Dhaka, Aug. 7 -- BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir blamed the government for the worst-ever dengue outbreak in the country since it downplayed the problem at the initial stage calling it as "just a rumour".

Talking to reporters at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he also opposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remark that excessive media reports created panic among people about dengue, saying journalists made people aware of the deadly disease and exposed the actual situation.

"They (govt) have always tried to avoid the problem as they didn't dare admit the fact. The dengue problem has come to light as media focused on it. Otherwise, people can't understand the severity of the disease," the BNP leader said.

He further sa...