Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said BNP has proved that it is against the country's development and progress as the party has been opposing Bangladesh's joining in the BRICS, a forum for emerging top economic countries, reports BSS.
"It is really very condemnable as to how the BNP secretary general called the great initiative as an opportunistic step," he told reporters while replying to a query at his residence in city's Dewanji Pukur Par.
Earlier, the minister exchanged Eid greetings with the civil society and locals.
Dr Hasan said everyone has recognised the strength of BRIC, an alliance of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They invited Bangladesh in the group as an emerging economic country, he added.
"It is a matter of dignity, honour and recognition of Bangladesh as it is an emerging economic country under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh will be benefitted in many ways. But BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir don't want it," said Dr Hasan.
Replying to another query over a comment of Mirza Fakhrul as he claimed that his party was not involved in terrorist activities in the last one year, the minister said the BNP secretary general, through his statement, has accepted that they were involved with terrorism.
"You all see that, they (BNP) were involved in violence with police at different places in the last few months. They also vandalised vehicles, public properties and photos and murals of Bangabandhu in Jamalkhan area of the port city," he added.
About the Eid journey, the information minister said the holy Eid-ul-Azha was celebrated in a festive mood and the Eid journey was also hassle-free due to pragmatic steps of the government.
But, he said, BNP leaders, for the last three days, are claiming that the countrymen are suffering. They and their collaborators couldn't see any development in the country, he added.
About upcoming polls, he said, "The polls will be held in our country. And the people will decide whom they vote for. So, we don't have a headache what they are doing and who are involved with geopolitics."
Dr Hasan said the polls will be held under the Election Commission, not under the government. BNP held the February 15 polls under their government, he added.
He said the government will facilitate the EC only and there is no scope of violating the constitution. The elections will be held as per the constitution like in all other democratic countries including India, Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Japan, he added.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
