Obaidul Quader blames it on BNP
Says the party’s statements, provocations behind people’s apathy to follow health rules
Calling upon BNP to stand by people instead of doing politics over the Covid-19 pandemic, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said many are getting scope to show indifference towards health guidelines due to BNP's reckless statements and provocations.
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, came up with the remarks at a press conference at his official residence in the capital.
"BNP is spreading rumours against the government every day…," said Quader.
Saying the Awami League government welcomes any constructive criticism not rumours or propaganda, the party's general secretary called upon BNP to give constructive advice to the government instead of engaging in "blind criticisms".
"At present, opposing everything has become BNP's politics. I urge BNP to stand beside people instead of doing politics over coronavirus," the minister said.
The minister said BNP did politics over Covid-19 vaccines and now they are spreading misleading information regarding the lockdown.
"What did BNP do for the welfare of people apart from criticisms and spreading falsehood during the pandemic?" he questioned.
He said the government is making an all-out effort to save lives and livelihoods.
About BNP's demand to take opinions from all parties over Covid-19, Quader said coronavirus is not a political issue.
He said there is a national advisory committee on Covid-19 and the government is taking decisions on the basis of recommendations and opinions of that committee and health experts.
Mentioning that there is no instance of forming an all-party committee for containing coronavirus in the world, he said the opinions of health experts are more important in this regard.
On the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day, the AL general secretary paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.
Earlier, the minister virtually inaugurated the construction project to upgrade connecting road of Karnaphuli tunnel (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel) and Anwara upazila to a four-lane one.