Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said BNP leaders in reality do not want party chief Begum Khaleda Zia to be released from jail.
"If they wanted her release, they would have faced the cases against her in court with the help of eminent lawyers. But they did not face the cases," he said.
Hasan added: "If Begum Khaleda Zia gets released, Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other BNP leaders will lose their supremacy. That is why they do not want her release."
The minister was addressing as the chief guest a discussion marking the 103rd birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day at the Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium at Khamarbari in Dhaka.
Hasan, also an Awami League joint general secretary, said: "Some days ago, BNP leaders said Khaleda Zia is so ill that she will die unless she is not taken abroad. Hearing their comments, it seemed that they wanted Khaleda's death. But she has become well getting treatment from Bangladeshi physicians."
He said if anyone hears BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comments, he or she will think that there has been no development in the country in the last 14 years.
"They (BNP leaders) held rallies after crossing the Padma Bridge and then they said no development has taken place in the country. After crossing flyovers, they said no progress took place," he mentioned.
Urging Fakhrul and other BNP leaders to look back on the past, he said: "What did you gift the country? You made the country champion in corruption for five consecutive times.”
During the BNP period, a series of bombings were carried out at 500 locations across Bangladesh and the country saw the emergence of terrorists like Shaykh Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai, he recalled.
"You ran a parallel government by building Hawa Bhaban. You also built Khwab Bhaban for entertainment. You installed electric poles but could not provide electricity. Today Sheikh Hasina has delivered electricity to every house," he said.
Hasan came down heavily on Mirza Fakhrul for issuing a statement on Monday demanding the resignation of the road transport and bridges minister.
The minister said the country has witnessed remarkable progress in roads and highways under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Road Transport and Bridges Ministry completed the task and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader is the minister of the ministry, he said.
"The Padma Bridge has been implemented under the ministry. Karnaphuli Tunnel and metro rail are also being implemented under the ministry. He (Obaidul Quader) is a successful minister. The BNP is now demanding his resignation. Actually, Mirza Fakhrul Islam should resign," he said.
"Now there is no issue. BNP did not benefit by creating an issue over Khaleda Zia's illness. Their December 10 program also failed. Their leaders and workers did not respond to their program. Now there is no issue. Now they are talking about road accidents," he said.
About the country's development and progress, he said today Pakistan wants to be like Bangladesh.
"Today the entire world is lauding the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.