Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the BNP not only opposes the Election Commission but also the elections as convicted Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman could not take part in the polls.
“The Election Commission is not formed even in such a participatory manner in many old democracies as the President formed the commission here. The commission has been formed with those eminent persons who carried out their responsibilities with utmost sincerity, honesty and transparency,” he said.
The minister added: “They (BNP) are trying to do something through back door.”
Hasan told the reporters after returning from India at his official residence in city’s Mintu Road.
He said name of Kazi Habibul Awal was proposed by pro-BNP intellectual Dr Zafarullha and he (Zafarullha) has expressed his satisfaction and given explanation why he proposed the name of Kazi Habibul Awal.
He (Zafarullha) also urged BNP and all political parties to work with this EC, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
He said the President has constituted an EC which is acceptable to all. And the chief election commissioner, in his initial response, has expressed his opinion that he wants to hold a meaningful election in the country.
The minister said the BNP has become isolated from the countrymen for their petrol bomb attacks and the politics of terrorism. Their politics is centering around protecting Begum Zia and Tarique Rahman, he added.
But, he said, Begum Zia and Tarique Rahman could not take part in the polls as they are convicted by the court. For this, Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique have no interest about the elections, he added.
For this, he said, they (BNP) don’t want the elections as well as the Election Commission. They want to do something through back door, he said, adding, but the people of the country would never allow it to do.
Hasan said the present government will discharge its duty during the election-period as per the constitution.
Replying to a query over his recent tour in India, the minister said the visit was very fruitful. Meetings were held with the governor of Assam, chief ministers of Tripura and Assam and other ministers, besides inauguration of film festivals in Agartala and Guwahati, he added.
He said discussions on rail, road, sea and air transportations between Bangladesh and India were held. Many projects have been moving ahead under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, he added.
