Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said on Thursday that the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s frequent visits to the United States ambassador to Bangladesh, Peter Haas, would yield no results as the ruling party had settled everything behind the scenes.
‘What will Peter Haas give—visa policy or restrictions? Everything was negotiated with Peter Haas’ higher authorities. If everything is negotiated underhand, the frequent visits will yield no results,’ Quader said while addressing as chief guest at what AL called a ‘peace and development rally’ organised by the party’s Dhaka South city unit on Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.
Slamming BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s frequent visits to US envoy Peter Haas, he alleged that Mirza Fakhrul went to Haas for breakfast after waking up in the morning and then for lunch and evening snacks.
Quader, also the road, transport, and bridges minister, asked if Peter Haas had pledged to bring Mirza Fakhrul to power.
He said that Delhi was far away, metaphorically mentioning Delhi as a symbol of power.
‘No one can foil the election until prime minister Sheikh Hasina is alive... Sheikh Hasina will give an unprecedented free, fair, and neutral election as BNP has spread falsehoods across the globe,’ Quader assured leaders and activists.
He urged the party people to stay on the streets before the election, as the BNP might create an anarchic situation to come to power.
Earlier on October 3, at a public rally at Amin Bazar in Savar, Quader claimed 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.
AL joint general secretary Hasan Mahmud, as well as the information and broadcasting minister, alleged that some members of the international community had joined hands with the BNP to hatch a conspiracy.
AL presidium member Kamrul Islam said that the election would be held on time as per the constitutional provisions.
He said that the partisan government would provide all-out support to the Election Commission to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
AL organising secretary Mirza Azam said that BNP would get a fitting reply if they tried to create any anarchic situation in the country.
He urged the party leaders and activists to remain prepared for any situation, as the BNP would make an all-out effort to oust the government.
AL Dhaka South City unit president Abu Ahmed Mannafi chaired the event, and its general secretary Humayun Kabir moderated it.
