AL's take on Vision 2030: Khaleda president, Tarique PM‎

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader thinks that Khaleda Zia will become president and make her son Tarique Rahman prime minister if the BNP comes to power.

Quader gave the ruling party's take at a press conference following the BNP's Vision 2030, a development roadmap of the party if it comes to power, unveiled by Khaleda earlier on Wednesday.

In the Vision, Khaleda pledged to bring constitutional reforms to create a balance of power. She said the prime minister's sole executive power has resulted in a ‘dictatorship’.

Quader sensed a veiled threat and plot behind this pledge of the former prime minister.

He recalled the ouster of AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury as president by Khaleda when she was prime minister in 2002.

"How will she honour the president? She removed the president (elected by) her party when she was in power," Quader said.

"The people have not forgotten that the then president Badruddoza Chowdhury had to flee the BNP terrorists' attack through the railway tracks in Mohakhali to save his life.

"It seems from her speech that she wants to be the president and make her corrupt son Tarique the prime minister," he added.

In her 70s, Khaleda is still at the helm of the BNP, while her son Tarique, now in London for around a decade, is actually making the important decisions to conduct the party.

BNP activists also see the party's Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique as their next 'leader'.

Tarique was an influential figure without holding no post in the party when it was in power from 2001 to 2006. His activities led Hawa Bhaban, the then political office of Khaleda, to be an alternative power centre.

Tarique was arrested during the military-controlled caretaker government's tenure on corruption charges.

He was later freed and went to London for treatment in 2008. He has been living with his wife and children there since then.

Sentenced to jail and fined in a money-laundering case in Bangladesh, he is also wanted in other cases.