BNP on Saturday alleged that the government is not taking any effective step on priority basis to prevent any possible outbreak of coronavirus since it is busy with the celebration of Mujib Year.

“Coronavirus is not only harming people and their health all over the country but also wreaking havoc on the economy. It seems the government is hardly interested in taking steps to prevent the disease as it’s busy with Mujib Year,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

He made the remarks at a press briefing at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office after a meeting of party standing committee members.

Fakhrul feared that coronavirus may spread to Bangladesh as the government is not giving importance to the issue.

"It seems to us that this is the total irresponsibility on the part of the government. The government should have taken proper preparation on priority basis to prevent the virus when it has created a catastrophic situation across the globe,” he observed.

The BNP leader said the government needs to ensure scanning machines in all ports and necessary kits at diagnostic centres for the test of the virus.

He said there should not have any scarcity of musk to prevent the virus.

Fakhrul also said an emergency hospital should have been opened where if virus infected people can be taken for quick treatment.

He said their meeting has decided to distribute leaflets among people to make them aware of coronavirus.

BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku were present at the meeting that began 6pm and ended around 9:30pm.

BNP on Saturday announced to stage demonstrations across the country on March 11 (Wednesday) demanding release of Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme after a meeting of the standing committee members at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at night.

Fakhrul said what Khaleda’s relatives said about the BNP chief’s health conditions after meeting her is a matter of concern. “They (family members) also said they are uncertain whether they’ll get back her alive as her health condition is not improving,” he said, urging the government to take steps for releasing her from jail.

The BNP leader said their party’s city and district units will stage demonstrations on Wednesday to push for the former prime minister’s release.

BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku were present at the meeting that began 6pm and ended around 9:30pm.

Earlier in the day, five of Khaleda's family members, including her sister Selima Islam, younger brother Shamim Eskandar, his wife Kaniz Fatema and son Ovik Eskandar and Selima’s daughter Samiya Eskandar met the BNP chairperson at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since April 1 last year.

Pointing to BNP, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said that not observing the historic March 7 is tantamount to denying the people’s struggle for freedom.

The minister came up with the remarks at a programme marking the historic March 7 in the capital.

Hasan, also joint general secretary of ruling Awami League, said the whole nation is observing the day but BNP is not. “It’s (not celebrating March 7) their political bankruptcy,” he said.

He said the whole nation should celebrate the day, pointing out that Unesco has recognised Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech as a world documentary heritage.

“But some groups, including BNP, could not recognise the day and observe it,” he said, hoping that the party will observe the day in future.

Khaleda Zia’s sister Selima Islam on Saturday urged the government to release the BNP chairperson on humanitarian ground as she is sick.

“Her (Khaleda’s) health condition remains unchanged. She’s facing difficulties in breathing due to her respiratory problem. Her left hand has got bent fully while the right one is also getting bent,” she said while talking to reporters after meeting her sister at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Selima said the BNP chairperson is unable to stand up straight while she is suffering from acute back pain.

“Her physical condition is very bad. She should be released on humanitarian ground. The way her condition has deteriorated, we’re worried whether we would be able to take her [home] from here alive,” she said.

Selima also said Khaleda is unable to eat anything properly due to vomiting problem.

“Under the circumstances, we want the government to free her at least considering the humanitarian aspect,” she reiterated.

Five of Khaleda's family members, including Selima, her younger brother Shamim Eskandar, his wife Kaniz Fatema and son Ovik Eskandar and Selima’s daughter Samiya Eskandar, went to meet Khaleda around 3pm. They stayed there for about one hour and 15 minutes, said Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP chairperson's media wing.

Khaleda has been in jail since she was convicted in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. She was found guilty in another corruption case later the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.

The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the BSMMU since April 1 last year.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the celebrations of ‘Mujib Year’ will not be successful keeping Khaleda Zia in jail.

He also said no single person or party can get the credits for the country’s independence since the people of the entire country had liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan through a long war and struggle.

“The government’s assertion about observing the Mujib Year with all irrespective of their opinions and parties is a mockery. Because, Khaleda Zia fought for democracy throughout her life and even she was taken to jail by the Pakistani forces in 1971 for the Liberation War,” the BNP leader said.

He also said Khaleda had fought for democracy for nine years during the autocratic rule of HM Ershad and thus established democracy. “Now, she’s been in jail only because of her efforts to restore democracy. “So, (the celebration of) Mujib Borsho won’t be successful keeping her in jail.”

Fakhrul came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the party’s candidate for Dhaka-10 seat by-polls Sheikh Rabiul Alam.

He said democracy was the main spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and demand for the libation was made centring democracy.

“The people of the entire country fought for a long time for the independence and thus we got the independence. So, an individual and a party cannot claim to get the all credits for the independence,” the BNP leader observed.

About Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Bangladesh to attended the celebration of Mujib Year, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said the recent religious riots took place in India have an in impact on Bangladesh. “They (India) will now consider how much it will be decent for him (Modi) to come here under such a situation.”

As his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders’ remark that BNP is not serious about election, Fakhrul said Awami League leaders are making various comments to mislead people since they have been in power without “people’s’ mandate and support’.

He said their party is participating in different elections, including Dhaka-10 by-polls, maintaining the democratic principles as BNP believes in change of power through the polls.

“We’ve been joining polls as part of our movement to restore democracy and free Khaleda Zia. We’re also very serious about the elections. But the government tries to take the election to its favour by intimidating people and using the state machinery,” Fakhrul alleged.

He also said their candidate, Sheikh Rabiul Alam, is a very competent leader who has immense popularity in his constituency. “We believe he’ll come out successful proving his worth.”

The by-polls to Dhaka-10 seat will be held on March 22.