BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman went to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday evening to visit his ailing mother and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, shortly after addressing party leaders and supporters at the 300 Feet reception venue.
Tarique left the 300 Feet venue around 4:28pm and reached Evercare Hospital at about 5:54pm, traveling in the same bus he had used from the airport.
This marks the first reunion of the mother and son in Bangladesh after more than 17 years, although they have met several times in London, most recently in January this year.
Earlier, Tarique’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and their daughter, Zaima Rahman—who accompanied him from London to Dhaka—arrived at the hospital around 5:10pm.
While addressing the gathering at the reception venue, Tarique said that, as a son, his heart lay beside his mother’s hospital bed because of her illness.
“But I cannot leave the people behind for whom she has dedicated her life in any way. That is why I have stood here today to express my gratitude to you before going to the hospital,” he said.
He also urged people across the country to pray for the recovery of his ailing mother.
Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in the Bashundhara residential area since November 23 and remains in critical condition.
After spending some time with his mother, Tarique is expected to proceed to House No 196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will be staying.
Earlier in the day, a Bangladesh Biman Airlines flight carrying Tarique Rahman and his entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:44am, marking the end of his 17-year exile in London.
Tarique left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released from jail during the period of the military-backed caretaker government and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family.
He was accorded a warm and emotional reception upon arrival at the airport. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir led members of the party’s standing committee in greeting the acting chairman at the VVIP lounge.
Tarique exchanged pleasantries with party leaders and supporters, smiling warmly and waving at BNP activists gathered at the airport. His mother-in-law, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, welcomed him with a flower bouquet as his wife and daughter stood beside him.
After completing airport formalities, Tarique began his journey to the 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) venue by bus amid tight security. Upon exiting the airport, he stepped barefoot onto the grass, touched the soil, picked up a handful, and brought it to his nose, visibly emotional.
A motorcade escorted his bus as massive crowds lined both sides of the road from the airport to the 300 Feet area, chanting slogans and welcoming him home.
A festive atmosphere prevailed along the route, with supporters waving the national flag, carrying the party symbol Dhaner Shis (Sheaf of Paddy), wearing colorful attire, and beating drums.
Slogans such as “Tarique Rahman Asche, Ma-Mati Dakche,” “Ajker Ei Din-e, Shaheed Zia Mone Pore,” “Tomar Amar Marka, Dhaner Shis Marka,” “Tarique Rahmaner Agomon, Subhechha Sagotom,” and “Desh Neta Asche, Bangladesh Kapche” echoed through the crowds.
Tarique responded by waving from the bus, creating an emotional and historic scene.
According to Biman Bangladesh Airlines Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman, the aircraft carrying Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and Zaima Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:40am after a one-hour stopover at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport.
The flight departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 6:15pm (London time) on Wednesday and touched down in Sylhet at 9:56am before continuing to Dhaka.
Tarique Rahman returned home after 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom.
