'Elections to be held in time'

"The national election will be held in time...it'll not wait for you," Bhuiyan told a meeting organised marking the 25th founding anniversary of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal (JKD) at Mahanagar Natyamancha.

Urging the opposition to prepare for the elections, the BNP leader said, "If there is any problem let's sort it out through discussions."

About the recent suicide bombings, Bhuiyan, also LGRD Minister, said there has been a sense of insecurity in people's minds in the wake of some suicide bombings in recent times. "Question about the law and order situation has arisen in public mind."

"Capitalising on these bombings, a particular quarter is trying to achieve political gains," he said adding that despite the opposition's refusal to attend the government-sponsored dialogue on militancy, a unity has already been forged. "We will resist the militants with the support of the people."

Shrugging off the opposition allegation that BNP is behind these bombings, he said, "Is BNP crazy that it'll torch its own house. Actually, they are speaking all this unwise words out of frustration sensing their debacle in the coming elections."

He called upon the opposition to resolve the problems through discussions and cooperate with the government so that the next elections are held in due time, or else he said, "You will be the losers."

About BNP's policy about agriculture, he said, "BNP believes that the development of farmers means the development of the country. The country cannot be developed without development of the farmers."

Bhuiyan, founding president of JKD, said the industries will not flourish unless the buying capacity of the farmers is increased.

He also stressed the importance of mobilising capital from the farmers and ensuring proper prices for their products.

Listing various measures taken by the government for the agriculture sector, the LGRD minister recognised that the government is yet to resolve the issue of price difference of vegetables between the capital and other districts.

"The vegetable that sells at Tk 10 per kg in Bogra is sold in Dhaka at Tk 20," he said adding that there should not be the difference of more than Tk 2 per kg.

JKD acting president Mujibur Rahman presided.