DHAKA: Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia hosts a high-profile iftar party Tuesday for country’s top politicians, leaving out two prominent breakaway leaders of her party.     

The iftar party will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, as part of a chain of evening partying for breaking daylong Ramadan fasting.     

All top political leaders, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Jatiya Party Chairman and ex-President HM Ershad, have been invited to Tuesday’s party.

“The party chief has specially requested newcomer to the party and newly elected Chittagong mayor Manzur Alam to attend the iftar parties,” said a party source.

But, invitation letters were not sent to party-deposed former President Prof Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, now chairman of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, and ex-BNP minister and present LDP chief Col (retd) Oli Ahmed.

On Monday, the BNP chief and ex-premier attended an iftar party hosted by Juba Dal, the youth front of her party, at the South Plaza of Parliament.

Among others, BNP standing committee member Dr RA Gani, Dr. Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain and Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, party vice-chairman MK Anwar and Nazrul Islam Khan, chairperson’s adviser M Osman Farruque, Opposition Chief Whip Joynal Abdin Farruk, BNP Divisional organizing secretary Mujibur Rahman Sarwar and Abdus Salam attended the party.

Juba Dal senior vice-president Adv Abdus Salam and general secretary Saiful Alam Nirob were among others present. Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal general secretary Maulana Nesarul Haque conducted a doa before the iftar.

Earlier on Saturday, the Opposition leader attended an iftar party hosted by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

Begum Zia will host another iftar party for professionals and noted personalities at South Plaza of the Parliament on August 21.

Earlier, Khaleda hosted an iftar for the orphans and ulema on the first of Ramadan.
 
BDST: 1940 HRS, AUG 16, 2010