‘Investigation needed to determine whether there’s connection between BNP’s call for polls boycott and sabotage’

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that it will have to be investigated whether there is any link between BNP‍‍`s call to boycott the next general election, scheduled for tomorrow, and the ongoing acts of sabotage.

He made the remark while briefing reporters in his constituency in Noakhali-5 (Companiganj-Kabirhat)on Saturday.

Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, urged people not to be confused by rumours and propaganda spread by BNP-Jamaat and come to the polling centres without fear.

"We are observing with deep anger and concern that BNP and their allies have started carrying out massive terrorist activities, including sabotage and arson, ahead of the January 7 election,” he observed.

Condemning yesterday’s arson attack on Benapole Express that left four people dead, he alleged that the BNP-Jamaat want to destroy the country.

He also said that BNP and Jamaat are the defeated forces of 1971 and killers of 1975. They want to do “politics by burning people,” he said.

Quader said BNP has called for boycotting the election and is constantly spreading anti-election propaganda.

“Bangladesh has never bowed down to any evil power and will not do so in the future,” he said.

Asserting that Sunday‍‍`s election will be peaceful across the country, Quader said that foreign observers and journalists who have come will also observe the election.

“You can see the evidence of the terrorist character of the evil forces that boycotted the election. They are torching buses, trains. We, the people of Bangladesh, know the character of these terrorists,” the AL general secretary said.

Quader asked AL leaders and workers to remain vigilant so that BNP cannot carry out sabotage.

The AL will form the government again through people‍‍`s votes, he said, adding that Bangabandhu‍‍`s daughter Sheikh Hasina will again lead the country towards becoming Smart Bangladesh as the Prime Minister.

The AL leader said that BNP-Jamaat might continue sabotage even after the election and they will have to be given a strong reply.

“We will not allow the BNP to carry out their terrorism; we know how to be strict. All measures will be taken in time,” Quader warned.