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A 60-year-old leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, who had been overshadowed for years by his influential family, is finally stepping into the spotlight. As the heir to one of Bangladesh’s most powerful political dynasties, Rahman is now prepared to lead the nation of 170 million people, driven by his desire to “improve” the country.
Following a deadly uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule roughly a year and a half ago, the BNP claims they secured a “landslide victory” in last Thursday’s parliamentary elections. While official results are pending, the United States has already congratulated Rahman on what they describe as a “historic” win.
Rahman’s return marks a significant turnaround, especially considering he only came back to Bangladesh in December after spending 17 years in exile in the UK, far from the country’s turbulent politics. Known widely as Tarique Zia, his life has been deeply intertwined with his family’s political legacy. His father, President Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in 1981 when Tarique was just 15. His mother, Khaleda Zia—who served as prime minister three times and was a dominant political figure—passed away at 80 just days after his return.
Speaking to AFP two days before the election, Rahman promised to build upon his family’s legacy. “They are them, I am me,” he stated from his office adorned with portraits of his late parents. “I want to do better than them.” He shared that upon arriving in December, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions—initial joy of returning contrasted with grief over his mother’s passing. “This is my country; I was born and raised here, so I felt very happy,” he said. However, instead of celebrating, he had to say farewell to his mother, who had been in intensive care. “When you come home after so long, any son wants to hug his mother,” he admitted. “I didn’t get that chance.”
Within days of returning to Dhaka, Rahman took charge of the BNP and its election campaign. Despite his grief, he stepped onto the stage, rallying large crowds with determination.
His family roots stretch back to a rivalry rooted in politics that dates to the 1970s. His father, Ziaur Rahman, rose to prominence as an army officer after a 1975 coup, establishing a powerbase in opposition to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina’s father. Both Ziaur Rahman and his successor, Sheikh Zia, were killed in assassinations, fueling a long-standing political rivalry. Tarique’s mother, Khaleda Zia, became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, often competing against Sheikh Hasina in contentious elections.
Rahman’s political journey began under the shadow of these family struggles, and it has not been without controversy. U.S. diplomatic cables from 2006 describe him as “an unnerving figure,” associated with corruption and violence. He faced corruption charges in 2007, which he claims were politically motivated, resulting in his exile to London. He consistently denies all accusations, asserting their political nature, but has expressed regret if any mistakes were made in the past.
He was eventually acquitted of the most serious charges, including a life sentence for a grenade attack on Sheikh Hasina’s rally in 2004, which he has always denied perpetrating. Married to a cardiologist and father to a daughter who is a lawyer, Rahman led a quiet life in Britain until his dramatic return, which was met with a hero’s welcome and viral images of his pet cat, Jebu.
Acknowledging the enormous challenge ahead, Rahman considers his task to be rebuilding a nation he says was “destroyed” by the previous regime. His return marks a new chapter in Bangladesh’s complex political landscape, with many watching to see how his leadership will unfold.
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