Participation in election campaign for MPs a timely decision

Staff Correspondent: Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam said participation in election campaign for members of parliament (MPs) is a timely decision.

The Minister came up with the statement while speaking at a programme at the National Press Club in the capital on Friday.

He said, “Election Commission (EC) on Thursday took a decision to allow MPs to participate in election campaign. It is obviously a timely decision. BNP’s heavyweight leaders can participate, but the ruling party MPs will not be allowed. It was a discrimination. So, EC’s decision is praiseworthy. But BNP is considering it as a part of different agenda.”

Qamrul said, “The country with the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently on the highway of development. Sheikh Hasina flew for India’s Shantiniketan. She will hold meeting with her counterpart Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. But BNP is considering PM’s visit with bent eyes.”

He said, “BNP has also raised allegations against the country-wide anti-drug drives. They are trying to beat around the bush about the drive as the party wants that the country turns into a sanctuary of drugs.”

“The general election is knocking at the door. The election must be free and fair. It will not be controversial despite a lot of conspiracies against it. It must be acceptable like Khulna city polls,” he added.

risingbd/Dhaka/May 25, 2018/Mamun Khan/A K Azad