Quader: Zia created conflict in politics

Published at 01:39 pm January 4th, 2020

File Photo: Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Focus Bangla

A strong opposition party is needed for having a strong democracy, he says

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said BNP founder Ziaur Raman had created a wall of discord in politics through the assassination of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on August 15 in 1975.

"After the assassination of Bangabandhu, the then government rewarded the killers, created scope for them to flee and gave them jobs in different missions abroad," he said.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said this while addressing the triennial council of Jatiya Party (Manju) at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka on Saturday, reports BSS.

He said Indemnity Act was formulated to give immunity from legal action to the assassins of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Since then, there has been a wall of discord in the country's politics, he added.

The Awami League general secretary said a strong opposition party is needed to have a strong democracy.

"We should keep in mind that strengthening democracy cannot be possible without a strong opposition party."

Quader said the Jatiya Party (Manju) had stood beside Awami League in the movement to resist communal forces.

"Today we are working together. This trend should be continued," he said.

Quader urged the leaders and workers of Jatiya Party to make united efforts to build a non-communal and prosperous Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu.

Chaired by Jatiya Party Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, the function was also addressed, among others, by Awami League Presidium member and central 14-party spokesperson Mohammed Nasim, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu, Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua and Jatiya Party Secretary General Sheikh Shahidul Islam.

Mohammed Nasim called upon BNP not to make the Dhaka city elections controversial.

"Please do not flee from the election race midway. Stay in the field until announcement of the final results," he said.

Earlier, the triennial council was inaugurated through hoisting of party flag.