Bangladesh’s political landscape is bracing for a significant shift as Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is preparing for his long-awaited return to the country.
Sources in the party say that Tarique Rahman may return to the country by the end of November or before mid December.
After years of exile due to legal challenges and security concerns, Rahman has secured an assurance from different key units of the government, home ministry sources said.
A top official of the home affairs ministry said the government will ensure the highest level of security when Tarique Rahman returns to the country.
“Everything that needs to be done from our side will be carried out. Any demands put forward by the BNP will be met,” said the official, wishing not to be named.
When asked on the latest development, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they are expecting that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman will return home soon. “He will return next month,” he told the TIMES of Bangladesh.
Another senior leader said, “We expect that the government will certainly provide the highest level of security for him.”
Marking his return, the BNP has already increased the number of members of the CSF.
When asked about special security arrangements, BNP Chairperson’s Security Adviser Major General (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar told TIMES of Bangladesh, “I am not at all satisfied with the CSF’s capacity. I have serious doubts whether they are capable of providing that level of security.
“Both Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman certainly need the highest level of security ahead of the upcoming elections. It is because they are not merely individuals. They are national assets. They must be given the highest level of protection.”
He added, “We are trying to put in place the highest security arrangements from our side. After Rahman’s return, he must be given the highest level of security. If necessary, we will seek support from the armed forces.”
After the fall of Sheikh Hasina administration through a mass uprising on 5 August last year, Tarique Rahman gradually got acquittal in all cases through legal means.
Regarding his return to the country, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no obstacle from the government’s side.
BNP insiders say the commitment to providing full protection signals a crucial moment for both Rahman’s personal political comeback and the BNP’s strategy ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections slated for February next year.
With Rahman’s return, the BNP is set to recalibrate its political positioning, banking on his leadership to invigorate the party’s electoral campaign and organisational efforts.
However, Rahman’s return hinges on one key variable – the Election Commission’s (EC) announcement of the election schedule.
According to sources close to him, Rahman is waiting for the EC’s official timetable for election to finalise his return.
This strategic alignment underscores the BNP’s broader electoral strategy, where Rahman’s presence is expected to boost voter outreach and provide a leadership figurehead for the party’s campaign.
Sources said, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met General Waker-uz-Zaman, Bangladesh’s chief of army staff, to discuss Rahman’s security arrangements.
Without describing further details to TIMES of Bangladesh, Mirza Fakhrul termed the meeting as “personal matter.”
Questions, however, remain regarding the extent of additional security, specifically from the Special Security Force (SSF), which has yet to be fully addressed.
It appears that the Ministry of Home Affairs will play a key role in overseeing Rahman’s protection, although this remains an unresolved issue.
Although in his first interview with any media outlet in 17 years, Tarique Rahman did not specify the exact date of his return. He mentioned that he wants to fight directly from the field during the elections.
His statement clearly indicates that he intends to return to the country as soon as the election schedule is announced.
From a wider political perspective, Rahman’s return is set to influence the BNP’s electoral prospects.
As the country approaches a critical election period, the political parties faces challenges related to legitimacy and voter confidence.
Rahman’s leadership is seen as essential for galvanising the BNP’s base and positioning the party for a stronger electoral showing.
His return would signal the BNP’s readiness to re-engage with the political process, especially in a post-election environment.
Yet, numerous factors remain in flux, including the EC’s schedule, the political climate at the time of Rahman’s return, and the BNP’s ability to seize this moment to drum up public support.
The political stakes could be high: the BNP’s success may depend not only on Rahman’s return but on its capacity to navigate the challenges posed by a highly contested political arena.
As Bangladesh edges closer to national polls, the nation watches with bated breath to see if Rahman will fulfill his promise of return. His presence could very well mark a turning point in the country’s political journey.
