Awami League
No political harassment in the country, says Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that no one is subjected to any political case and harassment in the country.
In a statement on Monday Quader said that law enforcers make arrest only on the basis of specific allegations. This is the part of their normal activity, he said.
Quader’s statement came in response to allegations made by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He said that BNP is resorting to lies and giving political colour to this normal activity because it’s main objective is to patronize murderers, terrorists and militants.
READ: Politics in Bangladesh is too polarized and divisive, says Obaidul Quader
"We have seen how the BNP had used state power to shelter and patronize the war criminals and murderers of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he said.
Quader said it is unfortunate that BNP is resorting to lies about the government and adding miseries to the people.
"But it is unfortunate that at a time when our government under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working hard to save the lives and livelihoods of the people, the political party called BNP is increasing the misery of the people every day with false statements," the ruling party stalwart said.
He said BNP has turned into a corrupt party by politically recognizing the corruption of its top leaders and it even shamelessly amended the party constitution for him.
READ: Obaidul Quader pleased by 'development-friendly' budget
In the statement, he called upon the BNP leaders to take part in public welfare politics by working to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
Quader urges vigilance against vested interests
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League, on Thursday said that some elements are overplaying the defects found in the construction of only 24 out of thousands of houses gifted to the homeless by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The government has provided houses for one crore twenty lakh homeless people on the occasion of the Mujib Year, Quader said adding that defects have been found only in 0.25 per cent of the houses.
Read: BNP has lost interest in elections, says Obaidul Quader
At a virtual regular press briefing he urged all to remain vigilant against any motivated propaganda against the noble and humanitarian programme of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The faulty houses will be repaired and rebuilt by the government, said Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister.
Read: Obaidul Quader: Covid vaccines to be collected, no matter what
He said the houses were built on government-owned land (khas land) and in many cases damages occurred as those were built in relatively low lying areas.
He said that an inquiry committee has already been formed on the instructions of the prime minister. Punitive and disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible for the faulty construction.
He also warned that those involved in negligence and irregularities in duty will not be spared.
The Awami League leader said the free housing programme for the homeless is being implemented under the direction and plan of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Quader sees no oxygen crisis
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said there is no oxygen crisis in the country.
He said this at a briefing at his official residence this morning.
Read:Vaccines start arriving in fulfilment of prime minister’s commitment, says Quader
"There is no oxygen crisis in the country. There may be a lack of coordination somewhere, but the Prime Minister has already directed the Ministry of Health to take appropriate steps to ensure supply by strengthening coordination in areas where oxygen supply is urgent."
Quader said the BNP's efforts to politicise the Corona issue had utterly failed.
He said that the collection of vaccines with the highest priority for the country is a clear reflection of the deep commitment of the Sheikh Hasina government to the people of the country.
Read:Quader calls for accepting corona-induced lockdown hardships
Obaidul Quader said that about 45 lakh doses of vaccine have already arrived in the country and more vaccines will come in time.
He said Bangladesh would succeed in procuring the required number of vaccines under the Prime Minister's diplomatic skills and visionary leadership, InshaAllah.
Noting that there is no alternative to building awareness to curb the upward trend of infection, the bridge minister said, "We should take utmost precautions to survive during this pandemic situation."
Read: Quader urges party members to help people during lockdown
Seven people died in the space of roughly an hour and 20 minutes, allegedly due to an oxygen supply failure in Satkhira Medical College Hospital on the evening of June 30. They were undergoing treatment at the ICU and the CCU units of the hospital.
Two probe committees have been formed to investigate the causes behind their deaths.
2 killed, 15 injured in clash between AL and BNP supporters
Two people were killed and 15 others injured on Wednesday in a clash between Awami League and BNP supporters over a land dispute in Daspukur area of Rajshahi, police and hospital sources said.
The deceased were identified as Shafiqul Islam, 50, son of Sazdar Ali and Joynal Abedin, 45, son of Giash Uddin.
Also read: 1 killed, 9 injured in Patuakhali clash
According to sources, the clash erupted over a long standing feud between rival supporters of two local leaders of the parties.
The injured have been admitted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital (RMCH) of whom conditions of five were stated to be critical, reported our local correspondent citing RMCH sources.
Also read: JCD activists clash with police in capital, Mymensingh
Majharul Islam, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Rajpara Police confirmed the incident to UNB.
Additional forces have been deployed to prevent further clashes, he said.
Quader urges party members to help people during lockdown
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has asked members of his party and allied bodies to stand by the helpless people during the strict lockdown due to be imposed on Thursday.
