The Awami League yesterday formally expressed its condolence to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia over the immature death of her youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko.
Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud at a press conference prayed for the departed soul of Koko.
The press conference was held at Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political office at Dhanmondi in the capital.
Hasan Mahmud also expressed profound sympathy for the bereaved family members.
He, however, blamed BNP for dishonouring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the gate of Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan office when the premier went their to offer her condolence to 20-party chief over her son’s death.
He termed the behaviour of BNP leaders discourteous.
“The prime minister’s post does not belong to a person or a party. They [BNP leaders] demeaned the position of a prime minister. It is totally indecent and frustrating,” Hasan Mahmud said.
Leaving aside all the protocols Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to her office as a mother to console Khaleda Zia.
Criticising the statement of BNP Chief Khaleda Zia’s Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Hasan Mahmud said: “Shimul Biswas told journalists that he came out to the gate with a condolence book for the PM to sign in but it is not true.”
“The premier waited about 15 minutes in front of the BNP chief’s office gate, but it is a matter of regret that none came out to receive her and the gate was locked,” he said adding: “The office gate is just one-minute away from Khaleda’s office.”
“The story of the condolence book is nothing but to hide the real facts,” he added.
The ruling party leader said the BNP leaders locked the gate five minutes before the premier’s visit, but soon after the PM left they opened the gate.
“The BNP leaders’ behaviour was devoid of social, cultural, political and religious etiquette,” Hasan Mahmud remarked.
Meanwhile, BNP Chief Khaleda Zia’s Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas urged all not to do politics over the death of Koko.
He made the appeal in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan office on Saturday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was turned away from the main gate.
Koko died of heart attack in Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur on his way to a hospital. Koko, 45, has been living in Kuala Lumpur since 2011.
He went to Malaysia from Bangkok where he moved in July 2008 for treatment after the then military-backed caretaker government released him on parole.
