Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said that the independent candidates who are in posts in different capacities of Awami League should be aware of party discipline.
He said: "There have always been independent candidates in polls and many of them were elected. But the independent candidates of our party who are holding posts must keep the party discipline in mind."
The minister said this to reporters on Wednesday after submitting his nomination paper at the Chattogram deputy commissioner's office for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election as an Awami League-nominated candidate for Chittagong-7 constituency (Ranguniya-some part of Boalkhali).
Dr Hasan said: “A festive mood has started prevailing across the country centering the polls and different political parties have declared names of their candidates. Those candidates are submitting their nomination papers.”
He said: “Out of 44 registered political parties, 30 parties are taking part in the upcoming polls while many other unregistered parties are also taking part in the election. The polls will be held in time.”
The minister claims that BNP and Jamaat's call for boycotting the election faded as a festive and joyous mood prevailed across the country after the declaration of the poll schedule.
Replying to a query over the BNP's announcement of toppling the government, Dr Hasan said: “BNP leaders made themselves ridiculous by making such funny declarations. The BNP leaders have been making such threats of toppling the government for long.”
He said conspiracies are being hatched at home and abroad when the country is moving ahead.
Dr Hasan said: "But our government's policy is 'friendship to all and malice to none'. We work with the policy and we have good relations with all. We want to take the country to its dream destination with the cooperation of all development partners."
