Tarique Rahman visits Khaleda Zia at Evercare
Tarique's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman were also present.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman went to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to see his ailing mother, party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, after addressing a rally in the capital's Purbachal.
Tarique's convoy, led by a red-and-green bus, arrived at the hospital gate around 5:54pm today (25 December), our correspondent reported from the spot.
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Tarique's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and their daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied Tarique as he went into Khaleda's cabin around 6pm, BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said in a statement.
It was the first reunion of the mother and son in Bangladesh after more than 17 years, though they have met several times in London, including in January this year.
Earlier, while addressing the reception rally on 300 Feet Road in Purbachal this afternoon, Tarique said, as a son, his heart lies beside his mother's hospital bed due to her illness.
"She [Khaleda] is a leader who has always loved her people and her country more than her own life. As her son, I ask for your prayers for her. And as her son, while I stand here with you, my heart remains bound to her side at the hospital bed," he said, seeking prayers for Khaleda's recovery.
BNP leaders and activists had been gathering outside Evercare Hospital since the morning while law enforcers stepped up security at the facility.
As the day progressed, a growing number of leaders and activists were seen gathering in front of the hospital. By evening, the crowd had increased significantly.
Muktar Hossain, a BNP leader from Cumilla, said, "I came to see Tarique Rahman. I saw him coming here to see his mother. I saw how much the people of the country love him as well. It feels very good."
Mehedi Hasan, a BNP activist who came from the capital's Pallabi, said, "I came here to see our beloved leader up close. There was a huge crowd at 300 Feet. Tarique Rahman's return to the country was marked by a royal reception.
Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's physical condition has remained stable over the past month, her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Friday (19 December).
He said Khaleda Zia is currently undergoing treatment in a CCU cabin equipped with ICCU facilities, adding that "it can be said that she is effectively in the ICU."
After visiting his mother, Tarique is expected to head to his residence in Gulshan, a house he left behind nearly two decades ago.
Tarique, along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka at 11:40am today after more than 17 years in exile in London.
