The ruling Awami League general secretary, Obaidul Quader, claimed on Tuesday that India had facilitated an underhand negotiation between the United States and the Bangladesh government over visa restrictions on Bangladeshis and possible sanctions on the country.
‘Where are visa restrictions? Where are the sanctions? Everything has now been compromised through underhand negotiations….Delhi is there, and America needs Delhi. We [AL] are with Delhi and it is also with us. We have no enmity with anyone, and all are our friends,’ said Quader while addressing a rally at Aminbazar Truck Stand on the outskirts of the capital.
AL Dhaka district unit organised what it called a ‘peace and development rally’ protesting the anarchy and extremism of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Quader, also the road, transport, and bridges minister, told AL leaders and activists that prime minister Sheikh Hasina had made a balance with everyone and the election would be held on time following the constitution.
‘There will be a game, and it begins in October. The semi-final will be held next month, and the final will take place in January…. BNP is doing foul. If they commit a foul, they will be given yellow and red cards. No fouls will be allowed in the game,’ he said.
Quader alleged that the BNP had decided not to join the polls without its chairperson, Khaleda Zia, and posed a question about whether it was true.
Going down heavily on BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Quader said, ‘Khaleda Zia has been in jail for years. Fakhrul could not even launch a movement for her. Now, BNP is saying they will not join the polls without Khaleda Zia.’
He also said that Sheikh Hasina had to face murder attempts over 20 times, but no attempt to kill Khaleda Zia had taken place in the country as AL did not do so.
He said that BNP leaders were at a loss about what to do, and they were now roaming around the roads in the name of a road march.
Speaking about the price hike of essential commodities, Quader said that the prices of essential commodities were high as they were high across the globe.
‘Sheikh Hasina is working tirelessly to reduce the price of essential commodities. The price of all commodities will come down gradually before the election,’ he added.
AL presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak urged the leaders and activists to brace for any situation.
Another AL presidium member, Qamrul Islam, said that there was no scope to restore the caretaker government and that the next election would be held under a partisan government.
Chaired by AL’s Dhaka district unit president Benzir Ahmed, its joint secretary, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, and organising secretary Mirza Azam, among others, spoke at the rally.
