Staff Reporter :
In a recent development, the ruling Awami League has reiterated its call for the relatives of ministers and lawmakers to refrain from participating in the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections, scheduled to commence next month.
The General Secretary of Awami League, Obaidul Quader, emphasised this plea during a press conference held at the party president Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office in the city on Saturday morning.
“We have already instructed the family members and close relatives of ministers and members of parliament to withdraw from the Upazila Parishad election.
I hope they will comply and withdraw their candidatures before the deadline for withdrawal,” Quader stated firmly.
Despite the central directive from the party, the relatives of ministers and MPs are persisting in their candidatures for the polls. The Awami League’s central leadership has warned of organisational consequences, including expulsion from the party, for those who defy the instructions and continue in the contest.
However, ministers and MPs who have nominated their children and relatives for the elections have indicated that they will wait to gauge the severity of the party’s actions.
Quader, who also serves as the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, declared that the party would refrain from holding conferences and forming committees at all levels during the upcoming Upazila Parishad elections.
=”The first phase of Upazila Parishad elections is imminent. During this period, there will be no party conferences at the district or Upazila levels, and the formation of new committees will be suspended,” he affirmed.
In addition to addressing internal matters, Quader took the opportunity to criticize the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He remarked that the BNP has lost its credibility among the populace and is resorting to seeking support from foreign entities to oppose the government.
Quader highlighted the BNP’s relentless opposition against the government and emphasised that the constitutional continuity of the government prevents any unlawful seizure of power.
Furthermore, Quader underscored the uninterrupted development initiatives undertaken by the Awami League-led government due to its continuous tenure in power.
The press conference was attended by several key figures of the Awami League, including Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, and Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Publicity and Publications Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.
