Senior leaders of BNP are increasingly signalling that acting party chair Tarique Rahman may return home after more than 17 years in exile – a move that could reshape the country’s turbulent pre-election landscape.
BNP insiders say the issue was discussed at a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee on Monday night. One member, Salahuddin Ahmed, later suggested in a social media post that Tarique is expected to return “very soon,” fuelling intense speculation about the party’s next steps.
Several other figures familiar with internal discussions told TIMES of Bangladesh that, to their understanding, “no obstacles remain,” and that Tarique could fly back to Dhaka before the announcement of the election schedule.
The renewed speculation comes just as the government has designated BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia a “Very, Very Important Person (VVIP)” and assigned Special Security Force (SSF) protection to her.
A gazette notification issued under Section 2(a) of the Special Security Force Act 2021 states that the order takes immediate effect. The move is unusual: SSF protection is typically reserved for heads of government, heads of state and foreign dignitaries — not opposition leaders.
Political analysts say the decision may have implications stretching beyond Khaleda Zia herself. Tarique Rahman does not qualify for SSF protection under existing rules.
But by granting SSF coverage to Khaleda Zia, experts argue the government has effectively created a security umbrella that could indirectly extend to Tarique if he returns.
According to analysts, this could remove a major barrier for Tarique, whose primary concern has long been personal security. They suggest this new arrangement may have contributed to the opposition leader’s willingness to consider returning now.
Tarique Rahman has been living in London since 2008. During his absence, he has run the BNP remotely, but his physical return would carry significant political leverage.
