BNP's plot to put govt in trouble fails: Quader

Alleging that BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman instigated students over their quota reform movement to push the government into an awkward situation, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Friday Prime Minister's bold step has foiled the BNP's plot, report agencies.

"Tarique Rahman tried to fish in the troubled waters. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced to abolish the quota system to bring an end to the student movement. Tarique's provocation from London couldn't push the government into any trouble," he said.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, was talking to reporters after visiting work on the Bhulta flyover in Rupganj upazila.

Mentioning that BNP has now become politically bankrupt, he, however, thinks that it will join the next general election.

The ruling party leader said Bangladesh will be a developing country by 2021 and a developed one by 2014 if Awami League comes to power in the future.

Meanwhile, Obaidul Quader greeted the people of all classes, including leaders and workers of the party and associate and like-minded bodies, on the occasion of Pahela Baiskakh, the first day of Bangla New Year.

In a statement, he said the Bangalee nation irrespective of castes, creeds and religions welcomes the Bangla Nababarsha with new aspirations, hopes and festivities.

The minister said the Bangla Nababarsha celebration is the biggest universal festival of the Bangalee nation as Pahela Baishakh is a day to be imbued with traditional non-communal cultural gaiety, he said.

Quader said Bangalees commence the day with opening up of new notebook (halkhata) of life with a hope of newer progress forgetting all dirts, sorrows and mistakes of the last year.

The Awami League general secretary said the Bangalee nation had achieved independence through a nine-month Liberation War in 1971 against Pakistani occupation forces under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation.

Now under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has reached a prestigious height by attaining the eligibility to graduate towards a developing country, he added.