The motorcade carrying BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is moving slowly amid a huge crowd waiting to see the leader on Thursday afternoon.
It appears it will take time to reach the venue at the 300 Feet area in Dhaka’s Purbachal, where a grand reception rally has been organised to mark his homecoming after more than 17 years in exile.
He landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:41am. After completing immigration formalities, he left the airport at 12:35pm and then boarded a red-and-green decorated bus in the motorcade.
However, the 300 Feet venue is located approximately 15 kilometres from Dhaka airport.
Meanwhile, thousands of party leaders and supporters gathered there to welcome Tarique Rahman.
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.
