Khaleda says ‘no’ to Pranab

Khaleda Zia will not be able to call on the visiting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee due to her security concerns during the Jamaat-called general strikes, a spokesman said early Sunday afternoon.

The Leader of the Opposition was scheduled to meet Mukheree at 4.30pm Sunday, but a senior aide had already told the High Commission that she would not be able to make it, the spokesperson said.“Vice Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury has informed the Indian High Commissioner of her decision,” the spokesperson said. “There are security issues during the strike.”Mobin Chowdhury confirmed bdnews24.com about the decision.


”The courtesy call is scheduled to held at a time when the Jamaat is enforcing a shutdown,” he said. “We have informed the Indian High Commission Khaleda will not be able to reach Sonargaon Hotel due to security reasons,”

India's first Bengali President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Dhaka on Sunday noon amid a shutdown called by the Jamaat-e-Islami to protest against the war crimes trials.

A special flight carrying the President and his entourage, including first lady Suvra Mukherjee, touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 12.30pm.

Mukherjee hails from West Bengal's Birbhum district, but the first lady's roots are in Bangladesh, where her relatives still live in Narail.

The Indian president was welcomed with a 21-gun salute, followed by the usual red carpet.

Bangladesh’s President Zillur Rhaman received him at the airport.

This is Mukherjee 's first tour to any country after taking over as President in Aug 2012.

He will call on the President Zillur Rahman on Monday and receive the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award from him.

He will also meet with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Abdul Hamid, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, and Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith.

He is also expected to meet Jatiya Party Chairman Husain Mohammad Ershad.