AL Not Worried About US Sanctions: Quader

Awami League general secretary and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Friday (December 8) said that his party was not worried about any sanctions.

‘We are moving towards a free, fair and peaceful election under the independent Election Commission as per the constitution. Why should there be a ban here?’ asked Quader.

He said that if any sanction came, it should be on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). ‘They are the one doing sabotage. These are obstacles to a fair election. If the United States wants to impose sanctions, only the BNP and its allies deserve to be sanctioned.’

Quader was speaking at a press briefing at the political office of AL president at Dhanmondi in the capital on Friday.

He said that there was an interest among some to use the garment workers for their own benefit both in the country and abroad.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, had increased the wages of the workers for the sake of the RMG sector.

The present government is sincere about the interests of the workers in this sector.

‘If our party comes to power, it will take steps to enact new labour laws in parliament. There is no need to muddy the water about it,’ said the AL leader.

Regarding seat sharing with the AL alliance, Quader said that it would happen before the 17th.

Awami League has no independent candidate in 32 seats, he said.

In this context he said, ‘There is no pressure from Awami League to cancel the nomination here. The Election Commission is taking action according to its code of conduct. The country’s judicial system is also independent. Awami League will not obstruct the final decision. Voter turnout will be better this time.’

‘No obstruction, threat, sabotage, arson terrorism will be able to obstruct the holding of this election,’ he declared.

He said election-oriented voters will resist those who come to obstruct the election.

BNP and its allies are not taking part in the election. Still, there is no shortage of enthusiasm about the election. People are preparing to vote spontaneously, he added.

AL presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, organising secretaries BM Mozammel Haque and Sujit Roy Nandi, office secretary Biplab Barua, among others, were present at the press briefing.