Online Desk : Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said boycotting elections is a suicidal decision for those who rely on the people`s vote and mandate.

"In politics, boycotting elections is a suicidal decision for those who rely on the people`s vote and mandate. But, those who want to go to power through the back door can boycott elections," he told a cheque distribution ceremony here.

The function was arranged to distribute cheques among journalists at the conference room of Deputy Commissioner`s office as part of the government`s financial assistance to the journalists amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking as the chief guest, Hasan, also the Awami League joint general secretary, said it appeared in newspapers that the BNP decided not to go for any election under the incumbent government.

He said the BNP did not participate in the 2014 polls, but the election was held and the constitutional continuity was maintained in the country.

The information minister said the BNP also decided not to participate in polls in 2018 but the party finally joined it after muddling the water.

"So, I don`t know whether they (BNP leaders) will stick to this decision or not, but it will be suicidal for them. Of course, the BNP always likes the back door (to assume power)," he said.

While distributing cheques among the journalists, Hasan encouraged them to publish positive news which will create hope in the minds of the people.

He said full-fledged Bangladesh Television (BTV) stations will soon be set up in six divisional cities, including Khulna, while information complexes, including cineplexes, will be built in different districts.

The information minister said the government is sincerely working to give a new life to the country`s film industry that started its journey under guidance of Bangabandhu.

He said the closed Khulna Newsprint Mills should be reopened in the interest of local newspapers.

Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, chairman of Khulna Zila Parishad Sheikh Harun-ur-Rashid, president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Mollah Jalal, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) president Quddus Affrad, Khulna Press Club president SM Zahid Hossain and president of Khulna Union of Journalists Mahbub Alam Sohag, among others, spoke at the meeting with Khulna deputy commissioner Md Moniruzzaman Talukder in the chair.

Earlier in the day, Dr Hasan visited Bangabandhu corner at Khulna Regional Betar Kendra and paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mural on the Betar premises.

Bangladesh Betar director general Ahmed Kamruzzaman was present on the occasion.

Talking to reporters after visiting Khulna Beter Kendra, he said the politics of BNP was established on falsehood and conspiracy, while its politics was against people in the last 12 years.

The information minister said the BNP`s politics was limited to throwing patrol bombs on people and detaining commoners in the name of hartal and blockade.

That is why BNP is getting isolated from people and on this context, it is holding series meetings, he said, adding that the BNP should get out of the anti-people politics.

In the morning, Hasan exchanged views with the leaders of the district and Khulna city units of AL at Khulna Circuit House. BSS