Road Transport and Bridges Minister and General Secretary of the Awami League, Obaidul Quader, has said that the government is indifferent to US sanctions and visa policies. His comments came during a discussion today (May 14, 2024) with journalists at the Secretariat addressing contemporary issues. Quader remarked that US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu has come to Bangladesh with his own agenda, emphasizing that the government did not extend an invitation to him. “I do not want to discuss this matter. They come and go as part of their routine,” Quader mentioned. BNP rally means arson, havoc and bloodshed: Obaidul Quader Regarding Lu’s visit, Quader commented, “He is not even a Foreign Minister! Why all this fuss about him! He has come here out of necessity, they have their agenda. When relationships exist, discussions on various issues related to those relationships will happen.” Quader also referenced previous discussions related to visa policies and sanctions before the elections, highlighting that the stance remains unchanged. “We do not care about any kind of sanctions or visa policies,” Quader declared when asked about the political implications of Lu’s visit. Read more: Donald Lu in Dhaka to "strengthen bilateral cooperation" with Bangladesh

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (January 03, 2024) said that the Election Commission is able to act independently and authoritatively, which is why the electoral code of conduct is being strictly maintained. Speaking this afternoon at the party president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, he further said that wherever the electoral code of conduct is being violated, the Election Commission is taking action. There is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter, he said. Obaidul Quader said, on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious. Read: Respond to conspiracies by casting votes: Obaidul Quader  He also said that BNP and Jamaat, having failed in their movements, are now distributing leaflets. “They are stuck in the quicksand of failure and mistakes, and they cannot come out. Their negative agendas, violence, and blockades have been ignored by the people. Even if BNP now says they will not resort to violence, there is no way to say if it’s true or not. Because they say one thing and do another. We are receiving news that they are secretly conspiring,” he said. The road, transport and bridges minister also criticized the “double standards” of Amnesty International. He said, “Amnesty International talks about human rights in Bangladesh, and the verdict in Dr. Yunus’ case, but why don’t they speak about the massacres that Israel is carrying out in Gaza, Palestine? They have not said a single word against Israel.” Read: Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader Present at the press briefing were Awami League Organizational Secretary BM Mozammel Haq, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, along with central and metropolitan Awami League leaders.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that action will be taken after the election against those whose wealth increased abnormally. “Even if action cannot be taken at the moment as the government is only conducting routine work, strong measures will be taken after the election,” Quader said in response to a question referring to Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) allegation of discrepancies in the affidavits submitted by the aspirants for the upcoming 12th parliamentary election. Read: AL Pledges to Expand Modern Urban Facilities to Every Village in Smart Bangladesh  The Awami League general secretary made the remarks at a press conference on contemporary issues at the party’s central office in Dhanmondi this afternoon (December 28, 2023).  In its report, TIB questioned the authenticity of candidates’ income, wealth, loans, and debt disclosed to the Election Commission.  The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) accused a minister, who remains unnamed, of owning “undisclosed overseas companies” engaged in real estate business abroad, with total assets valued at around Tk 2,312 crore. Commenting on BNP's movement, Quader said the party has lost the support of the people.  “If there was public support [for BNP’s movement], no party would have to carry out sneak attacks to oust the government,” said the AL general secretary.  Read: In Smart Bangladesh Awami League pledges more safeguards for minorities, end of intolerance  Calling the incidents of violence in different constituencies “isolated,” Obaidul Quader said, "It is normal. No candidate will boycott the election.”  The candidates want to bring voters to the polling centres by convincing them, he said. 

