Tariq Rahman is the son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and is considered a prominent face of BNP. (Photo source- Tariq Rehman/Facebook)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. After 17 years of exile in London, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting president Tariq Rahman reached Dhaka on Thursday with his wife and daughter.
This return has come at a time when the country is grappling with the violence following the assassination of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi's death has increased tension across Bangladesh and meanwhile a special assistant in the Home Ministry has resigned.
Tariq Rehman is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and is considered a prominent face of BNP. Party workers are busy preparing to give him a grand welcome. Millions of supporters are braving the cold of winter and gathering at Dhaka Airport and surrounding areas.
Preparations for Tariq Rehman's return
A flight of Bangladesh's government airline has reached Dhaka carrying Tariq Rahman, his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Jaima Rahman. This flight first stopped at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, where landing took place at around 10 am. After this reached Hazrat Shahjahan International Airport of Dhaka.
Tight security arrangements have been made at the airport. The interim government has promised to provide full support to the BNP's demand. The party claims that about 50 lakh workers and supporters are gathered in Dhaka.
From the airport, Tariq Rehman will go straight to the welcome ceremony organized at 300 feet road in Purvanchal, where he will give a short speech. After that he will go to meet his ailing mother Khaleda Zia in the hospital.
#WATCH | Dhaka | BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) supporters march to the Dhaka Airport, where the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman will soon arrive. He is returning to Bangladesh after living in London in exile for 17 years. pic.twitter.com/nWBgTXJA4k
Flames of tension rising in Bangladesh due to Hadi's murder
The main reason for tension in the country is the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Hadi was one of the leading faces of the student movement against the Sheikh Hasina government last year. On December 12, he was shot by masked attackers while leaving a mosque in Dhaka. In a critical condition, he was taken to Singapore, where he died on 18 December.
As news of Hadi's death spread, violence broke out across the country. The protesters attacked and set fire to the offices of major newspapers The Daily Star and Pratham Aalo. There was vandalism at many places and one person even died. On Wednesday, an incident of bomb throwing from a flyover came to light in Mogabazar area of Dhaka.
Resignation in Home Ministry
Khuda Bakhsh Chaudhary, special assistant in the Home Ministry, resigned amid allegations of delay in the investigation of Hadi's murder and failure of security arrangements. The protesters had demanded the resignation of the Home Affairs Advisor and other officials. There is increasing pressure on the interim government to catch the killers as soon as possible and ensure justice.
BNP is considering the return of Tariq Rahman as a big political opportunity. His presence will strengthen the party before the parliamentary elections to be held in February. But the ongoing incidents of unrest and violence in the country are increasing everyone's concern. The government has appealed for peace and ordered security forces to remain alert.
Also read: Khaleda's son Tariq Rehman returns to Bangladesh, what is his plan?