Awami League General Secretary and Road Transports and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday urged the BNP to participate in the next general election with a cool head instead of trying to shut down the government through force as the next polls will be fair and credible.
The AL leader made the remarks while addressing a party rally as the chief guest at the Awami League central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka on Monday.
Dhaka City South Awami league arranged the rally to protest the use of violence in politics by the BNP.
Referring to BNP's recent rallies across the country, Quader said it is the “moral responsibility” of the ruling Awami League to protect the people's lives and property.
"Some will conduct arson attacks, some want to play with sticks to create unrest by blocking roads and creating public suffering. In that situation, we are on the side of the common people to protect people's life and property. That is the reason for today's peace rally,” said Quader.
He also told the rally that US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu said the US wants a credible election, and Bangladesh will hold a credible and question-free election.
Addressing the BNP, Quader said: “Why are you afraid to participate in the election? I know the people of the country are happy to see the development and achievements of Sheikh Hasina, but you are upset.
“Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (the BNP secretary general) sometimes gets angry because of the fear that BNP will lose in the elections. Why are you losing before participating? If you have so much popularity, show that in the elections. We are ready, you can participate,” the AL leader added.
Awami League also arranged other rallies in different parts of Dhaka on Monday. AL central leaders Mofazzel Hossain Chowdury Maya, Dr Hasan Mahmud, and Mahbubul Alam Hanif were among those who addressed the rallies.
The Awami League leaders said they are not impeding BNP's programs, they are just staying vigilant on Dhaka streets as the BNP has been holding rallies for the last several months.
