DHAKA, Dec 25, 2019, (BSS) – Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader here today said the elections of Dhaka’s two city corporations will be free, fair and acceptable ones.
“We are hoping that different political parties, including Bangladesh
Nationalist Party (BNP), will participate in the city polls scheduled to be
held on January 30 next. We will welcome BNP in the elections…We are
assuring all that the elections will be free, fair and incredible ones,” he
said.
Quader was addressing a reunion function organised by Dhaka University
Political Science Department Alumni Association (DUPDAA) at TSC auditorium on the campus.
Noting that the elections would be competitive ones – no matter who wins
or loses, he said if AL-backed candidates lose in the elections, it would not
be a big problem for the government.
He assured that the government will provide all-out support to the
Election Commission (EC) so that it can perform its duties independently.
Different opinions in politics are very common, but unfortunately
political intolerance is on the rise in the country, he said, adding
politicians, nowadays, are talking like the reckless drivers.
Quader urged politicians to build bridge of relationship among them and
come back to practicing healthy politics from the culture of polarised and
divisive politics, saying “we are making a wall of intolerance instead of
making bridge of relationship among us (politicians)”.
“We have to restore the process (of tolerance) and it is an urgent to
bridge the gaps of social, cultural and political relations to reduce the
culture of polarisation,” he added.
About the metro rail project, the road transport and bridges minister
said the mega project will not hamper academic atmosphere of Dhaka University
rather a station of the metro rail will be set up on the campus so that its
students can enjoy its facility.
“It (metro rail) is an environment-friendly project, which is being
implemented applying the latest technology,” he said.
The scenario of Dhaka will be changed by 2030 if six metro rail projects
are implemented in the capital, Quader added.
Expressing gratitude to all for wishing for his recovery from illness,
he said: “I entered second phase of my life. I came back from such a
condition miraculously and it happened because of your prayers and love”.
Former lawmaker Nazmul Haque Prodhan, former Bangladesh Ambassador to
the United States M Humayun Kabir, former Secretary Mahmudul Hasan and former
president of DUPDAA Rezaul Haq Chowdhury, among others, attended the function
with DUPDAA president Mizanur Rahman in the chair.