Tofail wants positive news on commodity prices


FE Team | Published: June 18, 2018 16:57:58 | Updated: June 20, 2018 19:44:34


Tofail wants positive news on commodity prices

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed has urged the journalists to present positive news on the prices of essential commodities.

The minister said prices of some items may spike for a day, but adequate supply ensured that the prices were stable.

Tofail Ahmed made the remarks on Monday while speaking to reporters after exchanging Eid greetings at the Secretariat, reports UNB.

The Awami League leader said he recently visited his constituency during Eid and asked about the prices of commodities.

"The local people had told me that the prices had indeed gone down, especially the price of onion and sugar," Tofail said.

Talking about detained BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's illness, the minister said, many people think Khaleda Zia is not indisposed as she declines the government's request to take her to a hospital.

"A person cannot waste time over hospital selection if s/he is ill," Tofail said.

Taking a dig at BNP, he questioned their demand for deploying army during the upcoming general election, adding that it is contradictory that they would want the military but decline to get admitted at a military hospital.

Also pointing out to their preference of a particular private hospital, Tofail said that there are other bigger and better hospitals in the city.

Regarding their decision to stage demonstrations in full force after Eid, the minister said that their leader has been incarcerated by the court after being proven guilty of corruption.

"Only a democratic party can stage protests and demonstrations," he said.

"But BNP's version of demonstrations include arson, vandalism and murder, which I do not believe they have the ability to carry out like they did in 2013 anymore," he said.

"If they repeat such a programme, it will be another mistake from their part," Tofail said, blaming their non-participation in the 2014 polls for their current dire situation.

Citing former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra's failed tenure, he praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's perseverance and determination to pull off a difficult election back in 2014.

Despite BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed's quote of a large-scale movement required to oust the current government, Tofail said their demand is baseless as it is not present in the constitution anymore.

Tofail said during a visit to his constituency during Eid, he was surprised not to find any opposition leaders, questioning whether it was the same case everywhere.

"I can vouch for harmony in my area, as many BNP leaders attend government programmes, but I cannot say whether or not Moudud Ahmed was detained in Noahkhali," Tofail stated.

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