The 14-party Alliance is not embarrassed by the statement made by its alliance member Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon, said spokesperson Mohammed Nasim.
“Why would the alliance be embarrassed regarding the statement of a person? This is an ideological alliance based on the spirit of the Liberation War, communalism, democratic values,” he said on Tuesday (Oct 22).
“However, Menon will be asked to explain his statement at the alliance’s next meeting,” he added.
Nasim, who a praesidium member of the ruling Awami League, said the issue would be discussed at the meeting and next step would be decided then.
On Oct 19, at a party programme in the southern district of Barishal, Menon said, "I have been elected in the last National Election. But still, I am saying that people couldn’t vote. That was the case as well for the elections to the Upazila and Union councils afterwards.”
On Sunday (Oct 20), Menon, in a media statement, clarified his statement saying the 11th parliamentary election was held successfully, but the experiences were not good.
Menon’s Workers’ Party is an ally in the 14-party Alliance. The veteran left-wing politician has served as a member of the Sheikh Hasina-led cabinet between late 2013 until the last general election.
Hasina, who has always included representatives from the AL's allied parties in her administration, did not pick any of them as her new cabinet colleagues while forming the government after the 11th national election.
Menon's remarks also drew flak from the leaders of the Alliance's components with several leaders calling him to resign as a Member of the Parliament.