Next poll as per constitution: Quader

Ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the next general elections will be held as per the constitution, no matter whether opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) joins it or not, reports UNB.

"The election will get a complete shape if a big party like BNP participates in it. But there'll be no shortage of participating parties. The election will be held as per the constitution whether BNP takes part in it or not," said Quader while addressing a rally organised by Awami Juba League at Mahanagar Natya Mancha marking the Homecoming Day of AL president and prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Also road transport and bridges minister, Quader said BNP does not want a neutral election commission but a 'Jatiyatabadi Election Commission' [Nationalist election commission] which will ensure their victory in the polls. "They also don't want an independent judiciary but a Jatiyatabadi [nationalist] judiciary."

Taking a swipe at those who talk about unity, he wanted to know what step they have taken to bring BNP to the election.

"There would have been a new chapter of working understanding had Khaleda Zia responded to the invitation of Ganabhaban, prime minister’s official residence, before the 5 January 2014 elections."

AL leader also refuted BNP's allegation that the highways and roads are being repaired before eid only to help ruling party men plunder money, claiming that he never saw any leaders and activists of ruling Awami League and its associate bodies inside Bangladesh Secretariat in the last seven years of his tenure."