Khaleda Zia likely to visit the UK in July

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is likely to visit the UK sometime in July for a medical check-up, according to party insiders. “She is planning to go to London, but the exact date of her trip has not been finalised,” said a senior party leader on Tuesday, seeking anonymity. Khaleda last travelled to London in 2015 for two months for medical check-up. She was supposed to follow up with a visit a year later, but it was postponed. A BNP leader said Khaleda was unable to attend to her medical needs because of the state the party was in. “She was supposed to go to London in 2016, but she was very busy with the party at the time.” Another BNP leader said Khaleda wants to speak to BNP leaders in London, including her son and BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman who has been living the UK since 2008. The BNP leader said: “This is an important visit given the political climate in which the BNP is forced to operate now.” He hoped the party chairperson would have fruitful discussions about the course of the party’s direction and their plans for the upcoming general election. However, when contacted, a BNP standing committee member said he was not aware of her plans to go abroad.