We have no intention of banning BNP: Anisul Haq

You are terming your main rival political party BNP as an ‘illegal’ party. The Prime Minister himself had recently made such comments. Are you going to ban BNP?

The Prime Minister and other Awami League leaders are telling the truth. BNP is being declared a terrorist or an illegal party on the grounds that it has committed violence in the name of movement in the past and is now indulging in arson and vandalism. We are telling people where BNP was born. These statements are coming for political reasons. But this does not mean that we are talking about banning BNP. Right now we have no intention of banning BNP.

Speeches towards the opposition are becoming increasingly aggressive. Could this trend give rise to doubts or questions?

There is nothing to doubt. What we are saying about the activities of BNP is true. If this sounds invasive, so be it. We should speak the truth and let people analyze the truth and take decisions. We are conducting elections. Now people will decide whether the election is inclusive and acceptable or not.

The BNP is alleging that the government is moving towards eliminating the opposition and will implement its plan if the Awami League is successful in the January 7 elections. Will you really take any action regarding BNP after the elections?

That will be seen after the elections. Awami League believes in democracy, so we do not say that we will destroy any other party. But history tells us that many parties become inactive due to their own activities. It depends on the activities of that party.

We can see that the hearing process of cases against BNP leaders-workers has been expedited and they are being sentenced.

The cases which are being disposed of are old cases. These cases are being disposed of after a long hearing process. Steps have been taken to expedite the hearing process of all types of cases to reduce the case backlog in our courts. This has nothing to do with politics. The government does not interfere in the judiciary.