Staff Reporter :
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has dismissed allegations of corruption against his party, accusing the main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of spreading falsehoods and instigating violence against the police.
Quader, who also serves as the Minister for Road Transport and Bridges, made these remarks during a rally at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in Dhaka, commemorating the 75th founding anniversary of the Awami League.
“Today, Fakhrul and their loyalists are spreading rumours and attacking the police arbitrarily. They have malicious intentions against the army.
We have to think if the ongoing conspiracy to label all as corrupt is a plot to oust the Awami League,” Quader asserted, emphasizing the need for vigilance among party members against these alleged conspiracies.
Quader also criticized certain media outlets for what he described as “propaganda” aimed at portraying the ruling party as corrupt. He reaffirmed the Awami League’s commitment to combating corruption, highlighting the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the judiciary.
“If an individual commits a crime, the ACC is independent, so is the judiciary. Sheikh Hasina has the courage to prosecute the corrupt, no matter who he is, how influential he is,” Quader stated. He urged party leaders and activists to stay alert against potential conspiracies masquerading as anti-corruption campaigns.
Highlighting the deep-rooted support for the Awami League across Bangladesh, Quader declared, “Our party’s roots are deep in the soil of Bangladesh. Its source of strength is the people. Under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, the Awami League is not a party to bow down.”
In a direct attack on the BNP, Quader questioned their ability to mobilize genuine political movements, referring to a previous incident on October 28 when BNP leaders and activists allegedly retreated from their protest.
“You [BNP leaders and activists] will forge a movement, but won’t you flee again like on 28 October? Your movement is fake. The BNP’s movement, its one-point demand, leadership – are fake. BNP is fake. The people were not with this fake party before, and they will not be in the future too. A movement without the people is not a movement.”
Quader also issued a stern warning to the BNP, vowing a “befitting reply” if they engage in acts of arson, terrorism, or murder under the guise of political activities.
The rally at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marks a significant moment for the Awami League as it reflects on its long history and renews its commitment to national stability and development amidst political tensions.