A top official of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) however the same day dismissed the rumour. He said the government has no plans to remove Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin from office for defeat in May 9 Chittagong City Corporation polls.

The PMO official described the newspaper reports that hinted at Nasir's removal as 'absolutely false'.

Khaleda, prime minister and BNP chairperson, came here to inaugurate the 49th annual convention of the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at IEB Chittagong Centre Auditorium. She arrived in Chittagong by a helicopter at around noon and went to the convention venue at 12:40pm.

Mir Nasir, who flew in to Chittagong from the capital early in the morning, had been waiting at the convention centre to meet the prime minister since 11:30am. He along with other ministers and BNP leaders was sitting in the front row.

Khaleda instead of having any talk with him or others went straight to the dais. On making the inaugural speech, she went to a nearby refreshment room and shortly afterwards made her exit.

Mir Nasir reportedly tried to get some time from the prime minister. But neither he nor any of the ministers and leaders of the ruling BNP had any scope to meet her, said sources.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman, former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP, former minister for water resources Engineer LK Siddiqui, BNP Whip Syed Wahidul Alam MP, State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, Sarwar Jamal Nizam MP, Chittagong city Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Moulana Shamsul Islam, and Jamaat leader Afsaruddin Chowdhury were present at the ceremony.

Besides, newly-elected Chittagong City Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury attended the function.

Since Mir Nasir lost to Mohiuddin by a margin of over 90 thousand votes in the CCC mayoral race, newspapers have reported that he had been asked to tender his resignation as the state minister or face the axe.