participation in electoral contests.
Critics assert that Rahman, long associated with political factionalism, could deepen divisions and complicate efforts toward national reconciliation. Meanwhile, other observers see his return as helping restore democratic competition and giving voters seeking change a clear choice among candidates running. These next few weeks will be pivotal in shaping Bangladesh’s political future as they lead up to one of its most consequential elections ever held in Bangladesh.
Geo News Rahman’s return could mark an important turning point in Bangladeshi political dynamics as it pursues stability, democratic renewal, and inclusive governance.