BNP must participate in all elections, including local government elections, if it believes in democracy, said Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 54th Annual Planning Conference of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Cumilla on Saturday.
The minister said that a political party that has faith and commitment towards democratic management has no chance of not participating in the election. Meanwhile, those who do not believe in democracy, who are waiting for dictatorship, will conspire to create a volatile situation by not participating in elections.
In reply to a question on whether the BNP would contest in the local government elections, Md Tajul Islam said, “Every political party should reflect the hopes and aspirations of the people. BNP leaders know what’s good or bad for their party. I think the party should participate in the elections in the interest of the country and the people.”
Speaking as the chief guest at the conference earlier, the minister said work was underway to strengthen local government institutions and bring them under accountability by enhancing the status of public representatives. There is no opportunity to disregard the people's representatives as it is the people's representatives, who stand by the people first in times of danger.
Highlighting various developmental activities of the Sheikh Hasina government, he said if all mega projects including Padma Bridge are implemented, new economic potential will be created in the country. It will be possible to achieve the target set by Sheikh Hasina by 2041.To that end, people from all walks of life are united and need to work together.
Md Tajul Islam said, “Our activities cannot remain limited within meetings and on papers only. Citizen services need to be delivered quickly. People do not always follow the news of our meetings and file work. They want quick services and we have to make sure that they get the services properly.”
Referring to BARD as a capable organisation, the minister said keeping pace with modern times, this organization has to play a role in the use and dissemination of information technology. Whatever project is undertaken, it must be productive and completed on time while maintaining quality, he added.
Noting that no unplanned infrastructure can be built anywhere else, he said villages should be fashioned in a planned manner like the cities. The Minister called upon the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development to work towards this end.
Deputy Commissioner of Cumilla Md Kamrul Islam and Superintendent of Police Faruk Ahmed were present as guests of honor at the function presided over by Rural Development and Cooperatives Secretary Md Mashiur Rahman.
Director General of BARD Md Shahjahan presented the policy making paper at the time. Besides, representatives of various ministries, departments of the government and international organisations participated in the conference.