Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Sunday said the next parliamentary polls will be held following the constitution, not following anyone’s prescription.
“Many people are talking about fair polls. We are listening to their comments. We will listen and take suggestions but there is no reason to think that we will remain under anyone’s control or work as per anyone’s order. Polls won’t be held as per anyone’s prescription,” he said.
Quader said these while exchanging views with journalists at the Secretariat on the first office day after the Eid-ul-Azha.
The minister said no foreign friends are interfering, rather some are giving suggestions. “We will listen to them and accept good suggestions. But elections must be held as per the constitution as it is our rules,” he said.
He said national polls will be held keeping an election-time government in office like other democratic countries in the world.
Failure of the opposition party knows no bounds, he said, adding: “We have listened that BNP will wage movement on their one-point demand as per the outline of 36 parties. But it didn’t begin. Now it is a matter to see how many parties step away from it before begging of the movement,” he said.
The minister said the country’s democracy is not flawless. “We have to pass more paths to give an institutional shape to democracy,” he said.
Asked about AL’s preparation to face BNP’s movement, he said they will face the political matter politically.
But if the element of violence is added to it, then the circumstances will say what to do, he mentioned.
“We remain alert on streets and in the political field to protect people’s life and properties. We have programme of peace rally till the polls,” he said.
