Tarique Rahman poised to become Bangladesh PM after years in exile

Dhaka: In a dramatic political turnaround reminiscent of cinema scripts, Tarique Rahman is set to assume office as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister after spending nearly two decades abroad.

Rahman, who had been living in London for years, returned to Bangladesh two months ago and took charge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one of the country’s principal political forces.

According to local media reports, the BNP-led alliance has secured a clear majority in the parliamentary elections, with counting of votes nearing completion.

The party has already indicated that Rahman will take over as the new Prime Minister following the victory. The development marks a significant political shift in Bangladesh after years of intense rivalry between the BNP and the Awami League led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Born on November 20, 1965, in Dhaka, Rahman is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. He studied international relations at the University of Dhaka before venturing into business in textiles and agro-products.

Rahman’s political journey has been marked by controversy. During his mother’s tenure between 2001 and 2006, he faced allegations of corruption and was arrested by the military-backed interim government. After being released from jail in 2008, he left for London, citing medical treatment, and remained outside the country for years.

Under Sheikh Hasina’s administration, Rahman was at the centre of several corruption cases. In 2018, Hasina publicly accused him of involvement in the 2004 grenade attack that killed and injured several people.

Rahman dismissed the charges as politically motivated. Following Hasina’s ouster and the formation of an interim government amid anti-corruption protests in August 2024, cases against him were reportedly cleared.

Rahman returned to Bangladesh during Christmas 2025, receiving a grand welcome from party workers and family members. Speaking to a news agency after his return, he said emotionally, “I cannot describe how every minute has passed since our plane landed.”

In recent speeches, Rahman has adopted a measured tone, calling for reconciliation. “What does revenge bring to anyone? The people of this country must forget politics of vengeance. Revenge benefits no one; what we need is peace and stability,” he said.

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