Dhaka, May 19 -- BNP leader Ishraque Hossain has apologised for taking a picture with actor Chanchal Chowdhury at a private television programme.

In a post to his verified Facebook page, he wrote that he attended an awards ceremony as chief guest at the invitation of a TV station on Friday.

He claimed to have had no idea about who would attend the ceremony or present the awards.

He wrote, "During the ceremony, I was photographed with a very controversial person whose activities I was unaware of.

"Since I was living outside Bangladesh in 2015, many sensitive events of that time are unknown to me.

"After seeing this picture, many of my comrades were deeply hurt. I apologise for that and promise to be more careful in the future."

The B...