People are mere subjects now: Sultana Kamal

Ruling Awami League, always considered as a pro-people party, has now become isolated from the people, said Transparency International Bangladesh trustee board chairman Sultana Kamal.

Speaking at a programme to mark the passengers' rights day, Sultana said that countrymen have become 'mere subjects' of the rulers.

Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samiti organised the programme at the National Press Club on Friday.

Terming the existing irregularities and mismanagement in the roads as a grave problem, Sultana said, “Citizens and politicians both have responsibilities. Awami League has been in power for a long time. They have more orientation with the people than any other party. But they have failed to imbue the sense of citizenship among the people. They’ve been gradually made isolated. We have become their subjects.”

Lawmaker of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Mainuddin Khan Badol said, “About 70 per cent of the lawmakers are billionaires. They did not have to board a bus in the last 30 years. How will they speak of people’s suffering in the parliament?”

He also said that VIPs ten to violate traffic rules more than the general people.

Badol also asked the government to stop the ‘culture of building flyovers’ and asked if the development activities are only for the richer section of the country.

Gano Sanghati Andolon’s coordinator Zonaid Saki said the death toll in road accidents has become just a number.

Secretary general of the organisation Mozammel Haque, vice president Towhidul Haque and joint secretary of Bangladesh Truck Covered Van Owners Association Hossain Ahmed Mojumder also spoke at the programme.