Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said BNP and NGO personalities, who are always busy criticising the government, cannot be found beside the countrymen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“BNP did photo sessions instead of standing beside the common people at the beginning of the epidemic. And, presently, during the second wave, they (BNP) cannot be found even with binoculars,” he said, addressing a function at Awami League president’s political office in city’s Dhanmondi.
AL Relief and Social Welfare sub-committee organised the function to distribute health protection equipment including high flow cannula among different hospitals in Chattogram, Rangamati, Bandarban, Nilphamari and Bogura.
AL Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and Organising Secretary Sakhawat Hossain Shafiq, among others, addressed the function.
Hasan said some NGO’s (non-government organisations) which did photo sessions by giving something to few people and sent those pictures to different funders also cannot be found during the COVID-19 situation. Of them, some are busy criticising the government, he added.
Terming the politics as a vow, the minister said five central leaders of the Awami League died due to coronavirus infections.
“They all stood beside the common people,” he added.
Besides, he said, many leaders and activists of the Awami League died due to the virus while hundreds of leaders have been infected.
He said about 20 million families received food assistance from the ruling party while thousands of people received health protection materials. But no other political parties stood beside the countrymen, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.
He said the BNP leaders are now busy with the health issue of Begum Khaleda Zia. “They are only telling to send BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia abroad. It seems that they have no concerns for the health of common people,” he added.
Nasim, in his speech, urged all to remain alert against all ill efforts including BNP who try to take political benefit through using the COVID-19 situation.
Later, Hasan joined the inaugural function of a digital market of sacrificial animals organised by Dhaka North City Corporation online. The minister lauded the initiative.