Tarique will return home shortly if situation allows, says BNP’s Zahid

He says Tarique will lead the fight to re-establish democracy

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh in a few days if the “circumstances” are right, BNP Standing Committee member AZM Zahid Hossain has said after accompanying party Chairperson Khaleda Zia to the country.

Speaking in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan residence, Feroza, on Tuesday, he said “the day is not far” when Tarique would lead the recovery of democracy.

After four months of treatment in London, the 79-year-old three-time prime minister returned home to a warm welcome by party leaders, activists, and supporters, who cheered her on along the path from the Dhaka airport to Gulshan.

On the way back, she was accompanied by her two daughters-in-law -- Tarique’s wife Zubaida Rahman and the late Arafat Rahman Coco's wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman -- along with 13 others.

Tarique and Zubaida have been in London since leaving Bangladesh amid the 2008 state of emergency. This is Zubaida’s first trip back to the country since then, though when Tarique will return remains uncertain.

Khaleda’s private physician, Zahid said: “If Allah wills it, the way the acting chairman is leading from Britain, he will do that not only to lead the BNP but also the struggle to restore and establish democracy. Maybe, in a few days, the circumstances will allow for him to arrive [to Bangladesh].

“Dr Zubaida Rahman arrived with madam (Khaleda) and this is not a start, this is their country. It’s only natural that they’ll come here. They hadn’t before as they weren’t allowed. Time will tell how long she’s [Zubaida] going to stay,” he added.

"Naturally, her husband Tarique Rahman is there (in London), and her daughter is there as well. And in a few days, she will go back... She had to stay in exile there for 17 years. She will put that in order and very soon, you will see her returning to the country with Tarique Rahman.

“And the struggle that is going on to re-establish democracy in the country, that is, the ultimate goal of that democracy (establishment), will be led by my party's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman."