Manju for BNP-AL consensus to make JS effective

Speaking on national budget in Parliament, he said the budgetary measures spelled out by Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman to fight poverty are "nothing but a bluff."

It needs seven per cent growth to eradicate poverty, but the proposed budget projects five per cent growth which is a bluff to World Bank and IMF, he said.

Citing comparative statistics, he said in fiscal 1972-73, revenue earning was Tk 281 crore, development budget Tk 218 crore and GDP was four per cent. After 30 years, the revenue earning is Tk 36,000 crore, development budget Tk 20,000 crore, but GDP is still four per cent.

"Now the question comes: Where the money had gone, how the money was spent and where?"

Reading out excerpts from the budget speeches of former President HM Ershad, former Finance Minister SAMS Kibria and Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, Manju said they took satisfaction by blaming each other for the "dilapidated condition of economy caused by loot, default culture and corruption."

In an oblique reference to the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said those who led the nation to independence could have earned fame and respect like South African independence leader Nelson Mandela had they relinquished power and brought leaders like Tajuddin Ahmed to the forefront.

"But instead of doing so, they competed for the post and raised controversy," he told the House making a flashback on the turbulent post-independence politics.

In an apparently emotion-charged voice, Manju said the nation's independence was not achieved on March 25, nor December 16. Rather, it required supreme sacrifice and bloodstained struggle of long 23 years.