Quader shrugs off BNP's movement threat

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday shrugged off BNP's threat to wage a movement, saying the party has no ability to do that within two months before the polls, reports UNB.

"How will BNP wage a movement within two months as it couldn't do it over the last 10 years?" he said.

He came up with the remarks while addressing a rally at Natore Railway Station.

The AL leader also turned down BNP leaders' assertion that the ruling party's votes have declined. "It didn't happen due to Sheikh Hasina's positive politics."

Rather, Quader said, the votes of BNP have dropped for its negative politics.

Later, he addressed a rally organised by Awami League Natore district unit.

Earlier in the morning, an Awami League delegation, led by party general secretary, Obaidul Quader, left Kamalapur Railway Station in the capital for Nilphamari by a train aiming to carry out electioneering in northern districts.

They are supposed to hold more than 11 rallies at railway stations in Tangail, Pabna, Natore, Bogura, Joyurhat, Dinajpur and Nilphamari districts, said AL Rajshahi unit organising secretary Khaled Mahmud Chowdhury.

Talking to reporters at the Kamalapur Railway Station before his departure, Quader said the aim of the train journey is to reach the message of development works carried out by the AL government to the grassroots level and strengthen the party.

The organisational activities of the party will play an important role in making the grassroots aware about the 'rumour politics' of BNP and Jamaat, he said.

The delegation members include AL joint secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, publicity and publication secretary DrHasan Mahmud, organising secretaries Ahmad Hossain, Abu Sayed AL Mahmud Swapan, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, cultural secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil and Biplob Barua.

Quader, also the Road, Transport and Bridges Minister said, "This journey is our election journey. The tour will continue. We'll launch election campaign on September 13. Then, it's scheduled to start our campaign to Chattogram, Mymensingh and Kishoreganj by road."

He said, "The upcoming election will be a competitive one and we've to take preparations considering this. If there's any internal dispute, we've to solve that. This campaign is to revitalise the grassroots leaders."

Railways Minister Mujibul Haque was present at the station to see the team off.

Meanwhile, speaking at a rally at Tangail railway station, Quader urged Awami League grassroots leaders not to create any indiscipline and chaos in the party.

He also said action against those violating party discipline has started. "Show-cause notices will be served within three days."

Issuing a warning to party local leaders, he said, "Don't try to build too many houses in one house...Sheikh Hasina's action is direct action."

About the demand of local leaders and general people, he said a train service will be launched on Dhaka-Tangail route soon for the office-going people.