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Tarique Rahman, acting chair of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is preparing for his return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile. At 60 years old, he is seen as a potential prime minister and is expected to assume leadership from his ailing mother, Khaleda Zia, who recently faced health setbacks and remains in intensive care. Rahman has resided in London since fleeing Bangladesh in 2008, citing political persecution, and is now traveling back ahead of crucial upcoming elections.
Despite enduring health issues and being imprisoned in the past, Khaleda Zia has committed to campaigning for the 2026 elections, even as her recovery remains critical. The upcoming elections mark a significant political shift, being the first since last year’s mass protests ousted Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing, hardline government. Rahman’s recent acquittal on the most serious charges—such as the 2004 grenade attack on a Hasina rally—has cleared some legal hurdles, yet his political career has been marred by allegations of nepotism, corruption, and violence.
Beloved by many in his party and often featured alongside his mother on BNP banners, Rahman has been groomed for leadership for years. He recently met with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in London, fostering ties with influential figures working toward Bangladesh’s future. His background is deeply rooted in the country’s tumultuous political history: born in 1967 in East Pakistan, briefly detained during the 1971 independence war, he is the son of army commander Ziaur Rahman who became a key political figure after the 1975 coup that murdered Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father.
The ongoing rivalry between the Zia and Hasina families, known as the “Battle of the Begums,” has defined much of Bangladesh’s political landscape. Rahman grew up amid this conflict, shaping his political persona from a young age. He entered politics at 23, joining BNP in its opposition to military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, despite persistent accusations of nepotism and mismanagement. Reports from U.S. diplomatic cables have labeled him as an intimidating figure in Bangladesh’s political scene, often associated with corruption and violence—claims he has consistently denied.
While in Britain, Rahman maintained a low profile, residing with his wife, a cardiologist, and their daughter. Following Sheikh Hasina’s rise to power in 2008, he faced imprisonment in absentia over the 2004 grenade attack, a case BNP considers politically motivated. Nevertheless, he has emerged as a vocal critic and supporter within BNP’s social media spheres, positioning himself as a key figure in Bangladesh’s future political landscape.
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