Many people consider Khaleda not indisposed: Tofail

Many people consider Khaleda Zia not indisposed as the BNP chairperson declines the government's request to take her to a hospital, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said today.

Speaking to reporters after exchanging Eid greetings at the Secretariat, he said that a person cannot waste time over hospital selection if she/he is ill.

Taking a dig at BNP, he questioned their demand for deploying army during the upcoming general election, adding that it is contradictory that they would want the military but decline to get admitted at a military hospital.

Also pointing out to their preference of a particular private hospital, Tofail said that there are other bigger and better hospitals in the city.

Regarding their decision to stage demonstrations in full force after Eid, the minister said that their leader has been incarcerated by the court after being proven guilty of corruption.

"Only a democratic party can stage protests and demonstrations," he surmised, "but BNP's version of demonstrations include arson, vandalism and murder, which I do not believe they have the ability to carry out like they did in 2013 anymore."

If they repeat such a programme, it will be another mistake from their part, Tofail said, blaming their non-participation in the 2014 polls for their current dire situation.

Citing former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra's failed tenure, he praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's perseverance and determination to pull off a difficult election back in 2014.

Despite BNP leader Barrister Moudud Ahmed's quote of a large-scale movement required to oust the current government, Tofail observed that it is clear BNP does not have what it takes to carry it out.

Their demand of an interim caretaker government is also baseless as it is not present in the constitution anymore.

He said during a visit to his constituency during Eid, he was surprised not to find any opposition leaders, questioning whether it was the same case everywhere.

"I can vouch for harmony in my area, as many BNP leaders attend government programmes, but I cannot say whether or not Moudud Ahmed was detained in Noahkhali," Tofail stated.

In another issue, he urged reporters to present positive news on the price of essential commodities, stating prices of some items may spike for a day, but adequate supply ensured that the prices were stable.

In his constituency, the local people were asked whether the prices had gone down or not, they had told Tofail that they had indeed gone down, especially the price of onion and sugar.