Dhaka – Though politics has been dull these days, Bangabhaban on Sunday saw a warmer political gathering with BNP leaders exchanging pleasantries with humorous President Abdul Hamid.
The atmosphere turned festive as the President entertained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her party’s delegation with fish finger, chicken patties, sandwich, sandesh and peanut during talks over formation of the next Election Commission, BNP leaders and sources at the presidential place told UNB.
An 11-member BNP delegation, led by Khaleda, held discussions with President Abdul Hamid at the Bangabhaban as he initiated formal talks with political parties over the formation of the new EC.
The BNP delegation members included Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mahbubur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
As Khaleda and other delegation members entered Bangabhaban, Wahidul Islam Khan, an additional secretary to personal wing of Bangabhaban, welcomed them around 4:29pm and took them to the Darbar Hall for the talks with Hamid.
Entering the meeting venue, Abdul Hamid asked Khaleda, “How’re you doing? In her reply, Khaleda told the President, “I’m so, so.”
The President also enquired about her health condition saying, “We used to see each other when we’re in parliament. Now I’m also staying far away.”
Later, the Present himself moved to the seats of other BNP leaders and exchanged warmer greetings with all of them one after another.
Shaking hands with Moudud, Hamid said, “Hey senior how’re you?” A smiling Moudud then said, “Not bad.”
Moudud also enquired about Hamid’s wellbeing and said, “You’re getting younger day by day!”
When the President moved to Moyeen Khan, he pointed at Khaleda saying, “Do you know he (Moyeen) is my grandson-in-law. “Oh, is it?” she said in reply.
After exchanging greetings with all the BNP delegation members, the President took his chair.
According to the Bangabhaban insiders, the President was in a very good mood during the whole discussion.
Talking to reporters about the meeting, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they are very happy over the talks with the President.
Fakhrul said the meeting was held in a very warm and cordial atmosphere. “The President welcomed our chairperson and delegation members with his as usual cordial gesture,” he said at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayaplatan central office. -UNB
