Staff Correspondent

Coming down heavily on TIB report, Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the report is conflicting, motivated and there is no scope to mislead the people with this report.

Hasan said, according to TIB report the number of millionaire Awami League and independent candidates in the forthcoming election is highest than the previous elections. But, the comparison is illogical as the costs of land both in urban and rural areas increased multiply over the years.

“The price of one katha land in rural area is about Taka 20 lakh and five katha land is Taka one crore. There is no land less than Taka one crore in Dhaka and Chattogram cities. So there is no scope to mislead the countrymen by giving such report,” he said.

The minister said this while replying to a query of reporters at his office at secretariat here.

Recalling the propaganda of TIB on so-called corruption in the Padma Bridge project the minister said all the statements of TIB on that issue later proved false as no corruption was found in the project.

Dr Hasan said the TIB claimed that all their reports are based on researches. But later it was seen that their so called research papers were delivered with a motive to embarrass the government.

Replying to another query over a comment of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the information minister said a festive mood is already prevailing across the country centering the upcoming election. Besides, many countries and organizations including European Union, USA, OIC and SAARC countries are sending their observers to monitor the poll, he said.

“Foreign observers have curiosity in our election, and for this, they are sending observers. Even, all BNP leaders and activists have not rejected the poll and they will go to the voting centre to exercise their franchise,” said Hasan Mahmud.

Ruling out Rizvi’s claim over Indo-Bangla relation Dr Hasan said over the last 15 years the government successfully resolved many issues with India. The Land Boundary Agreement-1974 has been executed in 2015, which led India to lose many of its land to Bangladesh, he said.

In addition under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh could establish ownership on its maritime boundary through International Maritime Court, Dr Hasan said.

About the AL manifesto for 12th National Election, Dr Hasan said the slogan of manifesto is ‘Smart Bangladesh:Where Development Shines, Accelerating Employment’.

The minister hoped that the manifesto will prosperity in the lives of the people of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.