Abdur Razzaque clarifies remarks on release of BNP men

Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque has clarified his remarks regarding BNP’s participation in the upcoming election as a condition for release of their leaders from jail.

“I said many words. I did not say wrong. My speech was absolutely correct.  But media presented some words. The government has made every effort to bring BNP to the elections”, he said.

The minister briefed newsmen about this at his Secretariat office on Monday (December 18).

The minister made the remarks during an interview with a private television channel, Channel 24.

“The Election Commission has repeatedly mentioned the possibility of deferring the election date if BNP agrees to participate. We have done many things including release of all BNP leaders but we have failed. After the formalities, they would have been released through the legal process. There are many legal experts in the Election Commission,” he said.

“If BNP agrees, the election date can be deferred to create a conducive environment. That is what I meant,” he said.

Regarding this, Razzaque said, “Certainly, it was my personal remark. My party also wants all parties to participate in the election.”