Fakhrul returns from London with message of 'patience'

 
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife have returned to Dhaka after a 12-day visit to London. He says that his visit was fruitful and he returns home with a message from the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

"The acting chairman said that you [our countrymen] must be patient. A huge victory has been won in the student-led mass movement. To make this victory fruitful and meaningful, everyone must be patient and work together and democracy must be re-established. Everyone must prepare for the elections, which are the first step of democracy." Fakhrul and his wife Rahat Ara Begum landed at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Bangladesh Biman flight at 12:45pm on Thursday. He was met by several BNP leaders upon his arrival, bdnews24 reports.

The BNP secretary general and his wife went to London on Nov 30. There, Fakhrul met with Tarique and also took part in some party programmes. Rahat underwent a health check-up there and was seen by a doctor.

Upon returning home, Fakhrul told the media at the airport: "The reason why I went to London… I met with the acting chairman. In addition, I spoke to expatriate Bangladeshis and BNP leaders; I attended their meetings." "There were discussions with the press. 

My visit to London was good and fruitful."

When asked when Tarique might return, he said: "As you know, there are many false, vindictive cases against him. He will return if they are withdrawn or if they are settled by a court."

In response to a question, Fakhrul said, "We, the political parties, are supporting the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. We expect that they will complete the minimum reforms that are necessary and then start on the path to holding elections."