Khaleda Zia's remarks were nothing but an expression of spite towards Sheikh Hasina, said ruling Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader in his reaction to BNP Chairperson Khaleda's comments at the Suhrawardy Udyan rally yesterday.

About the BNP's chief demand for a non-partisan interim administration for holding the next national election, Quader said the polls would be held under the Election Commission, like most other countries.

The government will assist the commission in holding a free, fair and credible election, he said, adding, “The election will not be held under any partisan government.”

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, was giving his reaction to reporters at AL president's Dhanmondi office about the BNP chief's remarks at the Suhrawardy Udyan rally.

The AL general secretary said Khaleda would have to offer an apology before the nation for her destructive politics before and after the 2014 elections.

On Khaleda's demand for deployment of army with magistracy power ahead of the elections, he said the AL also wants the army during the polls, and it should happen in accordance with the law.

“Khaleda Zia was the prime minister for 10 years. How many elections were held during her tenure giving magistracy power to army?” Quader said. 

Calling upon the BNP to return to "positive politics", the AL leader said they would welcome the BNP if the party returned to "positive politics".

Quader said Khaleda was now staging a "drama of forgiveness" as she knew that she might be convicted in the cases filed against her.

About Khaleda's demand for stopping the use of Electronic Voting Machine in the polls, he said EVM is a modern system, but as Khaleda wants a "mechanised" election like of 2001, she talks against the EVM.