Awami League Joint General Secretary, also Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said, “We want BNP to participate in the next general elections with full strength. However, the party leaders find a way to escape.”

The Minister said this in reply to a query during a view exchange meeting with journalists at his official residence on Minto Road in the capital on Friday (June 16).

Rejecting the statement made by BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that the government is conspiring to oust BNP, filing cases and arresting leaders and activists, Hasan Mahmud said, “We want the next national election to be held free, impartial, transparent and festive with everyone’s participation. But, sadly true, BNP always runs away from elections. Mirza Fakhrul, Rizvi are giving these statements to prepare a platform to run away from the election.”

Complaining that the purpose of BNP is not to contest election, but to distort or question the election, the joint general secretary of Awami League said, “BNP’s statement seems that they want a guarantee of winning the election, if they get it, they will participate, otherwise not. But, neither the people nor the government nor the election commission can give this guarantee. Even though BNP boycotted the elections, the people participated in a large way, which has been proved in the city corporation elections. More important than which party participated, is the massive participation of the people in the elections.

“But BNP is a big party. They were in power. I will request them to participate in the elections. Because, we don’t want a walkover, we want to win by playing,” said Hasan Mahmud.