Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said Bangladesh National Party (BNP) is jealous of the rise in remittances of Bangladesh government.

“It is very natural that those who always wait for sanctions against the country and its people from their  foreign lords cannot be happy with such positive news of increase in remittances,” Quader said in a statement on Tuesday in reaction to an earlier comment made by the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

During an address on Monday, Fakhrul called the recent media reports of sudden rise in the flow of remittances from the US “surprising,” adding: “What magic is behind the rise in remittances from America? People are saying the thieves are bringing back the money that they have stolen and siphoned off America.”

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Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister,  said BNP is a political party which wants to create a situation like Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.

And that’s why their leaders are not happy with the good news of increase in remittances, said the minister.

Quader said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to provide 2.5 percent hassle-free incentive for remittance is the reason behind such increase in remittance flow.

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“Due to the successful leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh now has a strong economic structure and the country has become a safe place to invest which is attracting both foreign investors as well as Bangladeshi investors who are living abroad,” the AL general secretary said.

Quader said the government has taken stringent measures to tackle money laundering and corruption while these crimes were institutionalized during the tenure of BNP-Jaamat coalition.

“Even the world-renowned US federal agency FBI has testified against their corruption and money laundering,” the minister said.

On the issue of the new US visa policy ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, the AL leader said the BNP has become nervous after the United States announced the new policy.

Meanwhile, Quader reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure a free and fair parliamentary election – to be held later this year or earlier next year.

“Specific law has been enacted for the formation of the Election Commission and at the same time overall capacity of the electoral system has been increased, including infrastructure development and expansion of technical facilities,” he said.

Gazipur City Corporation election was held in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful environment under this Election Commission, Quader added.