Politics should be in the hands of politicians: Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, ‘Politics should be in the hands of politicians. If someone else comes, they will not understand the realization that the air needs to be clean, the water needs to be clean.’ He said these things as the chief guest at a prayer meeting organized for the peace of BNP National Executive Committee member Saiful Islam Patu at Bhashani Bhaban in Nayapaltan today, Sunday (November 23).
Rizvi said, ‘About 95 percent of the buildings in the RAJUK area of ​​Dhaka city are built without permission and RAJUK is turning a blind eye. If we cannot improve from this situation, then we will move towards emptiness. Then we will no longer have a livable Bangladesh, a livable world.’ He said, ‘We have to achieve through the earthquake, the time has come for all those who do politics to achieve. If we cannot do that, then we will be lost in an empty hole. Let us build a livable Bangladesh and a livable world.’
The BNP leader blamed the ruling class for Dhaka’s environmental disaster and unplanned urbanization, saying, ‘In 1997-98, there was a canal in front of the Paltan office, but now it is not there. For those who are urban planners, the environment, clean air, canals and rivers are the enemies. Otherwise, why was it not kept clean and tidy instead of closing the Dholaikhal?’
He said, ‘Karwan Bazar of the Mughal era. There was a river here. Once upon a time, sailboats used to come. Ships used to come. We did not protect this river, we did not think about it. We quickly filled it up, occupied the space. Without any plan, we will build houses here, give them rent or sell them and earn money. They are selling their village land and buying flats in Dhaka. People want to become big people very quickly. They do not want to keep that huge paddy field, that river, that pond anymore. Money is considered a god. That is why today we are facing natural disasters. This is why we say, leave politics to the politicians, who are doing politics. If anyone else comes here, they will not understand that achievement.’
Rizvi paid deep respect to the late leader Saiful Islam Patu and said, ‘Patu was a ‘party-crazy’ worker, who survived a serious illness and became active in the party’s programs and processions again. There was nothing wrong with his sweat, his courageous role for his party.’ He said, ‘I saw him running by my side even during Hasina’s 14 and a half years of aggression, police firing and horrific lathicharge. Many dedicated, hardworking and talented leaders like Patu do not get the due appreciation in the society.’