DHAKA, – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today termed Begum Khaleda a threat to country’s politics saying her party BNP has exposed its character in the name of movement.

“The politics is for the welfare of the common people . . . but BNP is used to make people hostage and kill them through arson attack, exposing their real character,” he said at a function while unveiling a book on journalism at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) here.

‘Sangbadikota Rate Birate’ was written by Mahfuzur Rahman, editor of private new agency United News of Bangladesh (UNB).

Dr Hasan, also Awami League publicity and publication secretary, said Awami League government always believes in establishing an argument and logic based society. So, the government always welcomes the criticism as it help guide the government in right path, he added.

The minister said the constructive criticism may make the democracy strong and the move the country ahead.

“But, the grenade attack on August 21, 2004 is a clear manifestation of fact that Begum Zia has no faith in democracy. Her party also tried to divert the facts of the brutal incident to other way,” he said.

Criticizing a comment of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr Hasan said around 15 million people of Bangladesh have developed their economic position from lower level to middle level in the last ten tears. So, it’s a mere false statement that ruling party men are eating up all fund of development, the minister said.

“Bangladesh has already attained the status of a lower-middle income country and it will be emerged as a middle income country within few years,” he added.

“BNP can not accept the nation’s achievements,” he said urging BNP leaders to see their face in the mirror as Bangladesh became champion five-times in corruption during their five-year regime.

Dr Hasan said the government has made the parliament a very functional one by including the opposition members in the very important portfolio in the standing committees of the legislation.

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 of the journalism.

The information minister said the media is playing a vital role in Bangladesh in establishing a logic-based democratic country. A vast revolution has taken place in the media sector over the last 10 years, he said.

Dhaka University (DU) Hononary Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism Department 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, addressed the function, among others.