Information and Broadcasting Minister and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeb Rahman Partha has alleged that the Awami League left Bangladesh’s economy in a severely weakened state during its 17-year rule.“The country is currently facing gas and electricity shortages. The Awami League has left the economy in such a condition after 17 years that its backbone has been broken,” Partha said.
He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had taken charge of the country at one of the most difficult periods in Bangladesh’s history.
“We have to recover from this situation and rebuild the country,” he said.
The minister made the remarks at a roadside rally in front of the party office at Natun Bazar in Bhola town on Wednesday afternoon.
Government Considering Bhola-Barishal Bridge
Speaking about the proposed Bhola-Barishal bridge, Partha said people across Bhola had campaigned for the project and that everyone had worked for it.
“The government is aware of the demand and is considering the issue from its own position,” he said.
He added that an alternative route through Hizla, Muladi and Shariatpur could reduce travel time to Dhaka by around 40 minutes and that the government was also considering the proposal.
Development Allocations for Bhola
Partha said the government had allocated Tk 1,200 crore for a medical college in Bhola, Tk 700 crore for riverbank protection and Tk 500 crore for repairing roads within Bhola Sadar upazila.
He urged people from all political backgrounds to remain united for the development of Bhola.
“There are no thieves, terrorists, tender manipulators or extortionists in my party. If anyone commits such activities using the name of my party, remember that they are not members of my party,” he said.
Addressing voters, Partha said some people had voted for him while others had not during the election.
“I ask everyone to cooperate with me so that I can work for everyone,” he said.
Partha Receives Warm Welcome in Bhola
The Bhola-1 constituency lawmaker and chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Barrister Andaleeb Rahman Partha, visited his electoral constituency in Bhola for the first time after assuming office as Information and Broadcasting Minister.
Thousands of people gathered along various roads and points in the town to welcome him, despite adverse weather and rain.
Since morning, party leaders and activists, as well as people from different professions, had gathered from Kheyaghat to Natun Bazar, Kalinath Roy Bazar and other areas.
At around noon, Partha left Barishal for Bhola by speedboat. People standing on both sides of the canal waved at him and greeted him as he travelled toward Bhola.
He reached Bhola Kheyaghat at around 1:15pm, where District Commissioner Dr Shamim Rahman, Police Superintendent Md Shahidullah Kawsar, District Council Administrator Golam Nabi Alamgir, Member Secretary Raisul Alam, BJP President Amirul Islam Ratan, General Secretary Motasim Billah, and leaders and activists of the BJP and BNP welcomed him with flowers.
Later, on his way from Kheyaghat to his residence in Ukilpara, thousands of people standing on both sides of the road greeted him with flowers.Partha later addressed the roadside rally organised at Natun Bazar in Bhola town, where he made the remarks.