Khaleda reaches UK
Emotional welcome by Tarique
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia reached London yesterday on a two-week visit for a health check-up and eye treatment, and to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with her family members there.
According to a London-based source, Khaleda landed at Heathrow Airport on an Emirates Airlines (EK-585) flight at 12:15pm (BST). Khaleda left Hazrat Shahjalal Intl Airport at 9.46pm on Tuesday.
She was accompanied by her adviser, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and party leader Abdul Awal Mintoos son, Tabith Awal.
Khaleda was first greeted by her elder son Tarique Rahman at the VIP terminal of the airport with a bouquet and a hug. It was an emotional moment between mother and son as the two met for the first time after the death of Khaledas younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, earlier this year.
The BNP chief was then accorded a gala reception by party leaders and activists waiting at the airport. The BNP chairpersons adviser, Abdul Awal Mintoo, BNP international affairs secretary Mahidur Rahman, human rights secretary Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, assistant press secretary Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, UK BNP president MA Malek, general secretary Koisor M Ahmed, Barrister MA Salam, Nasrullah Khan Junayed and Barrister Tariq Bin Aziz, among others, were present on the occasion. Tarique himself drove her to a hotel.
Khaledas visit is considered significant as she is expected to discuss crucial political issues with Tarique, who is also the senior vice-chairman of the BNP, and work out the partys next course of action.
This is Khaledas second visit to London following the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. In 2011, Khaleda had met Tarique in London on her way back home from the USA.
Khaleda would be staying at a hotel in central London along with Tarique, his wife Dr Zobaida Rahman and granddaughter Zaima Rahman, according to BNP sources.
