No scope to oust govt without polls

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said without polls, there is no scope to oust the government through clandestine means.

He said this in a statement, protesting BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comments on the government ruining the nation's existence, describing those as "baseless, ill-motivated and conspiratorial".

Responding to Fakhrul, Quader said BNP itself is the major barrier to Bangladesh's existence, progress and prosperity.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said Bangladesh's footing has become stronger than ever in all aspects, including the socioeconomic and geopolitical conditions. He also said BNP has promulgated Indemnity Ordinance to save the killers of Bangabandhu and perpetrated gruesome grenade attacks on Awami League's anti-terrorism rally on August 21, 2004.

Terming BNP acting chair Tarique Rahman as the killer and perpetrator of the August 21 massacre, Quader said Tarique and his party leaders are the key obstacles to the country's peace and stability.

"It is now a major question whether BNP's existence will sustain or not," he added.

About BNP's goals to bring back Tarqiue Rahman to the country, Quader said, "Awami League and the government want Tarique to come back to face his sentences. If Tarique has the courage, let him return home. There is no need for a movement for this."