The incumbent government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will oversee the upcoming national election, senior ruling party leader Obaidul Quader has said.

Ruling out the possibility of an interim administration, the Awami League general secretary said, “The authority of the government will be scaled down. They will perform all the routine responsibilities including major and regular tasks.”

The scaling down of the incumbent administration is likely in the last week of October, hinted Quader.

His remarks came during a rally held at the capital’s Uttara area on Sunday (Oct 7).

The road transport and bridges minister also said that the Election Commission (EC) can declare the election date any day before Jan 27 of 2019. “It’s entirely the EC’s jurisdiction,” he added.

”There is no alternative to an election for a change in power,” Quader told the BNP before adding “Whatever you people do, whatever terror or violence you try to unleash, it will go in vain.”

Warning party activists, he said, “Those who will oppose the party nominations, remember, the Bangabandhu’s daughter will not cut any slack this time around.”

“A number of agencies are monitoring everything and we are keeping track of who’s doing what, Quader added and warned the party leaders saying, “Reign on your supporters; we don’t need leaders who are counselled by the cadres.”

“Don’t build a house within an existing one. There’s no place for extortionists in the Awami League, so don’t let them be in your company... people don’t like leaders who show off their power, so don’t go about showing it,” Quader further warned.