Don’t incite anarchy over Modi’s visit

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday urged all concerned not to incite any chaos centring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's forthcoming visit to Bangladesh.

He made the call at a regular press conference on contemporary issues at his official residence on parliament premises in Dhaka.

Quader, also general secretary of Awami League, said a vested quarter is hatching conspiracy to thwart the Indian premier's visit marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.

Mentioning that India was the main ally of Bangladesh during the Liberation War, the minister said Bangladesh invited the head of the government of India, not any particular individual, on the occasion of the twin celebrations.

He said Modi is an invited guest and his visit has no link with any other issue.

About BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's comment that the party started getting organised to defeat the government, Quader said if BNP becomes politically organised, there is no problem.

But if BNP carries out their evil attempts to create unrest in the name of movement, Awami League, along with the people, will face them, he said.

"Now Awami League is very much united, strong and well-organised," he said.

Quader said when BNP was in power, it introduced politicisation in administration. On the other hand, the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stopped it.

The current administration is very much skilled and efficient, he added.

The minister said the administration is working with efficiency to materialise Vision 2021, Vision 2041, Delta Plan and other long-term visions.

There is no government interference in lower and high courts and that is why the court gave verdicts against many AL leaders and activists.

He said AL does not want to intervene in the judicial process by any means as it is respectful to the law. But BNP maintains a double standard on law and judicial matters, he added.

Referring to the rise in coronavirus infection rate, the minister urged the all to maintain health guidelines properly and wear facemasks.

He urged the AL's organisational units to arrange prayers at religious establishments on every Friday from now till December marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and golden jubilee of independence, keeping consistency with the central programmes as per the directives of the party president.

Quader also announced AL's programmes for Genocide Day on March 25.

AL's Dhaka city north and south units will arrange a discussion at 11am at AL central office on Bangabandhu Avenue on March 25, he said.