Undemocratic forces would have emerged in country if BNP could thwart national polls: Arafat

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat today said that if BNP could have been successful in spoiling the 7 January general elections, undemocratic forces would have emerged in the country.

"BNP wanted to thwart the 7 January elections. But, with the support of the country's people, Awami League (AL) had made their efforts abortive," he said.

The state minister was addressing the Iftar item distribution programme organised by Bangladesh Awami Jubo League at South Point School and College ground in Mohakhali, marking the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 17 March, said an official release.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi) addressed the event as the chief guest with Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash in the chair.

Arafat urged the BNP leaders to return to practicing clean politics, shunning the unconstitutional ill-politics of pampering to foreign masters, killing people, setting on fire and thwarting elections.

"You should be respectful to democracy and do politics following the electoral process," he said.