Quader backs leaders with no controversy

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said leaders would be elected in the upcoming party councils on the basis of their competency.

Speaking at an extended meeting of the Dhaka South city AL at the party headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue, he said no controversial leaders would be allowed into the new committees.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the committees would be formed with dedicated senior and young leaders to infuse more dynamism into the party.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL chief, knows who should be picked as leaders.

The minister said power does not last forever and that’s why the behaviour of the party men must be decent and polite.

He said the government’s image cannot be tarnished due to indecent behaviour of any person.

“People are the main source of the Awami League’s strength. We assumed power with people’s mandate. The BNP has lost public support due to its negative politics.”

Talking about the next polls to city corporations, he urged the city AL leaders and workers to work sincerely so that the party candidates can win the elections in Dhaka and Chattogram.

About the verdict in the Nusrat murder case, he said all the 16 accused were sentenced to death and as a result, people’s trust in the judiciary has increased.

Referring to the ongoing “correction drive”, Quader said although it hurt the interest of some people, the drive was being carried out across the country.

He said wrongdoers were not being spared despite their affiliation with the AL. “If any party man gets involved in wrongdoings, organisational and administrative actions are being taken against that person.”

The AL leader said there was no example of taking organisational and administrative actions against BNP men during the party’s rule.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon, among others, also addressed the programme.