Khaleda Zia on life support, why son, political heir Tariq Rahman isn't with her?

In London for more than 17 years, the BNP's interim chief and former PM Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, remains absent from Dhaka even as his mother fights for her life in a specialised hospital CCU. And now, with Bangladesh on the brink of announcement of election dates, where pre-poll surveys are giving the BNP a narrow lead, the uncomfortable question hanging in the air — why isn't the 60-year-old Tarique Rahman by his mother's side or leading his party on the campaign trail at this crucial moment?

If Tarique himself is to be believed, even at this critical moment, his return is being stalled by forces "not in his control", as he suggested in a Facebook post expressing his longing to see his ailing mother. News agency ANI, on Sunday, citing some BNP leaders, reported that "Rahman cannot return home due to security reasons".

But if one goes by the statements of Bangladesh-based BNP leadership and a political analyst, they don't quite line up with what Tarique himself said. Late on Monday, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed declared that the party's acting chairman "will return to Bangladesh soon", reported Dhaka-based Daily Star.

Meanwhile, the Muhammad Yunus–led interim administration has offered a token gesture toward facilitating his return, insisting Tarique Rahman can be issued a travel pass within a day.

So, where is Tarique Rahman? Why is he in London, and since when?

TARIQUE RAHMAN'S LONG ROAD BACK FROM AND TO DHAKA

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP, and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and president Ziaur Rahman, has been living in exile in London since September 2008. He had then left for medical treatment after securing bail from a 17-month detention under a military-backed caretaker regime.

He insists that the corruption cases and the multiple convictions he later received in absentia (including a 2023 nine-year sentence for alleged illegal wealth) were politically engineered to crush the opposition. From London, he has continued to run the BNP remotely, even as talk of his return has resurfaced following the shifting political tide in Bangladesh.

Following the ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, Tarique Rahman was acquitted in multiple high-profile cases (including the 2004 Dhaka grenade attack, money laundering, sedition in Noakhali and Jashore, illegal wealth acquisition, Zia Charitable Trust corruption, and Hawa Bhaban bribery and money laundering) between December 2024 and May 2025, clearing him of all 84 pending cases, according to multiple reports in Bangladeshi newspapers, including BD24 News.

Since August 2024, Rahman has also been teasing with statements on his return to Bangladesh.

While the path for Rahman to return to Bangladesh might now be clear, he remains abroad, with only signals of a planned comeback that have not yet been executed.

WHY BNP, MOTHER KHALEDA ZIA NEED TARIQUE RAHMAN NOW?

With crucial elections about to be announced in Bangladesh, the BNP has shown strong numbers in pre-poll surveys. But the race is far from uncontested. According to a survey by the US-based Republican Institute, the BNP polls at 33% while its former ally Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is close behind at 29%. This makes it clear the BNP cannot take the lead for granted. Even as Tarique Rahman has lead from London, the BNP needs his guidance and leadership to consolidate support and steer the party at this crucial time.

Tarique Rahman's role becomes even more important with his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, fighting for her life in Dhaka.

A BNP source told India Today Digital, "Nothing legal [is stopping Tarique Rahman]. He will return the moment the election is declared." Adding further, the source said, "It's his mother's wish" and suggested, "He will probably return after December 10 when the election is declared".

WHY TARIQUE RAHMAN HASN'T RETURNED TO BANGLADESH YET?

After listening to all sides, including Tarique Rahman himself, it's clear the party and the leader himself, want him back in Bangladesh. Even the Yunus administration has made perfunctory gestures to facilitate Rahman's return. But if we focus on what Rahman said, his own statements are the key to understanding when and how he might actually come back.

"Like any child, I have a strong desire to be touched by my mother's affection in times of crisis. But like everyone else, I am not free to make my own decisions and am not under sole control... Space is limited to elaborate on this sensitive issue. Our family is hopeful that once the political reality reaches the expected level, my long anxious wait for my return home will end..." Rahman was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Rahman's statement, while many called it ambiguous, raises fresh questions about who exactly are the "other controllers", which is a key factor of his return.

Reading parts of Bangladesh political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman's op-ed published Tuesday in the Dhaka-based Prothom Alo offers some insight into why. Zahed Ur Rahman argues that Tarique Rahman is aware that not returning could politically undermine him. Yet, despite all the debate and criticism, his continued absence demonstrates that, "unless the underlying problems are resolved, his return could be dangerous".

"The question of Tarique Rahman's return to the country also involves concerns about his security. It is true that the internal security situation in the country is not good. If he returns as the head of a party, will the security provided by the government be sufficient? There are many people, both inside and outside the country, who could pose a security risk to him," Zahed Ur Rahman writes, without discussing the "danger" any further.

Now, Tarique Rahman's absence leaves the BNP navigating a razor-thin lead, with Jamaat-e-Islami breathing down its neck in the run-up to the February polls. If he cannot return to be by his critically ill mother's side, the political and optical fallout could cripple the BNP's image at the most sensitive moment.

- Ends

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