Khaleda to join Armed Forces Day party today

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will attend the Armed Forces Day reception at Dhaka cantonment today.
She skipped the reception in 2010 and 2011. This will be her second appearance at the programme during the tenure of the Awami League-led alliance government.
Major Gen (retd) Fazle Elahi Akbar, BNP chairperson's chief coordinator on defence and security affairs, confirmed to The Daily Star last night Khaleda's attendance at the programme.
A BNP standing committee member said the senior leaders last week advised the chairperson not to skip the Armed Forces Day programme this year.
A senior policymaker, wishing not to be named, said, “She seemed reluctant to attend the programme as she had a bitter experience in 2009. Despite that, we have advised her to attend the programme this year,” said the leader.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also scheduled to attend the programme.
Hasina and Khaleda were last seen together at the Armed Forces Day ceremony on November 21, 2009.
The two top leaders also attended an iftar party of Armed Forces Day that year where they had shared a table and exchanged pleasantries.
The Armed Forces Division organises receptions 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.