News|ElectionsBangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman set for historic homecomingBNP plans historic rally as Rahman, seen as a key leader, marks his highly anticipated homecoming.
Bangladesh's main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is preparing for the return of its leader, Tarique Rahman, after nearly 17 years in exile. The BNP aims to mobilize a large number of supporters in the capital to welcome Rahman,…
Bangladesh's main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is preparing for the return of its leader, Tarique Rahman, after nearly 17 years in exile. The BNP aims to mobilize a large number of supporters in the capital to welcome Rahman, who is considered a leading candidate for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February.
Rahman, currently serving as the BNP's acting chairman, is expected to arrive from London on Thursday. This event occurs as the BNP gains momentum following the removal of longtime leader Sheikh Hasina in a student-led uprising last year. Rahman, 60, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Since 1991, political power in Bangladesh has alternated between Zia and Hasina, alongside brief caretaker administrations. With Hasina's Awami League barred from the February 12 vote, the BNP appears poised to lead the race.
Rahman, currently serving as the BNP's acting chairman, is expected to arrive from London on Thursday.
The BNP is coordinating security arrangements with authorities for the event, expecting significant public participation. Previously, Rahman faced multiple criminal convictions in Bangladesh, including money laundering and charges related to an alleged plot against Hasina. However, following Hasina's removal, courts acquitted him, clearing the legal barriers to his return.
Upon arrival, Rahman is expected to proceed to a rally venue before visiting his mother, who is seriously ill. This homecoming occurs during a transitional period managed by an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as the nation prepares for elections viewed as a test of its democratic processes.
Though there are concerns over sporadic violence and media attacks, the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed from the youth movement that ousted Hasina, has expressed support for Rahman's return. His arrival is anticipated to invigorate the BNP's leaders and supporters as they navigate the path to democracy.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
