Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said on Thursday that BNP’s demand for dissolving Parliament ahead of the next general election is a threat to democracy and it wants to impede the democratic process in the country.

“BNP wants to create a constitutional crisis in the country,” the minister said while replying to a query after unveiling the cover of a book titled ‘Gantabbyo Smart Bangladesh’ in the auditorium of Press Information Department (PID) at the Secretariat on Thursday.

Read: BNP unveils 31-point outline to 'rebuild, repair' state

The minister thanked the Department of Information for publishing the book containing 48 features on Digital and Smart Bangladesh.

He said BNP’s demand for the resignation of the government is not a new one. But one issue is ill-motivated as they demanded that Parliament should be dissolved, he added.

According to the constitution, the existing Parliament will remain functional until the next Parliament is elected, he said.

Read: Fakhrul announces ‘one-point’ demand to oust govt

Replying to another question over BNP’s road-march programme on July 18-19, the information minister said BNP often declares one-point demand.

Last year, they declared a one-point demand and said Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman would also join the rally, he added.

Regarding the visit of the EU and the US delegations to Bangladesh, Hasan said the European Union delegation is visiting Bangladesh at the invitation of the Election Commission.

They came here as part of their preparatory works for sending observers and it is helpful in holding free and fair elections, he mentioned.

Read: We have a one-point demand too, no election without Sheikh Hasina : Quader

Besides, the visit of the US delegation is related to multidimensional assistance as they are development partners of Bangladesh.

Among others, Principal Information Officer Md Shahenur Mia and Senior Deputy Principal Officer Md Abdul Jalil joined the event.