After 17 Years in Exile, Tarique Rahman Returns: Will He Shape Bangladesh’s 2026 Polls?
Tarique Rahman, acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and eldest son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to return to Bangladesh after 17 years of self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. Once dubbed the “dark prince” of Bangladeshi politics, Rahman is now widely seen as a potential frontrunner ahead of the February 2026 general elections—but questions remain over whether he can win over undecided voters.
Rahman, 60, has lived in the UK for nearly two decades and has remained largely absent from frontline politics in Bangladesh. His return marks a significant moment for the BNP, which is positioning him as a central figure in its electoral strategy.
The BNP leader has announced that he will arrive in Bangladesh on Thursday, December 25. The party is planning a massive reception to mark his homecoming, with organisers aiming to draw as many as five million people to a gathering in Dhaka.
Rahman’s return is expected to reshape the political landscape as Bangladesh moves closer to the 2026 elections, raising speculation over how his leadership and legacy may influence voter sentiment after years away from the country’s political arena.
