Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairman Tarique Rahman has returned to Dhaka after nearly two decades of self-imposed exile in London. Less than two months after his return, the 60-year-old politician is positioned to contest one of Bangladesh’s most significant parliamentary elections, scheduled for Thursday. Public opinion polls suggest the vote could mark a remarkable comeback for Rahman, who left the country in 2008 following detention during a military-backed caretaker government’s anti-corruption drive.

Rahman’s return follows the August 2024 student-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. Hasina is now living in exile in New Delhi, while Rahman, son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has pledged to rebuild Bangladesh’s international partnerships without aligning too closely with any single country. He has proposed limiting prime ministerial terms to ten years, expanding social aid, and diversifying industries beyond garments.

Since his return, Rahman has emphasized reconciliation and democratic reform, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and calling for stability. His leadership has reenergized BNP supporters seeking a new political beginning.