It’s up to the court whether Khaleda will contest in the election: Quader

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said the court would decide whether BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia would be allowed to contest in the election.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has only suspended her sentence on humanitarian grounds. It does not mean that the sentence is invalid, rather it still remains there, he told the media at an event in Dhaka University on Friday.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, made it clear that the issue of BNP chief's participation in the election is subject to the court’s judgment. The court would be able to clarify this better.

He made the statement attending the golden jubilee and first alumni reunion programme of Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall in Dhaka University as the chief guest. He is an alumnus of the residential hall.

The AL general secretary also lauded the prime minister’s leadership, saying, “BNP does politics for the development of their own pockets when Sheikh Hasina does it for the development of the people. We don't care who says what.”

About the DU student union election, he said the election is supposed to be held every year. As it did not not take place, it is a failure of the university administration and the government has nothing to with it.

“It is an autonomous university. Why would the Awami League interfere?” added Quader.