Ex-Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia's son Tarique Rahman likely to become BNP's prime ministerial candidate in upcoming general polls 

He said Rahman will return to Bangladesh sometime between November and December, reported Prothom Alo.

Kabir was quoted as saying by the newspaper that the  BNP will participate in the upcoming election under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

The BNP was the key opposition party of the country when the ousted former PM Sheikh Hasina was in power in the country till August 5, 2024.

Claiming that the poll was rigged in Hasina's favour, the BNP did not participate in the polls last year.

During Hasina's regime, he was booked and convicted in cases and even even-handed prison sentences, forcing him to live abroad.

With her mother Khaleda Zia, ailing, Tarique is expected to take the lead role for the party in the polls and become BNP's prime ministerial face.

Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said he will ask the Election Commission to organise the general polls in February next year.

He announced the possible month of hosting the election on a day when Bangladesh was observing the first anniversary of former PM Sheikh Hasina's exit from the country amid severe protests against her government over the job quota row, now known as the July-August uprising.

"Now it is time for us to fulfil our final duty: holding the election. Following this address on this momentous day, we will enter the final and most important chapter of our responsibility. We will begin the process of handing over power to an elected government," Muhammad Yunus was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

"I ask all of you to pray that the election is held smoothly, so that all citizens of this country can move forward successfully in building a new Bangladesh. On behalf of the government, we will provide all necessary support to ensure that the election is fair, peaceful and festive," he said.

"From tomorrow, we will begin our mental and institutional preparations to ensure that this election becomes memorable in the nation’s history, for its joyous spirit, for peace and order, for voter turnout, and for the atmosphere of harmony and sincerity," Yunus said.

After Awami League was removed from power, the political outfit, led by Hasina, has been banned from contesting polls.