BNP’s political strategies become blunt: Quader

Publish: 7:06 PM, October 15, 2020 | Update: 7:06 PM, October 15, 2020

DHAKA,– Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP’s all political strategies have become blunt to people and they doesn’t have trust in BNP.

He said this while inaugurating the construction work of rest centers having comprehensive facilities for freight drivers at Cumilla on Dhaka-Chattogram highway and at Sirajganj on Dhaka-Tangail-Hati Kamrul-Rangpur highway.

He joined programme through videoconferencing from his official residence on parliament premises.

Mentioning that the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a democratic one, the minister said as the government is respectful to democracy; it shows respect to democratic practice and politics of any party.

Quader said the government shows respect to dissent opinions and for that, the BNP and other opposition parties can always spread hatred and falsehood against the government.

As there is absolute freedom of expression in the country, the opposition parties can make criticism of the government, he said, adding that the mass media is also enjoying freedom and they can publish and broadcast any news.

Mentioning that BNP leaders are always making criticism of the government and saying that there is no democracy in the country, AL general secretary asked whether any of their leaders got punished for making criticism or spreading falsehood.

He said as Sheikh Hasina has a very tolerant attitude towards other opinions, BNP leaders can always ‘beat the drum of falsehood’.

About BNP’s allegation that the government is carrying out terrorist acts, the minister questioned who set fire to BNP office after the formation of the party’s committee.

They launched attacks on own party leaders-workers and carry out terrorist activities centering giving nomination in different elections, he added.

He said the government remains determined on its zero tolerance policy against any terrorist activities.

Mentioning that Sheikh Hasina does politics for establishing people’s rights, Quader said only she has the courage to punish own party worker if he or she is found involved in any offence, he added.

The minister said the government has a very tough stance against terrorism, communalism, corruption and irregularities.

Because of the government’s firm stance, party identity could not be a shield to save any offender, he said.

Turning to development of road infrastructure, the minister said the government has put priority on building a development friendly road network.

In this regard, the government has started implementing road transport act 2018 as part of strengthening legal structure, he added.