Who is Tarique Rahman, and why his return to Bangladesh after 17 years is being keenly watched in India
Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile, ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections. His arrival reshapes the political landscape following Sheikh Hasina's ouster and amid ongoing political violence. India is closely monitoring these developments due to regional implications.
Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile in the UK. His arrival ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12 can reshape Bangladesh’s political moment and carries regional significance for India, which closely tracks political stability and leadership shifts in its eastern neighbour.
Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment amid legal and political pressure. His return comes as Bangladesh undergoes a fragile transition following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and a phase of recurring political violence.
Who is Tarique Rahman?
Tarique Rahman, 58, is the elder son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and the acting chairman of the BNP. He has lived in London since 2008 after leaving Bangladesh amid multiple criminal convictions, including money laundering and charges linked to an alleged plot to assassinate then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Over the past year, Bangladesh’s higher courts have acquitted him in all major cases, including the 2004 grenade attack and the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. These rulings removed the legal barriers to his return. Widely seen as the BNP’s de facto leader, Rahman has announced plans to contest the February 2026 general elections.
Why his return matters now
Rahman’s return comes at a time of sharp political transition. A nationwide uprising last year forced Sheikh Hasina out of power after 15 years. In the aftermath, a Yunus-led interim government took charge. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as Chief Adviser, tasked with reforms and ensuring a fair electoral process ahead of the 2026 polls.
You Might Also Like:
Bangladesh has also seen repeated violence since Hasina’s ouster. The recent killing of youth leader Osman Hadi, a key figure in Hasina’s removal, has renewed tensions. Hadi’s brother alleged the murder was aimed at “sabotaging polls”.
Against this backdrop, Rahman’s return has been facilitated by the interim government. Earlier this month, foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain said the government could issue a “one-time” travel pass within a day if Rahman wished to return. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus also discussed the issue at a recent meeting, officials said.
Why India is closely watching developments in Bangladesh
For India, political stability in Bangladesh has direct regional implications. Bangladesh is India’s close neighbour with deep economic, security and people-to-people links. Any leadership change in Dhaka affects regional cooperation, border management and trade flows.
Rahman’s homecoming ends years of BNP leadership from abroad and strengthens the party’s position as a key contender in upcoming elections. Supporters see him as a potential prime ministerial candidate, which could alter Bangladesh’s political direction after nearly two decades dominated by the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina.