Next polls to be inclusive even without BNP

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said the next election would be “inclusive” even if the BNP did not take part in it.

“The BNP thinks, if it does not participate in the election, it will be a one-sided polls,” Quader said. “If they think like that, I will say they are living in a fool's paradise.”

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Quader, also minister for roads, transport and bridges, was taking to journalists after inaugurating the pilling works on the 3rd Shitalakkhya Bridge at Syedpur in Narayanganj.

“There will be no more uncontested elections in future,” he said.

The last parliamentary election was held on January 5, 2014, amidst controversy as the BNP -- the main opposition -- and most other political parties boycotted the polls.

As a result, 154 lawmakers were elected unopposed in the 10th parliament.

Quader also came down heavily on his political counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for his remarks over the verdict in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case, scheduled to be announced on February 8.

"Fakhrul has already committed contempt of court by issuing a threat that they will not accept the court verdict in connection with the case. The court should take cognisance of the matter," Quader said.

"If the BNP wants to create anarchy centring the verdict, then not only the government but also the country's people will resist it," he said.