Rahman, 60, the son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a key contender for the top post in the upcoming polls. His return comes at a time when the BNP is seen as the frontrunner, with the Awami League barred from contesting the elections
Tarique Rahman, son of former PM Khaleda Zia, waves to supporters after his arrival in Dhaka. PIC/AFP
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka on Thursday after more than 17 years in self-exile, receiving a massive welcome that is expected to energise party workers ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections, news agency PTI reported.
Rahman, 60, the son of ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for the prime ministership in the upcoming polls. His return comes at a time when the BNP is seen as the frontrunner, with the Awami League barred from contesting the elections.
The homecoming of the BNP heir apparent comes amid renewed political unrest in Bangladesh following the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in last year’s mass protests that led to the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Rahman arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, PTI reported. He was received by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior party leaders amid tight security arrangements.
BNP has gained momentum ahead of the polls, with Jamaat-e-Islami — its former coalition partner during 2001–2006 — emerging as its main rival after the interim government barred the Awami League from participating under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Ahead of his return from London, Rahman had said he longed “like any child” to be near his “critically ill mother at her moment of crisis”, PTI reported.
Rahman’s return also comes as India-Bangladesh relations face a downturn. He left the airport in a bulletproof bus and is scheduled to attend a mass reception, with tens of thousands of supporters lining the route.
Rahman expected to visit ailing mother and former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia in Dhaka
Before leaving the airport, Rahman spoke to interim government chief Muhammad Yunus over the phone and thanked him for the security arrangements and facilitation of his return.
“I thank you on behalf of myself and my family. Specially, my sincere gratitude for the measures taken for my security,” Rahman was seen saying in a video shared by the BNP.
He is also expected to visit his octogenarian mother, Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Zia has served as prime minister three times.
Around 4,000 personnel from the army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police, including riot-control units and plainclothes officers, were deployed across Dhaka to ensure Rahman’s security.
“We have enforced an overt and covert security vigil,” a senior police official said.
Civil aviation authorities restricted the use of drones near the airport and Evercare Hospital, and photography was limited at the reception venue.
Bangladesh has witnessed violent protests following Hadi’s death, which has also strained ties with India. New Delhi sought a thorough probe into the killing after unsubstantiated allegations of an Indian role triggered anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh.
India-Bangladesh relations have remained tense since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus assumed power following the collapse of the Hasina government. India has also expressed concern over attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
(With PTI inputs)
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