After nearly 18 years of exile and unspoken anguish, Bangladesh stands on the brink of a historic moment today as Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, returns to his homeland, carrying the dreams of millions yearning for democracy and justice.

This is far more than the homecoming of a political leader. It embodies the long-suppressed sighs of the people, the unwavering faith of devoted party activists, and the indomitable resolve of a populace that has endured nearly two decades of autocratic rule.

“Bangladesh First” is the rallying cry that resonates across every district, every street, and every heart awaiting his arrival.

The flight carrying Tarique Rahman from London’s Heathrow, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and others, is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50am via Sylhet Thursday.

Upon arrival, he will briefly address supporters near the 300 Feet area of Dhaka, offering thanks to the people and performing a short prayer of gratitude for his safe return. The site has been transformed into a festive mass gathering under tight law enforcement security, with thousands braving freezing temperatures to catch a glimpse of their leader.

Volunteers and party leaders have meticulously organised the event, with separate areas designated for different districts and affiliated organisations. Medical camps, temporary field hospitals, and mobile support facilities have been established to ensure public safety.

Cameras, large display screens, banners, and barricades have been installed to manage the unprecedented crowd, with logistics in place to ease traffic and provide essential services.

At the heart of this historic return lies a deeply personal moment: the reunion of a mother and son.

Across miles and years of separation, Begum Khaleda Zia, three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson, waits at Evercare Hospital, her heart heavy with anticipation for her son’s arrival. The first act upon landing for Tarique will be to visit his ailing mother, offering comfort and support after months of her illness, before proceeding to his residence in Gulshan.

Tarique Rahman’s exile began in 2007, when conspiracies, oppressive policies, and targeted persecution forced him to leave the country. From that day, he lived in absence of his homeland, carrying the weight of his people’s struggles from afar.

Despite the distance, he remained connected to the pulse of Bangladesh, inspiring party activists, rallying against injustice, and supporting the causes of ordinary citizens. His politics has always been about resistance, not vengeance; about rights, not power.

Upholding the ideals of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman and the sacrificial leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique has consistently advocated for voting rights, rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties.

The last 17 years under Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule saw voterless elections, rampant forced disappearances, and systematic suppression of opposition voices. Bangladeshis endured fear, corruption, and impunity, with the democratic process reduced to a hollow ritual.

Ordinary citizens felt their freedoms and rights stripped away, yearning for leadership that could restore justice, transparency, and accountability. This oppression culminated in the historic July 2024 mass uprising, when nationwide protests demanded an end to authoritarianism.

Weeks of civil resistance forced the regime to collapse on 5 August 2024, compelling Sheikh Hasina to flee to India and leaving the nation at a historic crossroads.

Tarique Rahman’s return signals more than the comeback of a political figure—it represents a collective aspiration for credible elections, civil liberties, and accountable governance. Political analysts regard this moment as a milestone in Bangladesh’s history, marking the possibility of one of the largest political gatherings ever witnessed in the country.

Many see it as a step toward unity, inclusivity, and the restoration of democracy through free and fair elections.

Excitement has swept BNP leaders and activists across the nation. Nine special trains have been arranged to bring supporters to Dhaka, with thousands of volunteers coordinating the influx of people.

Tarique is expected to lead the BNP in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary elections, contesting from Bogura-6, with Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirming him as the party’s central figure.

“Under his leadership, we will cross the electoral hurdle successfully. If we receive the people’s mandate, Tarique Rahman will lead the next government,” Fakhrul said.

For the people of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman’s homecoming is both symbolic and practical. It is the restoration of hope after nearly two decades of political suppression, the promise of accountability after years of fear, and the revival of democracy after an era of silence.

Today, as he returns, the nation confronts economic challenges, fragile institutions, and the aspirations of a youthful population seeking dignity and justice. His leadership is viewed as a beacon of courage and guidance for a generation eager to reclaim its rights.

The end of 18 years of exile may herald, after the long night of autocracy, the promise of a new dawn. Tarique Rahman’s arrival is a call for reunion over revenge, unity over division, and justice over impunity.

