Tarique to return by Dec, once polls schedule announced, says his adviser
Election schedule likely in first half of December, says EC Sanaullah
BNP acting chairperson Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh by December, his foreign affairs adviser Humayun Kabir has said.
"The schedule for the next parliamentary election will likely be announced towards the end of the year. Based on that, Tarique Rahman will return between November and December," he told the media after a civic gathering in Sylhet today.
"His security is being arranged with the utmost seriousness," added Kabir.
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He further said the international community has shown increased interest in BNP, and under Tarique Rahman's leadership, the party will participate in the upcoming elections.
"If the BNP wins the election and forms the government, he will be the next prime minister."
Referring to Tarique's recent meeting with the US ambassador, Kabir said, "The meeting was primarily a courtesy call, but discussions included the current political situation in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman's views, and his vision for governing the state if elected."
Meanwhile, speaking to The Business Standard on Wednesday, Kabir said, "Once the schedule for the 13th national parliamentary election is officially announced, he [Tarique] will return."
When asked about the delay in his return, he said, "There have been security concerns surrounding his return. Although the risks still remain, he will come back."
He also mentioned Tarique's plans to contest in the upcoming election and does not currently face any legal barriers to his candidacy.
Tarique was arrested during the caretaker government in 2007. The following year, he was granted bail and compelled to leave the country. Since he has been living in exile in London for the past seventeen years, leading the BNP from abroad.
Polls schedule in December
Today, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah said the schedule for the national parliamentary election will likely be announced in the first half of December.
While speaking to reporters at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon, he also responded to a question about a letter from the chief adviser, and said, "The core message of the letter is that we have been asked to prepare for holding the election before Ramadan begins in February."
He added, "As the chief election commissioner already mentioned, the schedule will be announced about two months in advance. So you can expect the schedule to come in the first half of December."
