Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said political polarization splits the country into two sections.
“One is the democratic and pro-liberation forces under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership and another is the defeated communal force of the 1971 Liberation War under the banner of Jatiya Oikya Front led by BNP,” Quader said on Sunday (Dec 16).
Speaking at programme in Noakhali, Quader said BNP is hatching conspiracy along with the collaborator Jamaat-e-Islami to make the country like Pakistan ahead of the 11th Parliamentary Election.
“BNP doesn’t want democracy. They are leading the defeated forces of the Liberation War and trying to make the country like Pakistan. Actually, they are supporting militancy, not a democracy,” said Quader, who is running on AL’s ticket form Noakhali-5 constituency.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said, “There is a mass tide in favour of ‘Boat’, the electoral symbol of the Awami League. Now they (BNP) are trying to foil the polls in fear of defeat in the polls. We will resist the ill evil forces. We will foil their ill attempts.”
Urging the common people to cast their votes to ‘Boat’, Quader said monga of North Bengal, poverty and unemployment is now in a museum. The country will go backwards if they (BNP-Jamaat) come in state power this time. The countrymen will become hostage by the terrorists and militants, he added.
Highlighting different development activities of the government including construction of the Padma Bridge, power sector, Dhaka-Chattogram four-lane highway, Dhaka Flyover and a tunnel under the Karnafhuli river, the AL leader said there are 34 private television channels in the country. Around nine crore people are enjoying internet facility, he added.
He said the government introduced old-age, widow and maternity allowances. The government is also working for women empowerment. Now many women are holding high positions in government and non-government organizations under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he added.
Quader said one AL leader was killed by the opposition in Noakhali. “But Awami League doesn’t believe in the politics of revenge. We don’t snatch votes of people. The countrymen will resist if anyone try to foil the polls. Voters and the people are the weapons of us,” he added.
He said people will give befitting reply if anyone tries to foil the polls.
Later, Quader joined another reception of freedom fighters at Kabirhat Upazila and a discussion on the Victory Day at Feni.