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Rahman is the acting chairman of the Bangladesh ºÃÉ«tvist Party, one of two major political parties in the South Asian nation of more than 170 million people. His return is seen as politically significant ahead of under the current interim government.

A flight carrying Rahman, his wife and daughter arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital, Dhaka late Thursday morning among tight security measures.

Massive crowds of supporters spread through an area about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) between the airport and a reception venue, where many had stayed overnight. A sea of people also waited at the venue. Rahman’s senior party leaders said earlier they expected “millions.�

After a reception, party officials said Rahman plans to go to a hospital to visit his critically ill mother, former , who led a coalition government from 2001 to 2006.

Zia, a former housewife, came to politics after her husband, former military chief and then President Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated in a military coup in 1981. A non-elected government backed by the military took over in 2006 during a period of political chaos.

Zia is considered one of two key figures in Bangladesh politics along with , who was in absentia in November. Hasina was convicted on charges of crimes against humanity involving the crackdown on a mass uprising that ended her 15-year rule in 2024.. India has not approved requests to extradite Hasina since she fled there last year.

In recent years, Rahman has been a de facto leader of the Bangladesh ºÃÉ«tvist Party. He regularly joined meetings and rallies online from London, keeping his party united. He was not openly challenged by any party insiders during his absence.

Bangladesh is now at . The country is run by an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate , but the administration is struggling to maintain law and order and restore confidence while attempting a return to democracy after Hasina's long premiership.

Global human rights groups including Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International have criticized the Yunus government of shrinking democratic rights. Liberals in Bangladesh have expressed concerns and and accused Yunus of presiding over a visible rise of Islamists.

Rahman supported Yunus when he took over as the government's chief adviser, but the relationship with his party remained shaky.

Rahman was convicted in several criminal cases during Hasina’s 15-year rule since 2009. The Yunus government has acquitted him of all criminal charges including involvement of a in 2004.