BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh within a month and a half, party sources confirmed, as they gears up for a large-scale mobilization to welcome the leader and reignite its campaign for restoring democracy.
Preparations are already underway to turn the capital Dhaka into what party leaders described as an "ocean of people" on the day of his arrival, with a target of two million supporters expected to gather.
Tarique, who has been living in London since 2008, reportedly discussed his return timeline with party leaders during a high-profile meeting with interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in London on June 13. The meeting, which BNP leaders called “fruitful,” has fueled enthusiasm among party activists and supporters across the country.
BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told Bangladesh Pratidin that the acting chairman will return home in the shortest possible time. “The whole country is now waiting for his arrival. After returning home, he will lead the movement to restore democracy from the field himself. The entire country is united under his leadership today.”
Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, one of the members of the party's standing committee who is visiting London, said that there is no obstacle for BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to return home. He can return home whenever he wants. He will take a decision on this matter in due time and will definitely return home.
After Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman is currently the most popular politician in Bangladesh. His arrival will create waves like a tidal wave breaking across the country.
In the London meeting on June 13, Tarique has left his mark on political wisdom by properly explaining the issues related to the country's interests, including the national election, to the internationally renowned personality and the country's only Nobel laureate, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
For this, Tarique is receiving praise on social media at home and abroad. With the success of the London meeting, all the evil forces against the popular uprising, including those who are involved in conspiracies at home and abroad, have suffered a crushing defeat. At the same time, the complications that BNP had with the government over the swearing-in of the mayor of DSCC have come to an end.
Above all, the entire country has jumped on the electoral train after overcoming the political crisis. The national election is in the first half of next February. There is only eight and a quarter months left. It is expected that the historic national election, which will be held by the people's vote.
In response to the question, ‘Will it be easy for the acting chairman of BNP to return to the country or not? Adviser to Home Affairs Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, “He (Tarique Rahman) has no problem returning to the country. He is a citizen of Bangladesh and can return to the country anytime he wants. All the uncertainty regarding the elections has been removed through the meeting between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The London meeting has put the final nail in the coffin of the conspiracy. As a result, there has been relief in the public mind. On the other hand, the conspirators are in extreme despair.”
According to the relevant sources, the local leaders and workers of the party expect Tarique Rahman to return to the country soon. There are important internal tasks, especially nominations for the elections and organizing the party. Tarique Rahman has no alternative to implement them. They expect him to return to the country before August 5.
Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had announced Tarique Rahman's quick return to the country.
He said that Tarique Rahman will definitely return to the country. He is returning soon. However, the BNP Secretary General did not give a specific date for the party's acting chairman to return to the country.
BNP National Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed gave the same hint. He said, "He (Tareque Rahman) will return soon, God willing. However, I cannot say the day and date yet."
On Wednesday, the issue of Tarique Rahman's return to the country was discussed around a Facebook post by senior journalist Ashraf Kaiser. In one post, he said that BNP acting chairman is returning from London before July 36. Of the 87 cases filed against Tarique Rahman during the previous One Eleven and Awami League governments, many cases were canceled and dismissed. He was acquitted and granted bail in the rest. After that, his lawyers said that there was no further obstacle to his return to the country.
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
