• Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returns from exile after 17 years.
• The BNP plans to mobilize five million supporters to welcome him in Dhaka.
• This return aims to bolster the party's position ahead of the February 12 elections.
• BNP leaders express optimism as the Awami League is barred from contesting the elections.
• Concerns about political stability and violence remain as Bangladesh approaches the polls.

Tarique Rahman, a prominent figure in Bangladeshi politics and acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is set to return to Dhaka on Thursday, December 25, after being in exile since 2008. His return follows significant political developments, including the ousting of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a student-led uprising last year. The BNP is mobilizing up to five million supporters for a rally to welcome him home, emphasizing the importance of this moment for the party, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

Rahman, 60, is anticipating political momentum for the BNP as it prepares for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February 12, during which his party is expected to gain the most seats, especially with the Awami League barred from participating. His homecoming is also influenced by the serious illness of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been in intensive care. BNP leaders consider this event a crucial occasion for rallying support ahead of the elections, as noted by leaders like Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Rahman has faced numerous legal troubles during his 17-year absence, including convictions for money laundering and an alleged assassination plot against Hasina. Since Hasina's removal from power, most of these charges have been cleared, allowing his return without legal hindrances. His rally is expected to further energize BNP supporters, as they navigate a politically fragile environment under an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Concerns about violence and potential unrest surrounding the elections remain, as suggested by reports of aggression towards media outlets, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.