Gayeshwar hits back at Quader for remarks on BNP

Criticising Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for his comment that BNP has been on a ventilator, party senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said the entire country is now on life support due to the government’s ‘misrule’.

"Obaidul Quader said BNP has now been on ventilation and life support. I would like to tell him you’ve put the whole country on life support,” he said.

Speaking at a doa mahfil, the BNP leader further said, "So, it's now very difficult to determine which specific party and person are now on life support. People are now worried about the existence of the country. You would have left the cabinet portfolio long ago had you been able to realise who is on the ventilation and who is not.”

Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal’s Dhaka south unit arranged the programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office marking the 56th birth anniversary of party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that Bangladesh, which was liberated by sacrificing huge blood and dignity and chastity of many women, is not in the hands of its people now.

He said though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is in state power, the country is also not in her hands. "You (Hasina) are not the Prime Minister, rather a puppet. You know it better who’s pulling your string. We’re seeing the puppet dances at Ganobhaban.”

The BNP leader alleged that ruling party men are indulging in widespread ‘extortion’ in the name of celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and thus undermining him. 

"There’s no reason to belittle him (Bangabandhu) as he’s an undisputed leader of Bangladesh. His birthday is celebrated each day of the 365 days in Mujib Year. The owners of banks, insurances and mills and factories can say how much money has been collected from them,” he observed.

The BNP leader said Sheikh Mujib remains in the large part of the history of Bangladesh's independence and the Liberation War for his immense contributions. “His daughter doesn't need to do so many things for him….”