Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today accused BNP of playing tricks over its chief Begum Khaleda Zia’s illness.
“BNP wants to send Begum Zia abroad in the name of her illness as she can do politics there illegally like Tarique Rahman. BNP’s demand is political, not Khaleda Zia’s health related. We understand your (BNP) tricks. But, the government is determined to ensure her (Khaleda Zia) better treatment,” he said.
The minister stated these while addressing the triennial conference of 10 units of ward-10 of Darus Salam thana of Awami League Dhaka city North unit in front of Mirpur Shaheed Buddhijibi Smritishowdha here.
Dr. Hasan said BNP leaders are talking about the health of Begum Zia. But, she was under their care during the last one year and is now undergoing treatment at her (Begum Zia) favourite Evercare Hospital, he added.
For this, he said, they (BNP) will be responsible if anything happens to her (Begum Zia). “BNP wants to create confusion among the people through giving different statements. But, the countrymen would not be confused,” said Hasan, also AL joint general secretary.
The minister said currently it seems that the politics of BNP is not for masses and they do politics only for Begum Zia’s health. “If you heard the statements of BNP leaders for the last 15 to 20 days, then you can hear that they have no other demand expect the Begum Zia’s health issue. Mirza Fakhrul told that Begum Zia is suffering stomach problems. Now Mirza Fakhrul, Rizvi Ahmed and Gayeshwar Roy are talking like eminent doctors,” he added.
He said Mirza Fakhrul today told that in which section of the law allows Begum Zia to go abroad. And now it seems that he (Fakhrul) might become a barrister secretly and started explaining law, he added.
Urging AL leaders and activists to remain alert, Hasan said everyone should remain alert as none can plot conspiracies. There are no need the opportunists in the party (AL), he added.
He said the party (AL) has no need those people who want to do the politics of Awami League for protecting their own back, want to grab land or to protect grabbed land or to earn property. Awami League needs those persons who believe in party’s ideology, objectives and principles of the party, he added.
After the programme, the minister replied to a query of newsmen over half pass of students at buses.
He said, “I also paid half fare when I was a student. I went to Chattogram University from Chattogram city with half fare. The government didn’t give any intensive to the bus owners that time and they (bus owners) also didn’t demand any intensive. Now, it is my personal question is that why intensive is needed today? Every bus carries about 40 to 50 passengers. Of them 4 to 5 are students. What will happen to the bus owners for this? It is my personal question.”
Dr. Hasan said the Prime Minister is sympathetic to the students and for this the Premier has halved the fare of the BRTC buses. “The students are our children. And they (students) are also children of bus owners. I hope that the bus owners will take positive steps in this issue,” he added.
AL Dhaka City South unit president Sheikh Bazlur Rahman inaugurated the conference while AL deputy publicity secretary Aminul Islam Amin addressed it as special guest.
AL Dhaka City South unit general secretary SM Mannan Kachi addressed it as the key speaker while organising secretaries Mizanur Rahman Mizan and ABM Mazharul Anam and executive member Abul Hasnat and ward-10 general secretary Shahidul Islam Babul Ansary addressed the conference.
President of ward-10 of AL Darus Salam than unit Mia Mohammad Lutfur Rahman presided over the meeting while Darus Salam thana unit general secretary Faridul Islam Happy conducted it.
