BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman made an emotional gesture while leaving Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday. He briefly stood barefoot on the soil and picked up a handful of earth before heading to his reception in Purbachal. After his arrival, he also expressed gratitude to the chief adviser.
After exiting the airport through the VIP gate at 12:35pm, Tarique paused at the adjacent garden area, removed his footwear and stood on the ground for a short while. He then picked up soil in his hand, a moment that drew strong attention from party leaders and supporters present.
Earlier, following his arrival, Tarique Rahman met BNP leaders and close relatives at the airport and exchanged greetings at the VIP lounge.
According to a video shared on BNP’s official Facebook page, Tarique Rahman also spoke by phone with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus while inside the airport lounge. During the conversation, Tarique Rahman enquired about the chief adviser’s health and expressed his gratitude for the security measures taken by the government.
A red-and-green decorated bus had been kept ready outside the airport. Standing at the front of the bus, Tarique Rahman waved to party leaders and activists and returned their greetings before departing the airport premises.
From there, he left directly for the reception venue on the 300 Feet Road in Purbachal, where BNP leaders, activists and supporters had gathered to welcome him.
According to the programme announced earlier, Tarique Rahman was scheduled to deliver a short speech at the Purbachal reception before visiting Evercare Hospital to see his mother, three-time former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment there.
Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh in September 2008 for medical treatment after his release from prison during the political changeover of 2007. His return marks his first engagements in the country since then and a significant political moment for the BNP.
