Quader: Never wanted opposition parties to stay out of election

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said his party did not want any opposition party to stay out of the election race, and it would have been more competitive if those, including the BNP, were taking part in it.

“We never wanted the opposition to stay out of the election. Many are participating, but if those, including the BNP, had decided to participate, the election would have been more competitive. We know there could be a strong competition,” he said.

Quader made the remarks while inaugurating a polling agent training program at the Awami League’s Dhaka office.

"The BNP thought without them there would be no people across the country, the election would not be festive and voter turnout would go to zero, but has failed in its movement,” he said.

They are now spinning stories about how the government would fail, how voter turnover would be low, and how the election would not be free and fair, he said.

He accused the BNP of attempting to disrupt the election through terrorism and violence.

Referring to the BNP's movement to boycott the election, Quader said: “They want to foil the election through terrorism and violence, not through processions and demonstrations. This terrorism and violence have taken a terrible form.”

About the demand for a caretaker government, Quader said: “We had enforced hartals for a caretaker government, but the BNP destroyed and distorted the caretaker system. That is why we do not want it. We did not abolish the caretaker government system; the judiciary did it. So this system is dead; there is no need to bring it back to life.”

Mentioning that political parties in many countries around the world boycott the election, Quader said: “But violence to foil the election is a rare incident. This is happening in Bangladesh.”

Criticizing Tarique Rahman, Quader said: “He is not doing politics now, he is destroying politics, conspiring to destroy the country's democracy. His father, Ziaur Rahman, destroyed democracy in this country.”

"We are passing through a very difficult time. The whole world is reeling from crises. We are not isolated from the effects of global crises. There is an inseparable connection with international politics,” said the Awami League general secretary.

Referring to the crises in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, Quader said: "We are also in crisis in such a situation. Poor people are suffering in the country. Soaring prices have created an atmosphere of misery for the people. As the ruling party, we cannot avoid responsibility.”

Source: UNB