BNP's demands from the US have not been fulfilled: Obaidul Quader

Obaidul Quader spoke at a press conference at the Dhanmondi political office of Awami League president. Photo: Collected

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has commented that BNP's demands from the US have not been fulfilled. He said, "They (BNP) did not get what they wanted from the US, what they wanted from Washington." They wanted to hear that there will be a ban on the government.

He said these things in a press conference at the Dhanmondi political office of the Awami League president on Tuesday afternoon.

The Awami League General Secretary said, 'Ears are pricked to hear the broken record of lies of BNP leaders. The strength of their voice has decreased a little due to the continuation of lies. But the poison in their mouths has become more fierce.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader alleged that BNP is imposing their negative mentality on the government. He said that they did not come to the election due to the fear of failure and defeat in the movement. This is also their failure.

"We do not accept slavery to the Lord"

A US delegation returned yesterday after visiting Dhaka. During this visit, they also met with some government ministers as well as BNP leaders and civil society representatives. Journalists also asked various questions to the general secretary of Awami League about the visit of the US delegation.

In response to a question, Obaidul Quader said, 'Do we have any need to speculate about what the American delegation will say? We will understand what he said. There is no need for us to worry so much about what you will say when you go to America.

General Secretary of Awami League said, 'Look, let's say one thing, we want to be friends with foreign friends. We do not accept the servitude of those who want to play the role of Lord instead of friend. This is our foreign policy.

The subject of the meeting of the US team with the BNP

The press conference also asked whether the US delegation held a meeting with the BNP but not with the Awami League, whether they consider it a crisis or not. In response, Obaidul Quader said, Awami League did not talk about any crisis, why should it? There was a situation before the election. At that time, it was necessary to hold a meeting with all concerned including the government party, opposition party.

This leader of Awami League also said, 'Now they have mainly come to strengthen the relationship with the government. Now having a meeting with BNP, the US delegation thought it logical to know their opinion about the situation, what is the review. That's why they held a meeting.' He further said, 'They held a meeting with our foreign minister, who is also the joint general secretary of our party. Also spoke to Prime Minister's Private Investment Adviser. So we don't think there is any deficiency here.

"Bangladesh will not default"

Obaidul Quader said in response to the question whether the government is worried about the fact that the debt has to be repaid almost twice as compared to last year, i.e. 3 billion dollars, "The debt must be repaid." Due to the global crisis, financial crisis has become a major issue all over the world. At this time the debt may be higher than before, but Bangladesh has no record of defaulting. We are arranging that. There will be no defaulters, we can say that much.

'Commodity prices are normal'

Obaidul Quader said in response to the question whether there is a fear that the people may go against the government due to the increase in commodity prices, the people were not enticed by what the picnic party did in the name of rally after so much incitement, so much agitation that Bangladesh will become a stormy sea. Not even prompted.

Obaidul Quader said, "The people of the country keep the news of the whole world. All the news from around the world is researched in village tea shops. People understand that the government is not at fault here. The crisis in the world about commodity prices is not unique to Bangladesh. The prices of goods are increasing all over the world. Name one country in the world where commodity prices are normal. But our people still have the purchasing power. We hope that the goods will be sufficient in the coming Ramadan too.

The topic of increasing the price of beef

Regarding the complaint that the price of beef is increasing due to extortion, the bridge minister said that there is definitely an issue of extortion. The Prime Minister of the country himself has given a strong statement against this extortion. He directed all concerned to take action in this regard.

Obaidul Quader also said, 'There is no reason to think that once a matter is started, it will be closed overnight. After the Prime Minister said, everyone was shaking. Everyone has started activities to fulfill the responsibilities, to follow the instructions of the Prime Minister. When there is a crisis in the economy, the commodity prices, the market fluctuates; It is the religion of the market. Wait, they did not feed you, the people of the country can eat. Not a single person died of starvation. The people of the country are very good.

Awami League Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Education and Human Resource Affairs Secretary Shamsunnahar Chapa, Publicity and Publication Affairs Secretary Abdul Awal Shamim, Deputy Secretary Sayem were present in the press conference. Khan etc.