President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady Dr Rebeka Sultana on Monday hosted a reception at Bangabhaban to mark Victory Day, during which the head of state exchanged greetings with leaders of the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other political parties.
The event was held on the lush green lawn of Bangabhaban. East Timor President José Ramos-Horta, who is visiting Bangladesh, also attended the event.
According to BSS, after the reception for the East Timor president, the two presidents exchanged greetings with wounded freedom fighters, notable individuals, student representatives, and other guests.
Sources from the Press Information Department (PID) said leaders from various political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat, and Gono Odhikar Parishad, attended the event.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman had also been invited to the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement issued a press release rejecting the reception and Victory Day celebration at Bangabhaban.
Besides, Colonel (Retd) Oli Ahmad Bir Bikram, president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who had attended the interim government's oath-taking ceremony at Bangabhaban in September, did not join the Victory Day celebration.
Speaking to reporters in the afternoon, he said he refrained from attending the event.
A press release from his office also confirmed his decision to reject the invitation to the Victory Day reception hosted by the president.
At night, LDP leader Salahuddin Razzak said although the LDP chief attended the interim government's oath-taking event, he never personally met the President.
Sources from Bangabhaban confirmed that the president exchanged pleasantries with BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, as well as Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur, and other political figures.
Jamaat Public Relations Secretary Matiur Rahman Akand issued a press release saying a delegation from Jamaat attended the reception at 3:30pm.
The delegation, led by Nayeb-e-Ameer Prof Mujibur Rahman, also included Nayeb-e-Ameer Maulana ANM Shamsul Islam and Secretary General Professor Mia Ghulam Parwar.
During their interaction with the President, delegation leader Mujibur Rahman exchanged formal greetings.
Additionally, Shahidul Islam Kabir, assistant secretary of public relations and dawah for Islami Andolan Bangladesh, confirmed that Senior Presidium Member Principal Maulana Syed Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani and Secretary General Principal Hafiz Maulana Yunus Ahmad attended the event at the president’s invitation.
