Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said there is no and has never been any political crisis so dire in independent Bangladesh that would require an intervention from the United Nations.
“Bangladesh's democracy is progressing institutionally. Hence, there is no need for any external mediation or interference here. We will resolve our issues ourselves,” Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said while talking to journalists after paying tribute to Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman on the historic Six-Point Day.
Quader's statement came just a day after Awami League Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu said the government was ready to hold talks with the opposition in front of delegation members of the United Nations if necessary with a view to resolving election issues.
The Awami League general secretary further said no decision has been made yet regarding talks with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
"We will have our discussions here in our country; it is our issue, and we will resolve it ourselves," he said.
He noted that an invitation for dialogue was extended to the BNP by the prime minister before the last general election.
Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's efforts to make the Election Commission more democratic, Quader said the electoral system in Bangladesh has become more democratic.
“Democracy is not established overnight – it takes time to institutionalize it,” he added.
Mentioning that BNP leaders are issuing “death threats” to Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, Quader asked: “What will we discuss with them? They are practicing gutter politics today.”
“What have they achieved by complaining to America? What have they gained from complaining to the European Union? Nothing. Now they want UN supervision. They will achieve nothing by doing this.”
The minister continued: "The solution to the crisis is our constitution. There is no other solution. If the constitution cannot provide answers, how can there be democracy in that country?"
