Tarique Rahman Returns: Over 1 Million Greet Bangladesh Opposition Leader After 17-Year Exile

Bangladesh's political landscape is experiencing a seismic shift. Tarique Rahman, a central figure in the country's opposition, has returned home after a 17-year exile, greeted by a crowd reportedly numbering more than one million people. The event signals a significant challenge to the current government and a potential turning point for the nation's politics.

The End of a 17-Year Absence

Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been living in de facto exile since 2008. His return was met with a massive mobilization of supporters, demonstrating his enduring political influence. According to news reports, the streets from the airport to the city center were flooded with welcomers in a rally of a scale rarely seen in Bangladesh's modern political history.

Political Tremors and the Government's Stance

Rahman's arrival is expected to place considerable political pressure on the ruling Awami League party, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. It's likely to re-energize and unify an opposition that has lacked a central figurehead on the ground. The government, however, has maintained a wary stance, highlighting that Rahman has been convicted on several corruption charges. This sets the stage for a potential escalation in political confrontation, raising concerns about future stability.