Stop hartal, arson attacks, or people will punish you: Quader to BNP

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday warned the opposition parties to stop hartal and secret arson attacks taking place across the country to foil the upcoming national election.

"Stop hartal and secret attacks across the country to foil January 7 election. Otherwise, people will punish you for your misdeeds. The people want election. Yesterdays (December 20) public meeting in Sylhet was a human sea. The huge gathering proves that victory of the people will be ensured on January 7. So, the election must not be foiled," he said while addressing a press conference in the AL Presidents Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said, "Festive mood is prevailing across the country ahead of the polls. People have been waiting eagerly to cast their votes. There will be no problem to hold a free, fair and peaceful election on January 7."
"Those who were waging a movement sometimes have fled away. Once AL comes out on to the street, they will not get way to flee if they try to postpone the election. It was seen on October 28 that BNP leaders have run away.

 The party that fled away from the field of movement has given further programme of non-cooperation with the government. Now, the people will start cooperation with the BNP. Normalcy in the civic live is the evidence of it. The people haven responded to them. Rather, they are waiting to vote," he claimed.

The AL General Secretary said, "Tarique Rahman has been giving orders from near the Thames. Let him muster the courage of going to jail after facing the countrys people. Politics cannot be run using remote control. The sky of the country is getting heavier with the rumours. All are false. The AL under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina is forthright."

"The arrear taxes and bills and default loans of those who have fled away will be realized by making a list. I urge the authorities concerned to realize the taxes and bills," he urged.

Regarding arresting the BNP leaders, he said, "The BNP leaders have been kept in jail for the misdeeds on October 28. The top leaders who were present in the meeting of October 28 cannot avoid the responsibility of the attack. The government hasn kept them in jail. They were jailed due to their criminal offence. They will not remain in the jail indefinitely."

"The Prime Minister has set an example of following the election rules. She has visited Sylhet buying air ticket as a normal passenger. She hasn used the national flag and paid her Circuit House rent during the visit," Quader said, adding, "There is no hide and seek in AL on election issues. Those contesting as independent candidate will not be barred. It would be violation of election rules if they are barred forcibly."

"BNP is a dummy party. BNP is the first Kings Party in the country. The party is against the election process since its birth," he claimed.