State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Friday accused the opposition party of behaving irresponsibly in their seats after obtaining votes by luring people with promises of heaven.
He made these remarks while addressing a financial assistance distribution ceremony at the Shibganj Upazila Auditorium at 10am.
During the programme, he distributed cash donations from his personal fund to the presidents and general secretaries of 65 Puja mandaps across Shibganj and Mokamtala areas on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mir Shahe Alam said that members of the Hindu community are their near and dear ones, emphasising that the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman makes no discrimination between Muslim and Hindu communities.
He noted that Hindu voters demonstrated their affection for Tarique Rahman and the Sheaf of Paddy (Dhaner Sheesh) symbol in the last election, proving that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) believes in equal rights for citizens of all faiths.
“Once, a political party considered the Hindu community as their political asset, but voters proved in the last election that they do not serve any party and possess the right to vote independently,” the state minister claimed, adding that the government aims to stand by them as soul relatives and ensure their social security and overall cooperation.
Highlighting government initiatives for Durga Puja, Mir Shahe Alam mentioned that the public holiday for Durga Puja has been extended by one day, 600 kg of rice has been allocated for each temple, and sarees have been arranged for Hindu women on behalf of Tarique Rahman.
He added that for the first time in Bangladesh’s history, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit temples outside Dhaka, specifically in Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Chattogram- to share the joy of the festival with the Hindu community, reflecting the government’s equal outlook towards all religions.
Addressing the political situation, Mir Shahe Alam pointed out that the BNP government assumed state governance just six months ago amidst a fragile economic situation, making the opposition’s one-point demand ludicrous.
Calling upon the opposition to cooperate in the national interest, he reiterated that the BNP does not believe in “dummy elections” and seeks to form a government only through popular mandate, adding that the party would willingly sit in the opposition if not voted into power by the public.
The event was also addressed by state minister’s Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary) Bishnupada Paul, Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ziaur Rahman, Shibganj Upazila BNP Acting President SM Tajul Islam, Shibganj Upazila BNP General Secretary Advocate Abdul Wahab, Mokamtala Upazila BNP Convener Mahmud Hasan Taufiq, and Mokamtala Upazila BNP Member Secretary Rokan Ud Doula Rubel.
Local residents from the Hindu community expressed immense joy and enthusiasm upon welcoming State Minister Mir Shahe Alam to their area on the occasion of Maha Shashthi.
