AL to expel rebels in UP polls: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday warned that the ruling Awami League would expel the party rebel candidates in the upcoming union parishad elections.

"Punitive measures will be taken if any party man takes part in the upcoming union parishad polls as a rebel candidate. Even, they would be expelled from the party," said the minister, also an AL presidium member.

He came up with the party decision while talking to journalists in Companiganj upazila of Noakhali.

Asked about the internal problems of Jatiya Party, the minister said it was JP's internal matter and it would not affect the AL-led alliance.

He said the BNP's anti-government movement went in vain. The party faced a huge defeat in the (last) elections. The BNP suffered a severe political setback as its anti-government movement since 2008 did not get momentum, he added.

"The BNP would have not faced the crisis if it had participated in the polls," said the AL leader.