DHAKA, Nov 29, 2018 (BSS) – Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader today said many BNP candidates for the upcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections were involved in militancy.
“Many of the BNP candidates are engaged in militancy,” he told a press conference after a meeting with a delegation of the European Union at Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s political office.
“Isn’t Shakila Farjana, who has been given BNP ticket for the election, involved in militancy?” he asked.
About some BNP leaders who did not submit their nomination papers, the AL general secretary said, “It’s the BNP’s internal matter . . . As far as I know, two BNP leaders didn’t submit nomination papers as they didn’t get the party ticket from their expected constituencies.
He said BNP leader Mirza Abbas failed to submit his nomination paper to the election commission within the stipulated time.
Quader was critical of BNP leaders for their ‘fabricated remarks’ against Awami League. “BNP and Jatiya Oikyafront are not united now and a chaotic situation prevails in BNP. Everything has gone out of Mirza Fakhrul’s control.”
Replying to a query on the harassment and repression on BNP nominated candidates throughout the country, the road transport and bridges minister said, “BNP has an old habit of throwing stones in the dark. They should come up with evidence. Otherwise, the Election Commission will take necessary action.”
He said the BNP is inactive without the Jamaat-e-Islami, adding, “Jamaat and BNP are interrelated. They are doing politics jointly and they were involved in the 2014 attacks.”
The minister hoped that the next polls will be competitive with the participation of all political parties.
He said, “Jatiya Party has given nominations against 300 seats, but we will pick suitable candidates for the seats…”
AL leaders Ahmed Hossain, AFM Bbahauddin Nasim, BM Mozzammmel Haque, Engineer Abdus Sobur and Barrister Biplob Barua, among others, were present.