It is a historic moment for Bangladesh—a chance to rebuild a humane, accountable, and democratic society for all its citizens, regardless of class, religion, or background.

Welcome, Tarique Rahman. Your return is the bold step Bangladesh has awaited—a step toward restoring rights, renewing hope, and reclaiming the promise of a democratic future.

From Detention to Exile

Tarique Rahman’s departure from Bangladesh was not a matter of choice. The political trajectory of the BNP’s acting chairman has been shaped by arrest, repression and a prolonged period of exile.

On 7 March 2007, during the state of emergency, joint forces arrested him at his residence on Shaheed Mainul Road in Dhaka Cantonment. Thirteen cases were filed in rapid succession, amid allegations of torture. His health deteriorated severely, leading to his admission to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

After more than a year in detention, he was released on bail on 11 September 2008. Later that night, citing the need for advanced medical treatment, he left for London with his family. What was described as a temporary stay soon became an extended exile.

The following years proved punishing for both Tarique and the BNP. In 2010, his mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia was evicted from her cantonment residence. In 2014, the BNP boycotted the general election and was left outside parliament, forcing the party to rely on street politics—often its only platform. Successive protest movements failed to dislodge the Awami League government.

In 2015, Tarique was dealt a personal blow with the death of his younger brother, Arafat Rahman Coco. Even then, return remained impossible. His passport expired, new cases were lodged, and he was declared a fugitive in multiple proceedings. During Awami League rule, more than 70 cases were filed against him. He was convicted in five, including a life sentence in the 21 August 2004 grenade attack case, while the High Court imposed a ban on broadcasting his speeches.

Exile, however, did not weaken his hold on the BNP. On 8 February 2018—the day Khaleda Zia was jailed in the Zia Orphanage Trust case—the party’s standing committee appointed Tarique as acting chairman. From London, through encrypted calls and video links, he directed party affairs, approving strategies, selecting candidates and shaping political messaging, as senior leaders such as Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir maintained the organisation on the ground.

The BNP now appears visibly energised. Across Dhaka, banners proclaim: “The leader is coming” and “Tarique’s return, democracy’s awakening”. Activists speak of renewal, discipline and electoral victory. The party has announced that Tarique will contest the Bogura-6 seat, marking his first bid to enter parliament.

Party offices in Gulshan and Naya Paltan have been refurbished, and a new election operations centre has been established on Gulshan Road, complete with briefing rooms and a research cell.

Yet the Bangladesh to which Tarique Rahman is returning remains deeply polarised. Whether his homecoming can help bridge that divide—or further test the country’s fragile democracy—remains an open question.

Homecoming: A New Test for Democracy?

The return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman comes at a defining moment for Bangladesh’s fragile democracy. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party says it is committed to liberal multi-party democracy, the rule of law and free, fair elections under a non-partisan caretaker government—an arrangement scrapped in 2011 and central to the party’s long-running political agitation.

The BNP argues that state power has been stripped from the people and vows to restore it through sustained movements and a 31-point reform agenda, including a bicameral parliament, limits on prime ministerial power and tenure, press freedom, repeal of what it calls repressive laws, and an end to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

The party traces its democratic legacy to founder Ziaur Rahman, whom it credits with restoring multi-party politics after one-party rule, and remains one of the country’s two dominant political forces alongside the Awami League.

Yet the BNP’s democratic credentials remain contested. Critics, including the Awami League, accuse it of election boycotts, political violence, poor governance and links with extremist groups—charges the BNP rejects. International assessments by bodies such as Freedom House and The Economist have described Bangladesh as a “hybrid regime,” citing prolonged political rivalry and the abolition of the caretaker system.

After the 2024 mass uprising that forced Sheikh Hasina from office, the political order is in flux. BNP leaders now call for unity among “pro-democracy forces” to rebuild institutions.

Against this backdrop, Tarique Rahman’s homecoming is not only symbolic of renewal, but also a critical test of whether democratic restoration can move from rhetoric to reality.

( The writer is the Editor of THE BANGLADESH EXPRESS, Chairmaan of BJFCI and former Information & Research Secretary, JASAS Central Committee ( 1996-2001). He can be reached at [email protected].)