BNP failed to distract people from polls by hartal, blockade: Quader

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said his party has full trust in all decisions of the Election Commission (EC), report agencies.
"The Election Commission (EC) is now completely independent. The Election Commission now has the authority to collect information on administrative and law and order related incidents across the country. Awami League has confidence in any decision of EC," he said.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said this at a press conference at the political office of AL President at Dhanmondi in the city on Saturday.
"The government will do its routine works now and even if the EC goes against us, AL will appreciate it," he said.
AL general secretary further said it is the responsibility of the Election Commission to take action for any violence or chaos centring the national election.
AL will abide by the decision taken by the commission, he added.
He said BNP could not distract people from the election by hartal, blockade and arson terrorism.
Stating that it is not a crime to quit BNP and join Awami League, Obaidul Quader said many people like Shajahan Omar are saying inside his mind that they will not join BNP again in their life.
Whether the candidate is independent or party-nominated, this is the beauty of democracy, he mentioned.
The leaders and workers under the leadership of BNP have become disappointed and lost confidence, he said, adding, the former and present leaders of the BNP are participating in the election.
Blaming the BNP leaders for wrong policy of the party, Obaidul Quader said BNP workers are disappointed.
They are not disappointed with Awami League, but with their leaders, because BNP itself has taken a wrong policy, he added.
Because of this, today they are divided, he continued.
Stating that it is not Awami League's policy to divide any party, Obaidul Quader said BNP's ongoing one-sided demand has fallen into a deep hole.
Their movement is stuck in the quicksand of error, he said, adding: "No matter how hard you try now, BNP can no longer wage any movement."
Stating that the people of the country are looking forward to exercising their franchises, the AL leader said although some parties are engaged in anti-election activities, the people are election-oriented.
In the name of agitation, some parties wanted to foil the election and they still want to but people imbued with the spirit of the month of victory are looking forward to casting their votes.