Tarique Rahman, heir to Bangladesh’s ruling family and BNP leader, prepares to return from 17-year London exile to Dhaka on Thursday, ahead of February 2026 elections, stepping up as his ailing mother Khaleda Zia eyes campaigning despite hospitalization.
Acquitted of a life sentence for the 2004 grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s rally post-Hasina’s ouster, Rahman—groomed amid Zia-Hasina “Battle of the Begums”—faces past corruption allegations he deems political, having fled in 2008 after custody claims. BNP secretary Mirza Fakhrul hails his arrival as a “fantastic day,” following Rahman’s June meet with interim leader Muhammad Yunus.
