Awami League Secretary-General and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader today said BNP is using excuses to stay away from Dhaka city polls owing to their fear of losing the vote.
“BNP has an apprehension of losing the election. So, they are finding different excuses for staying away from the election,” he told journalists after a function at BRAC Centre at Mahakhali here.
Asked about BNP’s allegation that the government is using everything to win the polls, Quader said BNP beats around the bush. “BNP will have to prove where Awami League violates the electoral code of conduct and how the government interferes into the polls,” he said.
Following Shushashoner's remarks regarding city elections, Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) said AL candidate won the by-polls to the Chattogram-8 constituency while BNP mayoral contender won the Dupchanchia municipal elections in Bagura through the electronic voting machine (EVM) system.
He questioned why the voting turnout was low if any kind of rigging or forgery took place in the polls or through the EVM system.
Quader said if the government had any ill motive, the turnout would have been higher. So, the allegation of rigging is illogical, he added.
The minister said only making complaints without giving any specific proofs cannot be accepted.
Earlier, the minister addressed a certificate giving ceremony for women drivers of vehicles at the BRAC Centre.
BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh chaired the function while Women and Children Affairs Ministry’s Secretary Kazi Rawshan Akhter, World Bank Country Director Mercy Miyang Tembon, writer and researcher Syed Abul Maksud and BRAC Director Anna Minj attended it, among others.
BRAC Administration and Road Safety Programme Director Ahmed Najmul Hossain presented a paper on “Women behind the wheel for road safety”.
Source: BSS
