'None to be spared during Hasina rule'

Obaidul Quader
Obaidul Quader

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said prime minister Sheikh Hasina's government would spare nobody for committing crimes.

The AL leader made the comment at a time when BNP chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia was trying to secure bail after being sentenced to five years imprisonment in a graft case on 8 February.

"The Anti-Corruption Commission filed a corruption case against Khaleda Zia during the caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed in 2007-08. But the BNP alleges that Awami League fabricated the case against Khaleda Zia," Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, told a rally in Dhamrai.

He mentioned that hundreds of leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League are in jail and two ministers are appearing in the court regularly.

"The mayor of Sirajganj and the MP of Tangail are in jail. This proves, nobody will be spared during the rule of (premier) Sheikh Hasina," the AL leader added.

In Rome, reports UNB, prime minister Sheikh Hasina said the trial of those involved in corruption, terrorism and militancy must be held.

"I want to tell you just one thing that those who will indulge in corruption, terrorism and militancy must face trial," she said.

About the recent verdict that convicted BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, Hasina said the case was filed by the "Moeen Uddin, Fakhruddin and Iajuddin" regime, but by "Awami League".

Hasina was quoted to have said that the BNP people are questioning the justification of giving the punishment just for only Tk two crore, and there some intellectuals too who are supporting this argument. "That means there'll be a ceiling of amount of money to commit corruption which will be legal. Are they trying to mean that?" she questioned.

Obaidul Quader said, "The BNP expected that thousands of leaders and activists will take to the streets once Khaleda Zia is convicted... But, nobody came."

The road transport and bridges minister inaugurated a bridge over Bangshi river in Savar.

Criticising the BNP leaders for not joining their demonstration, Quader said, "BNP is now making complaints to foreigners about the internal affairs of the country."

The AL leaders asked his party leaders and activists to "behave politely with the people. Make people happy."

"The MP may be a good person. But his personal secretary and assistant personal secretary take bribe. In such cases, it will not matter how good your are, when you are surrounded by bad people. You cannot avoid the liability," Quader said issuing a note of warning.

Dwelling on the next general elections, the AL general secretary asked the local leaders to organise the party and collect members visiting door to door.

"We have two concerns -- one is question paper leaks and the other is drug. These are the enemies of the country. The perpetrators of these two crimes have to be tried under speedy trial tribunals," Quaders said.