Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday refuted media reports on an alleged understanding between the government and the BNP.
“There was no compromise with the conspirators and there will be none in future. Awami League will reach an understanding with the people only,” he said in response to a query at a press briefing.
The minister, also a Presidium member of the ruling Awami League, met the press at the party president’s political office in Dhanmondi of the capital after a preparatory meeting of the Mujibnagar Day Observance Committee.
Addressing the briefing, Nasim said there was a reflection of hopes and expectations of people and the Awami League in the rejection of review of the capital punishment handed down to Jamaat-e-Islami leader Muhammad Kamaruzzaman for committing crimes against humanity.
“It is natural that Kamaruzzaman’s review petition was rejected. The Awami League as well as the country’s patriotic people believe that there was a reflection of their hopes and expectations in the verdict,” he said.
Speaking about the city corporation polls, Nasim said: “All the polls held during the Awami League’s tenure were free and fair. The government’s main objective is to hold free and fair polls, not victory and defeat. People will give a befitting reply through ballots in the ensuing polls to the vandalism and torching of public and private properties unleashed under the leadership of Khaleda Zia over the past three months.”
Awami League’s programme on Mujibnagar Day was also announced at the press conference.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by Party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the morning of April 10.
On the morning of April 17, members of the law enforcement agencies will present guard of honour at Mujibnagar in Meherpur district, while a public rally will be held at noon.