Ishraque’s arrest has nothing to do with the procession. Ishraque Hossain has been arrested on a warrant. He is a warranted accused in an explosives case of 2019, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.
“There are also other cases against him. His arrest had nothing to do with yesterday's procession,” he added.
The Minister made the remarks in response to a question from reporters at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday.
The Information Minister said that the information regarding the foreign minister meeting the US officials during a recent visit to the country to persuade the BNP to take part in the elections is also not true.
Hasan Mahmud said, “The Foreign Minister did not discuss the issue with US officials during his visit. He said this while speaking in front of the media. He did not say anything about it in the official discussion. It is his personal opinion.”
He mentioned that the election train would not wait for anyone.
“The train of 2014 election did not wait for anyone. In 2018, the BNP was in doubt whether to get in the train or not. Later they took part in the election by riding on the foot of the train. Elections would be held on time to consolidate democracy.
It is up to them who will participate in election. The BNP is afraid of the election,” he added.
He further said that not only the National Parliament elections, BNP have also boycotted the Union Parishad elections.
“They are afraid of election. It is not our responsibility to remove this fear. Those who believe in democracy, who believe in the verdict of the people, have no choice but to hold elections. I hope the BNP will overcome the election fear and participate in the election,” said the Information Minister.