BNP chief Khaleda Zia to travel to London Saturday

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be travelling to London on Saturday.

"She will leave Dhaka on Jul 15 to treat the condition of her eyes and feet in the UK," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday night.    

He made the announcement after a meeting of the party's standing committee members.

"The length of her stay depends on the time it will take to treat her conditions," said the BNP leader.  

Tarique Rahman, Khaleda's eldest son, has been living in the UK since 2008.

Ruling Awami League leaders have attributed much of the BNP's activities to Tarique, who being senior vice chairman, holds the second most powerful post within the party.

Khaleda's plan to visit London prior to announcing a new campaign and an outline for an election-time government has caused excitement among politicians.

The meeting of the party's standing committee on Thursday night was held at her Gulshan home, instead of her office, which is the usual venue.

Khaleda's last visit to London began on Sept 16 of 2015.

She spent Eid with Tarique and his family before returning to Dhaka after one and half months.

The wife and two children of her deceased younger son Arafat Rahman Coco was also in London during that visit.

When asked about the agenda of the BNP standing committee meeting, Fakhrul said the leaders discussed the flood situation, spread of chikungunya fever, costlier rice and criticised law enforcement activities.