Tarique coming back to politics

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia waves to the crowd during a rally in the Sultanganj High School ground in Bogra yesterday. Photo: Star

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said her son Tarique Rahman would take part in active politics on his return from abroad after completing treatment.
Tarique has been away from active politics since he left the country for London during Fakhruddin-led caretaker government.
"Pray for him [Tarique] so that he can come back to you," she said while addressing a street gathering in Sirajganj on her way to Bogra.
She alleged that the last caretaker government lodged false cases against Tarique and tortured and sent him abroad to make her party lose in the general elections.
In another meeting at Sultanganj High School ground in Bogra, Khaleda said conspiracy snatched two constituencies from BNP. She urged people to stay alert so that such incident does not repeat.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organised the meeting with its president Sultan Salauddin Tuku in chair. Leaders of BNP and its associate bodies also spoke at the meeting.
Earlier in the afternoon, a motorcade of over a hundred vehicles carrying party leaders, including BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, former speaker Jamiruddin Sircar and former minister Moudud Ahmed, reached Bogra.
Hundreds of enthusiasts bearing banners, posters and placards welcomed the former premier at different points chanting slogans.
At least five hundred gates were built in Bogra to welcome the BNP chairperson. She left the capital yesterday morning to attend the celebration of Tarique's 45th birthday. It was the last day of seven-day celebration programme organised by JCD.
Around 50 gates have been erected in Sherpur while another 40 in and around Bogra town. Besides, five gates have been built after every 500 metres on Dhaka--Bogra highway from Hatikumul to Matidhali.
More than three thousand leaders and workers of the party and its associate bodies accompanied their party chief from the capital while about six thousand joined from different northern districts to mark the day.
Bogra town was illuminated and decorated with portraits of Tarique Rahman and his parents -- former president Ziaur Rahman and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia.
Khaleda addressed a few street meetings on her way to Bogra and alleged that the present government is trying to harass her son so that he cannot return to the country.
She said, "Tarique worked for the development of the country, but a lot of cases were filed only to destroy him."
Besides, the handing over of Tk1,000 each to 100 talented students, Khaleda distributed cattle, goats, sewing machine and winter clothing among destitute people on the birthday occasion of her elder son.