Bangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman set for historic homecoming

As its leader, Tarique Rahman, prepares to return home after almost 17 years in exile, Bangladesh’s main opposition party claims to be preparing a sizable show of support.

Rahman is widely regarded as the party’s front-runner for the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants to mobilise up to five million supporters in the capital to support him.

Following the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power in a student-led uprising last year, his expected arrival from London on Thursday is in line with the BNP’s recovery.

Rahman, 60, is the acting chairman of the BNP and the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

With the exception of brief caretaker administrations, power has largely alternated between Zia and Hasina since 1991. The BNP appears to be in a position to win the race now that Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from contesting the February 12 election.

A “defining political moment”

The supporters expected to line the route from the airport to the reception venue, according to BNP leaders, who claim they are coordinating security arrangements with the authorities.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the senior leader of the BNP, declared, “This will be a defining political moment.”

Rahman has lived in London since 2008 after being charged with money laundering and allegedly plotting to assassinate Hasina after serving numerous criminal sentences in Bangladesh. Following Hasina’s resignation from office, the legal repercussions that had prevented his return were removed.

Rahman will travel to his mother, who has been battling a serious illness for months, straight from the airport to the rally venue, according to BNP officials.

A fragile transition is being led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which oversees the homecoming. After years of political unrest, Bangladesh’s ability to reclaim its democracy is seen as crucially tested by the election.

Concerns about the state’s ability to guarantee a credible vote are still present due to the recent attacks on media outlets and sporadic violence.

Rahman’s return was welcomed by the National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the Hasina-toppled youth protest movement.