BNP leaders trying to join AL, says Quader

A day after BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia urged ruling party leaders to join the opposition party, Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Obaidul Quader has said many from BNP are trying to join the AL. The AL presidium member said this at a discussion in the city Sunday, reports bdnews24.com. "Awami League is not above mistakes, but the loyalty of our members is not so fragile that just dangling carrots before them would make them jump on to the BNP bandwagon," he said. "On the contrary, many senior leaders of BNP are communicating with us regularly to join the AL," he added. Khaleda Zia said Saturday that 'patriot' Awami League leaders would be given honourable posts in the party if they join the BNP. Mr Quader slated Khaleda Zia for her remarks and said, "Criticise Awami League, you're welcomed to do this. But don't try to destroy democracy by confusing the nation." The AL leader commemorated Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon, whose killing had spearheaded a 1990 mass movement against former dictator Gen HM Ershad. "Democracy, for which Dr Milon and many others of our country shed blood, will remain incomplete if the opposition stays away from parliament," he said.