For the first time in nearly seven years, Khaleda Zia, the chairperson of the BNP, will attend a political event.
On December 21, she will be the chief guest at the Nationalist Freedom Fighter rally at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, or BICC.
“Madam will attend our freedom fighter rally,” Nationalist Freedom Fighters party president Syed Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat told bdnews24.com. We have planned this freedom fighter rally for December 21 in honor of Victory Day. Khaleda Zia, a national leader, will be the main guest.
Together with our leader and valiant freedom fighter, Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, I met with Madam last night and formally invited her. She concurred. She expressed her intention to attend this assembly of freedom fighters, provided she is in good health. We anticipate Madam’s attendance at the event. Insha’Allah.
The last time Khaleda attended a political event was on February 4, 2018, when he presided over a lengthy BNP meeting at the Le Méridien Dhaka hotel. Khaleda has been prime minister of Bangladesh three times. Two days later, the Anti-Corruption Commission found her guilty in a corruption case and sentenced her to prison.
“We are making extensive preparations for this rally in the context of an event with the national leader at the forefront, following the revolution by the students and people,” stated the Nationalist Freedom Fighter Party president.
At the invitation of the Armed Forces Division, the former prime minister attended the Armed Forces Day reception in Senakunja on November 21. After six years, this was Khaleda’s first time attending an event in public.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin commuted Khaleda’s sentence following the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5. Despite her release, Khaleda did not immediately go to any public gatherings.
She did, however, speak to the leaders and activists at a BNP rally in Naya Paltan virtually.
