🔴 Live: Tarique Rahman: Dark Prince and the Shadow Power of Bangladesh

Tarique Rahman is one of the most controversial and powerful political figures in South Asia. Known widely as the Dark Prince, he is accused by critics of running Bangladesh through shadow power while officially remaining outside the government. Supporters, however, see him as a decisive strategist and the natural heir to a historic political legacy. He is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and the senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). During the early 2000s, when BNP was in power, Rahman became the party’s main power broker despite holding no constitutional post. At the center of this controversy was Hawa Bhaban, an unofficial political office that many journalists and diplomats described as a parallel power center. Decisions related to politics, administration, and business were believed to pass through this office, giving rise to the idea of a “shadow government.” This is where the label “Dark Prince” originated — symbolizing influence exercised behind closed doors. Following political change in Bangladesh, Rahman went into long exile abroad as legal cases mounted against him. For years, he continued to guide BNP strategy from outside the country, maintaining relevance without physical presence. This reinforced his image as a leader who governs from the shadows rather than from parliament. In recent times, Bangladesh’s political environment has shifted again. With changing power equations and renewed political mobilization, Tarique Rahman’s name has returned to the center of national debate. His supporters view his return as the revival of plural politics, while critics fear a return of informal power structures. The video explains why Tarique Rahman is called the Dark Prince, how shadow power works in South Asian politics, the role of Hawa Bhaban in Bangladesh’s political history, why his influence still matters today, and what his rise means for Bangladesh’s future and regional politics. This is not just a story about one leader — it is about how power operates beyond elections, offices, and constitutions in the subcontinent. Watch till the end to understand how shadow power shapes real democracy.