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday (September 09, 2023) said Bangladesh has gone into the sphere of great power. He said this while addressing a peace rally organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday afternoon. The rally was held to protest against BNP-Jamaat's terrorism, militancy, anarchy, and continued anti-national conspiracies. Also read: BNP starts ‘new game’ using Dr Yunus: Quader “What will happen to the BNP now after seeing Joe Biden's selfie with Sheikh Hasina at the G20 summit? It's not a fall, it's a retreat. Now we just have to go backwards. Where did their waves go? I don't think people will come to their (BNP’s) mass rallies anymore,” said the AL leader. “BNP has brought an epidemic of lies across the country. Their leaders in villages also lie,” he said. Urging the party leaders and workers to be ready, the Awami League general secretary said, “The peace rally will continue till the next election. BNP leaders and activists are now seeing darkness. Not a single one will sleep at night. The night's sleep has been forbidden.” Also read: BNP wants to indulge in evil game of 1/11 with Dr Yunus at the helm: Quader “BNP talks about movement but preparing for elections. Candidates will be given in all seats. If there is no candidate, how will Tarique Rahman's nomination business be done? BNP has lost the game. Only elections are left. They will also lose the final,” said Quader. Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, among others, spoke at the rally. Also read: BNP is not happy with good news of increase in remittances: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday (August 08, 2023) said that the “evil force” called BNP must be resisted to keep the values of Liberation War and democracy safe in Bangladesh. Quader made the remark after paying tribute to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib on her 94th birth anniversary at Dhaka’s Banani graveyard this morning. Read: AL delegation to leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Sunday The road, transport and bridges minister said, “Politics of murder and conspiracy started in the country since the brutal assassinations of Bangabandhu on August 15 and four national leaders on November 3 in 1975. The grenade attack on August 21, 2004, primarily targeting Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, was a continuation of that.” “Twenty-three lives were lost, including Ivy Rahman, in that grenade attack. BNP was behind this history of bloodbath. This party initiated the politics of murder and conspiracy in Bangladesh,” Quader added. Read: AL can achieve the impossible if it stays united: Information Minister Obaidul Quader also said Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib is one of the most remarkable women in Bangladesh’s history. “From Sheikh Mujib to Bangabandhu, from Bangabandhu to the Father of the Nation – Begum Mujib was not only Bangabandhu’s wife, she was also a dedicated partner in all the struggles,” he said. 

Awami League is not under any international pressure ahead of the 12th parliamentary election; if there’s any pressure it’s from our own conscience, said the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader. “Why should we feel pressure? It is our commitment to hold free, fair elections. If you talk about pressure, then it’s pressure from our own conscience,” he said at a press briefing today (August 03, 2023), shortly after holding a meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas at AL Central Office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka. Also read: US has no position on caretaker govt issue: Ambassador Haas after meeting AL delegation “We have trade relations with America, we maintain friendly ties. The ambassador of the United States came to our party office. They've never been to our office before. He came, and he saw it,” said Quader. “We talked about the next election. Our commitment remains the same and it is loud and clear. We want peaceful elections. We want free and fair elections. We're talking to everyone. It's our commitment to the people of the country,” he added. Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs “It is our sacred duty to protect democracy. We are committed to this responsibility. Bangladesh has an independent Election Commission,” said the AL leader. In response to a question, Obaidul Quader said, “We didn’t talk about any complaint. The US ambassador didn’t mention caretaker government, dissolution of parliament, resignation of the prime minister either. We talked about free, fair and peaceful elections.” “The Americans didn’t give us any advice, and there was no talk of dialogue either,” he added. Also read: US Ambassador Haas holding meeting with AL leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue office

