Biswal a \\\'petty\\\' minister: Ashraf

Khaleda Zia is now begging the US to help her return to power, said LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam while addressing a party programme in Khulna on Saturday afternoon. About US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Biswal, Ashraf said she was a ‘petty’ minister. He said Khaleda now was begging US President Barack Obama's point person for south and central Asia Biswal for help. ‘Biswal met her twice. There won’t be any good no matter how many times you meet her,’ Ashraf also the general secretary of the Awami League (AL) said, taking a dig at the BNP chief. He also asked Khaleda to prepare for the next general election. ‘US Ambassador Dan Mozena tried to thwart the January 5 elections. He tried his best to prevent Sheikh Hasina from becoming the prime minister,’ Ashraf, spokesperson for the ruling party, alleged. US Assistant Secretary Biswal came to Bangladesh for the first time in November last year and pitched for a political dialogue over the polls-time dispensation. On Nov 29 in Dhaka, at the end of her 3-day visit this year, Biswal told a press briefing that the people of Bangladesh would decide time for the next election, according to a news agency.