Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh at a moment when symbolism mattered almost as much as power. The BNP’s Chairman, in self-imposed exile from his motherland and long silenced by a media ban under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, arrived in Dhaka on December 25 to a reception that stunned even seasoned political observers. Hundreds of thousands of supporters waited through the night at the airport, greeting him as a redeemer rather than a politician returning from exile.
In a wide-ranging conversation with TIME, his first interview since returning to his homeland, Tarique reflected on his mother Khaleda Zia’s death, his contested political legacy, allegations of corruption, and the responsibilities he faces as the country’s de facto opposition leader.
Just five days after his return, Tarique’s mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away.
“It’s very heavy in my heart,” Tarique told TIME, struggling with emotion. “But when you have responsibility, you must perform it.”
At 60, Tarique stands at the centre of Bangladesh’s most enduring political rivalry. As the son of Ziaur Rahman, a late president, he represents one half of a dynastic duopoly that has defined the country since its birth. The other half is Sheikh Hasina, daughter of founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose 15-year rule ended after the July Uprising forced her to flee the country.
However, Tarique rejects the idea that his political relevance comes from lineage.
“It’s not because I’m the son of my father and mother,” he says. “My party supporters are the reason why I’m here today.”
To supporters, Tarique is a persecuted leader returning to rescue a broken democracy. To critics, he remains a privileged heir with a reputation forged during the BNP’s last time in power, when Bangladesh repeatedly topped global corruption rankings.
During the BNP’s last stint in power from 2001 to 2006, Transparency International ranked Bangladesh the world’s most corrupt country for four consecutive years. Moreover, a leaked 2008 US diplomatic cable branded him “a symbol of kleptocratic government and violent politics” and noted his reputation for “flagrantly and frequently demanding bribes.”
Yet, Tarique denies all corruption allegations, mentioning that his prior convictions were quashed by the interim government.
“They have failed to prove anything,” he says of his accusers.
However, Tarique still bears the marks of those years. In 2007–2008, during the tenure of a military-backed caretaker government, Rahman had been imprisoned for 18 months on 84 charges. He suffered torture in prison that caused spinal problems that still blight him today, and his departure to the UK was originally to seek medical treatment.
“If the winter is very cold, then I get back pain. But I see it as a reminder of “my responsibility. I must give my best so that others do not suffer this kind of thing in the future.”
Instead of dwelling on such topics, Tarique turned to highlight his vision for the country.
“Our first priority will be to ensure the rule of law,” says Tarique. “To make sure that people are safe on the street, safe to do business.”
However, he also mentions other planned initiatives, saying he wants to dig 12,000 miles of canals to help replenish a depleted water table, plant 50 million trees a year to combat land degradation, and seed 50 new green spaces in Dhaka to help the smog-wreathed capital breathe. He also has plans to install trash-burning power generators, repurpose technical colleges to upskill migrant workers, and partner with private hospitals to alleviate an overwhelmed state health care system.
“If I can implement just 30% of what I have planned, I’m sure the people of Bangladesh will support me,” he says.
He is also well aware of the burden that he would shoulder should he come to power.
“We have a very, very strong responsibility to those people who lost their lives,” he says. “We need to work together, unite, so that people can have their political rights.”
Asked about the ban imposed on activities of the Awami League, Tarique refused to be drawn in. In principle, he says, he doesn’t like the banning of any political party.
“Because if you ban a political party today, what assurance do I have that tomorrow you will not ban me? Of course, if someone is responsible for some kind of crime, they must face the consequences.”
‘I’m sure Trump is a reasonable man’
Time reports that both the Awami League and influential Indians have been lobbying President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Bangladesh, citing ‘communal violence’.
Recently, the Trump Administration imposed “reciprocal” tariffs of 20% on Bangladesh.
Tarique says he is exploring ways to reduce the nation’s trade deficit and negotiate a reprieve by potentially purchasing Boeing airplanes and US energy infrastructure.
“Donald Trump will look after the interests of his country,” says Tarique. “I will look after the interests of my country. But we can also help each other. I’m sure Mr. Trump is a very reasonable man.”
Similarly, relations with India have also been strained since the ouster of the Awami League, especially as Hasina and numerous other top AL leaders have taken refuge in the country.
“Guarding the interests of our people and country comes first,” says Tarique, “but then we will try to take relations further.”
Asked what he misses about his former life in London, Tarique doesn’t hesitate.
“My freedom,” he says. “When I came to this house, and saw all this security, I felt claustrophobic.”
However, he also realises that freedom is the demand of the people.
“People just want to get back to a democracy where they can speak freely, where they can express themselves.
Tarique also spoke about movies, mentioning that Air Force One was one his favourites and that he had watched it eight times. The movies can also sometimes give him inspiration.
“With great power comes great responsibility,” he says, recounting a quote by Spiderman.
“I very much believe that.”
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