In a speech directed at the BNP, Food Minister Quamrul Islam yesterday made it clear that the next parliamentary election would be held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led poll-time administration.
The last election-time government was constitutionally formed with Sheikh Hasina in the lead. However, the BNP did not take part in the election, claiming that the government would play a biased role in it.
Quamrul, also joint secretary of the Dhaka city Awami League unit, brushed aside any talks with the BNP over the next election supervision.
The minister said: “Since the BNP has no representation in the parliament, they will not be included in the poll-time government in order to oversee the next elections to be held by June, 2019.
“And so it is out of the question to hold any talks with them [over the next elections].”
He was speaking as chief guest at a discussion, organised by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, at Shilpakala Academy auditorium, marking the 8th death anniversary of first Dhaka city mayor Mohammad Hanif.
The Dhaka city Awami League joint secretary alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had been conspiring to kill Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Justifying his allegation, he said: “A few days back BNP chief Begum Zia remarked that Sheikh Hasina would not get a chance to say ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ at the time of her departure.”
Labelling BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique Rahman as the father of militancy, he said: “There was Tarique Rahman’s patronisation in August 21 grenade attack [in 2004], in the emergence of militant kingpin ‘Bangla Bhai’ and the other murders, including those of judges.”
“Staying abroad, he has still been patronising militancy. So, everyone in the society should stand united to build resistance against this evil force,” he added.
Former Dhaka City Awami League Quamrul Islam urged everybody to follow the ideals of late Mayor Hanif, saying he had a sacrificial mind.
“Mayor Hanif risked his life to save our party president Sheikh Hasina from certain death. So, everybody should follow the ideals of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina like him,” he said.
Hanif’s 8th death anniversary observed
Leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League and other social, cultural and professional bodies yesterday paid tributes to Mohammad Hanif, marking his 8th death anniversary.
On this day in 2006, Hanif died after he suffered serious splinter injuries in the August 21 grenade attack on Awami League rally in front of the party office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city in 2004. Sheikh Hasina was also injured in the attack.
In the early hours of yesterday, the Dhaka City Awami League paid tributes to Mohammad Hanif, placing wreaths on his grave at Azimpur graveyard in the capital.
Dhaka city Awami League’s acting president MA Aziz, Joint Secretary and Food Minister Quamrul Islam, organising Secretary Shahe Alam Murad and Mohammad Hanif’s son Sayeed Khokon, among many others, were then present.
To pray for eternal peace of the departed soul of the late mayor, the Dhaka city Awami League also organised a milad and doa mahfil at its office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the afternoon.
