Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia did not turn up at the Armed Forces Day reception at Senakunja for the fifth successive years.
Though a BNP delegation used to join the reception in absence of Khaleda Zia over the last four years, no BNP leader attended the event this time.
The party, however, did not formally cite any reason for her not attending the programme.
Contacted, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told news agency UNB that he is out of town on a three-day tour to Rangpur and Thakurgaon. "As I'm out of town, I couldn't join the programme."
BNP standing committee member and former Army Chief Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said he could not go to the programme due to his illness. "I've underwent an eye surgery. That's why I couldn't go there."
Mahbub, however, said he is unaware of reason as to why their chairperson and other invited leaders skipped the programme.
BNP sources said Khaleda Zia, Fakhrul, Mahbub and BNP chairperson's adviser Sabihuddin Ahmed were invited to the programme through sending cards.
Khaleda Zia last joined the reception at Senakunja on Armed Forces Day in 2012. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also attended it, but they avoided each other.
Both Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, however, attended the iftar party of the Armed Forces Division in 2009, when they were seen talking to each other for the last time.
Fakhrul represented the party at the Senakunja reception programme in 2013, 2014, and 2016 while Lt Gen Mahbub in 2015.
Armed Forces Division organised the reception for the successors of Bir Shresthas (highest award for the freedom fighters) as well as the selected gallantry award recipient freedom fighters and their successors.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other high civil and military officials attended the function.
