“The opposition leader couldn’t join the reception as she was indisposed,” her security adviser Major Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar told UNB.
However, a BNP-delegation, led by BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended the function.
The Armed Forces Division organises reception each year for the family members of the Bir Shresthas (highest award winners for gallantry) as well as selected freedom fighters with other gallantry awards and their family members.
This year’s programme started with the national anthem after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at Senakunja around 4:08 pm.
In the last year’s reception of the Armed Forces Day at Senakunja, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia were present but avoided each other.
The opposition leader avoided the reception in 2010, 2011 and this year at Senakunja during the tenure of Awami League-led grand-alliance government.
On condition of anonymity, a source close to Khaleda told UNB that Khaleda might have avoided this year’s programme as she was not given due reception and honour in the last year’s programme.
Source: UNB Connect