Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said no formal proposal was made to the United States (US) to bring BNP into the election process, although the party's election boycott came up during his recent meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
"We want more or less all parties to join the polls. But there is a political party which publicly says they would not take part in the election," he said, adding that if anyone is intentionally avoiding the polls, that indicates they fear the people.
As the issue of the BNP's election boycott came up in his discussion with Blinken, the foreign minister told the US secretary of state that he (Blinken) can look into whether they can make the party join the elections.
Momen said they did not propose the US t bring BNP to participate in the polls. “We asked them to bring BNP if they can. We did not place any proposals. We want all parties to participate," Momen told the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said the BNP must go to people's doors and join elections following the existing laws.
Bangladesh has a "very solid and independent" Election Commission, and its democracy is transparent, Momen added.
"Every person in Bangladesh believes in democracy; it is (election) a festival here. We want all parties to take part in the elections."
“The US gave much respect to the whole delegation with me,” Momen said, referring to his meeting with Blinken.
The foreign minister had also visited Japan, Palau, and Singapore after wrapping up his US visit. "My whole trip was very positive."
