BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia met with her elder son Tarique Rahman in London on Saturday night after over two and a half years.
The reunion took place at the Grosvenor Hotel in central London where Tarique’s wife Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman were also present.
BNP leaders who witnessed the “emotional” reunion said the mother and the son broke into tears after a few moments’ silence.
Tarique, also the senior vice chairman of the party, has been living in London for treatment since September 2008.
Before his departure, he alleged that the law enforcers tortured him in custody causing serious injuries to his spinal cord.
Tarique was arrested on March 7, 2007 on charges of corruption during the military-backed caretaker government. He went to London after his release on bail on September 3, 2008.
Khaleda, also leader of the opposition, left Dhaka on Saturday for London en route America and reached Heathrow International Airport at 8:15pm local time that day.
Leaders of the party’s UK chapter welcomed her at the airport.
Outside, the UK chapter of the ruling Awami League waved black flags protesting her visit.
Immediately after she left, supporters of the two parties engaged in a clash when police picked up two BNP activists.
The BNP chairperson was scheduled to address a party meeting at Grosvenor Hall yesterday afternoon (10:00pm Bangladesh time)
During her weeklong stay in London, she will meet with political leaders and government officials.
Khaleda is scheduled to meet Alan Duncan, minister of state for International Development, and Labour Party leader Ed Miliband. She will also attend receptions hosted by Anne Main, chairman of all party parliamentary group and Tower Hamlets Mayor Latifur Rahman
Courtesy of The Daily Star
