A high-ranking officiaal the main opposition in Bangladesh Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, has this time returned to the country after 17 years in exile, creating a big wave in the disturbed political process in the country. His entrance into the scene is accompanied by increased political uncertainty and a revival of debate as to whether the opposition politics in Bangladesh is going to continue in the same direction.
In 2008, another son of a former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Rahman, went out of Bangladesh in a state of military-backed government. He was staying in the United Kingdom, where he continued to take part in party activities overseas. His coming back is preceded by a set of legal and political events that have softened the currency of the prohibition of his movements.
Rahman also had support in the BNP organisational structure as supporters were drawn in large numbers to meet him. His comeback, according to party officials, came as a crucial move before he embarks on political activities in the future. There are no special plans that the government has declared to accompany his arrival, and the security seemed to match the security provided to other high profile political personalities.
The exile of Rahman was associated with several cases of corruption that were filed amidst a massive anti-graft campaign more than a decade ago. He has refuted the allegation and has claimed that the cases were political. Courts have over the years made verdicts in a number of cases some of which are still under legal processes. His legal status remains a topic of concern in the country and outside.
The political atmosphere in Bangladesh has been strained and there has been perceived old time politics between the ruling Awami league and the BNP. The government has been repeatedly accused of limiting the political activities and curtailing the civic space, which the government refutes. The reentry of a leading opposition leader will not transform the overall political equilibrium right away, but will almost inevitably shake the internal party politics.
The case of opposition leaders in Bangladesh has become the subject of close monitoring among international observers and those groups concerned with the rights of people. The diplomatic partners have highlighted the need to include politics, rule of law and peaceful participation prior to the elections in the future. This broader context is likely to be evaluated by the presence of Rahman in the country.
Organisational issues have been a challenge to the BNP especially during recent years owing to the lack of senior leaders within the country. According to the party insiders, the re-emergence of Rahman will assist in consolidation of leadership and coordination. They have however also made a point in pointing out that political strategy choices will be made collectively.
With Bangladesh in a state of uncertainty, the resurgence of Rahman introduces another layer to the political arena that is already quite complicated. The changes in his role will be determined by the course of justice in the cases of law, the political strategy of his party and the political environment in the next few months.