Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said yesterday there was nothing like a “one sided” election and the upcoming one would be held to ensure continuity of constitution.
The minister made the remark at a press conference at the PID conference room at the secretariat.
If the opposition does not take part in dialogue, the government would make a decision on the polls-time government consulting with the president, higher court, party forum and leaders of ruling alliance, Inu said.
Calling upon BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to sit in a dialogue, Inu said: “If you miss the train of dialogue, you will miss the train to election and democracy. The opposition leader will have to go to Pakistan riding on Jamaat and Hefazat’s train. She will have to decide which train she will ride.”
When asked, will “one sided” election be acceptable, the minister said: “Elections must be held in line with the constitution if the opposition does not come to dialogue. The election commission will announce the schedule in due time.”
Regarding the attacks on media, the minister said: “It is very painful for the country. Even in 1971, we did not see such attacks on media. We are keeping a close eye on the incidents. I have already talked to the home minister in this regard. Stern actions will be taken against the attackers, if needed.
“We have to remember that the situation now is different. The evil souls of ’71 are involved with those attacks [on the media] under the guise of Jamaat and Shibir. The attack on media means attack on democracy.”
The minister accused Khaleda Zia of breaching people’s trust by not keeping her commitment. He suggested that she should immediately and unconditionally come to a dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.
About the Hasina-Khaleda telephone conversation being made public, Inu said: “It was not a private conversation, but a state conversation. We did not make it public. But, somebody else has already disclosed it.”
