Khaleda’s London visit deferred

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s expected visit to London has been deferred by a week, sources in the party said.

“Madam [Khaleda] was expected to travel to the UK before August 15, but the visit has been postponed as a domestic help of her residence is yet to get visa,” an official at the BNP chief’s Gulshan office told The Daily Star seeking anonymity.

“She may travel to London on August 19 or August 23,” the official added.

Earlier on August 10, BNP spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon at a press briefing said the party chief was scheduled to leave for London, where her elder son Tarique Rahman has been staying since 2008, in a day or two for “treatment purpose”.

Meanwhile, a family member of Khaleda claimed that a “conspiracy” is going on to bar her from meeting Tarique, also the senior vice-chairman of BNP who is playing crucial role in running the party.

“She [Khaleda] has taken an initiative to bring a major reform in the party. Discussion with Tarique on the issue is very important,” the source added.