Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh as Dhaka Boils

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As Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh ends a 17-year exile, the killing of activist Osman Hadi and cracks in the Yunus regime deepen political uncertainty

By NIRENDRA DEV

New Delhi, December 25, 2025 —Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh is not just the homecoming of a political exile; it is a moment loaded with symbolism, tension and risk. Ending a 17-year-long exile, the BNP’s acting chairman — often described as the “crown prince” of Bangladesh politics — has arrived in Dhaka with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima at a time when the country is already on edge.

Rahman’s arrival comes against a volatile backdrop. His mother, former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, remains in intensive care, while the interim regime headed by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus faces growing criticism for administrative drift and political indecision. The resignation of Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, former IGP and special assistant to Yunus, has only reinforced the perception of a government struggling to hold its ground.

The scale of mobilisation around Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh is striking. Bangladesh Railway has operated 10 special trains to ferry BNP supporters to the capital. Entry restrictions around Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport underline the authorities’ concern over crowd control and security. From the airport, Rahman travelled to a massive reception at Purbachal’s 300 Feet area before visiting his ailing mother at Evercare Hospital.

Yet the political temperature spiked sharply after the killing of radical activist Osman Hadi, shot at close range in Dhaka and later dying in Singapore. His death has triggered protests and fierce accusations. At a Shahbagh rally, Hadi’s brother openly blamed the interim authorities, alleging the murder was being used to derail elections. These charges have placed the Yunus administration under unprecedented pressure.

For the BNP, Tarique Rahman’s return is both opportunity and gamble. His presence energises the party base and signals readiness for a decisive political push. For the interim government, it is a stress test — of law enforcement, political neutrality and democratic credibility.

Bangladesh now stands at a crossroads. Whether Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh becomes a moment of political revival or a trigger for deeper instability will depend on how power, protest and patience are managed in the days ahead.