Referring to India as a time-tested friend, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June 21-24 United States visit has nothing to do with the politics of Bangladesh.
"There are many issues in today's world like war, inflation and energy crisis. We have not discussed with India whether there will be any talks about Bangladesh there," Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, said on Tuesday at a discussion at Iskcon's Swamibagh Ashram in Dhaka on the occasion of Sri Sri Jagannathdev's Rath Yatra festival.
Quader said the US visa policy was going to be implemented to make elections free and fair in Bangladesh and that whether the Indian premier had anything to do in this regard was totally up to him, reports BSS.
He also reiterated that the next general election would be held in line with the provisions of the country's constitution, not on the advice of any external power.
"To the BNP, a fair election means the defeat of the Awami League – the polls would be considered fair if the Awami League loses. Does the Awami League have to prove an election's fairness by losing it? No matter how much doubt there is, free and fair elections will be held in this country according to the constitution," he said.
The Awami League leader said his party would not join the election taking into account any country's visa policy or sanctions as it always gave priority to the constitution and the people.
On a different note, Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had conveyed her greetings and best wishes to the followers of the Sanatan religion on the occasion of Sri Sri Jagannathdev's Rath Yatra and assured them that the Awami League would always remain by their side.
"You should never think of yourselves as minorities. Like other religions, you are also first-class citizens of the country. You and Muslim voters have equal rights. All the people of Bangladesh are first-class citizens. All of us liberated the country together through the Liberation War," he added.
