Foreign friends did not talk about participatory polls: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said foreign friends want free, fair, and peaceful elections in Bangladesh, but not necessarily participatory polls.

Referring to the meetings with the US and European Union delegations, he also said they did not say anything about sanctions and visa policy.

"The foreigners did not hold any meeting with any political party, but they met the prime minister, the home minister and the foreign minister," he told a view-exchange meeting with the presidents and general secretaries of AL's associated bodies at the party president's political office in city's Dhanmondi this afternoon.

"They did not talk about participatory elections," he added.

Before the arrival of foreign friends, Quader said, BNP tried to create such fear through its propaganda that the government would not be spared and sanctions would be put on Bangladesh.

"America and European Union visa policy will put the government in trouble. The government may finally be instructed to hold elections under a caretaker government and the prime minister will have to resign - this is what BNP wanted. What happened at the end?" he questioned.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the AL also wants holding a peaceful elections but a peaceful environment is needed to hold peaceful elections.

"We will have to ensure peaceful environment," he said.

Urging BNP to join the next polls, Quader said if BNP has faith in the country's people, it should join the polls shunning its conspiracy to go to power through back-door.

"But BNP has to take the responsibility for the attitude of its leaders and activists, who are disrupting the democratic process through terrorism and arson attacks," he said.

Caretaker demand fails to gain traction: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud meanwhile today said there is no discussion taking place at any level on a non-party caretaker government to oversee the next election, nor on resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, reports UNB.

"This topic did not come up in any conversation with anyone. BNP's demand for Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the formation of a non-partisan government did not gain traction in Bangladesh, and they received no support from foreign entities," he said while talking to reporters after delivering a speech as the chief guest at the Asian University for Women's certificate distribution ceremony in Chattogram.

He further emphasised that the focus of discussions revolved around the prospect of a free and fair election.

"Even the topic of inclusive elections involving all political parties, including the BNP, did not arise. While we want the participation of all political parties in the elections, including the BNP, the election will adhere to the constitutional framework. According to the constitution, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government will continue its duties during the election, which will be conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission," he said.