Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Dhaka on Thursday after 17 years of exile in London, marking a pivotal moment ahead of the February 2026 parliamentary elections. His arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport was met with elaborate security arrangements and enthusiastic crowds of supporters who had gathered since early morning, reflecting his status as a leading contender in the nation's turbulent political scenario amid ongoing unrest.

In his inaugural public address at a large rally in Purbachal, the 60-year-old leader delivered a strong message of national unity and religious inclusivity, asserting that Bangladesh is a shared homeland for all its citizens. "This country belongs to people of the hills and the plains, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians," Rahman proclaimed, outlining his vision to create a secure environment where every individual, regardless of background, can live and move freely without fear of violence.

Rahman placed repeated emphasis on restoring peace and stability, calling on citizens from all political parties, religious communities, and independent backgrounds to collaborate in upholding law and order. His appeals for harmony carry added weight given the recent surge in communal tensions, including attacks on minorities that have heightened concerns both domestically and in neighbouring India.

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The homecoming was marked by emotional scenes, with Rahman symbolically removing his shoes at the airport, standing barefoot on the grass, and gathering soil as a gesture of reverence toward his motherland. Thousands of BNP supporters lined the routes with banners, festoons, and patriotic displays, before he proceeded under tight security to visit his ailing mother at Evercare Hospital.

With Rahman now actively campaigning and positioning the BNP as a force for reconciliation and security, his secular-oriented promises represent a deliberate strategy to bridge divisions in a nation facing significant challenges in governance, minority protection, and the transition toward democratic elections.

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