Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for squandering the country's resources under the pretext of boycotting the upcoming general election.

Once again the Awami League's candidate for Chattogram-7, Hasan Mahmud made the remarks while addressing an election rally in his constituency on Saturday.

"On the one hand, the Awami League government builds roads, bridges, culverts, railway lines, prevents river erosion and distributes free books to students for the development of the country. And BNP is wasting the country's resources in the name of boycotting the election. They are throwing petrol bombs on buses and trains, burning people," he said.

He condemned the BNP for resorting to 'destructive actions'.

"There is no place in today's world for the politics of harming people. These are acts of terrorism, and it is crucial for everyone to suppress them firmly to protect the country," added the veteran AL leader. 

The minister also criticised the Jamaat-e-Islami, and said,  "Jamaat-e-Islami uses the slogan 'We want the law of Allah, we want the rule of the righteous'. They say they will establish Islam. Today, Muslims in Palestine are being killed, but BNP-Jamaat has not uttered a single word against Israel. Their leader, Tarique Rahman, has forbidden to speak because a big state may be unhappy."

Addressing the developmental projects in Rangunia, Dr. Mahmud, who has featured in the cabinet in each of the AL's three terms in power since 2008, mentioned the allocation of Tk 500 crore to prevent erosion in the Karnaphuli River and other rivers. 

"Work worth Tk 500 crore has already been done to prevent erosion of the Karnaphuli river and other rivers in Rangunia. Some 8,000 youths of Rangunia have been employed by me. When recommending jobs, I never thought about who belongs to which party. I tried to be an MP for all," he added.