Staff Reporter :
Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for rescuing Bangladesh from the grip of corruption that marked the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) era, describing her leadership as instrumental in steering the nation away from ruin
At a joint meeting at the AL Bangabandhu Avenue central office, Quader stated, “The proposed budget for fiscal 2024–25 has been crafted to curb the rampant looting by the corrupt.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has saved the nation from the devastating looting spree initiated during the BNP’s period.”
The meeting was attended by AL central leaders, as well as presidents and general secretaries of Dhaka North and South City units, the Dhaka district unit, and affiliated organisations.
Quader pointed out the BNP’s failure to address corruption within its ranks, contrasting it with the AL’s record of bringing wrongdoers to justice.
He cited the trial of Buet student Soni’s killers and the sentencing of those responsible for Abrar Fahad’s murder, both involving members of the AL’s student wing, the Chhatra League.
“Did BNP hold trials for any of its leaders during their tenure? No, they did not,” he asserted.
Quader emphasised that new laws are unnecessary for combating corruption; existing laws suffice if properly enforced. He highlighted Prime Minister Hasina’s firm stance against corruption, vowing that no corrupt individual would be spared.
Addressing criticisms of provisions for legalising black money in the proposed budget, Quader reminded the audience that BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and former finance minister Saifur Rahman had themselves legalised black money during their administration. “This budget aims to halt the looting by the bigshots,” he added.
Quader also issued a stern warning regarding former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and former army chief Aziz Ahmed, indicating that they will face corruption charges despite their past positions. “BNP introduced the culture of impunity, but we did not do so,” he said.
Turning to the upcoming AL founding anniversary, Quader detailed the plans for the 75th celebration. Prime Minister Hasina will inaugurate the event on June 23, with a rally scheduled at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. Floral tributes will be paid to the portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in the morning.
The meeting also saw the presence of AL praesidium members Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Mirza Azam, Sujit Roy Nandi, and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan.