BNP leader show caused for mentioning Sheikh Hasina instead of Khaleda Zia

The BNP has served a show cause notice to Titas Upazila unit General Secretary Mehdi Hasan Selim Bhuiyan for addressing ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Ziaur Rahman's 'wife' instead of Khaleda Zia.

Comilla (North) District BNP convener Md. Akhtaruzzaman Sarkar confirmed the matter on Monday.

Earlier, Mehdi Hasan had mentioned Sheikh Hasina's name instead of Begum Khaleda Zia while addressing a discussion meeting on National Revolution and Solidarity Day on November 7. Later, an 11-second video of the incident went viral on social media.

It was learned that a discussion meeting was held at Titas Bhaban, the temporary office of Titas Upazila unit BNP, at 11 am on November 7.

While delivering a speech at the discussion meeting, Mehdi Hasan Selim Bhuiyan said: "I remember Sheikh Hasina, the better-half of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, with respect." Hearing this, the party leaders and activists present immediately started saying, "It was a mistake." Then Mehdi Hasan said, "Sorry" and continued speaking again.

A video of this incident went viral on social media.

Later, the BNP leader said that the matter was a "slip of the tongue." He claimed, "A group made a special part of my speech viral on social media two days later on the morning of November 9 to humiliate me. I have received a show cause notice; I will send a reply within the stipulated time."