Coming down heavily on BNP leaders for their criticism every now and then, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said their massive corruption, politics of bomb attacks and wrong handling of natural disasters have made them (BNP) isolated not only from the people, but also from their own party men, reports BSS.

After being isolated from the people and party workers as well, the BNP leaders now totally bank on televisions to deliver speeches only to prove their existence, he said.

“They (BNP) made Bangladesh champion as a corrupt country for five consecutive times including joint champions for one time along with an African country during their regimes. And Rizvi Ahmed is the spokesperson of the party . . . It sounds ridiculous that BNP speaks out against corruption,” he said.

The information minister made the comments while replying to queries of newsmen after addressing a view exchange meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Chalachithra Pradarshak Samity at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat.

Hasan said BNP has become isolated from the people of the country for their politics of petrol bombs attacks. “And, now the leaders of the party have also become isolated from their workers. Currently they are trying to keep their existence by giving speeches on TVs,” he added.

About the governments’ activities in combating flood, the information minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has successfully combated all past disasters through her dynamic and farsighted leadership.

In a flash back to the past Awami League government’s handling of the 1998’s flood that reported no death from starvation, Hasan said likewise the government has taken adequate remedial measures to end the miseries of all flood affected people in the country.

He said there were a number of floods and natural disasters that took place in the country during the last 11 and a half years. “The Premier has combated the all disasters successfully and protected the countrymen. The government including the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief is working relentlessly to provide support to the flood victims under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” he added.

On the other hand, he said, the persons who are fashioned to talk on TVs only staying safe are virtually showing their distance from extending helping hands to the flood-hit people. “But, the leaders and activists of AL have stood beside the flood victims from their respective positions. I would like to urge the party activists to continue aiding the flood victims till the end of the deluge, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

In the meeting, the information minister said the government is working to revive the golden era of the film industry which was started with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1957.

The present Premier also thinks sincerely about the survival of the industry helping the industry to make a dent in the global film arena, he added.

Hasan continued “She (Sheikh Hasina) also gave directions to me. And I also discussed about the industry with her.”

About opening of the cinema halls during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Hasan said it might be good decision to open the halls later as there are some obligations of social distancing in the present situation. “We could take decision to open the halls, when the Coronavirus disease marks a fall.

The information minister said that he talked about the electricity bills of cinema halls with the state minister of power.

Samity chief advisor Sudipto Kumar Das, general secretary Mia Alauddin and executive member Awlad Hossain, among others, were present at the meeting.