DHAKA, July 6, 2020 (BSS) – Pointing out BNP’s past record of becoming champion in corruption in contrast to Sheikh Hasina’s result-yielding anti-corruption stance, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said it sounds ridiculous that BNP speaks out against corruption as common people consider graft and BNP as synonymous.
The BNP was the five-time world champions in corruption and that was why the party was repeatedly rejected by people for looting public money and assets, he said.
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, was addressing a virtual press conference from his official residence here.
The BNP leaders have been misleading people by spreading ludicrous information amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, he said.
The AL general secretary said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s anti-corruption stance and her honesty are appreciated at home and abroad.
The corrupt people, even if they have party identity, have not been spared and this is the reality, he added.
Quader urged the BNP leaders to shun the politics of divide and enmity, and join the fight against coronavirus aiming to protect the lives of people.
About the government’s initiatives to tackle coronavirus pandemic, he said since the beginning of the global coronavirus crisis, the government has been implementing various programmes in a coordinated manner to this end.
The road transport and bridges minister said COVID-19 samples are being tested at about 63 centres in the country, while the testing capacity is increasing day by day.
COVID-19 hospital has been set up at district and upazila levels, he said.
Quader said about 72,625 COVID-19 patients have so far got recovery, while the recovery rate is about 44 percent against only 1.28 percent of mortality.
“The death rate is lower than any other country. Even, it is much lower than that of European countries, America and neighboring India. But the government does not expect a single death,” he said.
The AL general secretary said the BNP only talks about the number of deaths from COVID-19, but it does not see that so many people have got recovery, which has proved that their (BNP’s) attitude is negative.
He said the government continues its efforts to tackle the coronavirus crisis despite having limitations.
Quader said 2,000 doctors and 5,000 nurses have already been recruited and steps have been taken to recruit 2,000 medical technologists.
The number of COVID-19 test centres is increasing day by day, while coronavirus sample tests are now being conducted at both public and private hospitals, he added.