BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the rationale behind the opposition parties’ long march to demand implementation of the July National Charter, saying the government is focused on reviving economic activities, attracting investment and creating jobs.
Speaking at an event in the capital on Saturday afternoon, Rizvi said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had been taking a series of initiatives to boost the economy, both at home and abroad, making the opposition’s programme questionable.
He said the prime minister had been travelling across the country to accelerate economic activities and had visited China and Japan to pursue loans, grants and agreements aimed at expanding trade, attracting investment and generating employment.
Referring to the opposition’s long march, Rizvi said, “Today, the opposition parties are holding a long march, Why? You have not even acknowledged how the country’s prime minister has been travelling across the country, taking one initiative after another to generate economic activity and dynamism in Bangladesh.”
He said the opposition would not be able to undermine Tarique Rahman’s efforts through propaganda or what he described as false programmes.
“You will not be able to tarnish Tarique Rahman’s sincere efforts through propaganda and false programmes,” he said.
Rizvi also highlighted the government’s Family Card and Farmer Card initiatives, saying these were aimed at improving the economic conditions of poor and marginalised people.
He claimed the programmes would help reduce poverty and bring marginalised farmers into broader economic activities.
Referring to his visit to Toyota’s headquarters in Japan, Rizvi said establishing a Toyota manufacturing facility in Bangladesh could create opportunities for producing automobile parts and generate employment.
On the opposition’s demand for implementation of the July National Charter, the BNP leader said several proposals in the document would require constitutional amendments and the enactment of ordinary laws.
He said the BNP and other political parties had raised objections and submitted notes of dissent on various provisions, adding that the parties had been invited to hold discussions to resolve the differences.
“You were invited to Parliament to discuss the July Charter. Come, let us sit together. A referendum was held on the charter, but there are notes of dissent within it,” Rizvi said.
Turning to the energy situation, he said the conflict involving Iran had disrupted fuel supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the government to seek alternative sources of energy.
He claimed the government’s efforts were making progress in tackling the crisis.
