Khaleda comes home, lights up BNP

Khaleda Zia has returned -- healed and ready to get back into the political fray.

The BNP chairperson, who had been imprisoned in 2018 and later released under conditions of house arrest, has returned to Bangladesh after receiving advanced medical treatment in London.

Plagued by myriad complications since her incarceration, Khaleda's health had become a major political talking point.

At 79, she was finally released from house arrest last year following the fall of the Hasina-led AL regime and flew to London for treatment on January 7 this year.

Thousands of BNP leaders and activists lined the road from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gulshan from early morning to welcome her -- a reflection of her symbolic return to the re-energised party.

The VIP Road was clogged with buses, vans and minibuses. Party activists carried flags, banners, festoons, placards and flowers -- revelling to festive music played by a live band. Many wore headbands or T-shirts bearing Khaleda's image.

The day is not far off when our acting chairman [Tarique] will lead the democratic movement from this country, not from Britain. The right conditions may emerge within days, and he will return.

— -- BNP Standing Committee member AZM Zahid Hossain

Notably, for the first time, banners also featured the face of Zubaida Rahman, wife of acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman.

Supporters chanted slogans such as "Khaleda Zia bhoy nai, rajpath chhari nai" (Khaleda Zia, fear not, we haven't left the streets), "Khaleda Ziar agomon, shubhechchha swagatom" (Welcome, Khaleda Zia), and "Tarique Zia birer besh e, ashbe phirey Bangladesh e" (Tarique Zia will return to Bangladesh like a hero).

Khaleda landed at HSIA on a special air ambulance from the UK at 10:42am. Both air ambulances for her flights to and back from London were provided by the Emir of Qatar.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and members of the standing committee received her at the airport.

"In the current political climate, Khaleda Zia's return is a critical moment. We believe her presence will play a vital role in restoring democracy in the country," Fakhrul told journalists there.

Her motorcade left the airport around 11:20am, but the crowd was so overwhelming that it took 40 minutes to move just half a kilometre to the front of the airport's third terminal.

Despite heavy deployment of police, army and Rab personnel, the law enforcers struggled to contain the crowd and keep them off the highway.

Khaleda's vehicle, flanked by party loyals, carried only two others: her daughters-in-law, Zubaida Rahman and Syeda Sharmila Rahman, widow of Arafat Rahman Koko.

The journey to her Gulshan residence "Firoza" took over two hours. For about an hour from 11:00am, the expressway in front of the airport was blocked by security forces, halting traffic on both sides of the road up to Banani.

Near Firoza, more supporters had gathered, showering Khaleda's car with flowers as it entered the gate.

While she typically sits in the rear seat, she was seated in front this time. Zubaida and Sharmila accompanied her in the back. Upon arrival, they helped her into the house.

Before getting off the car, Khaleda waved to her party supporters.

 At home, she was welcomed by family members, including her sister Selima Rahman, younger brother Shamim Iskandar, his wife Kaniz Fatema, and Zubaida's elder sister Shahina Zaman.

Earlier in the day, the road in front of Firoza had been closed to vehicular traffic and pedestrian access restricted. A tight security perimeter had been established by law enforcement.

Firoza, surrounded by high walls, features a security room at the entrance manned by police and the Chairperson's Security Force (CSF) on rotation.

As the gate was shut behind her upon entering, Mirza Fakhrul addressed the crowd with a handheld microphone, urging them to leave. "Doctors have advised madam [Khaleda] to take complete rest. She needs at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Please avoid chanting slogans or crowding outside her house."

Her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member AZM Zahid Hossain, who flew back from London with her, said Khaleda had expressed gratitude to everyone who had sent their well wishes. "After medical treatment, Khaleda Zia is physically well. She is mentally stable."

Despite the request, the street remained crowded for hours with supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of their leader.

Khaleda's return was celebrated within the party as a symbolic resurgence.

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told The Daily Star, "This is a joyous moment for us and the entire nation. Her presence will add strength and courage to the path of democratic advancement. We will receive her direct guidance on the next steps in democratic politics."

Anjuman Banu, a Khulna Mohila Dal leader, said, "I couldn't see her face because of the crowd. It was painful, but also empowering. Her return gives us strength."

Rezaul Karim, who came from Sherpur's Nalitabari, said, "Her return is a strong message to all those who've spread propaganda against the BNP."

ZUBAIDA RETURNS AFTER 17YRS

While Khaleda's return was momentous for the BNP, Zubaida's was equally significant.

Zubaida, her husband and daughter Zaima Rahman had been in exile in London for 17 years.

Speaking outside Firoza, Zahid Hossain said the party's acting chairman will also return to Bangladesh soon. "Zubaida Rahman has come back today [yesterday]. Zaima Rahman has joined a political programme in America. The day is not far off when our acting chairman will lead the democratic movement from this country, not from Britain. The right conditions may emerge within days, he will be back."

After accompanying Khaleda home, Zubaida went straight to Square Hospital to visit her mother, Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, who had recently been admitted with age-related complications.

Zubaida left Firoza around 6:15pm and reached the hospital by 6:40pm. There, she had an emotional reunion with her mother, said BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon.

She was greeted by crowds of supporters even at the hospital, with many pouring into the lobby.

Meanwhile, members of Suravi Foundation, an organisation that works for children and was founded by Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu, welcomed Zubaida with flowers.

Inside the cabin where her mother was, the two were seen locked in an emotional embrace in the presence of her elder sister Shahina Zaman.

Around 9:30pm, she left for her paternal home -- Mahbub Bhaban -- in Dhanmondi Road-5, where security was already heightened ahead of her arrival.

She is expected to stay there for most her time in Bangladesh.

Four police checkpoints and rows of barbed wire were seen on the road adjacent to the house, with police stationed there for the past two days, local said. However, police officials told this correspondent they did not know how long they would be required to stay.