Tarique Rahman’s Calculated Christmas: Why December 25th is the Date for His Strategic Return

The decision by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to select the public holiday of December 25th, Christmas Day, for his much-anticipated return to Bangladesh has generated significant curiosity and political speculation. While the date has now been officially confirmed, the strategic logic underpinning the timing is being closely examined by political observers and his party faithful, Daily Dazzling Dawn realized.

The primary consideration appears to be logistics and public convenience. By choosing a government holiday, it is widely believed that the impact of potential traffic congestion and public disruption will be minimized, even with the expected massive turnout of party activists eager to welcome him back. Furthermore, with December 24th also falling within a holiday ambience in London, it will be comparatively easier for the numerous expatriate party leaders and activists to bid him farewell before his journey.

The timing also allows for crucial preparation and farewells. It affords Mr. Rahman sufficient time to take leave from his close associates, both within the London community and internationally. Significantly, sources indicate that the date was finalized following discussions with the Bangladeshi government, ensuring adequate preparation time for the authorities. Mr. Rahman is expected to return holding valid Bangladeshi travel documents.

A preliminary list of key UK BNP leaders and several others is being compiled to potentially accompany Tarique Rahman on his flight back to Bangladesh. This list is yet to be finalized. There has been an overwhelming surge of requests from individuals, many of whom made their appeal years ago, expressing their strong desire to return on the same flight as Mr. Rahman as part of his official entourage.A senior UK BNP leader confirmed that the list of individuals accompanying Tarique Rahman on his flight will be formally announced by the party once finalized. Furthermore, a decision has not yet been made regarding whether Mr. Rahman will hold any official farewell events with the local community in London before his highly anticipated return.

Crucially, there is significant speculation that a new leadership structure for the UK BNP may be announced just prior to his departure for the homeland.Both the current President and General Secretary are currently preoccupied with elections in Bangladesh as party candidates. Because the two most responsible leaders are abroad, no statement regarding the preparations here for Tarique Rahman's return could be obtained from a responsible official.

Beyond the logistical ease for the primary arrival, the Christmas holiday period generally offers relatively more affordable airfare, which is seen as an added advantage for the substantial number of expatriate activists planning to return on the same day, albeit on different flights, to mark the occasion.

The finalization of the return date also signals complete preparedness, both personally and organizationally. This includes the completion of his security arrangements by his party, alongside the finalization of work on his residence in Bangladesh and the necessary arrangements for his bulletproof vehicle.

Further adding weight to the timing is the background political context. The current head of the caretaker government in Bangladesh, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is understood to have personally urged Mr. Rahman to return home immediately before the elections during his recent visit to London.

However, speculation is rife as to whether Tarique Rahman will ultimately return on that date, or if the schedule might be delayed or altered for unforeseen reasons.

The news of the confirmed date was delivered by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a press briefing at the BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office on Friday night around 9:30 PM.

"The Acting Chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman, will arrive on Bangladeshi soil on December 25th," Mirza Fakhrul confirmed. "He is being welcomed by the party."

Mr. Rahman was initially arrested in 2007 following the one-eleven political changeover. He was subsequently released from prison in 2008 and traveled to the United Kingdom with his family for medical treatment, where he has remained since.

Following the mass uprising that led to the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5th of last year, discussions about Mr. Rahman's return intensified after various legal proceedings saw the nullification of his sentences in some cases and his acquittal in others. While BNP leaders had indicated his imminent return for several months, this marks the first time a specific date has been announced.

Earlier, when the health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia became critical, speculation grew about a rapid return. At that time, Tarique Rahman posted on his verified Facebook page: "The intense desire to feel my mother's affectionate touch during such a crisis is mine, as it would be for any child. However, the opportunity to implement this, unlike for others, is neither unrestricted nor under my singular control."

He further wrote in the post: "The scope for detailing this sensitive issue is limited. Our family remains hopeful that my long, anxious wait for repatriation will end as soon as the political reality reaches the desired level."

Read more-Why Tarique Rahman is Barred from Returning to Bangladesh