Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed here on Friday said that the next parliamentary elections will be held under the ruling party in accordance with the constitution.
"The next election will be held with participation of all political parties registered with the Election Commission in accordance with the constitution. It will be held in Bangladesh similar to the elections held in the other democratic nations of the world like the United States and India. That election will be free, fair and neutral," he said.
Tofail was addressing the opening ceremony of the first Reunion Festival of Shaheed Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall Alumni Association on Dhaka University (DU) campus as the chief guest, reports BSS.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Awami Shechhasebok League president Molla Mohammad Abu Kawsar and Member Secretary of the Alumni Association Iqbal Mahmud Bablu were also present, among others, at the programme.
DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the day-long reunion programme.
Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Benazir Ahmed, also the convener of the association, presided over the function.
Tofail urged the people to boycott and hate those who gave the flags in cars of war criminals.
He said, "Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is moving forward. Those, who once said that Bangladesh was a role model of poverty, are now seeing Bangladesh as a role model for development in the world."
Recalling his student life, Tofail, former Vice President of Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU), said "When we used to do student politics, we have an ideology. Our teachers loved us. We respected one another and there was friendly relationship between all student organisations."
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid said that the then Iqbal Hall (now Zahurul Haq Hall) was the center of student movement.
He said, "Iqbal Hall led the movement across the country. When we were involved in student movement, we never went to the governor or IGP. They came to this Iqbal Hall to talk to us."
Asaduzzaman Noor said, "I and Nahid were leaders of Chhatra Union. Tofail Ahmed was a leader Chhatra League. But the relationship between us was very deep and supportive. It was the brightest time of life while I spent time at Iqbal Hall. I have so many memories."