Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia remains in “very critical” condition at a Dhaka hospital, her party reported on Sunday (Nov 30), while her self-exiled son and acting party chief, Tarique Rahman, expressed uncertainty about returning to the country. Khaleda, 80, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was admitted to a private hospital on Nov 23 with a severe chest infection affecting her heart and lungs, according to doctors and senior party officials.

The BNP has regained prominence following the ousting of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising last year. Rahman, who has lived in London since 2008, wrote on Facebook Saturday that his return was “not entirely” in his control, prompting speculation about potential political or legal hurdles. However, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus clarified that there are no restrictions on his return. Shafiqul Alam, Yunus’ press secretary, confirmed on Facebook that “there are no obstacles in this matter,” while de facto Foreign Minister Touhid Hossain added that a travel pass would be issued within a day if Rahman wishes to come back.

Since Hasina’s removal in August last year, Rahman has been acquitted in all cases against him, removing previous legal barriers to his return. The BNP, which boycotted controversial elections in 2014 and 2024, has been gaining momentum since last August and is increasingly seen as a key contender in Bangladesh’s shifting political landscape. Khaleda Zia’s health and Rahman’s uncertain return have placed the party in the spotlight, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the country’s political scene.