BNP’s call to boycott elections has fused: Information Minister

Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League. Hasan Mahmud said, BNP could not dampen the excitement and mood of the election even by arson, their arson is not working. The government is taking strict measures against fire terrorism. In fact, BNP's call to boycott the election has been fused.

He said, BNP is now disoriented after seeing them. They have now given a non-cooperation programme. BNP leaders and workers are not supporting them in this non-cooperation program. Since their leaders and activists did not respond in any way, this non-cooperation program was successful in the case of BNP.

The information minister said these things during an exchange of views with journalists and a briefing on contemporary issues at the YNT Center on Dewanji Pukur Lane in Chittagong city on Saturday (December 23) afternoon.

30 of the country's 44 registered political parties have participated in the elections and an average of 6 and a half candidates are competing in each seat, said Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that BNP used to stage dharnas to foreigners, those foreigners are now saying that the elections should be fair and that no one should obstruct the elections. In other words, there is no longer any caretaker government, neutral government, election-time government. Now everyone is giving advice on how to make the election fair.

He said, yesterday and earlier also in the UN statement and briefing, it was said that no one should obstruct the election, that is, there should be no violence. At the same time, the United States also said that they want to see a fair and beautiful election in the country. Our Prime Minister Bangabandhu's daughter has warned everyone not to resort to violence during elections, and to conduct elections in a free and fair manner. Really beautiful and fair elections are going to be held in the country. That is why the government is giving maximum support to the Election Commission.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said that the BNP has taken their terrorist activities and arson attacks to a different level after realizing that the elections will be fair and festive. They have now started attacking trains, killing four people, including a mother and child, by hurling petrol bombs at people sleeping in the train a few days ago. The biggest thing is, as much as it was cruel and hideous, BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed and others have told even more cruel and hideous lies.

He said, election is always a festival in our country, that election festival has actually started in Bangladesh now. By doing this, the BNP's call to boycott the election has become bogus. They initially thought that there would be no elections, but now they have realized that the elections are happening, with great enthusiasm all over the country. Election issues are now taking place in the media as well.

Violent incidents have already occurred in some constituencies of Chittagong, it is feared that there may be more in the future in response to the questions of journalists. Hasan said that violence in elections is not desirable in any way, whoever is doing it is violating the electoral code of conduct. The Election Commission is taking appropriate action in that regard. We will not tolerate it if anyone from our party does it. If necessary, action may be taken against them for violation of party discipline.

Awami League's joint general secretary Dr. BNP is campaigning with distribution of leaflets to prevent people from coming to the polling station on election day. Hasan Mahmud said, BNP distributes such leaflets and photoshoots are mainly done in Dhaka city. When people don't wake up in the morning, a procession is run and a picture is taken. They have no impact on the election.

There is a shortage of ICU beds in Chittagong Medical, the Awami League will announce the election manifesto on the 27th, whether any initiative will be taken to ensure health services, the Minister of Broadcasting said that our government has taken the initiative to set up ICU beds in every district town, many district towns has been placed. A big project has been undertaken for Chittagong Medical, if it is not only the ICU, all the facilities will be increased there.

Another thing, he said, is that a clique associated with health services does not want government facilities to increase. If government facilities increase, the business of private clinics and hospitals will decrease. This cycle is a hindrance in running government hospitals smoothly and increasing facilities.

There have also been reports in newspapers and magazines that various medical equipments have been purchased including Chittagong Medical College, which have been damaged due to being locked for years. Those who don't want to increase the government facilities even after buying the government, do not start them, they are actually working against the people, and this is not desirable in any way, said the information minister.

more: Security strengthened at Sylhet railway station to prevent vandalism