BNP Activists Disappointed Over Meeting With Tarique in NY

A meeting between Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and party activists in New York on Friday reportedly left many US-based BNP leaders and activists frustrated after only a limited number were able to meet him amid security restrictions and overcrowding.

Hundreds of BNP activists from different US states gathered outside the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan, hoping to meet Tarique Rahman and greet him during his visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Many had travelled long distances and incurred significant expenses to attend the gathering. However, only a limited number of senior leaders and activists were reportedly able to meet the Prime Minister.

As the gathering became disorderly, some activists complained about poor coordination and what they described as mismanagement by the organisers. Some also alleged favouritism, while several state-level leaders called for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.

New York City police and US Secret Service personnel were also deployed around the hotel, forming a security cordon as activists raised slogans and the crowd became increasingly disorderly.

Several BNP leaders from states including Florida, California, Texas, Massachusetts and New York expressed disappointment after travelling hundreds of miles but being unable to meet Tarique Rahman.

The gathering was organised during Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for the 81st UNGA session. He arrived in the city on September 21 and was scheduled to return to Dhaka via Dubai after completing his UNGA engagements.

The Prime Minister’s visit included his maiden address to the UN General Assembly as Bangladesh’s head of government, as well as a series of bilateral and high-level meetings on the sidelines of the session.