Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today thanked Dr Kamal Hossain for realising the "mistake" that Jatiya Oikyafront had made by incorporating Jamaat-e-Islami in the recent 11th parliamentary election.

"I would like to thank Dr Kamal Hossain for realising their political mistake," Minister Hasan said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.

Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal yesterday said it was a mistake on the part of his party Gonoforum to have joined the December 30 polls with Jamaat leaders contesting under the alliance banner.

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Taking Jamaat men along to polls a mistake

Hasan Mahmud further said that the JOF will make another mistake if their elected candidates do not take the oath to join the 11th Parliament.

"I hope they will realise it and join the parliament by taking the oath of office," said the minister.

"A party is trying to drag the country backwards. I think no conspiracy against the country will work," he said.

Responding to a question about the recently enacted Digital Security Act, he said that the government will work on it so that no panic remains among the journalists about the act.

"I always welcome all types of criticism. When I was the Environment Minister, English daily The Daily Star published several reports criticising the ministry, even they published cartoons. But, we gave them an environment award. Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) was also awarded although they had criticised the ministry," said the minister.

Mentioning that criticism speeds up anyone's journey, the minister said, "But, blind and one-sided criticism is not useful. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has introduced the culture of welcoming any criticism."

"This time, Awami League has pledged that the country's villages will be turned into cities. Coordinated efforts are required to move the country forward. Mass media also play a vital role in this effort," said Hasan Mahmud.

He also said that a huge revolution has been made not only in the country's online media but also in print, electronic and social media.

"Around 8 crore people are using social media," he mentioned.

Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday said Jatiya Oikyafront's demand for holding a re-election is unconstitutional and “very illogical”.

“Jatiya Oikyafront's demand is an expression of disrespect to the people,” the minister said while talking to reporters after attending a programme, organised to accord a farewell to Zafrul Hasan, outgoing director of National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO), at its Bailey Road office.

The law minister said Oikyafront has no right to dishonour the people, who have cast their votes in the December 30 general election.

Replying to a question, Anisul Huq also said, Hefajat-e-Islam Chief Ahmad Shafi's comment about girls' education is opposing to the positive development of the country.

“Last year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recognised Dawra degree of Qawmi madrasa as equivalent to master's degree, which was a positive step. Allama Shafi is a senior person. With due respect to him, I want to say that his comment will be opposite to the country's positive development. It will be better if such a statement is retracted,” the law minister said.

“The government will not bring any change in running the country or its [government] policies. The Sheikh Hasina-led government is committed to upholding the rights of women. The commitment will be strengthened and the country will move forward; and it's the government's policy and belief,” he said.

Acting director of NLASO Bikash Kumar Saha presided over the function, where Law Secretary ASSM Zahirul Haque Dulal and its Joint Secretary Golam Sarwar also spoke.

Claiming the December 30 election to be “farcical”, Jatiya Oikyafront Convener Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called for a national dialogue to find out ways for holding a fresh election as per the constitution.

“We had to witness a farce in the name of an election. It won't bring any legality and stability. This can, in no way, be accepted,” said the noted jurist.

He came up with these remarks while addressing a discussion organised by the Gonoforum at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, marking the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Dr Kamal, who presided over the discussion, urged all the political parties to sit for a dialogue in a bid to discuss the formation of an elected government by holding a fresh election as per the constitution.

Dr Kamal, who is also the president of the Gonoforum, said, “A sane person cannot play such a game with the country's 17 crore people. This can't be done unless a person is mentally imbalanced.”

He also questioned if there was anyone who could call the election a free and fair one.

“It's regrettable what happened in the name of election even after 48 years [of the country's independence]. It was not supposed to happen.”

The eminent jurist said the election was held on the night of December 29 instead of December 30.

 “Why did they do that? I would like ask them what is the necessity of doing such an unusual act?  Is it a game? Is it fair to play a game with the country's 17 crore people?”

Dr Kamal also said the December 30 election was a good example of political tricks. “I would like to request you, please refrain from resorting to political tricks and do everything through talks and as per the constitution. There can be no alternative to that.”

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rob, Gonoforum Executive President Subrata Chowdhury, Gonoforum General Secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Gonoforum MP-elect Mukabbir Khan, Gonoforum leader Maj Gen (retd) Amsa Amin, also spoke among others in the discussion.

A total of 47 opposition candidates have boycotted the election so far citing vote rigging and ballot stuffing. 

Among them, 22 Jamaat candidates, who were contesting the polls under the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, said they boycotted the election due to “unfair voting atmosphere”.