Information Minister: Many more BNP leaders will leave party

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that many more members from BNP will leave the party and continue joining the Trinamool BNP as BNP does not know how to respect each other. 

He made these remarks during an interaction with journalists at the Secretariat on Wednesday, responding to the recent entry of senior BNP leaders Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Taimur Alam Khandaker into Trinamool BNP.

The minister said: "Not only Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Taimur Alam Khandaker, many more will come from BNP; just wait a little. The party that does not know how to respect its leaders and does not allow for internal elections will continue to face such departures."

When questioned about BNP's strategy of seeking to overthrow the government rather than participating in elections, Hasan Mahmud said: "BNP is trying to create confusion among the public. Last time, in the 2018 elections, they initially declared they would not participate but later changed their stance. There is a difference between their current statement and their statements from a month ago, which those who pay attention will notice."

Hasan Mahmud emphasized that neither the government nor the Election Commission can guarantee election outcomes but encouraged BNP to participate in the polls. He added: "Mirza Abbas has been talking about the government's fall for the last 14.5 years; this is nothing new."

Addressing allegations that the government is mistreating BNP, Mahmud said: "Mirza Fakhrul is making firebomb threats. The government has audio records and information evidence against them. Yet, they continue to protest against the government, which proves there is no mistreatment. Instead, they initiated the August 21 grenade attack, attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and committed acts of violence against various political figures, including Matia Chowdhury."

Regarding his recent visit to Canada, Hasan Mahmud mentioned that the Bangabandhu biopic, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation," was screened at the Toronto Film Festival to a captivated audience, demonstrating the film's historical significance. The biopic is scheduled for release in Bangladesh next month.

The information minister also highlighted meetings with Canadian officials during his visit, where he discussed Bangladesh's progress under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership and the Rohingya refugee situation. He requested easier immigration processes for Bangladeshis and simplified visas for students.

He concluded by expressing satisfaction with the health and well-being of General Secretary Obaidul Quader, whom he visited in Singapore during his return to Bangladesh.