Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned from nearly 17 years in exile on Thursday (Dec 25), aiming to energize supporters ahead of the February elections, where he is seen as a top prime ministerial contender. Hundreds of thousands of supporters greeted him from Dhaka’s airport to a reception venue, waving flags and carrying banners, as senior BNP leaders welcomed him under tight security.

Rahman, 60, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has been living in London since 2008 and has led the BNP as acting chairman since 2018. His return comes as Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of about 175 million, prepares for elections under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The vote is viewed as crucial for restoring political stability after nearly two years of turmoil, though recent media attacks and sporadic violence have raised concerns.

At the airport, Rahman, dressed in a light grey checkered blazer, stepped barefoot onto Bangladeshi soil and symbolically picked up a handful of earth. At the reception, he addressed supporters, pledging to unite people of all faiths, promote safety, and build an inclusive, democratic, and economically strong Bangladesh. Rahman was previously convicted in absentia on charges including money laundering and an alleged assassination plot against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These convictions were overturned after Hasina was removed from power in a student-led uprising, clearing the way for his return. Rahman also visited his seriously ill mother, Khaleda Zia, in the hospital.

The political scene has shifted significantly since Hasina’s removal, ending the long alternation of power between Hasina and Khaleda. Nahid Islam, leader of the National Citizen Party, expressed hope that Rahman could help foster democracy and healthy political competition. A December survey by the US-based International Republican Institute indicated the BNP is poised to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, with Jamaat-e-Islami also contesting. Hasina’s Awami League, barred from the February 12 election, has warned of possible unrest that could affect the vote.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.