Although the government is hopeful about main opposition BNP’s participation in the upcoming national polls under the all-party government, it will hold the polls in time whether BNP joins or not, says Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury.
The minister made the statement while speaking to journalists at her secretariat office in the city on Wednesday.
She said: “The government is still hopeful that BNP will join the polls. But the polls will be held in due time regardless.”
Replying to a query, she further said: “The newly formed polls-time cabinet will be regarded as a “multi-party government” if BNP decides to not join.
But, the polls will be held under all-party government, if BNP does join,” She added.
Mentioning that the government has welcomed BNP’s recent step of meeting the president, Matia said: “The president is the most senior and respectable person in the country. So, we take it positively that the BNP has asked for his initiative into reaching a consensus.”