Awami League's alertness spoils BNP's attempt to create chaos: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that Awami League's alert position throughout the capital city Dhaka has spoiled BNP-Jamaat's attempt of creating a huge anarchy there in the name of mass processions on Friday.

"BNP-Jamaat wanted to create a huge chaos in Dhaka in the name of holding mass processions. But it was not possible due to the alert position of Awami League (AL) leaders and activists throughout the city," he said at a view exchange meeting with journalists at his residence at Dewanjee Pukur Par in the city.

Even then, BNP's main ally Jamaat-e-Islami carried out attacks on the police, the minister said, adding that due to the patience of the police personnel, they could not create that chaos.

Replying to a question about Jamaat-Shibir's attack on police from BNP procession, Hasan, also ruling AL joint general secretary, said BNP has been frustrated since December 10 as they could have assembled highest 50 to 60 thousand people in Dhaka against their pre-announcement of holding a public rally with participation of 10 lakh people.

"On December 10, BNP in fact realized that the people are not with them. (Therefore) their politics is entirely dependent on conspiracy. That is why they are making ill-effort to create chaos," he added.

Noting that BNP has adopted a policy of appeasing foreigners, Hasan said but the foreigners did not help even their (BNP) that policy.

"As you can see, it did not happen as per their thought that the officials of different states or embassies would make remarks favoring them (BNP)," he added.

Their (BNP) politics revolves around the same place- fishing in troubled water creating a chaos in the country, Hasan said, adding, but the people of the country will never let to be happened this (chaos).

Pointing that the ultimate target of BNP's different programmes is creating anarchy, he said even on December 10, they set vehicles on fire and will do so now if they get chance as BNP could not come out of there.

Responding to a question from journalists about his position of one number joint general secretary in the AL's new central committee, Hasan said, "Number is not a fact. I discharged my duties with sincerity whenever Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave me any responsibility".

"I served as party's Forest and Environment Secretary for ten years, Publicity and Publication Secretary for seven years, Joint General Secretary for the last three years. I tried to discharge these duties with sincerity," he added.

"Once again, my leader AL President Sheikh Hasina has given me the responsibility of joint general secretary. My party Bangladesh Awami League has given me a lot, now my responsibility is to sacrifice myself and work for the party. If needs, I should face even death and make the supreme sacrifice," Hasan said.

Speaking about facing BNP on the streets, he said AL tackled BNP's sabotages in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

"We know what BNP wants to do and how much they can do. We also know what to do taking the people with to deal with that. So BNP can never create the old situation again," Hasan added.

Turing to issue of collecting nomination form by actress Mahiya Mahi from AL, AL joint general secretary said, "Anyone who believes in the ideology of Bangladesh Awami League can seek nomination. In that case, it is not a crime if an actor or actress wants to (contest in polls). Many people from the media sector in India, including the West Bengal, are given nomination".

The devoted leaders and activists get priority in getting the nomination of AL, he said, adding that apart from that the party has to take many other things into consideration.