In a major political development, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Saturday, ending a 17-year self-imposed exile that began in 2008. His homecoming was marked by a massive welcome from supporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, which party leaders hailed as a historic moment for the opposition.
Historic Return and Voter Registration Process
Rahman's primary objective upon arrival was to complete his formal enrollment as a voter. He proceeded directly to the Election Commission’s National Identity Wing at Agargaon in Dhaka. There, he submitted the required documents and provided his biometric details to obtain his National Identity Card (NID) and register on the voter list.
He was accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman. Reports indicated that both his wife and daughter had already completed their voter registration online prior to this visit. The BNP's official social media account described the day as the end of a "17 long years" wait, with millions gathering to welcome the leader back to his homeland.
Tributes at Dhaka University and Tight Security
Following the registration, Rahman, accompanied by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, visited the Dhaka University campus under tight security. His first stop was the grave of slain student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, where he offered prayers.
Sharif Osman Hadi was a prominent spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, a platform born from the student protest movement of July 2024. That movement was central to the political unrest that led to Sheikh Hasina stepping down. Hadi, seen as a bridge between student groups and broader political mobilization, was shot dead earlier this month, an event that has escalated tensions ahead of the February general elections.
Rahman also paid his respects at the grave of Bangladesh’s national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, which is located beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque. Hadi was laid to rest at this same site on December 20 after succumbing to injuries in Singapore.
Political Context and Future Implications
The 60-year-old opposition leader's return and registration as a voter is a significant move in Bangladesh's charged political landscape. It comes just weeks before the country is scheduled to hold its next general elections in February. Rahman's exile began in 2008, and his return is poised to galvanize the BNP's campaign.
The killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, who was preparing to contest the upcoming polls, has added a layer of sensitivity and volatility to the pre-election environment. Rahman's deliberate tribute at Hadi's grave is seen as a symbolic alignment with the youth-led protest movements that have recently shaped the nation's politics.
With his formal registration now complete, Tarique Rahman is expected to play a central and active role in the BNP's strategy for the forthcoming electoral battle, marking a new chapter in his political career and in Bangladesh's opposition politics.
