Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said the statement of the BNP secretary general shows that good senses are yet to prevail upon that party even after introduction of the new visa policy by the United States.
"They (BNP) couldn't move away from the politics of incitement, resistance and boycotting elections like before. But they must move away," he told reporters while replying to a query at his residence in the capital.
Earlier, the minister virtually joined a discussion organised by MANAS (Association for the Prevention of Drug Abuse), an anti-tobacco and anti-drug organisation in Bangladesh, marking the World No Tobacco Day at an auditorium of National Museum in the city.
Hasan said the US, in their visa policy, has cleared that they have no support to the caretaker government. They want a free, fair, transparent and neutral election and the visa policy will be applicable to those who will obstruct the democratic process and resist the polls, he added.
"But good senses did not prevail upon BNP even after the announcement of the visa policy," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
He said the government always wants a free, fair and neutral election with the participation of all political parties, including BNP. The government wants competitive polls so that the countrymen can elect the next government through elections, he said.
"The government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Awami League want it," he added.
The United States has recently decided to deny visas to individuals, from law enforcers to political leaders, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
The wide range of people under the purview of the new policy includes current and former Bangladeshi officials, members of political parties, and members of law enforcement, the judiciary, and security services, as per an official US release.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement and also tweeted about the development on last Wednesday.