Tarique Rahman, the front-runner to be the next prime minister of Bangladesh, has returned to the country after 17 years in exile ahead of landmark general elections.

The 60-year-old is the figurehead of the influential Zia family and the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia.

The party he leads, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is eyeing a return to power when Bangladesh goes to the polls in the new year.

Rahman, who has lived in London since 2008, is expected to become the country’s new leader if the BNP emerges as the largest party.

Rahman’s return comes in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being ousted last year.

He had been the subject of various criminal investigations launched while her Awami League party was in power but was cleared of all charges when her regime fell.

Hasina is living in exile in India and her party is unlikely to be permitted to take part in the elections, which many view as among the most consequential in Bangladesh’s history.

Last month, Hasina was sentenced to death for her role in suppressing anti-government protests.

According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people died in the student-led unrest.

Hasina, who was put on trial in absentia, has denied committing crimes against humanity.