"Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to the country on Thursday after 17 years of self-imposed exile in the United Kingdom. Footage shows Rahman waving to thousands of supporters who gathered to welcome him as he travelled from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to a reception venue. Many were seen holding Bangladeshi flags and banners along the route. “Our only expectation is that he (Tareque Rahman) will bring democracy back,” said local resident Kabir Hossain. “He has the leadership to take Bangladesh forward. Besides, we expect him to provide family cards and health cards to ensure food and health services to the poor people of the country.” Another supporter, Rafiqul Islam, said: “We expect him to give us and the next generation something new. We have been waiting for him for so long in the hope of getting something new in politics.” Later on Thursday, Rahman was expected to visit his mother, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is currently hospitalised. He is widely expected to replace the ailing 80-year-old Zia as the BNP’s leading political figure ahead of future elections. The 60-year-old politician left Bangladesh for London in September 2008 with his family to seek medical treatment, shortly after being released from prison."