BNP joint secretary general and Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie warned that excessive expectations could create fresh danger and allow others to exploit the situation. He made the remarks on Saturday at the National Press Club in Dhaka during a memorial meeting and prayer event marking the 12th death anniversary of former Feni-3 lawmaker and media figure Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain.

Annie said public expectations of political leaders must align with politicians’ statements and actions. He said politicians, activists and supporters of political parties should consider the issue carefully. He also said relations with neighbouring countries should have been better and stressed that politicians have a responsibility to retain the public’s changed perception of them after the election and after the 5th.

The minister said expectations that a government can accomplish everything for everyone within six months are not realistic because state responsibilities were assumed through a defined process. He said people had at least been relieved from a 17-year situation marked by cases, attacks, oppression, torture, disappearances and killings. Annie also recalled Mosharraf Hossain as someone committed to helping people in Feni and said future memorial events could be organised on a broader scale.