From Exile to the Edge of Power: Tarique Rahman’s Dramatic Political Comeback in Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s political landscape is witnessing a stunning turnaround. A man who once faced serious accusations over one of the country’s most shocking terror attacks is now standing at the threshold of becoming prime minister.

Tarique Rahman, long a controversial figure in Bangladeshi politics, is reportedly poised to take the nation’s top job after years in exile and a mountain of legal battles. His journey from courtroom verdicts to potential victory is nothing short of dramatic.

The Shadow of the 2004 Grenade Attack

Rahman’s name was once closely tied to the 2004 grenade attack on a rally led by Sheikh Hasina. The attack shook the country and became a defining moment in its political history.

In 2018, a court sentenced Rahman to life imprisonment in connection with the case. At the time, it appeared to seal his political fate. But years later, the tide began to turn.

Following major political shifts — especially after the fall of Hasina’s government in August 2024 — the legal environment changed significantly. By early 2026, Rahman had reportedly been acquitted in most of the major cases against him, including the grenade attack case that once loomed largest over his career.

Dozens of Cases, Then a Legal Reset

At one point, Rahman was facing around 84 cases, ranging from corruption to criminal conspiracy. For years, these charges kept him out of the country and away from active politics.

But the collapse of the previous administration reshaped the legal and political framework. Case after case began to unravel. Courts cleared him of major allegations, opening the door for his return to frontline politics.

Now, after years abroad, Rahman is back — and closer than ever to the seat of power.

A Historic Election Without the Awami League

This election cycle is unprecedented. For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, Awami League is not contesting the election — and it wasn’t by choice.

The party, which has been central to Bangladesh’s journey from independence to modern statehood, finds itself sidelined from the democratic process. Many observers argue that excluding such a historically significant political force raises serious questions about the health of the country’s democracy.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with Rahman as its leading face, is widely expected to win. Whether it’s the BNP or Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami that ultimately shares or shapes power, the responsibility will be enormous.

The Real Test Begins After Victory

The interim government that followed Hasina’s fall has struggled to inspire confidence among ordinary citizens. Public frustration over economic pressures, governance gaps, and political instability remains high.

If the BNP secures victory as predicted, Rahman’s leadership will face immediate scrutiny. Winning an election is one thing; rebuilding trust and stabilizing a politically polarized nation is another challenge altogether.

There are also lingering doubts. Given the long history of allegations against BNP and Jamaat leaders, any return to power will likely bring renewed skepticism from critics at home and observers abroad.

In the end, the real verdict won’t come from the courts — it will come from the people. If Tarique Rahman does become prime minister, he will inherit not just power, but a country watching closely, waiting to see whether his second act in politics delivers stability and accountability — or deepens old divides.