PM fails to meet ‘sleeping’ Khaleda
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to the Gulshan office of her political archrival Khaleda Zia this evening to console the BNP chief following the death of her son but failed to meet Khaleda as she was asleep.
The premier reached Khaleda’s office at 8:36pm, she got down from her car, waited outside the main entrance for a while and left around 8:40pm after failing to meet the BNP chief, our correspondents report from the spot.
As soon as the premier reached the spot, Khaleda’s Special Assistant Shimul Biswas informed Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, PM's special assistant, that Khaleda was asleep after she had been administered a sedative to cope with the shock.
Senior Awami League leaders Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed also rushed to Khaleda’s Gulshan office along with the PM.
PM’s Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury told journalists that Hasina went there to express her sympathy as a mother. “There was no politics behind this. It is saddening that she wasn’t allowed to enter the office nor was anyone present to receive her.”
Speaking to journalists around 8:20pm with the prime minister on her way to Gulshan, Shimul Biswas told the media that Khaleda was asleep and they would arrange a new schedule for the meeting if Hasina expressed further interest.
He thanked the premier for expressing her desire to meet the BNP chairperson.
Shimul Biswas however vowed that the BNP-led 20-party alliance will continue with their ongoing anti-government movement.
Centering the visit, the security in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan office has been beefed up.
Koko, younger son of Khaleda, died this afternoon at his residence in Malaysia.
Earlier in May 2009, Khaleda Zia, then Leader of the Opposition in parliament, rushed to Sudha Sadan to stand beside Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and convey her condolence on the death of Dr MA Wazed Miah, husband of Hasina.
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