Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh on December 25, 2025, after 17 years in exile. He was welcomed by thousands of supporters and addressed a rally, pledging to build a safe and inclusive Bangladesh for all faiths and regions. Rahman, seen as a leading contender for prime minister in the upcoming February elections, invoked Martin Luther King Jr. and stated, "I have a plan for Bangladesh." His return occurs amid political instability, violence, and concerns over minority rights.