Ershad and Fakhrul in same flight, exchange pleasantries

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir exchanged pleasantries on a US-Bangla flight bound for Rangpur. Airport sources said that Mirza Fakhrul was the first to board the flight. Ershad boarded the flight soon after. Fakhrul got up from his seat after seeing Ershad and greeted him. After Ershad responded to Fakhrul's greeting, both of them shook hands and returned to their seats. Fakhrul was seated behind Ershad in the aeroplane. Both Fakhrul and Ershad were waiting in the VIP lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after their flight was delayed. According to US-Bangla's schedule, the flight was supposed to depart for Saidpur at 8:45am from Dhaka. The flight got delayed by two-and-a-half hours due to dense fog and left at 11am. Both of them reached Rangpur at 1pm, according to Bangla Tribune's Rangpur Correspondent. Shayrul Kabir Khan, BNP chairperson's press wing member, confirmed the incident to Bangla Tribune. He said: "Fakhrul went to Ershad since their seats were close to each other. They mostly exchanged pleasantries and had no further conversation." When Bangla tribune tried to contact Ershad, he said "I am in Rangpur" and disconnected the line. Fakhrul didn't receive the call. Major Khalid, Ershad's personal secretary told the Bangla Tribune that Ershad is being accompanied by his son and domestic help. Although Fakhrul went to Rangpur to campaign for the election, Ershad went there for personal reasons, and not any political purpose. Golam Mohammad Quader, Co-Chairman of Jatiya Party said most senior members of the party are present at Rangpur. As per schedule, Mirza Fakhrul started campaigning for his party candidate Kawser Zaman Babla from CO Bazar. He is scheduled to speak on Monday (December 18th) in the city. On the other hand, Ershad went to his home in Rangpur, accompanied by his son Eric Ershad. He won't be able to participate in the elections due to rules. Ershad is Prime Minister's special envoy to the Middle East. Jatiya party leaders have informed that Ershad will be staying in Rangpur until December 21to vote in election.This article was first published on Bangla Tribune