The new US visa policy should be effective on BNP as they are trying to obstruct election through violence and anarchy, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said. Under the policy, the US can impose “visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.” Read: ‘Which party do they belong to?’: AL Facebook post responds to Fakhrul’s claim with photo of Chhatra Dal leader during yesterday’s clash "BNP's recent political programmes were nothing but obstruction to the upcoming national election,” Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, said at a press conference at his Secretariat office today (July 31, 2023). "We don't want clashes and we won't go on the streets for that. Police will handle the situation and it is their responsibility," he added. “BNP leaders and activists will block all important entry points of Dhaka and try to disconnect the capital from other parts of the country. In this situation, should the police stay inactive? Police will definitely take action and it is their duty to protect people's lives and property,” said the minister. “Awami League wants a peaceful environment before and after the election. But BNP wants to remove Sheikh Hasina from power at any cost. So, we will remain vigilant until the election,” Quader added. Read: Be alert so that anti-liberation forces cannot rise: Law Minister Those who want election, should not go for conflict, he said. “No foreign embassy, no foreign delegate has so far said anything about a caretaker government or the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or dissolving the parliament," Quader said. BNP's demand for a caretaker government did not get any support at home and abroad, Obaidul Quader observed. Among others, Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and newly-elected Dhaka-17 MP Mohammad Ali Arafat were present at the briefing.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.” “We will not leave the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends. The country, democracy, development—nothing is safe with them,” he said. The road, transport, and bridges minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this morning. Read: No possibility of conflict from AL side on July 27 but govt will ensure safety of lives and property: Quader  He also urged party leaders and activists to fight for the country. “We are going to start a campaign in September—with the aim to win the election, taking all the pro-liberation war forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Quader added. He said that Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. "But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said. Read: Nothing will be gained through conspiracy: Home Minister to BNP “As Ziaur Rahman did not come to power with public support, BNP too does not have confidence in the people. They (BNP) also know what the election results will be like,” the AL leader said. Urging party activists to remain alert, Quader said that BNP wants conflict. Among others, Awami League presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Kamrul Islam and Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin; joint general secretaries Dr. Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nashim; leaders of all associate bodies of the party were also present at the meeting.  

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday (July 14, 2023) said that BNP wanted to get foreign support by presenting false information but failed. Quader said this in a meeting with the presidents and general secretaries of AL associate organizations at the party president's political office in the capital's Dhanmondi this afternoon. Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges minister, said foreign delegates did not meet with any political party, they met with the minister of home affairs, foreign affairs, especially the Prime Minister. Before the arrival of foreign delegates, BNP tried to create the impression that more sanctions are coming. They (delegates) will tell the government to hold elections under the caretaker government and ask the prime minister to quit. What happened in the end? Read more: EU Election Exploratory Mission holds meeting with BNP Obaidul Quader said that foreign delegates basically want free, fair and peaceful elections. They did not say anything on ban, visa policy or anything on caretaker government. "We also want peaceful elections and a peaceful environment is needed for peaceful elections. So we will ensure a peaceful environment in anyway", he added. Awami League General Secretary urged BNP to join polls and avoid the conspiracy to come to power through the back door. Besides, BNP has to take the responsibility for the attitude of BNP leaders and activists to disrupt the democratic process, terrorism, arson and election fraud. Read more: BNP trying to destabilise country with an unconstitutional demand, Shahriar Alam says From now on, AL's rally will be titled 'peace and development rally', the minister mentioned.

Awami League General Secretary and Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (July 02, 2023) said that the country’s election won’t be held as per anyone's prescription. It will be held according to the constitution, he said. He came up with the remarks while talking to journalists in the conference room of the Road, Transport and Highway Division at the Secretariat on the first working day after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. “The election in Bangladesh won’t be held as per anyone's prescription; it will be held following the constitution, keeping an election-time government like other democratic countries in the world,” he said. Read: Quader not budging from vow to hold elections in line with constitution  Asked whether there is "foreign intervention" regarding the election, Quader said that no one is intervening, perhaps some are giving suggestions and sharing thoughts. “Many (foreigners) talk about fair elections, and we are listening. We will listen and accept suggestions, but there is no need to be concerned. We won't follow anyone's directives,” he said. “The government wants BNP's participation in the election... We want a participatory election in the country,” the Awami League general secretary said. Read: GM Quader wants permanent arrangement for fair elections  The minister also suggested that those who raise questions about the 2014 or 2018 elections in Bangladesh should concentrate on their own countries’ democracy. The minister claimed that journey during Eid-ul-Azha was comfortable, as during Eid-ul-Fitr this year, due to initiatives taken by the government. Read more: People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader