Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain on Tuesday said BNP candidates for the upcoming local government elections will be nominated based on their popularity among people,
He made the remarks at a discussion organised marking the 48th founding anniversary of the BNP in front of the Monohardi upazila BNP office in the evening.
The minister urged BNP leaders and activists to remain united at all levels ahead of the Union Parishad, municipality and Zila Parishad elections.
"Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is already assessing the situation in different areas. We will also send reports, after which he will take the final decision," he said.
Sakhawat urged party leaders and activists to remain united behind the candidates selected by the Prime Minister.
"Many have organised processions and meetings and faced persecution, but that alone will not guarantee them nominations. Candidates will be selected based on popularity. The people will vote for them, while those who switched parties will be evaluated separately," he said.
On the health sector, the minister said he has been visiting districts across the country to ensure better healthcare services. "I visited three or four hospitals in each district. During my visits, I have found 100 percent attendance of doctors, while the bedbug problem is being addressed and cleanliness is improving," he said.
He said regular inspections are helping improve the quality of healthcare services and expressed hope that there will be a "radical change" in the country's health sector within the next year under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The meeting was chaired by Monohardi upazila BNP Joint Convener Mohammad Moniruzzaman Monir and moderated by its Member Secretary Aminur Rahman Sarkar Dolon.
Later, the minister led a rally marking the BNP's founding anniversary. The rally started in front of the upazila BNP office, passed through the main roads and ended at the Switchgate.
Sakhawat later released fish fry into the Old Brahmaputra River.
