Dhaka, March 3 – The general secretary ruling Awami League Obaidul Quader on Saturday rejected BNP’s objection to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ‘unilateral’ election campaign in favour of Nouka (Boat) violating electoral code of conduct.“Sheikh Hasina is not only the prime minister of the country but also the president of Bangladesh Awami League. As the AL president, Sheikh Hasina can seek votes for her party symbol…there has not happened any deviation of law here,” he said.
Quader also the road transport and bridges minister came up with the statement while talking to the reporters after distributing leaflets among city dwellers in the city’s New Market area.
Earlier on Tuesday BNP sent a letter to the Election Commission registering its objection to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ‘unilateral’ election campaign in favour of her party at both home and abroad expending public money.
In the letter, BNP elaborately described when and how the prime minister sought vote for her party’s election symbol ‘boat’ from the country’s people at different rallies and from Bangladesh expatriates during her tour to different countries
“As the Election Commission is yet to announce the next general election schedule, an elected prime minister can go to the people and seek votes for her party from them,” AL general secretary said.
Replying to a question, AL general secretary said Awami League will not accept any prescription handed out by foreign countries before the next general election slated for 2018.
“We don’t care about any foreign pressure on the issue of holding the next general election as we shall follow the democratic processes of our own country. As per the country’s constitution the next polls will be held under the incumbent government,” he said.
However the ruling party takes elaborate preparation to make its March 7 rally to be held at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan, a grand success.
AL will hold the rally to mark the anniversary of the historic speech which was given by founding president of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on that day in 1971.
The party has also taken up week long programmes to observe the day from March 1, including holding of rallies and processions at district, upazila, thana and union levels. – Staff Reporter
