• Tens of thousands gather to welcome Khaleda Zia’s heir at Dhaka homecoming
• BNP leader vows inclusive state, peace in first speech since 2008; takes party helm ahead of Feb 12 general election

DHAKA: Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile with a promise to deliver safety, justice and unity if his party secures victory in next year’s elections.

Mr Rahman, the acting chairman of the popular Bangladesh Nationalist Party, arrived to a rapturous welcome from huge crowds of joyous supporters, who had gathered in the capital since early morning.

His return marks a pivotal moment for Dhaka, as it navigates a fragile political transition following the ouster of autocrat Sheikh Hasina.

“Today, I want to say that I have a plan for my country ... a safe state that people have long hoped for,” the 60-year-old said in his first speech after his homecoming.

“It is time we build a country together. This country belongs to the people in the hills and the plains, to Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus.”

Addressing the cheering multitudes, the seasoned politician pledged to build “a Bangladesh that a mother dreams of.” He emphasised the need for peace in the instability-plagued nation, repeating the appeal three times: “We want peace in the country.”

The scenes at the airport were charged with emotion. Dressed in a light grey, finely-chequered blazer over a crisp white shirt, Rahman exited the terminal and removed his shoes to step barefoot onto the grass.

In a mark of reverence to his motherland, he scooped up a handful of soil before ducking into a convoy under tight security.

Video footage shared by his party showed Rahman standing beside the driver’s seat of a bus, smiling and waving to hundreds of thousands of supporters who lined the route.

Patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers, while the streets were plastered with banners and festoons bearing his image. Some cardboard cut-outs depicted Rahman riding a stallion, underscoring the high hopes resting on his leadership.

“Bangladesh was in a dire situation,” party supporter Alamgir Hossain said amid the crowds. “Only Rahman can fix it.”

Known locally as Tarique Zia, he is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. He left for London in 2008 following an arrest on corruption charges he described as political persecution.

He will now lead the BNP through the Feb 12 general elections, the first polls since a student-led uprising toppled Hasina’s government last year.

The BNP is widely viewed as the election frontrunner, with a December survey by the US-based International Republican Institute suggesting the party is on course to win the majority of parliamentary seats. Hasina’s rival Awami League party has been barred from the upcoming contest.

Rahman’s return is driven by both political duty and personal urgency. His 80-year-old mother is undergoing treatment in intensive care at a Dhaka hospital after years of imprisonment and ill health.

Rahman noted that his mother had “sacrificed everything” for the country and expressed his gratitude, with party officials confirming he would visit her immediately after his reception.

His homecoming comes amid unrest over the killing of popular student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a staunch critic of India who participated in the mass uprising. Hadi, 32, died in a Singapore hospital after being shot by masked assailants in Dhaka earlier this month.

His death triggered violent protests, with mobs torching buildings including a prominent cultural institution and two major newspapers deemed favourable to India.

Diplomatic ties with historical ally New Delhi have deteriorated since Hasina sought refuge in India. Indian officials have said they are considering a request to extradite the ousted leader, who was sentenced to death in absentia for orchestrating a deadly crackdown during the uprising.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2025