Dhaka, Dec 28 (NationPress) Tarique Rahman, the offspring of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh, has made his return to the nation after 17 years in exile. His arrival marks a significant shift as he is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the crucial electoral fight expected early next year.

Rahman had chosen self-imposed exile in London since 2008 and has been the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 2018.

With the Bangladesh Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, disqualified from participating in the elections and his mother, Khaleda Zia, grappling with serious health issues, a political void has emerged that Rahman is expected to occupy. Although there are other contenders, including Jamaat-e-Islami and various student groups that arose after last year's mass protests, Rahman's polished political strategy and his mother's legacy are believed to be instrumental in shaping his political future.

Since returning, Rahman has faced criticism regarding his past, described by some as 'criminal'. He was apprehended in 2007 over corruption allegations but was later cleared as part of a controversial settlement. Following that, he had distanced himself from active politics until resuming leadership of the party.

His return is seen as a strategic political move, possibly orchestrated by the country's interim government to ensure a 'managed transition' before the elections. The grand welcome he received upon his arrival suggested a state-supported comeback.

According to a report from the International Science for Peace Studies, the journey from being labeled a 'fugitive' to a 'frontrunner' was not merely a result of public dissent but a consequence of significant behind-the-scenes negotiations, notably a meeting in June 2025 with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. This meeting occurred amid controversies surrounding the Yunus-led interim government, while radical factions were pushing for chaos.

Rahman’s return just months before the elections underscores both his and the BNP's determination to be serious contenders in the upcoming political arena.

Having shifted from the label of 'fugitive' to potential prime ministerial candidate, Rahman is also working to fortify his standing by promoting a 'Bangladesh First' narrative, positioning himself and the BNP as a moderate choice against radical and Islamist factions.

In a recent public address, Rahman shared a broad and inclusive vision for a 'safe Bangladesh', moving beyond mere rhetoric. He referenced Martin Luther King Jr., stating: 'I have a plan for the people of my country and for my country.'