Dr Hasan Mahmud, Information and Broadcasting Minister on Friday July 14 said the BNP expected that the visiting foreign delegation would talk about a caretaker government and the resignation of the present government but none raised the issue.

He said, “This caretaker government issue was not raised in any conversation. The BNP’s one-point demand is the resignation of the Awami League government and formation of a non-partisan government. They neither got any support for the demand from the people of Bangladesh nor from foreigners. ”

While replying to queries from journalists after delivering a speech as the chief guest at a certificate-distribution ceremony of the Computer Science-Breeze programme on the UG campus of the Asian University for Women in Chattogram, Hasan Mahmud, also the Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) said this.  The programme was organised in cooperation with Stanford University of the United States.

The Minister said, “Noting that only a free and fair election was discussed during talks with foreign representatives, even the issue of inclusive elections for all did not come up in the discussion.Definitely, we want the participation of all political parties, including the BNP in the next election. We want to contest the polls with everyone. ”

He added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government will perform its routine duties during the election and the election will be held under the Election Commission in line with the country’s constitution.

While asked about BNP’s 31-point demand, Hasan Mahmud said BNP announced one point demand the day before yesterday and the next day they declared 31 points. BNP’s Wednesday’s demand for the resignation of the government is not a new one.

He mentioned, “I have been hearing about their one-point movement since 2013. It is like changing the shell of a snake and playing the same drum over the years. There is nothing new.BNP wanted to call a rally during the visit of a delegation from the European Union, the United States of America and other countries with a view to showing the foreigners how many people they could gather in their rally.”

The Minister said 30,000 people gathered in front of Nayapaltan and there were not more than 40,000 people there of BNP. But Awami League gathered millions of people across three junctions within a 12-hour notice and everyone witnessed how much Awami League leaders and activists in its peace rallies.

Election Commission (EC) is the authority to organize elections and so dialogue can certainly be with the EC, Hasan Mahmud said responding to another question about holding dialogue with all political parties.

The Minister pointed out, “If anyone wants to talk about the election, he or she will have to talk with the Election Commission. So, the BNP can approach the Election Commission to express their views. If the Election Commission calls us, we will also go there.”