Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP’s arson terrorism couldn’t have any impact on election festivity and enthusiasm.

“The government is taking tough actions against the arson terrorism carried by BNP-Jamaat. In fact, BNP’s call for boycotting election is becoming weak. BNP has called non-cooperation programme after being frustrated. But, BNP men are not assisting the non-cooperation movement,” he said.

The minister said this while exchanging views with reporters at WNT Centre in city’s Dewanzi Pukur Lane.

Dr Hasan said thirty political parties out of 44 registered parties are taking part in the upcoming election slated on January 7. A festive mood has already been created centering the polls and there are, on an average, six candidates contesting in every constituency, he said

He said the foreigners are urging to hold a free and fair election. They are not telling about caretaker government or neutral government or election-period government, he said adding all are advising to hold a free and fair election.

The information minister said the United Nations in its statements have claimed that nobody’s resist in election. The USA is also claiming that they want to see a free, fair and neutral election, he added.

He said the upcoming election will be held in free, fair and transparent manners and the government is providing all out assistance to the Election Commission.

Dr Hasan said BNP has realized that the next poll will be held in free and fair and in festive mood. For this, they have changed their terrorism activities and carried out arson attacks in trains leaving killed four including mother and children, he added.

He said the lying of BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi over the incidents of arson attacks on trains is worse and more barbaric than killings.

Replying to a query over some violence in some constituencies of Chattogram, Hasan Mahmud said any type of violence in election is never acceptable. The Election Commission is taking steps against those persons who are violating the code of conducts of the election, he said.

About the crisis of ICU beds in Chattogram Medical College and Hospital, the information minister said the election manifesto of Awami League is likely to be declared on December 27.

 The government has taken steps to setup ICU beds in every district while the ICU beds have already setup in many cities, he added.

-BSS.