Dhaka, Dec. 3 -- The debate surrounding Tarique Rahman's long-anticipated return to Bangladesh intensified on Tuesday after two senior members of the interim government said there are no barriers-legal, administrative or security-related-to prevent the BNP acting chairman from coming home.

Home affairs adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told reporters that "there is no security threat for anyone in Bangladesh," responding to questions on whether the ministry was preparing special protection measures for Rahman if he travels back before the upcoming national election.

Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, he said the ministrystands ready to provide additional security to anyone who needs it and added that the BDR mutiny inve...