Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of sponsoring radical groups and militants in the country. 

“If BNP had refrained from patronising militants the government could have more effectively eliminated them.Militants exist among BNP's alliance partners,” he said after an event in the conference room of the Secretariat’s Press Information Department (PID). 

Responding to recent statements of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir,  Hasan Mahmud said, “Yesterday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that there are no terrorists in the country. He referred to those apprehended from villages terming it nothing but drama orchestrated by the Awami League. My question is why do the leaders of BNP, including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, react with such fervor when militants are being arrested?"

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He said such statements prove that Mirza Fakhrul and BNP leaders do not like the actions taken against the militants.  "Begum Khaleda Zia used to do this too,” he said. 

"Yesterday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said that some pious individuals are being arrested labeling them as militants. He followed the party chairman’s path. These statements substantiate the claim that both BNP and its leadership are the primary sponsor of militants in this country,” he said.  

The Joint General Secretary of Awami League further said, “What we said previously is now proven by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's recent speeches. BNP stands as the main sponsor of militants in the country. Had they not supported them, we could have eradicated the militants. Militants are part of their alliance.” 

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Addressing Mirza Fakhrul's remarks about the August 21 grenade attack, he said that Mirza Fakhrul is functioning as the mouthpiece for the perpetrators. 

"The attack on August 21 was carried out with the approval of Tarique Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. Mirza Fakhrul Islam is the spokesperson for that group of perpetrators. He utters these words as their mouthpiece...”

Responding to a question, the minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received an invitation to join the BRICS conference, a development that demonstrates that Bangladesh has been an emerging economy.   

"Bangladesh has been offered the chance to join BRICS—an alliance comprising emerging economies. Accepting this invitation would signify international recognition of Bangladesh as an emerging economy. Should we become a part of this alliance, our economy would naturally gain,” he said. 

Political arena will not be free from stigmas if BNP is there: Hasan Mahmud