JCD council postponed due to BNP's leadership crisis, says Quader

Awami League General Secretary ObaidulQuader said on Saturday the council of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) was postponed due to crisis in leadership in BNP, report agencies.

He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at a discussion and doa mahfil progamme organised by Dhaka South Jubo League, making the birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

When asked about the allegation of BNP secretary general MirzaFakhrul Islam Alamgir that the JCD council was postponed due to government interference, he said," The council has been suspended due to a case filed by some JCD leaders. The government or Awami League is not responsible for it."

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday termed 'unprecedented' the court injunction on holding the council of their party's student body JCD.

"The current government has introduced a new political culture of regulating politics through court. It's a very dangerous culture, I think," he said.

He said it is regrettable that the government has been 'using' the court for the last 10 years to make its political gains.

"They annulled the caretaker government system by using the court putting the nation and country into an uncertainty."

Talking about graft, Quader said the government has taken a strong stance against the corrupt in the party.

During Awami League government, he said, its ministers have been appearing before the Anti-Corruption Commission, many leaders and activists are serving jail term due to the strong stance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against corruption.

Jubo League chairman Omar Faruk Chowdhury declared a month-long programme marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Dhaka South Jubo League celebrated Day of People's Empowerment on September 9 while North Jubo League on September 11, marking the birth anniversary of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The day will be celebrated on September 16 and 17 in Dhaka and Gazipur districts. Besides, the day will be celebrated across the country on September 28.

Awami League Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Economic Samity President Prof Abul Barkat, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Jubo League Formar General Secretary Mirza Azam, Jubo League General Secretary Harun-ur-Rashid and Publicity Secretary Iqbal Mahmud Bablu were present at the event held with Dhaka South Jubo League President Ismail Chowdhury Samrat in the chair.

Obaidul Quader, who was once a journalist, expressed a desire to return to his old profession after his run as a minister comes to an end.

"You are a journalist. I'm your senior. When I leave the ministry, I will be back in journalism," he said on Saturday at an event to mark the birthday of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

Venting his annoyance with the questions from reporters, Quader said, "You are detracting from such a beautiful programme today just to write a political headline for your newspaper. Why don't focus on what's relevant?"

Quader became actively involved in politics during his student years while working as a journalist. He had served as the assistant editor of the 'Banglar Bani' newspaper in the 1980s.

Quader, who had also served as the minister for youth, sports and culture in Awami League's 1996-2001 term in government, has been at the helm of the road, transport and bridges ministry for nearly a decade.