Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader came down heavily on BNP on Thursday terming it a representative of an anti-Bangladesh foreign force.

“People were not the source of power for BNP as its politics came through the barrel of gun. Talks of public interests do not suit this party. When BNP was in power, it was like a representative of an anti-country foreign force,” he said while addressing a review-meeting on work progress of different projects under the ministry at Setu Bhaban located in Banani with Bridges Division Secretary Mohammed Belayet Hossain in attendance.

About BNP secretary general’s remarks that serving public interest is not the purpose of the AL government, Quader said since its inception, AL has been giving highest priority to public interest so that it becomes the symbol of trust to people.

He said AL, which is the oldest and biggest political party in the country, remains in the hearts of the people, while BNP does not believe in protecting public interests.

The minister said interest of the country and its people is the top priority to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The demand of democracy does not suit those who do politics of killings and terrorism, sell out the country’s interest and destroy the spirit of independence, he added. Quader said the country became champions in corruption for five times during BNP’s tenure due to ‘charisma’ of BNP chairperson while they staged ‘Joj Mia’ drama after perpetrating the gruesome grenade attacks on August 21, 2004.

The AL general secretary went on to say that BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia forgot to talk about the issue of Ganges water sharing treaty during her visit to India when they were in power.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he stated, has successfully resolved different pressing issues such as the land boundary, enclaves and maritime issues with the neighbouring country during our tenure.