BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday said this year’s Durga Puja was celebrated across the country in a peaceful and festive atmosphere due to the government’s vigilance, sincerity and dedication.
“Durga Puja was celebrated in a peaceful and festive atmosphere across the country this year. The Hindu community was able to celebrate the festival peacefully because of the government’s vigilance, sincerity and dedication,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks while speaking to reporters after distributing leaflets as part of Dhaka South City Corporation’s dengue prevention awareness campaign in Shantinagar in the capital.
He said many people from a neighbouring country had also come to Bangladesh to participate in Puja celebrations and praised the safe and peaceful environment.
Rizvi said the BNP had contacted every Puja mandap and held discussions with the relevant committees. Party leaders and activists had worked day and night to ensure security, he added.
Rizvi alleged that the Awami League and an underground political party were involved in propaganda surrounding this year’s Durga Puja. He said similarities could be seen in their conduct and statements in various incidents.
The BNP leader said a people-friendly and responsible government could overcome any conspiracy and work for public welfare. The peaceful and festive celebration of Durga Puja this year was an example of that, he added.
Rizvi also said the BNP implemented the promises it made and always worked transparently without deviating from its commitments.
He said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was diligently implementing the pledges made before the election.
Citing economists, Rizvi said the distribution of Family Cards and Farmers’ Cards could reduce the country’s poverty rate by a further five percentage points this year. He described this as an achievement of the Tarique Rahman government.
Regarding the BNP’s dengue prevention campaign, Rizvi said leaflet distribution had been suspended for the past few days due to Durga Puja but resumed on Thursday.
He said the BNP would continue distributing leaflets to help people protect themselves from dengue and reduce the risk of infection.