Kumar Bahukhandi
Tarique Rahman, returns home. Is this good news for India or not? -Photo Credit -Reuters
Tarique Rahman, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has returned to the country after 17 years. He had fled to London in 2008 to avoid arrest, as several corruption cases were pending against him under the Hasina government.
For 17 years, his face adorned the posters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). From Dhaka to the remotest corners of the country, his recorded voice echoed at rallies even when he couldn’t be there in person. We’re talking about Tarique Rahman, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and once dubbed the “dark prince” of the country’s politics, who has returned to Dhaka after nearly two decades.
BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has arrived in Dhaka with his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Barrister Zaima. Upon arrival, he posted on social media, saying, “Back in Bangladesh after 6,314 days.” This is a crucial moment for violence-plagued Bangladesh and the BNP. His return comes just ahead of the crucial general elections scheduled for February, elections that are also highly significant for India’s regional security.
Tarique Rahman’s return holds particular importance for India, especially at a time when the pro-India Awami League has been prevented from contesting the elections and Khaleda Zia is hospitalised.
All this is happening at a time when Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Under the interim chief advisor Mohammad Yunus, radical Islamic elements are openly active and spreading anti-India venom. India’s biggest concern is the Jamaat-e-Islami, which is considered a pawn of Pakistan’s ISI. This party, banned by the Sheikh Hasina government, has regained its political footing since her departure from power last year.
Recent opinion polls indicate that while Tarique Rahman’s BNP is likely to win the most seats, the Jamaat, once its ally, is now breathing down its neck. India’s concerns intensified when the Jamaat’s student wing registered a surprising victory in the Dhaka University student union elections.
In this situation, the BNP is being viewed by India as a relatively more liberal and democratic option, even though relations between the two have historically been strained. India hopes that Tarique Rahman’s return will revitalize the party cadre and that the BNP will form the next government.
Why is this good news for India?
Meanwhile, the student-led National Citizens Party (NCP) has alleged that the BNP is inducting Awami League leaders into its ranks. During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, Bangladesh maintained close ties with India and balanced its relationship with China. It also maintained a clear distance from Pakistan. But under the Yunus government, the situation has completely reversed, with Bangladesh appearing to distance itself from India and move closer to Pakistan.
India hopes that if the BNP comes to power, Bangladesh’s foreign policy will shift again. There have also been recent signs of a reset in relations between India and the BNP. On December 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly expressed concern over Khaleda Zia’s serious condition and offered India’s assistance. The BNP responded with gratitude. This was considered a rare and significant political signal amidst years of strained relations.
The good news for India is that Tarique Rahman has had disagreements with the Yunus government. He has questioned the interim government’s authority, stating that it does not have the mandate to determine long-term foreign policy. He has also criticized Jamaat-e-Islami and refused to form an alliance with them in the elections.
Earlier this year, Tarique Rahman unveiled a foreign policy framework called “Bangladesh First,” reportedly inspired by Donald Trump’s “America First” slogan. He stated, “Neither Delhi, nor Pindi — Bangladesh comes first.” Through this statement, he made it clear that the BNP would not pursue a policy of getting too close to either Rawalpindi or Delhi.
Having established himself as a champion of democracy, Tarique Rahman arrived in Dhaka to a massive show of public support. Nearly 5 million party workers participated in the roadshow from the airport to his residence. Tarique Rahman is expected to contest from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency, while BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will again contest from her stronghold, Bogura-7 (Gabtali-Shajahanpur).
According to sources, radical elements are not happy with this show of strength. A confrontation between the BNP and Jamaat before the elections cannot be ruled out. The government had made the tightest security arrangements for Thursday. According to local media, more than 300,000 BNP supporters arrived in Dhaka on about 10 special trains. The party described it as an “unprecedented public gathering.” BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, quoted by Reuters, said it was a decisive political moment.
Who is Tarique Rahman?
Tarique Rahman is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman. He had been living in London since 2008 and leading the BNP from there. He was convicted in several cases during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, which the BNP has consistently described as politically motivated.
In 2007, he was convicted in a corruption case, which the BNP has also described as politically motivated. In 2007, he was arrested in a corruption case. During his detention, there were allegations that he became seriously ill and was subjected to torture. The following year, he was granted bail and allowed to travel to London for treatment, where he has been living ever since. He was sentenced in absentia in the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack case. This attack targeted an Awami League rally, killing 24 people. Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped death.
In 2008, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper published a series of reports on corruption and financial irregularities during the BNP’s rule from 2001 to 2006. These reports referred to Tarique Rahman as the “Dark Prince.”
However, over the past year, the courts have acquitted him in all major cases, including the 2004 grenade attack case. Tarique Rahman’s return could prove to be a lifeline for the BNP, but he faces no shortage of challenges. While he has managed to prevent a potential split within the BNP following Sheikh Hasina’s downfall, it remains to be seen whether he can fully unite the party and win over the country’s youth, who have been disillusioned by violence and political unrest. India is closely monitoring these developments.
