Story perspectives

Tarique Rahman Returns: BNP Prepares for Historic Rally

12/24/2025

Summary

Story summary

Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will return from exile on December 25, 2025, setting the stage for a rally of five million ahead of the February elections.
With the Awami League barred, the BNP dominates.
Rahman was acquitted of previous charges.
He will first visit his ailing mother.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus oversees the transition amid concerns about violence and media attacks.

History

Historical Context

Bangladesh's political landscape has been shaped by intense rivalry between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since the restoration of democracy in 1991. The Awami League's landslide victory in the 2008 elections, winning 263 of 300 seats, followed two years of military-backed rule. Ongoing tensions, including Tarique Rahman's planned return in 2025, highlight the fragility of democracy and the potential for renewed conflict as elections approach.

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Story summary

Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will return from exile on December 25, 2025, setting the stage for a rally of five million ahead of the February elections.
With the Awami League barred, the BNP dominates.
Rahman was acquitted of previous charges.
He will first visit his ailing mother.
The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus oversees the transition amid concerns about violence and media attacks.

1 / 2