BNP’s Tarique Rahman returns to Dhaka after 17 Years, draws massive public

WEB DESK: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after more than 17 years in exile, receiving an emotional and unprecedented welcome from party leaders, activists and supporters from across the country.

Rahman arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:40am on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight from London, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter, Zaima Rahman. The flight made a brief stopover at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport before landing in Dhaka.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with members of the party’s standing committee, received Rahman at the airport’s VVIP lounge. He greeted senior leaders warmly, exchanging handshakes and pleasantries before stepping outside to acknowledge supporters gathered at the airport.

In a moment that drew strong emotional reactions, Rahman briefly walked barefoot on the grass outside the airport, touched the soil of his homeland and lifted a handful of earth to his face. His mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, welcomed him with a bouquet of flowers.

Following airport formalities, Rahman proceeded by bus to a short thanksgiving event on the 36 July Expressway, commonly known as the 300-Foot Road, under tight security arrangements. Along the route, vast crowds lined both sides of the road, chanting slogans, waving national flags and carrying the BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy. Drums were beaten and festive scenes unfolded as supporters celebrated his return.

Party leaders had earlier clarified that the gathering was not a formal rally but a brief stop for Rahman to express gratitude to the people and seek prayers for BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said Rahman had deliberately avoided large-scale programmes to minimise public inconvenience and had even chosen a government holiday for his return.

After the event, Rahman was scheduled to visit Begum Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital before moving to a newly prepared residence on Gulshan Avenue, located next to the house where she currently lives.

According to party plans, Rahman will visit the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on December 26 and later pay tribute at the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar. He is also expected to complete voter registration formalities and visit injured victims of the July mass uprising in the coming days.

To manage crowds and ensure safety, BNP arranged medical camps, ambulances, a temporary field hospital and traffic facilitation desks at key points around the airport and adjoining roads. Party officials acknowledged that controlling the massive influx of supporters was challenging, given the emotional significance of Rahman’s return.

Security officials said the government had extended full cooperation to ensure law and order, with coordination between state agencies and party volunteers.

Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released on bail during the military-backed caretaker government. During his long stay abroad, he assumed the role of BNP Acting Chairman, directing party affairs from London while his mother remained imprisoned for long periods.

His return on December 25 is widely seen by BNP leaders and supporters as a major political moment, one they believe could reshape the party’s future and inject fresh momentum into national politics after years of stalemate.