Tarique skips tribute to nation’s martyrs, citing traffic congestion

Special Correspondent

The day after returning home after 17 years in exile, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman was scheduled to pay tribute at the National Memorial. However, as he was unable to reach there himself due to the state rule of paying tribute before sunset, senior party leaders paid tribute on his behalf.

According to BNP’s media cell and multiple media sources, on Friday afternoon, December 26, Tarique Rahman first visited the shrine of his father Ziaur Rahman in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. After that, he left for the National Memorial in Savar. But due to various reasons including traffic jams, it was not possible to reach before sunset. As a result, as per the rules of the memorial, BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and other leaders paid their respects by placing wreaths on behalf of Tarique Rahman after 5 pm.

BNP media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan said that Yunus Sarkar had made full arrangements at the memorial. However, even though Tarique Rahman could not reach the spot due to time constraints, the tributes were paid on his behalf.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman returned home from London on Thursday, December 25. This was his first major program the day after returning home. Four-tier security measures were taken at the memorial area and thousands of leaders and activists gathered there.

Incidentally, there is already criticism in the political arena about the traffic jam excuse given to cancel Tarique Rahman’s visit to the Savar Memorial. Critics also highlighted the past history of BNP. Many wrote on social media that Khaleda Zia also never went to the National Memorial to pay her respects. Various excuses were always heard from BNP regarding this.