Tarique Rahman goes to visit Khaleda Zia at hospital

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman started his journey to Evercare hospital to visit his mother and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia after attending a public event at 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road).

Earlier, he was accorded a warm reception and emotional greetings at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on arrival from London.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led the party's standing committee members to greet the acting chairman and accord a reception at the VVIP lounge of the airport after his return from London, as Tarique Rahman embraced them with a wide smile and warm handshake.

He also exchanged pleasantries with the BNP men present at the airport and waved his hand towards them.

His mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, welcomed him with a flower bouquet as his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied him. 

After airport proceedings, he started his journey to the 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) venue by bus amid tight security. He came out of the airport and touched down on the soil with dew-dropped grasses barefoot before travelling to the brief public event venue at 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road). He also grasped a fist of soil, brought it to his nose and sniffed, being emotional. 

Then, a motorcade escorted Tarique Rahman's bus to the venue as millions of people standing on both sides of the airport road, bound to the 300-foot road, welcomed him with chanting slogans. 

A festive atmosphere prevailed in the area from the airport to 300 feet as enthusiasm and excitement were evident among the activists. Some celebrated Tarique Rahman's return by waving the national flag, others carried the party symbol Dhaner Shis (Sheaf of Paddy), while some wore colourful attire and beat drums.

The people chanted various slogans, including 'Tarique Rahman Asche, Ma-Mati Dakche', 'Ajker Ei Din e, Shaheed Zia Mone Pore', 'Tomar Amar Marka, Dhaner Shis Marka', 'Tarique Rahmaner Agomon, Suveceshha Sagotom', 'Desh Neta Asche, Bangladesh Kapche', etc.

Tarique Rahman also replied to them with a waving hand on board the bus, making an extraordinary emotional scenario. 

Tarique Rahman finally returned to his homeland as he arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here around 11:40 am by a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.

"The aircraft carrying him along with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40 am after making a one-hour stopover at Sylhet's Osmani International Airport from London," Biman's Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman told BSS. 

Earlier, the flight departed from London's Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm (London Time) on Wednesday and touched down at Sylhet Airport at 09:56am en route to Dhaka. 

Tarique Rahman returned home after a long 17 years in exile in the UK. 

A very brief public event has also been arranged in the area of the July 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) as the BNP acting chairman expressed his gratitude to the people of the country there on his way to the hospital.

Tarique Rahman returned home after a long 17 years in exile in the UK.