BNP takes stance against election, democracy: Quader

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday said BNP took a stance against the election and the country's democracy deciding not to participate in the upcoming upazila parishad polls.

"Upazila parishad election will be held in a free, neutral, fair, and peaceful environment. BNP took a stance against the polls and the country's democracy as always. That's why people also turned their back on them (BNP)," he said.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said this in a statement signed by AL Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.

BSS adds: He said the BNP leaders have made confusing and unethical political statements over upazila polls. Awami League is determined to uphold the culture of democracy, he said, adding local elections of different levels are needed to establish the empowerment of people.

He also said Awami League has to take a strategic stance in the perspective of BNP's stand over the polls. So, AL is not allocating party symbol in the polls, he said, adding Awami League hopes that acceptable candidates from the party and beyond will be elected.

The AL general secretary said tough directives have been given from the party so that ministers, lawmakers and party leaders cannot interfere in the election.

SUJ/MSU