BNP leaders are inciting violence in name of rally: Quader

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Tuesday said the BNP leaders are inciting violence and terrorism in the name of political rallies in different areas of the country. “Some (BNP leaders) are calling for taking preparation for another war and threatening with ‘direct action’. Actually, they are making such shouts to get rid of their own fear as they have no soil under their feet” he said this in a statement. 

“We want to know with whom they (BNP leaders) would fight the war and why they would fight. Is their war is to let loose anarchy and do corruption and looting? I want to say in a firmed voice that Awami League also remains prepared along with the people to resist them,” he said. The AL general secretary said the people have boycotted those who are looters of people’s fundamental rights, institutional patrons of corruption, flag bearer of extreme communalism and successors of autocratic mentality and evil politics of arbitrariness. 

He said BNP’s any kind of arrogance would be resisted entirely. Today, the people are united under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter successful statesman Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the ongoing struggle for building Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous, peaceful and welfare state. Quader said different local government elections are being held in a very festive and joyous manner across the country.

 Voters are electing their representatives through spontaneous participation in the polls, he added. He hoped Narayanganj City Corporation polls and next other elections will be held in a free, fair and peaceful manner in continuation of the previous polls. 

Mentioning that the Election Commission (EC) is an independent and constitutional institution, the minister said the EC is working independently and the government has no interference in its activities. The government is determined to extend all-out cooperation to the EC in ensuring security of voters and a congenial poll atmosphere. He hoped the Election Commission and the law enforcement agencies will be more active in averting any kind of violence centering polls in the coming days. 

Noting that the AL will join the President’s dialogue over formation of a new EC, the party general secretary said the President’s dialogue with political parties is going on to constitute an acceptable EC. As a stakeholder, AL will present its opinions and proposals to the President for forming a strong EC to hold a meaningful and participatory election. “We believe that mutual discussions can bring scopes for resolving any complex issue,” he said.

Quader said violence, conflict and activities against people’s opinion create obstacle on the path of democracy.  On the other hand, he said, holding discussions, dialogues and showing tolerance to others’ opinions smoothens the path for flourishing of democracy. Those who don’t bear the democratic values are not respectful to political courtesy and traditional democratic manners and they don’t keep trust in dialogue rather they want to destroy the democratic system, he mentioned.