Self-exiled Tarique Rahman to return to Bangladesh to fight February 2026 polls

As Awami League is banned, his BNP may win, he could be next PM

- S VENKAT NARAYAN

The man tipped to be the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh has ended months of speculation by declaring that he will return from two decades overseas of self-exile to fight landmark elections, due in February, 2026..

"The time has come, God willing, I will return soon!" Tarique Rahman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP’s) Acting Chairman, told BBC Bangla's Mir Sabbir and Qadir Kallol in his first face-to-face interview in nearly 20 years.

Since Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has been banned, the BNP is the frontrunner in the vote due in February 2026. The son of Khaleda Zia, its ailing 80-year-old leader, is expected to lead the country if it wins.

Many view it as one of the most consequential in Bangladesh's history after mass protests ousted three-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Her Awami League party is unlikely to be allowed to take part.

According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people died in the August, 2024 unrest, which included a deadly crackdown on student-led demonstrations that ousted Hasina.

Hasina, who fled to India, is on trial in absentia for crimes against humanity alleged to have been committed during the demonstrations.

Since she was toppled, many have questioned why Rahman is still in London, where he has lived since 2008.

"Maybe due to some personal reasons, the return has not happened yet. But I think the time has come," he said.

"This is an election for which people had been waiting, I cannot keep myself away during this time."