In a dramatic turn of events that is set to redefine the political landscape, Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned to his homeland after nearly 17 years in exile. His arrival in Dhaka on Thursday, December 25, 2025, comes at a critical juncture, with the country preparing for pivotal national elections and operating under an interim government.
A Defining Homecoming Amidst High Stakes
The return of the 60-year-old political heir marks one of the most consequential moments in contemporary Bangladeshi politics. Rahman, who is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had fled the country in September 2008 following his release from prison, citing what he described as politically motivated persecution. He had been living in London since then.
His homecoming follows a significant shift in the nation's power structure. The government of Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League was ousted on August 5, 2024, after widespread student-led protests. Since then, the country has been steered by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. With the next parliamentary election due in February 2026, Rahman's return is seen as a major move by the BNP to galvanise its base and mount a serious challenge to return to power.
Massive Preparations and Tight Security
The BNP orchestrated extensive preparations to welcome its leader. A massive stage was erected on a 300-foot stretch on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka, to accommodate a large public reception. Anticipating huge crowds, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued detailed traffic instructions to manage the event.
Security was exceptionally tight. The police notice explicitly prohibited individuals from carrying bags, sticks, or similar items to the welcome gathering. Furthermore, people were barred from joining Rahman's motorcade, and motorcycles were completely banned from stopping or travelling along the routes from Gulshan and Banani to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Shadow of Violence and a Nation on Edge
The politically charged atmosphere was underscored by a violent incident just a day before Rahman's arrival. On Wednesday, December 24, a person was killed in a crude bomb explosion in Dhaka's Moghbazar area. According to police reports, unidentified men hurled the bomb from a flyover. The victim, a private shop employee, was having tea at a roadside stall and died on the spot.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the explosion. In light of the event and the high-profile return, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that law enforcement agencies were instructed to maintain maximum vigilance. A "double-layer" security cordon, combining state and party measures, was deployed across Dhaka to ensure safety during Rahman's arrival.
The return of Tarique Rahman injects a powerful and unpredictable variable into Bangladesh's immediate political future. It signifies the full re-entry of the Zia political dynasty into the fray, setting the stage for a fiercely contested election in 2026. The nation now watches to see how this homecoming will influence the campaign dynamics under the watchful eye of the interim government.
