Dhaka: Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said the BNP would cease to exist if the party would not take part in the next parliament election.

‘If BNP does not take part in the next election, the party’s leaders and workers will be frustrated and they will be lost,’ he told a discussion of Swadhinata Parishad at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) auditorium marking the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Imprisonment Day.

Former State Minister for Home Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, Comilla (North) district Awami League president MA Awal Sarker, Awami League leader Shahjahan Alam Saju and Hasibur Rahman Manik, among others, addressed the discussion with Swadhinata Parishad advisor and Sabujbagh thana unit of Awami League general secretary Chittaranjan Das in the chair.

Hasan said BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia burst into tears when she met her son Tarique Rahman in London.

‘But Begum Khaleda Zia did not weep when innocent people were killed in petrol bomb attacks in the name of movement carried out by BNP. She only cries for her residence and son but never cries for the countrymen,’ he said.

The BNP chairperson, he said, has lost her capability to remain as a leader of the people because of her such activities.

He said Begum Zia will not be able to reap any benefit by hatching conspiracy over the next election by staying in London.

Hasan hoped that the countrymen will cast their votes for Awami League again in the next general election to elect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He described the roadmap announced by the Election Commission as a realistic and time befitting one.

The AL leader said the BNP should not boycott the next general election rather the party should cooperate with the Election Commission.