- Thousands welcomed BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman upon his return to Dhaka after 17 years abroad
- Rahman arrived with his family and aides, traveling in bulletproof vehicles amid heavy security
- He addressed a large gathering expected to number around 5 million supporters in Purbachal
Thousands of people in Bangladesh took to the streets on Thursday to welcome Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who landed in Dhaka, ending more than 17 years of self-exile in the United Kingdom. The 60-year-old BNP acting chairman, the son of ailing former premier Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming February general elections.
BNP supporters and party leaders marched to the airport on foot from Banani Airport Road towards Dhaka Airport to greet Rahman, who returned from the UK with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman.
The family's pet cat, Zeebu, also travelled with them, along with their two close aides, Abdur Rahman Suny and Kamal Uddin, according to a report by The Daily Star.
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Photo Credit: Credit: @BabarHoneyX on X
After landing, he was received by BNP Standing Committee members at the airport, from where he travelled in one of the two bulletproof vehicles, specially imported for him, to a reception in the 300 Feet area of Purbachal. Party leaders and activists will lined both sides of the road to greet him.
At the reception ceremony, Rahman will address the gathering. BNP's senior leadership and prominent figures will be present on stage, but only Rehman will address the crowd, The Daily Star report said. The party expects around 50 lakh people to gather for the event.
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Following his address, Rehman will go to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother, former PM Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for over a month now.
After meeting with his mother, the Rehman family will visit Firoza, the Zia family's residence at Gulshan-2. The Dhaka Police has stepped up security measures to prevent any untoward incident during the high-profile movement, as Bangladesh grapples with violence following the assassination of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
Timing Of Rahman's Return
Rahman's return from London comes as his BNP is on the ascendant following the ouster of the Zia family's arch foe, long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a student-led uprising last year. Apart from brief transition administrations, Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have alternated in power since 1991.
A December survey by the US-based International Republican Institute suggests the BNP is on course to win the largest number of parliamentary seats, with the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party also in the race. Hasina's Awami League party, which has been barred from the election, has threatened unrest that some fear could jeopardise the vote.
Both political developments and personal circumstances drive Rahman's decision to return. His mother has been seriously ill for months, prompting what party insiders describe as an urgent trip home.