Quader was speaking virtually at a function marking distributing Covid health and safety products to 30 boarder districts and upazilas.
The distribution was organized by the party's relief and social welfare sub-committee at the Awami League president's political office in Dhanmondi this morning.
Saying that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has successfully tackled the first wave of corona by balancing between life and livelihood, Quader called for everyone’s cooperate in implementing her practical and timely initiative to manage the ongoing second wave.
Also read: Violation of lockdown rules to invite legal action, warns DMP
Coroner infections are now at high risk, the Awami League general secretary said, adding that high-level infections have spread from border districts to the capital, spreading to rural areas.
Quader said that it is necessary to take utmost measures for the safety of all.
He said there is no alternative to fully mask up to ward off the infections. The slightest negligence towards hygiene can cause death.
Mentioning that the Sheikh Hasina government has decided to impose strict restrictions from July 1 as per the advice of experts for the protection of the people, Quader called urged all to stay home for their own good.
Also read: Govt outlines restriction rules ahead of ‘tough’ lockdown
The Awami League leader said the prime minister always takes right decision in times of crisis and disaster.
Quader also called upon all to have confidence in the steps being taken by the prime minister to deal with the situation.
He said opposition BNP is merely spreading confusion among the people about government’s mass vaccination programme.
Jahangir Kabir Nanak, the party’s presidium member, presided over the function. Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Health Secretary Dr Rokeya and Human Resources Secretary Samsunnahar Champa, Central Executive Member Syed Abdul Awal Shamim and Relief Sub-Committee Member Dr. Hedayetul Islam Badal were also present.
204 UP elections: 148 AL chairman candidates win
Awami League-nominated chairman candidates, including 28 unopposed contenders won in 148 Union Parishads (UP) out of 204 that went to election on Monday.
Besides, 49 independent chairman contenders, 3 chairman contesters each from Jatiya Party (Ershad) and Jatiya Party-JP (Manju) and one from Islami Andolan Bangladesh were elected in the remaining UPs, according to the factsheet of the Election Commission.
READ: By-election to Laxmipur-2, polls to 204 UPs, 2 municipalities underway
Another major political party BNP didn’t participate in the election.
The average turnout of the voters was 64.73 percent in the first phase election to 204 UPs. The highest voter turnout of 82.75 percent was in Chandradwip UP of Bauphal upazila under Patuakhali district, while the lowest voter turnout of 49.57 percent was in Binaykathi UP of Jhalokathi Sadar Upazila.
READ: Bhola UP election violence leaves one dead
Though the EC announced the election schedule for 204 UPs, AL’s chairman candidates were earlier elected unopposed in 28 UPs, finding no rival candidate against their respective posts.
So, polls to the chairman posts were held in the remaining 176 UPs.
Most of the independent chairman contenders who got elected are known as AL’s rebel candidates.
BNP resorting to politics of violence, says Quader
Obaidul Quader, general secretary of Awami League, on Thursday accused Bangladesh Nationalist Party of instigating violence in the country.
Quader said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is displaying great tolerance and patience in the face of various provocations of the opposition.
He described BNP’s politics as monstrous” and said the government is dealing with the situation with utmost tolerance in the face of hundreds of provocations.
Also read: Quader slams BNP for anti-people conspiracy
Noting that the BNP does not want stability in the country, the general secretary of ruling party said the opposition party wants to establish a reign of terror in the country.
He said the BNP's politics is to destroy the resources of the people and the state in the name of movement.
Also read: BNP desperate to regain power through dark ways: Quader
Quader said BNP has to come to the path of election to go to power.
He said his party has confidence in the people because it believes in empowerment of the people.
AL plans muted celebrations to mark foundation day on Sunday
The Awami League, the oldest and largest political party in Bangladesh, will celebrate its 72nd foundation day in a restricted manner on Sunday, amid the Covid pandemic.
The anniversary programmes will begin at Dhaka’s 32 Dhanmondi Road on Sunday morning, with the hoisting of the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban and the Awami League central office.
Read: By-elections: 94 aspirants collect nomination papers from the Awami League
The Awami League and its affiliate organisations will pay homage to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing wreaths at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum. The ruling party will also hoist the national and party flags at its offices across the country.
A delegation from the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) will place wreaths at 10 am at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu in his birthplace of Tungipara in Gopalganj while presidium member Lt Col Muhammad Faruq Khan (Retired), Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organisational secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Mirza Azam, Shahabuddin Farazi, and Syed Abdul Awal Shamim will attend the programme.
