BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is buying 10 Airbus aircraft from France with the aim of getting a commission.

“It’s a very nice thing that the President of France has arrived here…he is our big guest. You (govt) welcomed that guest very well with dance and song,” he said.

Speaking at a programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul said the people of the country who are struggling to manage food in the dire situation of the country presumed that something good was happening during the French president’s tour.

Also read: France happy with Bangladesh’s commitment for acquisition of 10 A350 from Airbus

“What has happened?  It’s said that 10 Airbus aircraft will be procured. Their (govt’s) real goal is to get kickbacks on this Airbus. Do you understand the kickbacks? It means commission,” he said.

The BNP leader said there is no scope to get a commission by procuring Boeing. “That is why 10 Airbus planes are being purchased.”

Fakhrul, also a former state minister for civil aviation, said the government is going to procure the Airbus aircraft though it cannot ensure food for people of the country, treatment for them and build hospitals and provide health services. “They (govt) also can’t ensure the people’s right to franchise.”

He also questioned the justification for buying 10 Airbus planes for Biman Bangladesh Airlines when the state-run organisation has collapsed. “Biman also can’t provide any service properly. “They’re purchasing the Airbus aircraft for creating scopes for stealing (public money).“They (govt) have probably cut the commission immediately."

Also read: Govt wants to buy Airbus aircraft to get commission: Fakhrul

Later, the BNP Secretary General inaugurated the three-day leaflet distribution programme taken by Dhaka South city unit BNP to create public awareness to control the dengue outbreak. Fakhrul along with party leaders and activists distributed leaflets among pedestrians, and vehicle drivers and passengers.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived here on Sunday evening on a short tour at the invitation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

This was the first visit by any French president to Bangladesh in the last three decades.

Also read: Widebody aircraft: US-Bangla to add Airbus A330 to its fleet in May

President Macron held talks with PM Hasina at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday. He joined a banquet hosted by Hasina in his honour on Sunday.

 The two leaders witnessed the signing of a couple of bilateral instruments (agreements/MoUs) to enhance cooperation in different fields including infrastructure and satellite. According to media reports, Bangladesh committed to procuring 10 A350 aircraft from Airbus.

AL govt dangerous than ‘dengue mosquitoes’

Criticising the government for its failure to contain the dengue outbreak, Fakhrul said the current ‘fascist’ Awami League government is more ‘dangerous than dengue mosquitoes’.

“On the one hand, we have to make people aware to get rid of dengue mosquitoes and on the other hand, we have to take measures to remove this terrible monstrous regime by using our all strengths. We have started distributing leaflets to make people aware about it,” he said.

The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life to get united and take to the streets to ensure the fall of the government."

He said the Awami League government has failed to provide security to the people in all areas and it has also failed to reduce the prices of all commodities.

Besides, he said many people, including children, are dying by getting infected with the dengue virus due to the government’s inaction to take necessary preventive measures.

“This government is a complete failed regime.  There are two city corporation mayors who are now stealing money in the name of procuring insecticides and medicine from outside to kill Aedes mosquitoes. Their main goal is stealing and indulging in corruption.”

The Dhaka north city unit BNP also took a similar three-day programme to control the dengue outbreak. BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury opened the programme in the city’s Mirpur area by distributing leaflets among the city dwellers.