DHAKA: Opposition leader Khaleda Zia steps into her 66th year Sunday while her party celebrates the birthday with more colour this year despite the call from ruling Awami League to cancel functions for National Mourning Day.

BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain cut a 66-pound birthday cake with senior leaders attending the ceremony at zero hour at party’s Naya Paltan central office.

After cutting the cake, Delwar told journalists, “As man has no control over birth and death, the issues should be kept out of discussion as well as criticism.”  

Khaleda Zia, however, did not attend the midnight celebrations. She was receiving greetings from the leaders and activists from all levels at her political office in Gulshan.

After cutting the cake, the leaders and activists also greeted the party chief with flowers.

Besides, BNP and its front organisations are celebrating Khaleda’s birthday with elaborate programmes across the country.    

Ruling Awami League’s female lawmakers from a human chain last week urged the opposition leader and BNP chairperson, Khaleda Zia, not to celebrate what they called her ‘fake’ birthday on 15 August.

The 15th of August is being observed at state level as the National Mourning Day to mourn the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, architect of the nation and first President, on this day in 1975.

BDST: 1215HRS, AUGUST 15, 2010