Dhaka: "Please join Parliament and speak," Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged opposition leader Khaleda Zia who said nothing but gave a chuckle.
An Iftar party hosted on Thursday during the ongoing Ramzan provided the occasion for the two powerful women leaders to come face to face - which is a rarity.
Each time they come together it causes ripples; such is their predominant presence in Bangladesh's political life.
The brief exchange at the party where they shared the same table caused "jubilant environment", The Daily Star said on Friday.
Parliament Speaker Abdul Hamid seized the opportunity to spread more bonhomie.
He told reporters that he hoped Khaleda Zia would join the House after Eid-ul-Fitr.
He said that there was a cordial environment when the two leaders exchanged views.
"I feel really good when I see them together in programmes like this," the speaker said.
Hasina and Zia had come face to face at the Armed Forces Day ceremony in October last year.
The country was in the election mode then. Attempts to bring them on the same political platform or for a debate had failed.
Hasina triumphed and Zia lost the December general election.
Zia has rarely attended Parliament since then.
They invited each other at the Iftar parties they hosted. But as the parties were held the same evening, political observers say this could be deliberate.
IANS
First Published: Friday, September 11, 2009, 12:56