AL to convey its concern to OIC envoys

The government's nomination of the prime minister's parliamentary affairs adviser, Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, as candidate for secretary general of the Riyadh-based OIC, elicited criticism from the opposition.

On June 2, the AL sent a letter to the prime minister, urging her to hold back Salauddin Quader from the race.

"We will meet the OIC states' ambassadors to Dhaka soon and express our concern," AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil told The Daily Star yesterday.

But the government did not answer the AL letter, in which Salauddin Quader was accused of anti-Bangladesh activities and misdeeds, until yesterday.

The AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) yesterday took a resolution for asking the ruling alliance to drop Salauddin Quader from the run for the OIC top post.

Bangladesh's chance to win the election to the OIC top office will be ensured, if a candidate beyond controversy is chosen, said the letter.

"We look forward to a reply (to our letter). But the government is determined to push ahead with its campaign for the candidate," AL Organising Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury told The Daily Star.

The AL will go on a movement, if the government does not backtrack on its nomination, said Saber.