BNP looks for excuses to skip polls: Matia

SHERPUR, June 09 (UNB): Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury said on Saturday BNP is looking for excuses not to participate in the upcoming general election.

The minister made the remarks while speaking at a prize distribution programme on Bausa High School premises in Nakla upazila ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

She said the election will be held with the participation of different political parties and it matters little whether a particular party will join it or not because it is their internal matter.

Matia also said no mother has lost child without any valid cause under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's tenure unlike Khaleda Zia's.

During BNP's rule, she claimed youths were made to be involved in various crimes, which is why Hasina had taken up the challenge to save them from the clutches of drugs.

"Whoever is involved in drugs, regardless of power or position, won't be spared," she warned.

If they are members of Awami League then they would be expelled from the party and no lobbying will be entertained, he added.

Deputy Commissioner of the district Dr Mollik Anwar Hossain, superintendent of police Kazi Ashraful Azim and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rajib Kumar Sarker were, among others, present on the occasion.