Quader warns against violence in the name of movement

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DHAKA, Nov 6, 2018 (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today issued a strong warning against Jatiya Oikya Front (JOF), saying that if the alliance tries to unleash subversive acts and violence in the country in the name of movement, it would be dealt with iron hands.

“You’ll harbour subversive acts and violence in the country in the name of the movement and we will beat drums sitting on the house – don’t think it,” he said while briefing reporters after emerging from a dialogue between the Awami-led 14-party alliance and the Left Democratic Alliance (LDA) at Ganabhaban here tonight.

Blasting some JOF leaders for their vulgar speeches in today’s rally at Suhrawardhy Udyan, the AL general secretary said: “We know about everything of those who made tall talk in today’s rally. Do the people of the country like such dirty languages?”

Quader urged them to speak rationally and said if any comment goes at the level of personal attack, it will not bring any good result for democracy.

“We’ve seen vulgarism and obscenity in Bangladesh’s politics afresh. The people become desperate when their frustration increases,” he said.

While talking about the outcome on the dialogue with the LDA, Quader said they have similarity with the left parties on the questions of the spirit of the liberation war, ideology of independence and the undisputed leadership of Bangabandhu in the national freedom struggle.

“But there are disagreements between us on some issues,” he said.

The AL general secretary said the LDA leaders mentioned that elections are possible as per the constitution.

“But, there are some problems, which could be solved within the constitution,” he said quoting the LDA leaders.

Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina very attractively listened to their speeches and thanked them for raising their different opinions clearly.

“We’ve heard their all speeches and we will continue to listening those till tomorrow,” he said.

Earlier while briefing reporters, the LDA leaders asked the government to create a congenial atmosphere for holding a free, fair and participatory election.

In this connection, they asked the government to dissolve the parliament before announcement of the election schedule, form a neutral caretaker government, reform the Election Commission, scrap the EVM, stop and withdraw the political cases against the opposition leaders and create a level-playing field for all parties.

LDA Convener and CPB President Muzahidul Islam Selim said the ball is now on the court of the Prime Minister and everything is depending on her decision.

“We’re ready to join the election as well as boycott it,” he said.

LDA Coordinator and General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party Saiful Huq said they have asked the government to take effective steps to materialise their demands for the sake of holding the next general election.

Responding to a question, Huq said they will fix their next course of action after the PM’s press conference, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday.

He also mentioned that the LDA wants to participate in the election and that is why they joined the dialogue.

The talks between the two alliances on the 11th national elections began at Banquet Hall of Ganabhaban at 7:15 pm and it lasted for nearly three hours.

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina led a 23-member delegation of the 14-party alliance, while a 16-member LDA team was led by CPB President Muzahidul Islam Selim.

The LDA comprised of eight leftist parties. They are Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Basod), Ganasanghati Andolan, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), Bangladesh United Communist League, Ganatantrik Biplobi Party and Samajtantrik Andolan.