BNP acting chairman Tarique turns 60

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman turned 60.

Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, was born on November 20, 1965 in Bogura, reports UNB.

Following Tarique's instructions, the BNP has decided not to hold any events to mark his 60th birthday.

A press release issued on November 11 said: "Leaders and activists of all BNP units, along with its associated and affiliated organisations across the country, are hereby informed that no events will be held to celebrate Mr Tarique Rahman's birthday day."

Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wished her son, Tarique Rahman, on his 60th birthday early Wednesday.

"Madam (Khaleda) spoke to Tarique every night, and she also wished him a happy birthday last night," said a BNP chief's personal physician.

Apart from Khaleda, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and senior party leaders, including standing committee members, extended their birthday wishes to the acting chairman and exchanged greetings.

Two standing committee members confirmed that they had sent their wishes to Tarique via SMS.

At the age of 22, he became a member of the Gabtali Upazila BNP in Bogura district in 1988. He had been active in politics before officially joining the organisation.

In 1988, Tarique founded the non-political social organisation 'Ziaur Rahman Foundation'.

Tarique took part in the nationwide election campaign alongside his mother, Khaleda Zia, during the 1991 election, but he was less active in politics after that, despite the BNP forming the government following that election.

He, however, played a significant role in the 2001 election campaign, where the BNP won a landslide victory and formed the government.

In 2002, following a decision by the BNP Standing Committee, Tarique Rahman was appointed Senior Joint Secretary General of the party. He gained prominence through his extensive travels across the country to strengthen the party at the grassroots level.

Tarique went to London for medical treatment on September 11, 2008, and he has been living there with his family ever since.

He lost his brother, Arafat Rahman Koko, while in exile in London. A significant portion of Tarique's political career has been spent in exile, during which he faced numerous setbacks.

While in exile, in 2009, he was elected Senior Vice-Chairman of the party during the Fifth National Council of BNP. He was reelected Senior Vice-Chairman during the Sixth National Council in 2016.

Since the imprisonment of his mother and party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018, Tarique has been serving as the acting chairman of the BNP.

On September 11, 2008, just eight days after being released from jail on bail, Tarique Rahman left for London for treatment during the military-backed caretaker government. He had been arrested on March 7, 2007 and was released on bail on September 3, 2008.

On February 3, 1994, Tarique married Dr Zubaida Rahman, the daughter of former Air Force Chief and former Communications and Agriculture Minister Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan.

Their only daughter, Zaima Rahman, recently completed her law degree at Queen Mary University of London.

Tarique has been leading the party from London for many years, especially in the absence of his mother from politics.

After the fall of the Awami League government, he frequently addresses various party programmes virtually and issues directives to party leaders and activists.

BNP senior leaders at different recent political programmes urged the interim government to withdraw all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman, paving the way for his return from London.