Jatiya Party Secretary General Moshiur Rahman Ranga yesterday demanded that the mayors of Dhaka city corporations step down from their posts, as they failed to eliminate Aedes mosquitoes.

He also alleged that the two mayors misappropriated Tk 50 crore, allocated for mosquito control.

Ranga was speaking at a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club to generate awareness among people.

"The dengue situation in the country has turned alarming. The two Dhaka mayors have misappropriated Tk 50 crore allocated for mosquito control. Such mayors, who utterly failed to control the mosquito menace in the city, have to step down," Ranga said.

He said JP was forced to take to the streets to draw the government's attention as the parliament is not in session at present.

Pointing to relief activities during the recent flood, Ranga said, "Relief materials provided by thegovernmentwere insufficient and there were irregularities in distribution."

"Irregularities and disorder [in different sectors) have increased as the prime minister is not in the country at the moment," he said.

Speaking at the programme, JP Chairman GM Quader called upon the authorities concerned to take effective measures throughout the year to prevent dengue outbreak.

"The two city corporations have failed to take necessary steps for eliminating Aedes mosquitoes and generating awareness among people -- to prevent dengue. The upward trend in the number of people being infected with and dying from the disease are vivid proof of the authorities' failure,” GM Quader said.

"All the hospitals in remote areas across all the districts must be equipped with facilities for diagnosis of dengue fever and for platelet transfusion," he said.

Claiming Jatiya Party to be the voice of the countrymen, GM Quader said, "People are panicked over the dengue situation in the country, and we cannot sit idle at a time like this."

He also demanded that the private hospitals in the country provide treatment to dengue patients free of cost - the same way state-run hospitals are doing.

The situation may go beyond control if effective measures in this regard are not taken immediately, he added.

JP presidium members and senior leaders were also present at the programme.