Rahman, 60, landed in the capital from the United Kingdom accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman, their daughter, Zaima Rahman, and their family pet cat, Zeebu. Two close aides, Abdur Rahman Suny and Kamal Uddin, also travelled with the family, according to reports by The Daily Star. At the airport, he was formally received by members of the BNP Standing Committee amid tight security arrangements.
Supporters and party leaders began marching toward Dhaka Airport from Banani Airport Road early in the day, turning the return of the BNP leader into a large-scale political procession. From the airport, Rahman was scheduled to travel in one of two specially imported bulletproof vehicles to a reception programme at the 300 Feet area of Purbachal, where party activists lined both sides of the road to greet him.
BNP leaders said that only Rahman would address the gathering, although senior party figures and prominent leaders were expected to share the stage. The party projected that nearly five million supporters could attend the event, underscoring the scale of enthusiasm surrounding his return and the organisational strength the BNP aims to demonstrate ahead of the polls.
Following his address, Rahman is expected to visit Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to see his ailing mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for more than a month. Khaleda Zia’s health has remained a central concern for the party and its supporters, adding a deeply personal dimension to Rahman’s homecoming.
As the son of the former prime minister and a key figure in the BNP’s leadership, Tarique Rahman has emerged as a leading contender for the premiership in the upcoming general elections. His return is widely seen as a pivotal development that could reshape opposition politics and intensify the electoral contest in Bangladesh.
The massive public turnout and carefully choreographed reception reflect both Rahman’s political significance and the high stakes of the months ahead. With the election season approaching, his re-entry into the country places the BNP firmly back in the spotlight, signalling a renewed push to consolidate support and challenge the ruling establishment.
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