Khaleda’s polls fate to be decided by court: Quader

Ruling Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's participation in the upcoming national election is under the jurisdiction of court, reports UNB.

"...court will decide whether Khaleda could contest the parliamentary polls...this is not a matter of politics of the ruling party," said Quader while responding to queries from newsmen at the Secretariat.

The AL leader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the removal of section 7 from the party's constitution before the verdict is very 'mysterious'. The nation is yet to have an answer why BNP has dropped section 7 from its constitution, he added.

According to section 7 (e) of the party constitution, if a person is convicted as per 1972 presidential order, declared bankrupt, proved unbalanced, known as corrupt or notorious in society, he or she is disqualified from being member of the national council, the national executive committee, the standing committee or member of executive committee at any level. The person will also be disqualified from being nominated by the party to contest the national election.

It is not possible to amend the party's constitution without holding any council. "But, BNP has brought amendment to give license to the convicted and corrupt leader," the minister said.

"We didn't get any answer from BNP why they've made a corrupt and convicted leader their party's acting chairman," said the AL leader.

"Dropping section 7 will be appeared as a painful thorn for BNP," Quader said adding, "BNP itself is creating a crisis. They'll fall into a trap."

He observed that BNP did not obey court orders. "The court delivered the verdict. But, they're carrying out a movement against the government. The court, not the government, will provide the certified copy of the verdict. It's taking time in preparing a 632-page verdict copy."

"As per rules, one should apply for having a certified copy. I've read in newspapers that BNP didn't follow rules properly," said Quader.

Responding to a question that whether AL will participate in elections if BNP does not, the minister said a train does not wait for anyone. Two international conferences have recently been held in Bangladesh but on one raised question about the government. The election will be held as per the constitution. And the government will also take part in it as usual.

"We won't create any obstacles to any party to participate in the national election," he said.