Boycotting elections to be suicidal for BNP: Hasan

KHULNA, Sept 24 (BSS): Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Friday said boycotting elections is a suicidal decision for those who rely on the people's vote and mandate.

"In politics, boycotting elections is a suicidal decision for those who rely on the people's vote and mandate. But those who want to return to power through the backdoor can boycott the elections," he told a cheque-distribution ceremony here.

The function was arranged to distribute cheques among journalists at the conference room of the deputy commissioner's office as part of the government's financial assistance to the journalists amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking as the chief guest, Hasan said it appeared in newspapers that the BNP decided not to take part in any election under the incumbent government.

He said the BNP did not participate in the 2014 polls, but the election was held and the constitutional continuity was maintained in the country.

The information minister said the BNP also decided not to participate in polls in 2018 but the party finally took part in it.

"So, I don't know whether they (BNP leaders) will stick to this decision or not, but it will be suicidal for them. Of course, BNP always likes the backdoor (to assume power)," he said.

While distributing cheques among the journalists, Hasan encouraged them to publish positive news which will help the people raise their hopes.

He said full-fledged Bangladesh Television (BTV) stations will soon be set up in six divisional cities, including Khulna, while information complexes, including cineplexes, will be built in different districts.

The closed Khulna Newsprint Mills should be reopened in the interests of local newspapers, he added.

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, chairman of Khulna Zila Parishad Sheikh Harun-ur-Rashid, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Mollah Jalal, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) president Quddus Affrad, Khulna Press Club president SM Zahid Hossain and president of Khulna Union of Journalists Mahbub Alam Sohag, among others, spoke at the function with Khulna deputy commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Talukder in the chair.

Earlier in the day, Dr Hasan visited Bangabandhu corner at Khulna Regional Betar Kendra and paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mural on the Betar premises.

Bangladesh Betar director general Ahmed Kamruzzaman was present on the occasion.