Quader: Polls will be participatory, only BNP opposing it

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday criticized the BNP and its allies for opposing the 12th national parliament election, saying the January 7 polls will be participatory. 

Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, was addressing party leaders and activists at the party chief’s office in Dhanmondi in the capital on Monday.

He called the BNP’s leaflet distribution mysterious, saying its activists might carry out an attack anytime. “But they will not be able to thwart the election no matter how hard they try.” 

On the conviction of Dr Yunus, Quader said: “A court ordered his punishment; the Awami League has nothing to do with it. Workers had filed the case. Why criticize the Awami League government [for the sentencing]?”

Talking about the withdrawal of some Jatiya Party candidates from the election, he said some of them may not contest the polls due to personal issues, adding that he does not think the party will quit the election race.

The JaPa leaders with whom the Awami League has shared seats have not withdrawn their candidacy, he added.