Bangladesh’s harmony hurt by BNP time and again: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday BNP hurt the harmony of Bangladesh time and again as the party bears the politics of conflict, reports BSS.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not believe in politics of clash. BNP is the bearer and possessor of politics of conflict and they time and again carry out attacks on the root of harmony of Bangladesh," he told a virtual press conference from his official residence on parliament premises.
Quader, also minister for road transport and bridges, said BNP is tarnishing the country's image while criticising the government.
Politics of negativity and falsehood is making them (BNP) isolated from people and if it continues, gradually the party would become irreverent, he added.
Castigating BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's remarks, he said BNP spread the poison of unrest in the country's politics as it has the 'patent' of politics of terrorism and conspiracy.
About BNP's allegation that the government is destroying the economy, the minister said BNP is making falsehood even after witnessing the country's economic uplift and positive trend in every economic variable.
Bangladesh has become a role model of development and progress, he said, adding that the country has made a record in remittance inflow, increase in exports and foreign exchange reserve amidst the global economic stagnation in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Quader said now the country's economy stands on strong basement under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Could BNP ever think of achieving economic growth above 8 per cent during their tenure? Do the formulation of Tk 568,000 crore national budget and its implementation bear the example of weak economy?" he questioned.
The minister said the per capita income of Bangladesh rose to $2,064 but BNP could not see the country's unprecedented progress in every economic and social index.
He said Bangladesh remains in strong position in world economy including in development of living standard of people, poverty alleviation as well as increase in employment opportunities, export with reducing dependency on import and overseas employment, food security and flourishing of industries.
Even after these massive developments, BNP could not see any positive thing as their politics is now roaming around the spiral of negativity, he added.
Turning to coronavirus situation, Quader said now it is not being told clearly that the virus transmission got reduced as the experts feared that the virus could change its form quickly in Bangladesh.
Mentioning the beginning of second wave of virus transmission in different countries, the minister urged all not to show any negligence in maintaining health guidelines as the virus could take a fatal form anytime.
He said neighbouring India reported a record of around 90,000 positive cases in the last 24 hours while Brazil's wave of transmission puts impact on neighbouring Argentina.
In the circumstances, the minister called upon people to strictly follow the health guidelines including wearing of facemask mandatorily.