DHAKA, Nov 22, 2023 (BSS)- Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP is pursuing politics of destruction which never was seen in Bangladesh.

“BNP workers are getting money and promotion for rampage and the party is paying each arsonist Taka 10,000 for attack a public transport. Their workers are sending the video clips of the blazes to their acting chairman in London for getting post and position in the party,” the minister said.

The minister was replying the queries of journalists at his office at secretariat here after unwrapping the cover of a book on basic journalism.

Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) published the book authored by journalist Swapan Kumar Kundu. PIB director general Zafar Wazed and other officials were present.    

The minister said arrested leaders and workers of BNP admitted about the payment of cash money for their subversive activities and sending of the video clips in London. Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is coordinating the activities of the arson attackers from hide, he said.

Replying to another query, Dr Hasan said the government is not giving any pressure to any BNP leader. Being annoyed with party hierarchy many BNP leaders preferred to leave the party and contest in the poll, he said adding that the number of the BNP’s poll contenders would have been more if the government would give any pressure on them.

“Real politicians of BNP don’t want to be associated with the destructive politic and they want continuation of democracy,” he said.

About the issue of garment workers’ leader Kalpana Akther, Dr Hasan said, “If anyone feels insecurity, he or she can go to police or can lodge a GD (general diary). We don’t know whether Kalpana Akther lodged any GD or filed any complaint with police.”

“State minister for foreign affairs has already told the media that his ministry is working on this issue and if needed, US State Department will be asked to clarify the matter to us,” the information minister said adding that all security will be provided to Kalpana if she wants as the government provides security to every people and all foreigners including US envoy.

About the silence of CPD, TIB, Amnesty and few other NGOs on BNP’s violence in the name of politics, Hasan Mahmud said the countrymen are astonished seeing their role desperately for arsonists.