Tarique Rahman’s return to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile has thrust him back into the centre of national politics, drawing global attention and intense domestic debate.
In a sweeping special report published on Wednesday, January 28, Time magazine profiles the BNP leader as “Bangladesh’s Prodigal Son”, portraying him as both a symbol of political revival and a figure burdened by controversy.
The report says Tarique has re-entered public life with visible physical strain and an emotional weight heightened by the recent death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, shortly after his return.
Despite personal grief and health challenges, Time notes that Tarique appears determined to play an active political role, framing his comeback as a sense of duty rather than personal ambition.
In his first interview since returning home, Tarique told Time that stepping away from politics is not an option, arguing that public trust obliges him to stay. He rejected claims that his prominence stems solely from political inheritance, instead crediting grassroots party support for elevating him to leadership. “There is no room for evading responsibility,” he said, emphasising accountability as the core of his political motivation.
The report describes Rahman as the clear front-runner in the February 12 national elections, citing opinion polls that suggest around 70 per cent voter support for the BNP, compared to 19 per cent for Jamaat-e-Islami, its closest rival.
Time frames his electoral rise as part of a broader political realignment following the fall of Sheikh Hasina, whom the magazine characterises as an authoritarian figure.
It also examines the role of student movements, rising Islamist influence, and lingering instability in law and order.
However, the profile does not shy away from Tarique’s controversial past. Allegations of corruption from the BNP’s previous time in power, including the high-profile “electric pole” case, are highlighted as a persistent shadow over his leadership.
Tarique denies all wrongdoing, insisting the charges were politically motivated and later dismissed by the interim government. He argues that crimes should be prosecuted, but warns against using legal cases as tools for political revenge.
Beyond personality and power politics, Time devotes significant attention to Bangladesh’s economic and social challenges, portraying them as critical tests for Rahman if he comes to power. The report points to high inflation, a weakening taka, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, and mounting youth unemployment as urgent threats. With nearly two million young people entering the job market each year, the magazine calls job creation one of the most decisive battlegrounds for the country’s next leader.
Tarique is depicted as a technocratic-minded politician, advocating development-driven solutions rather than ideological confrontation. His proposed agenda includes canal excavation projects, large-scale tree plantations, green urban zones in Dhaka, waste-to-energy initiatives, skills development programs, and expanded public-private partnerships in healthcare.
He told Time that even partial implementation of these plans could generate strong public backing.
The magazine also paints Tarique as a softer, more consultative political figure than in the past, highlighting his emphasis on public safety, business stability, and civil liberties.
He has opposed banning political parties, arguing that exclusion today could set a precedent for repression tomorrow.
In its concluding assessment, Time magazine says Tarique’s return has injected fresh hope into Bangladesh’s political landscape but warns that optimism could fade if he fails to overcome three major challenges: his political past, internal party discipline, and the country’s harsh economic realities.
Ending on a personal note, the report quotes Tarique referencing a line from Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility. I very much believe that.”