Prime Minister’s Adviser and BNP Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday said the BNP-led government took charge of the country amid a “devastated” situation and is now working to rebuild the state while standing on the ruins left behind by the previous governments.
“We have established a government led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party or its alliance while standing on a pile of ruins. The work of rebuilding the state is going on while standing on those ruins,” he said.
Khaleda Zia remained uncompromising despite persecution: Rizvi
Rizvi made the remarks at a press conference organised to mark 180 days, or six months, of the government taking office. The press conference was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in capital's Tejgaon, in the morning.
He said the current BNP-led government took responsibility for running the country amid an extremely devastated situation marked by enforced disappearances, killings and unprecedented corruption.
“There was a gloomy environment of disorder and anarchy all around. There was no certainty about who would be picked up or who would disappear. Extrajudicial killings continued, and each of them was politically motivated,” Rizvi said.
He said bodies were found one after another almost every day beside canals, rivers and ponds.
“The victims could be an upazila chairman, a former MP, a student leader or a youth leader,” he said, adding that people who expressed opinions differing from those of the previous government were targeted.
He said the country reached August 5 through a massive movement, bringing about a political change, but the legacy left behind in the economic and other sectors could not be rebuilt overnight.
“Sonali Bank, BASIC Bank and one bank after another were looted. The economy was in a difficult state. In the name of some showpiece mega projects, there was mega looting and mega corruption. We heard all the fairy tales of that period, and that situation and legacy were very real,” he said.
Rizvi said the present government came to power through a free, fair and inclusive election and has been working to fulfil the commitments made by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman before the election.
Rizvi said various disasters, natural calamities and international developments had created obstacles to the smooth pace of development, but the government continued its work for public comfort and welfare despite those challenges.
“From social protection to infrastructure development, education to health, he is trying to keep his commitments in every sector,” he said.
Rizvi said the government is providing necessary directions to address various crises in different sectors.
“A country may face a pandemic or various natural disasters, floods or earthquakes. But when there is a government of the people, its duty is to face those challenges and continue working for the welfare of the people,” he said.
He described Monday’s press conference as part of that accountability process.
“The broader accountability is to the people. And how is accountability to the people ensured? Through the parliament and through journalists and the mass media,” Rizvi said.
He said the government would brief journalists on its progress, achievements and activities across different sectors and ministries during its first six months in office.