Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman made a historic return to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in exile, landing in Dhaka to a massive reception of over one million supporters. The 60-year-old political leader’s homecoming marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political landscape as the nation prepares for crucial parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026.
Political Comeback of Tarique Rahman Draws Threats from Islamist Groups
Within hours of Rahman’s arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport from London, Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned lawyer Barrister Shahriar Kabir issued a death threat against the BNP leader. Kabir accused Rahman of “betraying his father” and “accepting India’s conditions,” stating that “if you come to this country with a signature given to India, your death is near”. The threat exposes deep anxieties within the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh as Rahman emerges as the frontrunner to become the nation’s next prime minister.​
Rahman’s return comes at a critical juncture following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 after 15 years of rule. The student-led uprising that removed Hasina from power created a leadership vacuum that Rahman is now positioned to fill. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus currently heads the interim government and has committed to holding elections in February 2026.
Electoral Landscape Shifts Ahead of February Polls with Tarique Rahman
The upcoming elections represent one of the most significant political contests in Bangladesh’s history, with the Awami League effectively sidelined. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party under Rahman’s leadership stands as the leading contender, though the party faces competition from an emerging alliance between Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizens’ Party, an offshoot of the 2024 protests.
Rahman, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after allegedly suffering torture under military custody. Multiple criminal cases, including money laundering charges and an alleged assassination plot against Hasina, had prevented his return for nearly two decades. These cases were withdrawn following Hasina’s departure, clearing legal obstacles for his homecoming.
Vision for Bangladesh Prioritizes National Interests
In his first major address on Bangladeshi soil, Tarique Rahman outlined a comprehensive vision emphasizing law and order, democratic principles, and religious pluralism. “Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and people of different faiths live in this country. Together, we want to build such a Bangladesh,” Rahman declared at a massive rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area.​
The BNP leader articulated a foreign policy position centered on “Bangladesh first,” stating emphatically: “Not Dilli, not Pindi, Bangladesh before everything”. This balanced approach distinguishes him from both the India-friendly Awami League and the anti-India Jamaat-e-Islami. Former Indian Ambassador to Bangladesh Veena Sikri noted that Rahman’s 17-year absence and controlled return by the previous regime has generated significant popular support.
Regional Implications and India Relations
Rahman’s return carries substantial implications for India-Bangladesh relations, particularly with the Farakka Water Treaty set for renewal in 2026. The treaty, signed 30 years ago, allocates Ganges River water shares between the two nations during dry seasons and will require diplomatic engagement with India’s government.​
India has officially responded to Rahman’s return by emphasizing the importance of inclusive elections. The BNP leader’s position differs markedly from Jamaat-e-Islami’s anti-India agenda, though he maintains a Bangladesh-centric approach rather than seeking closer ties with either New Delhi or Rawalpindi.​
Jamaat-e-Islami has blamed for stoking unrest, violence against minorities, and attacks on media institutions and cultural organizations in recent months. Rahman’s emphasis on maintaining law and order and proceeding with scheduled elections directly challenges Jamaat’s strategy of using street violence to delay polling.​
BNP Strategic Positioning Against Radical Elements
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has strategically countered Jamaat-e-Islami by forming an alliance with Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam, a different Islamist party focused on religious scholars and traditional Islamic law rather than comprehensive Islamic state ideology. This alliance demonstrates Rahman’s effort to appeal to religious constituencies while distancing from hardline radical movements.​
Rahman’s personal narrative as a victim of the Hasina regime—forced into exile for 17 years—strengthens his political credentials and makes him difficult for Jamaat to attack using the same tactics employed against the Awami League. His mother, Khaleda Zia, remains the BNP chairperson but has been critically ill for several months, creating expectations that Rahman will assume party leadership.​
The political leader referenced Bangladesh’s liberation history in his return speech, stating that “this beloved motherland was achieved in 1971 by the blood of hundreds of thousands of martyrs”. This historical framing directly challenges Jamaat-e-Islami’s attempts to erase liberation war narratives to advance its Islamist radical agenda.​
Path Forward for Bangladesh Democracy
As Bangladesh approaches its February 2026 elections, Rahman faces the dual challenge of consolidating BNP’s position while navigating threats from radical elements and managing complex regional relationships. Political experts suggest his return could stabilize Bangladesh politics amid ongoing chaos and violence.​
The interim government under Muhammad Yunus had initially planned elections for April 2026, but negotiations with the BNP resulted in the February compromise. The BNP had been threatening countrywide protests against delays, pushing for elections by December 2025.​
Rahman’s appeal to youth emphasized their role in nation-building: “Members of the younger generation, you will lead the country in the days ahead and build the nation”. His focus on establishing Bangladesh on “a strong democratic foundation and a strong economic foundation” signals priorities for governance should the BNP secure electoral victory.