
Sat Dec 27 19:55:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has returned to Bangladesh after a long exile in London. His arrival has been met with large crowds and significant political repercussions. Rahman is attempting to re-establish the BNP as a major force by invoking the legacy of his father, General Ziaur Rahman, and presenting an inclusive vision for the country. However, he faces challenges due to past allegations of corruption and ties to extremist groups, as well as scrutiny from other political factions, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami. His return has already caused shifts in the political landscape, with some parties realigning themselves in response. The success of his political endeavor remains uncertain.
News Article:
Tarique Rahman Returns to Bangladesh, Shaking Up Political Landscape
Dhaka, Bangladesh – December 28, 2025 – Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), made a highly anticipated return to Bangladesh on December 25th after years in exile in London. His arrival has already sparked significant political shifts and generated considerable excitement among supporters.
Rahman, son of the late General Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, was greeted by massive crowds upon his arrival. He immediately signaled his intent to revitalize the BNP, calling for inter-communal harmony and challenging the accusations leveled against the party by its political opponents. Rahman invoked his father’s legacy, drawing parallels to current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reliance on her own father’s political heritage.
Rahman’s return has not been without controversy. Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, has publicly stated it will be closely monitoring Rahman’s actions. Rahman faces a challenging path, having previously been implicated in allegations of corruption and links to extremist groups during his earlier political career. The article alludes to the U.S. Embassy cables from Dhaka, later released by WikiLeaks in 2005 in which a U.S. Embassy cable referred to Mr. Rahman’s “steely nerves” for which he was being recognised inside the party and dubbed him “The Dark Prince”.
Despite these challenges, Rahman’s return has already triggered realignments within the Bangladeshi political landscape. Arshadul Haque of the National Citizen Party resigned shortly after Rahman’s arrival, citing disagreement with his party’s seat-sharing negotiations with Jamaat-e-Islami and endorsing Rahman’s inclusive approach. Friction within the eight-party Islamist coalition is also reportedly on the rise. It is uncertain whether Mr. Rahman can keep up the momentum that his arrival has created. It remains to be seen whether Rahman can translate the initial momentum into a sustained political force capable of challenging the established order. Observers suggest the upcoming elections will be a key test of his leadership and the BNP’s resurgence.