Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said BNP, after a long time, has realized that no one will put them in power.
“BNP has realised that no one will put them in power and they should not depend on US visa policy to go to power,” he said referring to a recent statement of the BNP secretary general.
“Their realization is good as BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have realized the reality and urged their activists to create their own field to go to power,” the minister said.
The minister said this while replying to a query after unwrapping the cover of the reprinted version of the book ‘White Paper on Crisis of East Pakistan’ at his secretariat office here.
Department of Films and Publication (DFP) reprinted the book which was originally published by the Pakistan government on the struggle of Bengali people under the leadership of Bangabandhu for the country’s independence.
Addressing the function Dr Hasan said the book contains many episodes of Bangabandhu’s struggle for independence which will allow people to know who led the Liberation War.
“The name of Ziaur Rahman is nowhere in this whitepaper,” he said adding “After 1975, attempt was always on to make villains as heroes in this country.”
DFP director general SM Golam Kibria, director (admin) Mohammad Ali Sarker and PID deputy principal information officer Nasrin Jahan Lipi, among others, were present, on the occasion.
Dr Hasan said the cheerfulness of BNP leaders is fading as they have realized that the election will be held on time and many political parties will take part in the poll.
Pointing out the joining of some BNP leaders to the Trinamul BNP, the minister said, “I would like to urge BNP leaders to accept the reality and take preparation for the election.”
The information minister said people’s participation in the election is more important than the participation of a particular political party. BNP didn’t take part in the city corporation polls, but the turnover in those polls was more than 50 per cent, he added.
Dr Hasan hoped that the countrymen would join the next poll spontaneously and with enthusiasm. So, the election will be acceptable, he said, adding “We will welcome BNP if they take part in the election.”
Replying to another query over the size of the poll-time government, Hasan Mahmud said, it is the Prime Minister to take a decision in this regard.
Regarding the arrival of the US pre-election observation team in Bangladesh, the minister said it is good as the foreigners have an interest in our election. It’s a manifestation of our multidimensional relation with the USA, he said.
