Polls in due time whether BNP joins or not: LGRD minister

Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain today said the forthcoming parliamentary elections will be held in due time whether BNP takes part or not, BSS reported.

“There are 54 political parties in the country. The next national polls will be held in due time as per the constitution whether BNP comes or not,” he told the reporters after attending a function at Sheikh Kamal Indoor Stadium here.

Magura Zilla Parishad organized the function to lay the foundation of an auditorium, accord a reception to freedom fighters, distribute scholarships among students and handover swing machines to the poor women of the area.

State Minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Shikder, Major General (Retd) ATM Abdul Wahab, MP, Prime Minister’s Assistant Private Secretary Saifuzzaman Shekhor, Magura Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Atiqur Rahman, Police Super Khan Muhammad Rezowan, Awami League district unit President Tanzel Hossain Khan, Municipality Mayor Khurshid Haider Tutul and Sadar Upazila Chairman Rustam Ali, among others, addressed the function with Zilla Parishad Chairman Pankaj Kundu in the chair.

Mosharraf said the release of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia from prison is a matter of the court. “The government has no relation to this. There is also another way if she (Khaleda) seeks mercy to the President.”

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is moving forward with a specific goal to make Bangladesh into a developed nation.

The people of the country are happy with her (Sheikh Hasina) for the extensive development activities in every sector of society, he added.

He urged all to cast their votes for ‘Boat’ in the upcoming national elections for the continuation of the development activities.

Later, the LGRD minister attended a workers rally of Awami League in the stadium.