Khaleda Zia's Critical Health: Son Tarique Rahman Unable to Return to Bangladesh Despite Political Shifts

Khaleda Zia was admitted to a private hospital on November 23 (Representational)

Tarique Rahman, the self-exiled acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), stated on Saturday that returning to his homeland is beyond his sole control, even as his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, battles a "very critical" health condition.

The 80-year-old BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was hospitalized on November 23 after developing a chest infection that has affected both her heart and lungs.

In an early morning Facebook post from London on Saturday, the 60-year-old Rahman, who has resided in the UK since 2008, expressed that like any child, he desires to be by his mother's side during this "moment of crisis." However, he noted that "making a unilateral decision in this regard is not in my hands alone nor solely within my control. The sensitivity of this matter also limits the scope for detailed explanation."

Rahman, Khaleda Zia's only surviving child, expressed optimism that "once the current political realities reach the expected stage, my long and anxious wait to return to my homeland will finally come to an end." He described his mother's condition as a "deep crisis," mentioning that she remains under intensive medical care with a team of specialists from both Bangladesh and abroad providing top-level professional treatment.

His post did not elaborate on what specifically prevents his return to Bangladesh.

The UK government has not clarified Rahman's status, citing confidentiality provisions in relevant British law.

Shortly after Rahman's Facebook post appeared, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus' office stated that the Interim government had no objections regarding his return to Bangladesh.

"There are no restrictions or objections from the government in this matter," declared Yunus' press secretary Shafiqul Alam in a Facebook post.

The BNP has emerged as the frontrunner in Bangladesh's transformed political landscape following the overthrow of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League during a student-led violent street protest on August 5, 2025.

Three days later, the interim government led by Yunus assumed power and disbanded Awami League activities under the country's strict Terrorism Act, effectively barring the party from participating in the general elections scheduled for February next year.

Neither Rahman nor Hasina's son Sajeeb Wazed Joy are currently in Bangladesh, a country known for its largely hereditary political culture.

In a recent interview with BBC Bangla service on Friday, US expatriate Joy claimed that a "foreign game" is underway to bring about leadership changes in the country's two major political parties.

"A game is underway from abroad to change the leadership of both the parties (Awami League and BNP)," BBC Bangla quoted Joy, who has served as an ICT expert for Hasina's government.

Joy did not elaborate on what he meant by the "game" or who might be orchestrating it.

When asked if he aspired to lead the Awami League in his mother Hasina's absence or follow in her political footsteps, Joy responded, "The party will take the final decision." Sheikh Hasina has been residing in India since her ouster last year.