Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Saturday said the next election will be participatory.

‘This present government will remain in power,’ the veteran Awami League leader said while talking to reporters after inaugurating the construction works of Azhar Fatema Medical College and Hospital at Banglabazar in Sadar upazila, reports the UNB.

‘If BNP tries not to participate in the next election under this government, it’s their concern. What benefit they gained by not participating in 2014 election? The prime minister tried to make the election participatory, but Khaleda Zia denied,’ the minister said.

‘Even if this time they do not participate, we have nothing to do,’ he further said.

The minister also said that elections must be held in Bangladesh according to the constitution. ‘If BNP does not participate, they will make another mistake.’

The minister said that there are two power plants of 225MW and 55MW in Bhola.

‘Another Indian company, Shapoorji Pallonji, is going to set up a plant of 225MW. Initiatives were taken to bring 100MW from Ashuganj and to build another power plant of 400MW in joint venture with Samsung. So, there will be no problem of electricity in the southern part of the country including Bhola,’ the minister added.

He also said that on February 8, the prime minister announced to construct Bhola-Barisal bridge to join Bhola with the mainland in Barisal.

‘There will be an Industrial Park in Bhola. People will be able to reach Dhaka within 5 hours as soon as the Padma Bridge and the Bhola-Barisal bridge will be completed.’

Among others, former Secretary M Mokammel Haque, Daily Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shyamal Dutta, Deputy Commissioner Md Salimuddin, Superintendent of Police Md Moktar Hossain, Municipality Mayor Moniruzzaman, Sadar upazila Chairman Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, and local Awami League leaders were present on the occasion.