Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the core leadership of the BNP has been detained in their own prison, making it impossible for them to participate in any elections.
"The BNP leadership, by confining their party leaders to their so-called prison, has made them incapable of contesting any elections--be it parliamentary, district, or union parishad elections,” Hasan Mahmud, who is also a joint general secretary of the ruling party, told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
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"Today, many (of the BNP leaders) have come out and submitted nomination papers. Former BNP parliamentarians and central committee members have also submitted nomination papers. Many BNP leaders admit that these decisions are gradually leading the party towards destruction," he added.
He said that there is no public support for the BNP’s anti-government protests such as blockade and general strike.
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“There is no unanimous agreement on this decision (for blockade and strike) among the core leadership of the BNP. The BNP's entire agenda has been blown away... I hope BNP will step away from this path and return to a healthy political discourse," the AL leader said.
Regarding Transparency International Bangladesh's observation that there is no visible participation for an inclusive election, Hasan said, "The TIB will see the participation on the election day.”
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Responding to a question about whether labour leader Kalpona Akter, executive director of the Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity, is working as anyone’s agent, the minister said, "I don't know if she is an agent, you find it out. However, within a year, she traveled abroad multiple times, spending around Tk 14-15 lakh. Questions arise about where a labour leader gets such money from and why so many foreign trips are necessary."