No foreign pressure for caretaker govt, says Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said no foreign country proposed or imposed any pressure on government to restore the election time caretaker government and Bangladesh would witness the next election in a fair manner like any other democratic nation, reports BSS.

"They (foreign countries) have not uttered a single word what BNP is demanding . . . They (however) want free and fair election," he told newsmen on the sidelines of a workshop on converting existing vehicles into electric ones in the capital in the morning.

Replying to questions by reporters, Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, said BNP was campaigning for incumbent government's resignation, parliament's dissolution and restoration of the caretaker government system.

But, he said, none of their three demands succeeded in gaining any foreign support.

Although BNP is demanding restoration of the election time interim government, resignation of the incumbent government and dissolution of the parliament, the foreign countries did not make any statement over these issues, said the ruling party leader, adding "But they want free and fair elections in Bangladesh."

Rejecting BNP leaders' claim on falling in trap and showing temptation by the government in the name of participating in the elections, the minister said, "It is their rights to participate in the elections ...the government will not invite them and it is not a privilege for BNP," it is necessary to take the opportunity of application of the democratic rights", he told the reporters.

Talking about upcoming election, the ruling party leader said, "the upcoming national election will be held as per the constitution, saying the election will be held in Bangladesh similarly as the elections are usually held in the democratic countries of the world."

About Gazipur city corporation election, the ruling party general secretary said Jahangir Alam was elected Mayor from the Awami League ,but it is unknown that whether his mother have any connection with the ruling Awami League.