Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia was absent in the award ceremony hosted at Bangabhaban yesterday to confer Bangladesh Freedom Honour posthumously on late Indian premier Indira Gandhi.
Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi received the award on behalf of her slain mother-in-law Indira from President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Khaleda was invited to the programme as an MP, sources at BNP central office said.
But her Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel claimed she did not receive any formal invitation.
He, however, noted he heard about an invitation card had been couriered to the opposition leader's parliamentary office.
The Daily Star could not confirm whether the authorities invited the BNP chairperson.
Leaders of different political parties excluding BNP and its allies were present in the programme, among others.
The main opposition party welcomed Sonia's visit and hoped this would strengthen the Indo-Bangla relations and help resolve the long-standing disputes between the two neighbours.
Source : The Daily Star
