BNP plans fresh action against Hasina govt

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, right, and her elder son Tarique Rahman will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss political strategy.

By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will meet her elder son Tarique Rahman in Saudi Arabia and might discuss political strategy to mount pressure on the Sheikh Hasina government to recognise her party’s demand for an election under a non-partisan government, an aide said yesterday.

Even though the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has already threatened to wage movement after Eid-ul Fitr, it has yet to finalise the strategy for the movement. Senior party leaders believe that the strategy will be finalised after the meeting between Zia and Tarique.

Zia, flying to Saudi Arabia last night at the invitation of the Saudi king to perform Umrah, will join party’s senior vice-chairman Rahman, along with his family, in Dubai before their journey to Saudi Arabia as royal guests to perform Umrah, said Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, press secretary to the BNP chairperson.

“Madam will leave Dhaka for Saudi Arabia at 9:05pm on Saturday by an Emirates Airlines flight and Tarique Rahman and his family will join her in Dubai,” he said.

Zia is scheduled to return home on July 27.

Sources in the party said Zia and Tarique are likely to discuss the current political situation elaborately and finalise the strategy to oust the government from power.

The Zia-Tarique meeting is now being discussed within the party as many believe that the party’s future strategy, its reshuffling process and some other important issues could be discussed in the meeting.

Tarique had called upon the party leaders and activists to take to the streets to resist the January 5 election, but it did not work properly.

He has since expressed disappointment over the performance of the party’s senior leaders and vented grievances on several occasions. Zia also expressed disappointment over the role of some leaders.

A senior leader, seeking anonymity, said the fate of many leaders might change as Tarique might give specific directives and instructions for some changes in party committees.

The leader said the party is planning to hold a grand rally in the capital after Eid. “If the government does not give us permission, the rally can be held somewhere adjacent to the capital. The next course of action will be announced from the rally.”

Before the rally, Zia will hold a meeting with her party’s standing committee members and alliance leaders.

The BNP leader hinted at tougher movements after Eid-ul-Azha.

Another senior leader said the reshuffling of the committee would take pace after the meeting between Zia and Tarique.

“In many cases, there were differences of opinion between them. In the face-to-face meeting, the differences will be resolved and the reshuffling process will start,” he said.

Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and committees of other associate and front organisations will be reshuffled to strengthen the party.

Tarique has been staying in the United Kingdom since 2008. He is facing several graft charges.