India, Dec. 25 -- Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman and former chairman Tarique Rahman returned to the country on Thursday after nearly 17 years in exile.

The return, hastened by personal urgency owing this mother and former prime minister Khaleda Zia's health, is also seen as a boost for the BNP party workers ahead of the February 12 parliamentary elections in the country.

Rahman's homecoming comes even as Bangladesh is witnessing widespread unrest and political instability after the killing of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi.

Rahman, who was accompanied by his wide Zubaida and daughter Zaima, was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International airport in Dhaka, PTI news agency reported.

A massive crowd of supporte...