Bangla: Efforts on to make Khaleda Zia go in exile

Dhaka, Apr 17: Bangladesh's former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is now under tremendous persuasion to leave the country in the latest situation, family sources said.

The persuasion mounted with the arrest of her younger son, Arafat Rahman Coco last night under the ongoing drives launched by the caretaker government against crime and corruption.

UNB, quoting unnamed sources, said Major (Retd) Syeed Eskandar met Khaleda Zia at her Cantonment residence this afternoon and tried to make his sister agree to go abroad.

Khaleda, who was earlier adamant on not leaving the country, was learnt to be weighing the option of going into exile following the latest shock action. Her elder son, Tarique Rahman, is also in prison.

''She is now reportedly in two minds, thinking over whether or not to leave the country,'' said one source.

They said Eskandar is mediating between the concerned authorities and Khaleda Zia to book a graceful passage for the immediate-past prime minister. There were strong speculations that she might go to Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, restrictions were imposed on Khaleda's movement as well as her visitors', now that politics is under a moratorium in the state of emergency.

The sources said if Khaleda agreed to leave the country, the government might request Awami League President Sheikh Hasina not to return home now from the United States.

Hasina, now in Virginia, wanted to return on April 14 to face an extortion case in the law-court. But Communications Advisor Major Gen (retd) Matin requested her to defer her return and assured that her prestige would be protected. Hasina told CNN Sunday that she would return on April 23.

UNI