Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, virtually joined a party meeting on Sunday, marking her first public appearance in such a setting.
A short video of Zaima participating in an online meeting of expatriate BNP leaders has since gone viral on social media.
The meeting, attended by BNP leaders based abroad along with a European representatives’ team, focused on expatriate voting activities.
In the 39-second clip, Zaima—who has until now stayed away from formal political involvement—was seen thanking participants.
“Thank you, everyone. Thank you for coming and for all the work you have done. You have shared your thoughts — the problems and the advantages. A few issues have been discussed. Rizvi uncle has taken notes, Pavel uncle too. We will see centrally how much we can do,” she said.
“The work must move forward. Everyone is in touch with each other and should help in every possible way. Khokon uncle explained well how things should be done according to time. We should not delay. We should prioritise and work according to the schedule. Thank you so much,” Zaima added.
BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumi told UNB that although Zaima joined the meeting and spoke, the video was not released officially. He said someone recorded the clip secretly and uploaded it online.
This is the first time Zaima has appeared in a BNP organizational meeting linked to expatriate voting activities.
Earlier this year, on February 5-6, she attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC as part of a BNP delegation.
The three-member team was led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, with Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also in attendance.
In an interview with the BBC last month, Tarique Rahman was asked whether his family members — including his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman — might enter politics in the future. Tarique said: “Time and circumstances will say.”
Zaima moved to London with her parents in 2008, where she completed her schooling along with her higher studies. She earned her Law degree from Queen Mary University of London and later completed her Bar-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn.
