Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon has said a big battle lies ahead.
Curbing militancy and protecting people’s lives were the main challenges before the new government, he said.
“We have to carry forward the development work of the last government. We have won a small battle, a big battle lies ahead,” Menon, President, Workers Party, told reporters as he took charge of the ministry on Monday.
On the prospect of holding another general election on the basis of an agreement between the two major parties, Menon said the ball was in the BNP’s court.
“It will depend on the BNP. The environment for talks would be vitiated if they stick to violent ways with the Jamaat-e-Islami.”
He favoured a consensus reached through a dialogue to ensure people’s safety.
The Awami League-led Grand Alliance formed the government on Sunday after securing absolute majority in the 10th parliamentary polls boycotted by the BNP.
The Workers Party is a constituent of the Grand Alliance.
Earlier, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu had said curbing militancy and protecting people’s lives would be the government’s top priority.
The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) President said the new government would pursue the projects initiated by the previous Grand Alliance government.
JaSaD is a part of the Grand Alliance.
Inu had not initially been made cabinet member when the Awami League formed the government after the Dec 2008 polls but was made the Information Minister later.
Inu also held additional charge of the Cultural Affair Ministry in the poll-time multi-party government.
Ministry officials greeted the new minister at the Secretariat on his first day in office.
Source: BD news24