BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman went to Evercare Hospital in the capital on Thursday evening to see his mother, BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, following his return to the country and participation in a massive public reception.
After concluding his address at the public reception on the July 36 Expressway, Tarique Rahman left the rally venue at around 4:45pm on December 25 and headed straight to Evercare Hospital, reaching there at about 5:00pm.
News of his hospital visit drew large numbers of BNP leaders and activists to the area. Many supporters who could not reach the July 36 Expressway reception venue earlier gathered in front of Evercare Hospital to catch a glimpse of Tarique Rahman, who returned home after 17 years in exile.
Supporters were seen wearing jerseys in the party’s colours, caps and badges bearing the BNP logo, while others carried party flags and placards. The area outside the hospital took on a festive yet emotional atmosphere as crowds waited along the roadside.
Amid the gathering, security was tightened in front of Evercare Hospital, with members of the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed to maintain order.
Earlier in the day, the aircraft carrying Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman entered Bangladeshi airspace and landed at Sylhet Osmani International Airport at 9:57am. After a brief stopover, the flight arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 11:40am.
At the airport, Tarique Rahman was received by senior BNP leaders, with whom he exchanged greetings and embraces before waving to those present. He left the airport premises at around 12:30pm and, in an emotional moment, removed his shoes and touched the soil barefoot.
Tarique Rahman boarded a red-and-green bus in front of the airport at 12:35pm and reached the grand reception stage on the July 36 Expressway at 3:50pm, taking approximately three and a half hours to cover the short distance due to the huge crowds lining the route.