In Bangladesh, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rehman has been elected as senior vice-chairman of the Bangladesh National Party by the party’s National Council on Tuesday at Dhaka. Election of Tarique, Khaleda's elder son who is currently in London undergoing treatment, came soon after the council approved a proposal for introducing a senior vice-chairman's post in the executive committee.<br/><br/>The proposal, now part of the BNP constitution, says the senior vice-chairman will lead the party in the absence of the chairperson. He will also be a member of the standing committee. The move is being seen as a step towards Tarique’s eventual elevation to the party’s top post. The BNP National Council also empowered re-elected Chairperson Khaleda Zia to pick the other office-bearers and members for the national executive and standing committees, ignoring the party charter that stipulates election to the posts. The council also approved raising the number of standing committee members to 19 from 15. The National Council of the party was held to amend its constitution as required under the Representation of People Order (2nd amendment). The party will have to submit its amended constitution to the Election Commission by January 24th next year.<br/> <br/><br/> <br/>