LGRD Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said branding the government a “failure” before it has completed "even five months" in office reflects extreme political and social intolerance.

“We become restless over very small things. It has not even been five months [sic], and we are already saying that this government has failed. This is just intolerance... extreme intolerance,” he said while addressing a seminar titled, “The Role of the Media in Sustainable Democracy”, organised by the Television Editors Council (TEC) at a Dhaka hotel.

The BNP government took the oath of office on February 17, 2026.

Fakhrul said patience and tolerance of differing opinions were essential for sustainable democracy.

He said branding a government a failure within such a short period and creating unrest by taking to the streets ran counter to democratic culture.

The minister said those who say they will not allow the government to complete its five-year term were speaking the same language Sheikh Hasina had used during the fascist era.

Fakhrul said historically, whenever the BNP had assumed office, it had inherited a country in ruins. “It seems the BNP has always inherited this situation. The most terrible events happened over 15 years. She [Hasina] destroyed every democratic institution.”

The country needs time to recover, he said, adding that the crises in the power and banking sectors left behind by the previous government could not be resolved quickly.

He urged people to remain patient and support efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Fakhrul also spoke about the challenges facing the media and its dependence on owners.

He said many editors were being dismissed without prior notice, adding that journalists had no alternative but to unite to overcome the challenges confronting the profession and the media industry.

Independent journalism was also being hampered by media owners’ dependence on bank loans, Fakhrul said.

He expressed concern over the growing misuse of social media, saying false information and short videos circulated online could be used to destroy a person’s lifelong reputation and contributions in an instant.

Citing measures taken in different countries, Fakhrul stressed the need for prompt steps to curb such misuse.