Health Minister Mohammad Nasim has slammed Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia and her 20-Party Alliance for imposing blockade and hartal, which he said, have utterly failed since life in the country is going normal.

Nasim urged Khaleda Zia return to democratic politics avoiding the ‘so called hartal-blockade’.

The health minister made the call on Tuesday while speaking at a discussion programme marking Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary and National Children’s Day at the National Press Club in Dhaka. The programme was arranged by Sheikh Russel Jatiya Shishu Kishor Parishad.

He said the next election would be held on time and under Sheikh Hasina government, and if the people chose, BNP would win.

‘Withdraw hartal and blockade. Resort to democratic means like holding rallies,’ said Mohammad Nasim.

He added: ‘If you (BNP) continue the current trend of violence, you will be isolated from the people. You will face the same fate as Muslim League did once.’

He also invited criticism against the government from BNP.