Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said a dark shadow of crisis has gripped the BNP’s politics after the party’s failure in election and movement against the government.
“…At the moment, there is no political crisis in the country. In fact, a crisis of confidence continues in BNP’s politics,” he told a virtual press briefing on contemporary affairs from his official residence in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said a dark shadow of crisis has gripped the BNP’s politics because of its repeated failures in elections and waging a movement against the government.
Criticizing BNP for its role, he said the party always talks about democracy, but democracy is a growing process and “we have to go far to take this process forward”.
The ruling party general secretary said the country’s people want to know what role the opposition party is playing in the endless journey of democracy under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“What have you done to protect the democratic values without making negative comments and falsehood and hatching intrigues? As a responsible opposition party, what role did you play to help the government in institutionalizing democracy?” he questioned.
Quader said Sheikh Hasina has brought politics to the grassroots through her long struggle, so now the country’s people can take decisions.
“That’s why I want to say if you [BNP] believe in democracy, show respect to public opinion. Leaving the path of conspiracy, participate in the next general elections.
“We trust the people and Sheikh Hasina’s politics revolves around them,” he added.
About the amendment of the Local Government Act, the road transport and bridges minister said that the Election Commission (EC) is a constitutional body and there is no government intervention on it.
He said the commission has taken an initiative to amend the law and if BNP has any statement or disagreement to this end it can take it up to the Election Commission.
Quader said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the government was destroying all the achievements of the Liberation War.
“But, the words do not suit those who are still anti-liberation and the trusted resort of communal forces.
"BNP is the direct beneficiary of the killing of the great hero of the Liberation War (Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman)…they distorted the history of the Liberation War,” he said.
The Awami League general secretary said that a vested quarter is spreading rumours on various issues, including the religious ones, through social media and it is also spreading propaganda against the state and the government.
“They want to destroy social peace, comfort and the friendly coexistence of people of all our religions. So, we all have to remain alert,” he added.
About the possible second wave of coronavirus, Quader said recent statistics show that the number of Covid-19 cases is going up slowly in the country. In this context, he said, there is no alternative to following the health guidelines.
The Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has announced “No Mask, No Service’ Policy" to address the possible Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh, he said, adding that the government is gradually moving towards a tougher stance to protect people from the deadly virus.
