Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last evening went up to Bnp chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office gate but could not see and comfort her at the passing away of her youngest son Arafat Rahman. Khaleda’s special assistant Shimul Biswas told the PM’s entourage the Bnp chief was on sedative injection and would not be able to receive guest or talk. He said they would inform the PM’s office after Khaleda wakes up and feels better.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by senior cabinet members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury. Shimul Biswas had briefed Khaleda Zia’s condition before the arrival of the Prime Minister.PM’s media adviser told waiting newsmen that none was there from Khaleda Zia’s office to receive the Prime Minister who had come as a woman and a mother to sympathise with Khaleda Zia at the sudden death of her youngest son.
Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury termed this as inhuman. Before the arrival of the Prime minister at road No. 86 of Gulshan Model Town, security around Khaleda Zia’s office had been reinforced. Members of the President’s Guard Regiment and Special Security Force who look afterher security had taken position there about 20 minutes before.
Khaleda’s son Arafat Rahman who had been suffering from breathing problems died at about noon (Bangladesh time) on his way to a Malaysian Hospital. Arafat Rahman who was arrested after the take over by the last caretaker government and was charged with corruption in 2007 was sent to Malaysia on Parole like Khaleda’s first son Tarique Rahman in 2008. Khaleda and her two sons are facing the cases filed by the caretaker government of Fakhruddin Ahmed.
Khaleda Zia has been staying at her office since she went there from her residence on 03 January. As Khaleda was not allowed to go to her party central office that night she came back to her office from where she tried to go to the central office twice on 05 January. As police barricaded her office and prevented her from going out to attend a rally to observe what the BNP termed ‘Democracy Killing Day’ she announced indefinite countrywide blockade and remained confined till 19 January morning when police barricade around her office was withdrawn.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina however told the media twice during the period that Khaleda has not been confined. She only staged a drama of confinement, the PM observed adding, Khaleda was free to go to her residence anytime she wanted. Khaleda termed the statement a lie. – Staff Reporter
