Hasan Mahmud: Khaleda is a threat to politics

Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary, and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud has described BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as the biggest threat to politics.

Khaleda Zia has mocked the August 21 grenade attacks, and burnt people alive in order to grab power. She is the biggest threat to the politics, for which people do not want her or her party anymore," he said.

The information minister made the remarks while unveiling the cover of a book titled 'Sangbadikota Raat Biraate' written by Mahfuzur Rahman, Editor of United News of Bangladesh (UNB), at the Jatiya Press Club, yesterday.

Hasan said: "Nowadays mass media has become multidimensional, which is required to build a democratic society."

In the last ten years, there have been 8,000 applications for online portal registration, the minister added.

The ruling Awami League always welcome criticism, as it helps guide the government in the right path, he said, adding that the government believes in establishing an argument and logic based society. 

The minister said, constructive criticism may make democracy stronger, and help  move the country ahead.

He alleged that Khaleda Zia does not believe in democracy, and the August 21 grenade attack is proof it.

He urges Fakhrul to look at his own face in the mirror.

The minister came down hard on BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his remark that the ruling party is plundering public money in the name of development urging him to look at his own face in the mirror.

He said around 15 million people of Bangladesh have elevated to the middle class from the lower class, over the last 10 years, while the poverty rate is brought down to 20% from 41%, and Bangladesh turned into a middle-income country.

The minister said, Awami League made the parliament functional by including the opposition members in different standing committees.

The minister thanked the author of the book, saying, it would be an important one for journalists as the writer tries to focus on different issues in journalism.

Dhaka University (DU) Honorary Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Dr Shakhawat Ali Khan was in the chair, while former DU vice chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, UNB Chairman Amanullha Khan, JPC President Saiful Alam, prime minister’s speech writer Nazrul Islam, and publisher of the book Gafur Hossain, among others, addressed the function.