
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return home by the end of this month (November), who has been living in London for the past 17 years since leaving the country with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman during the state of emergency in 2008.
“We are hopeful that he (Tarique Rahman) may come back by the end of this month. If not, it might be delayed by a few days,” Salahuddin told the media on Tuesday night.
During the 1/11 government, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) brought multiple corruption allegations against Tarique Rahman. Following reports that he was tortured while in detention. Later, he was released for medical treatment and departed the country for London on September 11, 2008.
Recently, in an interview with BBC Bangla (on October 6), the BNP Acting Chairman was asked when he planned to return to Bangladesh. He replied, “Very soon, Inshallah.”
Asked whether he would be in the country before the election, Tarique said, “As a political worker, it’s natural that I should be with the people during an election. Where there is a people’s election – one expected by the nation – how can I stay away? I will do my best to be with the people during that time, Inshallah.”
Tarique Rahman is set to run in the upcoming 13th National Parliament Election, scheduled to be held in February from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) constituency. Although he has long been involved in leading the party and shaping its election strategies, he has never contested a parliamentary election himself.
However, the party insiders said Tarique Rahman will be given a grand reception from the airport to the Gulshan house, making his homecoming a historic and memorable day.
The source also said that Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia's Gulshan residence has been prepared for Tarique Rahman to stay with his family upon his return.




