Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP becomes afraid of elections as the party knows about their popularity.
"That is why they are not on the path of elections rather it takes the path of conspiracy," he said while replying to reporters after addressing as the chief guest a seminar titled 'Road Safety Reporting' at Tathya Bhaban in the city's Kakrail area.
National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) organised the seminar.
Asked about BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comment that 'BNP will not step into the trap of elections', the minister said actually BNP has become afraid of elections.
"It is natural for BNP to become afraid. Because the party under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia got only 29 seats among 300 in 2008 elections even after applying its highest strength. Later, winning a by-election, they crossed 30 seats," he said.
In 2014, BNP had boycotted elections and in 2018 elections, BNP joined elections after forging an alliance of many parties and 'hiring' Dr Kamal Hossain but got only seven seats including woman seat.
Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said: "BNP knows about their popularity. They know how much success they can achieve in elections. That is why, they become afraid of elections and they took the path of conspiracy".
"We want BNP joins the polls after overcoming their fear," he said.
The minister said current government will act as polls-time government and elections will be held under the Election Commission as like as that of other democratic countries.
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