Khaleda busy in UK working out roadmap for polls, movement
UNB
Apart from receiving medical treatment in London, BNP chairperson was learned to have been busy together with her eldest son Tarique Rahman preparing her partys roadmap for both the general election and a street movement aiming to win the 11th parliamentary polls, reports UNB in Dhaka.
Leaders close to the BNP chief said Khaleda had a schedule to return home on September 15, but she deferred it as she wants to compete her partys strategy for forcing the government to hold the next polls under an election-time supportive government, waging a successful movement, intensifying diplomatic efforts to pursue influential countries to play a role in holding fair polls and strengthening the partys organisational capacity before her return.
They said Khaleda along with her eldest son and party senior vice chairman Tarique is crafting the partys roadmap for the election and movement alongside making a list of potential party candidates for the next polls.
Contacted, BNPs London chapter president MA Malek said, Madams (Khaledas) schedule to return home on September 15 has been deferred as her treatment is yet to be completed.
He said Khaleda will hold a meeting with leaders and activists of London chapter BNP before her return.
Her personal assistant Abdus Sattar who is accompanying her said the BNP chief wants to return home as soon as possible, but she could not yet complete her treatment.
Though BNP leaders have been claiming that Khaleda went to London only for treatment and spending time with her family members, she is carrying out some diplomatic works as well there.
A London BNP leader said Khaleda had a meeting with two London chapter Indian BJP leaders, who are close to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But, he declined to elaborate it.
He said also Khaleda had a scheduled meeting with some BJP leaders from India, but it was postponed later for strategic reasons.
Besides, Khaleda sent letters to the members of the UN Security Council, foreign ministers of OIC member countries and envoys of different countries stationed in Dhaka to take steps to stop violence against Rohingyas by Myanmar military.
BNP insiders said Khaleda may overhaul her partys diplomatic wing to strengthen the partys capacity to deal with foreign countries, especially India, to convince them for mounting pressure on the government for holding a fair and neutral election in Bangladesh.
Besides, she is likely to fill the three vacant posts of her partys standing committee, the highest policymaking body, on her return home.
Many BNP senior leaders said they have no idea about the possible date of Khaledas homecoming.
London chapter BNP leaders said the BNP chief will return home before Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs visit to Bangladesh in October as she will have a meeting with her during the tour.
They said Khaleda is giving importance to the meeting with Sushma Swaraj as she will try to understand Indias position on the next polls through the discussions with her.
Talking to UNB, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the schedule for Khaledas homecoming has not been finalized yet. She may return home, I think, in the first week of October.
He said though she has been in London, she has good contact with party leaders as he is giving them necessary directives over various issues.
Asked about the roadmap she is working out there, Khasru said, As the partys two top most leaders are now under the same roof, it is usual for them to make some strategies for the party and finalise some crucial decisions. On July 15, Khaleda went to London for receiving medical treatment and spending time with her family members.
The BNP chief underwent the surgery for cataract in her right eye at Moorfields Eye Hospital on August 8. She has been staying at the house of Tarique there.
