“I’ve heard the great danger signal number 10 has been advised to hoist due to the approaching cyclone, but the government has not taken 'adequate measures' to tackle it. Our lakhs of people will be affected if the cyclone hits the country,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader further said, “We also saw in the past that the poor people in coastal areas were affected badly by storms and natural calamities due to negligence of the government.”
Jatiyatabadi Matshyajibi Dal arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking what it says the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ commemorating the ‘civil-military uprising' on November 7, 1975.
According to the Met Office, cyclone ‘Bulbul’ is likely to cross West Bengal-Khulna coast-- near the Sundarbans-- by Saturday evening.
It said the coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 10.
Moudud, a BNP standing committee member, said the government used to brand itself as a role model of development, but the capital goes under knee-deep water after a rainfall for 15 minutes. ”It takes about 45 minutes to travel a one-km path in the capital which they call a role model. They boast so just to fool people.”
He said Bangladesh has now become the role model of ‘snatching democracy’, torturing and raping women, and the model of irresponsibility and culture of impunity. “Bangladesh is also the role model of setting up casinos. The entire world knows there are 150 casinos in Bangladesh’s capital run by ruling party men.”
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders are indulging in widespread corruption and plundering in every sector. “They (AL leaders) themselves are hastening their fall through corruption.”
He said the government established one-party rule destroying the rule of law. “Judges now cannot work independently due to the government’s influence.”
Moudud said the media also cannot play its due role as the government is controlling those in many ways.