Staff Reporter :
The ruling Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday criticised the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), labeling it as a platform for corrupt individuals.
He made these remarks during a press conference held at the Awami
League president’s Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka yesterday afternoon.
Quader addressed various issues during the conference.
He assured the public that there is no significant traffic congestion on the country’s roads and highways, despite the increased number of vehicles during the Eid journey.
“The best roads ever in Bangladesh were constructed under the AL government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Quader asserted.
He attributed the minor traffic congestions to sacrificial animal-carrying vehicles and the setup of indiscriminate cattle markets.
He emphasized that these issues, combined with the rains, could lead to some unavoidable traffic problems. Quader directed authorities to ensure proper management and increased surveillance to prevent accidents and minimize public suffering.
Turning to the topic of corruption, Quader accused the BNP of being rife with corrupt practices. He specifically targeted BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, describing him as a “blessed son of corruption.”
Quader responded to a statement made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who had defended Tarique Rahman as a good person. Quader claimed that Fakhrul’s defense was driven by fear of Tarique and pointed out Tarique’s conviction, insisting that he should be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice.
“As long as Tarique Rahman remains the leader of BNP, it is not possible for BNP to make a political reemergence,” Quader declared. He emphasised that the party’s leadership needs to change for it to have any chance of regaining political credibility.
Regarding the recent remand of an AL leader over the killing of lawmaker Anwarul Azim Anar, Quader urged caution. He stressed that it is not appropriate to label someone a criminal before a case is filed and a verdict is declared.
The press conference highlighted Quader’s commitment to maintaining road safety and managing traffic during the Eid period, as well as his firm stance against corruption within the BNP.