Khaleda and Tarique were likely to discuss the current political situation elaborately and finalise the strategy to oust the government from power
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will meet her elder son Tarique Rahman in Saudi Arabia and might discuss political strategy to mount pressure on the government to recognise the party’s demand for an election under a non-partisan government.
Even though the party has already threatened to wage movements after this Eid, it has yet to finalise the strategy for the movement. Senior party leaders believe that the strategy will be finalised after the meeting between Khaleda and Tarique.
Khaleda Zia will fly to Saudi Arabia today at the invitation of Saudi King Abdullah to perform Umrah and party’s Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with his family members, will also go to Saudi Arabia as a royal guest to perform Umrah and join his mother, said Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, press secretary to the BNP chairperson.
“Madam will leave Dhaka for Saudi Arabia at 9:05pm on Saturday by an Emirates Airlines flight and Tarique Rahman and his family members will join her there,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. Khaleda is scheduled to return home on July 27.
Sources in the party said Khaleda and Tarique were likely to discuss the current political situation elaborately and finalise the strategy to oust the government from power.
The Khaleda-Tarique meeting is now being discussed within the party as many believe that the party’s future strategy, its reshuffling process and some other important issues could be discussed in the meeting.
Tarique had called upon the party leaders and activists to take to the streets to resist the January 5 election, but it did not work properly. Tarique has since expressed disappointment over the performance of the party’s senior leaders and vented grievances on several occasions. Khaleda also expressed disappointment over the role of some leaders.
A senior leader, seeking anonymity, said the fate of many leaders might change as Tarique might give specific directives and instructions for some changes in party committees.
The leaser said the party was planning to hold a grand rally in the capital after Eid. “If the government does not give us permission, the rally can be held somewhere adjacent to the capital. The next course of action will be announced from the rally.”
Before the rally, Khaleda will hold a meeting with her party’s Standing Committee members and alliance leaders.
The BNP leader also said hartal-like programmes would not be announced now and tougher movements would be waged after Eid-ul-Azha.
Another senior leader said the reshuffling of the committee would take pace after the meeting between Khaleda and Tarique.
“In many cases, there were differences of opinion between them. In the face-to-face meeting, the differences will be resolved and the reshuffling process will start,” he said.
Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and committees of other associate and front organisations will be reshuffled to strengthen the party.
Although the party leaders said Tarique would return home only when he was fit, it was seen that Tarique had been speaking on different occasions about the country’s politics. He even visited Malaysia last month and held a meeting there.
Tarique has been staying in the United Kingdom since 2008. He is facing several graft charges.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
