By Admin 
Acting President of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tariq Rahman returned to Dhaka on 25 December 2025 after a long stay of 17 years. He is the elder son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and is considered the de-facto leader of BNP. His return is being considered very special before the parliamentary elections to be held on 12 February 2026, because BNP is likely to get the maximum number of seats in the elections.
Tariq had gone to London after being released from jail.
Tariq Rehman had gone to London in 2008 on the pretext of treatment. He was released from jail amid the political crisis at that time. While in London, he took charge of the party, keeping the BNP united through online meetings and rallies. From 2009, he became the senior vice president of the party and later the acting president. He also started a private PR company White and Blue Consultants Limited there.
There were allegations of money laundering and conspiracy to murder.
During Sheikh Hasina’s government, Tariq was facing many serious charges like money laundering and conspiracy to murder. He was sentenced in absentia, but after the removal of Hasina’s government, these decisions were reversed and all the cases were closed. Sheikh Hasina had to resign after a major student movement in July 2025 and went to India. Since then BNP’s position has strengthened.
How will BNP benefit from Tariq’s arrival?
According to a survey by America’s International Republican Institute, BNP may get the maximum number of seats in the Parliament. Tariq Rehman is being considered the strongest contender for the next Prime Minister. His 80-year-old mother Khaleda Zia is ill and admitted in a hospital in Dhaka. His mother’s health is also said to be a major reason for Tariq’s return.
Tariq will contest from Bogura-6 seat
After his return, Tariq Rehman addressed supporters in a big rally. He will meet his mother and start election campaign soon. He is going to contest from Bogura-6 seat. His arrival will give new strength to the BNP and is being considered a sign of political change in the country, where incidents of violence, instability and attacks on minorities have increased in recent months.
Tariq said that Bangladesh belongs to people of all religions
Addressing the public at the rally, Tariq said, ‘Bangladesh belongs to people of all religions. Today the people of Bangladesh want to get back their right to speak. Now the time has come that we all together build the country. This country belongs to the people of mountains and plains, of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians. We want to create a safe Bangladesh, where every woman, man and child can leave and return home safely.
Tariq came to Bangladesh with his wife and daughter
60 year old Tariq Rehman reached Bangladesh from London with his wife Zubaida Rehman and daughter Jaima Rehman. Senior BNP leader, Standing Committee member and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir received him at the airport. He left the place amid tight security and proceeded to a grand reception at 300 Feet Road (Purbachal). Where lakhs of supporters welcomed him.
Khaleda was a staunch opponent of Sheikh Hasina
The politics of Bangladesh has revolved around two leaders, one of whom was Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina and the other was BNP’s Khaleda Zia. There was military rule in Bangladesh in the 1980s. At that time, Hasina and Khaleda used to protest together on the streets against the military rule. After Khaleda Zia won the elections in 1991, political enmity between Khaleda and Sheikh Hasina increased. Whenever elections were held in Bangladesh after 1990, power went either to Khaleda Zia or to Sheikh Hasina. The media names it ‘Battle of Begums’ i.e. fight of two Begums.