BNP Senior Vice-Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to meet this week in Saudi Arabia some individuals closely linked to the Hawa Bhaban, which was considered an alternative centre of power during the last BNP-Jamaat-rule, sources said.
Ashik Islam, Mia Nuruddin Apu, Akhtar Ahmed Belayet, Sajjadul Siraj Talukder Joy and Dr Aman are among those who will be meeting Tarique, said sources at the BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office.
Besides, Tarique is likely to meet several mid-level BNP leaders, whom he trusts the most. The sources, however, did not disclose the names of these leaders.
A BNP leader seeking anonymity expressed his resentment towards the “Hawa Bhaban men” saying, “They were the reasons why Tarique earned a bad reputation in the first place. Why are they looking for him again?”
The military-backed caretaker government had raided Ashik and Apu's establishments in a drive against corruption back in 2008. They had both fled the country. Ashik has been living in the US and Apu in Malaysia since then.
This will be Tarique's first visit outside the UK, where he has been in self-exile since 2008. He will perform Umrah during his visit, said sources close to him.  His wife, two daughters, mother-in-law and other in-laws will be accompanying him.