Alongside, a discussion programme marking the foundation day of the party will be held at 4 pm at the party's central office on Bangbhabandhu Avenue where its President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually attend the programme.
Read: Politics in Bangladesh is too polarized and divisive, says Obaidul Quader
Party general secretary Obaidul Quader has already called up all party and associate bodies' leaders, activists and followers and urged them to organise programmes in a limited manner maintaining all Covid-safety protocols.
The party began its journey on June 23 in 1949, when a young, secular and progressive section of the Muslim League formed the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League, at a meeting in the historic Rose Garden on KM Das Lane in Dhaka’s Tikatuli.
Maulana Abdul Hamid Bhashani was elected as the founding president, and Shamsul Hoque was named the general secretary.
Read:Govt takes tough stance against corruption : Quader
In July 1953, during the Second National Council meeting of the party, Bhashani was re-elected president, and the Father of the Nation was named the new general secretary.
Politics in Bangladesh is too polarized and divisive, says Obaidul Quader
Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, said on Monday that the country’s politics has become “so polarized and divisive” that major political parties fail to reach any understanding on common national issues like corona pandemic.
“From our party we have tried to establish a workable co-existence with the BNP. But there has been no positive response from them,” Quader said during a meeting with members of the Overseas Correspondents Association (OCAB) at his Bangladesh Secretariat office.
Also read:Quader warns tough action against errant party members
He recalled how BNP leader Khaleda Zia rebuffed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s repeated gesture to have a dialogue with her in the past.
Quader said 15th August, the day Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in 1975, is a very emotional issue not only for the Awami League, but for the entire nation.
“But how can Khaleda Zia celebrate the 15th August as her birthday? You know she has already five birthdays. How is it possible?,” he wondered.
Also read:Quader slams BNP for anti-people conspiracy
He said it was BNP founder Ziaur Rahman who granted indemnity to the killers of Bangabandhu. So, it is crystal clear that he was involved with the assassination of the father of the nation.
During the meeting the Awami League leader discussed state of country’s politics, government drive to procure Covid-19 vaccine, the Rohingya problem and the rapid progress in the implementation of some mega projects like Padma Bridge and Bangabandhu tunnel under Karnaphuli rfiver.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed authorities to procure corona vaccine the soonest from all available sources. “We are trying to get vaccines from China, Russia and the United States,” he said adding the problem may be solved within a couple of months.
On the status of stalled vaccine import from India, Quader said, “We see a ray of hope. But we can’t bank fully on India as we understand they are going through a crisis.”
Also read: AL destroyed liberal democratic politics: BNP
On Rohingya issue he said the international community must do more than just “giving lip service to this problem.” “We are spending 700 million dollars a year to take care of 12 lakh refugees,” he said.
Defending the decision to shift a part of the Rohingyas to Bhasan Char Quader said it was necessary to save the economy, environment, forestry and tourism in the region as well as for their better living.
Govt takes tough stance against corruption : Quader
The government will take tough action against all those including ministers, MPs, businessmen and bureaucrats who are involved in corruption, said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday.
He said this during a regular briefing at his official residence in the morning.
Read: Quader warns tough action against errant party members
Claiming that the Anti-Corruption Comisison (ACC) is working as an independent investigation agency, the Awami League leader said that many ruling party MPs have also been convicted, no one is being freed and many of the AL men are in jail on corruption charges too.
Obaidul Quader made it clear that any candidate involved in corruption and misdeeds will not get nomination from the Awami League in the next elections.
He said according to ACC many cases are not seeing progress due to lack of evidences and so BNP should provide clear information without making false allegations and throwing stones in the dark, said Quader.
He also said that it is a matter of mockery when BNP which made the country five-time world champion in corruption and the founded ‘Hawa Bhaban’ talks against graft.
Read: Govt. is strengthening democratic institutions, says Quader
He said action would be taken through proper investigation against those who siphoned off money or amassed wealth through corruption.
Referring to Sheikh Hasina's government as a media-friendly one, the Awami League general secretary said she is involved in the joys and sorrows of the journalist community.
He said the massive expansion of the media in recent years demonstrates the government's liberal mindset.
The Awami League general secretary said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stood by media workers as a friend and relative during the Corona period and stressed on the importance of implementing the 9th Wage Board for protecting their professional dignity and financial security.
Read: Quader slams BNP for anti-people conspiracy
The Minister said that steps have been taken to provide legal assistance for the safety and security of media personnel.
Obaidul Quader also assured that the Digital Security Act will not be misused against journalists in any way.