Jamaat to watch Tarique’s political role closely

Staff Reporter :

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has said his party will closely observe the political role BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman plays following his return to the country after more than 17 years in exile.

Speaking to BBC Bangla, Dr Shafiqur said Jamaat would assess Tarique Rahman’s plans, political conduct and leadership approach in the coming days. He described the BNP leader’s return as a positive development for the country’s political process.

“A fellow political leader has returned to active politics after 17 years. That is encouraging for the country,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar echoed the sentiment, calling Tarique Rahman’s homecoming a positive sign.

However, he said Tarique’s political future would ultimately depend on how he conducts himself and leads in the current political context.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday morning from London, marking his first visit home since going into exile more than 17 years ago. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman.

After landing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Tarique headed to a reception rally at the 300 Feet Road area in Purbachal, where a large number of BNP leaders, activists and supporters gathered to welcome him.

Following a brief address at the rally, he proceeded to Evercare Hospital to visit his ailing mother, former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. He was later scheduled to go to his residence in Gulshan, a home he left nearly two decades ago.

Meanwhile, Dr Shafiqur Rahman also welcomed Tarique Rahman and his family in a public message. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday afternoon, he wrote, “Mr Tarique Rahman, welcome home to you and your family.”

Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old son of Khaleda Zia, had been living in London since 2008 and has served as BNP’s acting chairman since 2018. He was unable to return earlier due to multiple criminal cases filed against him in Bangladesh.

He had been convicted in absentia in several cases, including charges related to money laundering and an alleged plot to assassinate former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Those verdicts were overturned after Hasina was ousted last year in a student-led uprising, removing the legal obstacles to his return.

Meanwhile, political attention has also turned to recent remarks by Jamaat leader Abdul Kader about a possible alliance between Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party.

Observers say Tarique Rahman’s return, alongside shifting alliance talks, has added a new dynamic to the evolving political landscape.

In recent months, BNP has publicly criticised Jamaat-e-Islami over political strategy, street movements and organisational positions, signalling growing strain between the two parties.

Senior BNP leaders have questioned Jamaat’s role in protests and its stance on violence and alliances.

Political analysts say the relationship, once shaped by electoral necessity, now appears marked by skepticism and mistrust rather than coordination.

While occasional gestures of goodwill continue, underlying differences over ideology, strategy and public credibility have made BNP-Jamaat ties increasingly fragile as the election environment becomes more complex.