‘I’m half Sylheti,’ says Tarique to warm applause at Victory Day event in London

The BNP acting chairman’s comment resonates with London’s large Sylheti Bangladeshi community during a Victory Day gathering

BNP leader Tarique Rahman has described himself as “half Sylheti” while addressing a Victory Day discussion in London, drawing loud applause from hundreds of expatriate Bangladeshis in attendance.

Tarique made the remark on Tuesday at an event held at City Pavilion.

As he made his way through a packed hall, he noted that a large number of people in the audience were from Sylhet, though others had come from different districts as well.

“Whether from Sylhet or elsewhere… I am also half Sylheti, so there’s no point arguing.”

London is home to a sizeable Sylheti Bangladeshi community, and his remark was met with rousing applause from the crowd.

Tarique appeared visibly relaxed and smiling as the crowd responded.

The BNP acting chairman has family ties to Sylhet through his marriage to Dr Zubaida Rahman, the younger daughter of former navy chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan.