Abdul Momen

Photo: Collected

BNP misleads foreign friends to gain sympathy: Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, three government ministers and an adviser informed the diplomats about the situation that arose after the clash with the police around the BNP convention on Monday afternoon. He said this at an official briefing on the matter at the Rashtriya Guest House Yamuna later around 4 pm.

Addressing the diplomats, the minister said, "BNP often misleads diplomatic missions and our foreign friends to gain sympathy. Suddenly, we saw a so-called advisor of US President Joe Biden sitting next to senior leaders in the BNP office and talking to reporters. It was later revealed that he was an impostor and he admitted that BNP leaders had instigated him to mislead the people."

Meanwhile, he reiterated the government's firm stand for free, fair and credible elections in the democratic process in the light of the constitution.

Momen said, BNP has called for a nationwide blockade for three days from Tuesday. We don't just expect attacks on the lives and property of innocent civilians. However, apart from the law and order aspect, strikes and blockades also have an economic damage aspect. According to the sources of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BNP's hartal-blockade caused a loss of Tk 1,600 crore (USD 192.3 million) across the country, which is 0.2 percent of the GDP.

Later, in response to the questions of the journalists, the foreign minister said that all parties are getting a chance to do political programs regardless of their opinion. No one was prevented from speaking at the BNP General Assembly on October 28. Law and order forces do not belong to any party. They were given the opportunity to carry out their political programme peacefully. But in the name of peace, they caused disaster. We strongly condemn. Those involved in these incidents should face punishment. BNP people are trying to create riots in the country. Wanting to sabotage the upcoming elections.