DHAKA, Jan 11, 2022 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the provision that restrict MPs' participation in the campaign of local government elections is discriminatory.

 “Lawmaker Shamim Osman has declared that he would work in favour of the
'Boat' (the electoral symbol of Awami League) in Narayanganj City Corporation polls. I think that it is the right decision. But, I saw that some media have claimed that he (Shamim Osman) violated the electoral code of conduct," he said.

   According to the electoral code of conduct of the Election Commission (EC), lawmakers cannot take part in campaign of any local government elections. But, there are no such types of code of conducts in neighbouring countries even in Europe," he continued.

  The minister stated these replying to a query of the reporters at his
official residence in the city's Mintu Road area.

   Mentioning that lawmakers of other countries can take part in the
electioneering, Hasan said, "Even, the chief ministers and ministers of the neighbouring country can take part in polls campaign without protocol."

  These types of restrictions were not seen even in 2015, he said, adding that now many claimed that such provision is undemocratic.

  "The issue was brought under the notice of the EC many times from our party (Awami League). Even, I was present at some meetings," said Hasan, also AL joint general secretary.

   Replying to another query over a comment of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on the COVID-19 issue, the minister said it has seemed that BNP leaders are now talking nonsense as they have lost their sagacity after failing to countenance Awami League politically.

  He said many countries even the neighbouring ones could not deal with the ongoing COVID-19 successfully like Bangladesh.

   The role of the Prime Minister was lauded across the globe and the
country's economy is still boosting due to appropriate measures in
controlling the COVID-19 epidemic, he added.

  The minister said the position of Bangladesh is the third among the 20
countries which have been able to keep positive GDP growth in the last year amidst the pandemic.

  Uttering that BNP leaders spread confusions over COVID-19 inoculation though they have taken the jabs, Hasan said, "We want their sound health and hope that they would also take booster doses," he added.

  He said the countrymen have rejected the destructive politics of BNP. They (BNP) took shelter of destructive politics in 2013, 2014 and 2015 when they killed people through arson attacks, he said.  

 "The people of Bangladesh have refused BNP's destructive
politics and they (people) would resist them if they (BNP) want to carry out such types of destruction again.

  Earlier, the minister virtually addressed the function of distributing
sheep and construction materials among the ethnic groups, bicycles and
scholarships among students under special assistance of the Prime Minister's Office, awards among the winners and the vaccination programme for the 12-year to 18-year students of his own constituency Ranguniya Upazila.

  Ranguniya Upazila chairman Swajan Kumar Talukder, AL Upazila unit general secretary and Razanagar Union Parishad chairman Shamsher Alam, AL leader Akthar Hossain and Freedom Fighter Khairul Bashar, among others, addressed the function with Upazila nirbahi officer Ifthekhar Younus in the chair.