BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman returns to Bangladesh after 17 years...could he be next Prime Minister?
Dhaka/London: A major development has unfolded in Bangladeshi politics. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned home after nearly 17 years of self-imposed exile. Tremendous enthusiasm is being seen within the party regarding the return of the 60-year-old Tarique Rahman.
Pictures of Tarique Rahman before his departure from London's Heathrow Airport to Dhaka went viral on social media. His wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman were also seen with him. Daughter Zaima shared pictures from inside the plane and wrote on Facebook, "Returning to our homeland, Bangladesh."
General elections are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on February 12 next year. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party has been banned. In this situation, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is the strongest contender to win the elections.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is 80 years old and in poor health. Therefore, it is believed that Rahman could be the next Prime Minister.
BNP's Mega Welcome Program
The BNP claims that more than 50 lakh supporters will gather in the capital Dhaka to welcome Tarique Rahman. The party says this will be the largest political welcome program ever. A rally of supporters will be held from Dhaka Airport to the welcome venue. Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi called it a "politically historic moment" and said that continuous coordination is being maintained with the administration to maintain law and order.
Exile and Legal Disputes
Tarique Rahman had been living in London since 2008. During that time, several criminal cases were registered against him in Bangladesh, including cases related to money laundering and an alleged conspiracy to attack then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. However, after Sheikh Hasina stepped down from power, Tarique Rahman was acquitted in all the cases, paving the way for his return.
Major Political Stir Before Elections
Tarique Rahman's return comes at a time when parliamentary elections are scheduled in Bangladesh on February 12. Political analysts believe that his presence could give the BNP a major political advantage and he could emerge as a leading contender for the Prime Minister's post. Tarique Rahman's return is being seen as the beginning of a new chapter in Bangladeshi politics.