Tarique Rahman's Return: Still on Hold, Leading by Screen

The much-anticipated return of Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to his homeland remains shrouded in uncertainty. While his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, recently traveled to Bangladesh with Begum Khaleda Zia, sources close to the family have confirmed to the Daily Dazzling Dawn that Dr. Rahman is expected to return to London in the near future, further fueling speculation about Mr. Rahman's own timeline for returning.

Multiple reliable sources indicate that Mr. Rahman's continued absence from Bangladesh is influenced by a combination of factors, most notably ongoing security concerns. Additionally, insiders suggest that the BNP's acting chairman is closely monitoring the prevailing economic instability and law and order challenges within Bangladesh. There is a palpable sense of caution, with Mr. Rahman keen to avoid any perception that the BNP or his leadership bears responsibility for these national difficulties.

In the interim, Tarique Rahman is reportedly maintaining a firm grip on the party's direction and engaging with the political landscape of Bangladesh through virtual means. Video calls have become his primary tool for communicating with party leaders and strategizing on political matters, highlighting the challenges of leading a major opposition party from exile. The reliance on digital communication underscores the complex circumstances surrounding his continued stay in London and the indefinite nature of his return to Bangladesh.

Regarding when Mr. Tarique Rahman may return to Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia's physician and a member of the party's standing committee, Dr. A ZM Zahid Hossain, said in March that Mr. Tarique Rahman will definitely return to Bangladesh before the next parliamentary elections. He further stated that Mr. Rahman's return to the country is only a matter of time

Meanwhile, after sixteen years of regularly attending the Kingston Jame Mosque in London for Juma prayer, Mr. Rahman has reportedly shifted to praying at a more distant mosque in secrecy. This change is attributed to a surge in visitors and selfie-seekers at his usual mosque, particularly since the political shifts in Bangladesh last August, leading him to reduce his public appearances.