Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said that BNP is now on the brink of collapse due to its continuous aversion to elections and following imposed decisions.
For this reason, the party it is going to become a gang of hooligans (lathiyal bahini) of an individual. Against this backdrop, the party is on the verge of ruination. If BNP boycotts the next general elections, it will collapse, he said. Dr Hasan Mahmud, also joint general secretary of ruling Awami League; said these while speaking at discussion and doa mahfil as the chief guest. Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote arranged the programme at the National Press Club in the capital on Friday (August 11) marking the 93rd birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib.
Speaking at the event, Dr Hasan Mahmud said that BNP is such a party which doesn’t allow its leaders and workers to even contest for member posts in Union Parishad elections and councilor posts in City Corporation and municipality polls.
“I would like to ask the BNP leaders and activists why they are doing politics of a party which doesn’t allow anyone to take part in polls. What are the causes for which they will stay as the musclemen of Tarique Rahman,” he said.
The minister said that now BNP's policy is - none of the party can contest elections until Tarique Rahman can do so. If the party boycotts the next general elections, it will see that the party leaders and workers didn’t boycott it and they will lose everything for such decisions.
“In such a situation, I will urge the BNP that if they walk on the path of democracy, it will be beneficial to them. I would like to ask senior leaders of the party how long they will abide by imposed decisions,” he said.
The minister posed a note of warning to BNP over its mass-procession programme, saying if anyone of the party carries out attack on people and police and destroy public properties, they will be dealt with an iron hand.