Mon Oct 06 16:00:47 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
This article, originally published by The Hindu on October 6, 2025, reports on Tarique Rahman’s announcement that he will return from his 17-year self-imposed exile in London to contest the upcoming February 2026 elections in Bangladesh. Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, expressed confidence in the BNP’s prospects following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in a mass uprising. He addressed his mother’s health and potential role in the election, as well as the ban on Hasina’s Awami League ordered by the interim government. Rahman emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible for alleged human rights abuses under Hasina’s rule.
**News Article:**
**Bangladeshi Opposition Leader Tarique Rahman Announces Return from Exile to Contest Elections**
**Dhaka, Bangladesh – October 6, 2025** – Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has announced his intention to return to Bangladesh and contest the upcoming elections scheduled for February 2026. Rahman, who has been living in self-imposed exile in London since 2008, made the announcement in an interview with BBC Bangla.
“The time has come, and I will return soon, God willing,” Rahman stated, marking the end of his 17-year absence from Bangladeshi politics.
The upcoming elections are the first since a mass uprising led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year, ending her 15-year tenure. Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is seen as a key figure in the BNP, a major contender in the upcoming polls. He was acquitted of serious charges, including a life sentence for a 2004 grenade attack, after Hasina’s fall.
Rahman also addressed the situation of his mother, Khaleda Zia, whose health has deteriorated since being jailed during Hasina’s rule. “If her health permits, she will definitely contribute to the election,” he said.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has banned Hasina’s Awami League. Hasina, who fled to India last year, has defied court orders to return and face trial for alleged crimes against humanity during a deadly crackdown on the uprising.
“Those who are responsible for such cruelties, those who ordered them, must be punished,” Rahman stated, emphasizing that the focus should not be on revenge, but rather on justice and accountability. He added, “I strongly believe people cannot support a political party or its activists who murder, forcibly disappear people, or launder money.”
The upcoming elections are poised to be a critical turning point for Bangladesh, with the return of Tarique Rahman adding another layer of complexity to the political landscape.
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