Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday became infuriated after seeing multiple banners and festoons of him that were put up at Savar University College on occasion of the freshers’ reception.
He vented anger on Dr Md Enamur Rahman, the local lawmaker in Savar, while addressing the programme as the chief guest, ordering the member of parliament to take all banners and festoons down at the end of the event.
“Did I ask to put up my banners? This is my order to remove all those after the programme. If you do not comply, I will ask police to do that,” he said.
Quader said not all events should include campaigns for vote.
“This is a programme to welcome new students at the educational institution, not to ask people to vote. There are many political programmes where you can speak to woo guests,” he said, referring to Enamur, who is also the chairman of Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar.
“People no longer vote for a candidate just by seeing his pictures on banners. They now evaluate a contestant by what he has done. Also, candidates should have good manners. If you misbehave, people will still refuse to vote even if you have done good deeds. It is necessary to behave nicely with people,” the minister said.
He advised politicians as well as aspiring politicians to win people’s heart by offering them good deeds and good behaviour.
“I am a minister of the incumbent government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But when I will attend a non-political programme, I should speak neutrally and there should be no attempt to have my party interests served,” Quader said.
He claimed that the country was seeing rapid development under the leadership of Hasina.
“The World Bank attempted to portray us as a nation of thieves. But we are not a nation of thieves, we are a nation of heroes. The government is building Padma bridge using its own fund and this is the country’s longest bridge. Also, Padma bridge is the 17th longest bridge in the world.”
The minister also ruled out the possibility of interim elections.
He said the next parliamentary election would be held under the incumbent government in 2019.
