Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said actions will be taken if BNP carries out anarchy in the name of movement.

“Befitting reply will be given if BNP wants to fish in troubled water by creating disorder in the name of movement,” he told the inaugural session of the national council of Awami Matsyajibi (fishermen) League at Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium.

Quader said BNP does not abide by rules of law and court procedures.

“To create pressure on the court for the release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the party’s leaders and workers carried out vandalism, launched attacks on police and hurled brickbats on the premises of court,” he added.

The AL general secretary urged the party leaders and workers to remain alert, saying conspiracy is being hatched to thwart the popular government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

About the Matsyajibi League, Quader said: “We do not want any leader who will be involved with extortion. We want clean-image leadership.”

Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi were present on the occasion, among others.

Matsyajibi League Council Preparatory Committee convener Narayan Chandra Das presided over the function. Later in the council session, Obaidul Quader announced the names of newly elected leaders of Matsyajibi League.

Md Saifur Rahman and Sheikh Ajgar Laskar were elected president and general secretary respectively of the organization.

Saidul Alam Manik was made the executive president. Vice-presidents are Abul Bashar, Abdul Gafur, Mohammad Alam, Babul Miah, Mir Asaduzzaman, Shahe Alam Mia and Nasrin Sultana while Engineer Abdul Alim, Tipu Sultan and Rafiqul Islam Rafiq were made joint general secretaries.

Earlier in the morning, the AL general secretary inaugurated the council with the playing of the national anthem.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said there will be no change in the post of party president in the AL’s 21st national council slated for December 20-21.

“There will be no change in one post and that is the post of president. Our party President Sheikh Hasina is still essential and relevant for the party as all leaders and workers from centre to the grassroots are united under her leadership. Apart from she, none of us is essential,” he said.

He said this while replying to a question from journalists after a meeting of AL sub-committee on office, which was formed marking the 21st national council, at the party president’s Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said AL President Sheikh Hasina will decide whether any change would be brought in general secretary post.

About the chaos created by pro-BNP lawyers inside courtroom, the AL general secretary said their activities were an unforgivable offense, adding it is not a political case against BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, rather it is a graft case.

The government cannot release Khaleda Zia politically as it has nothing to do in graft cases, he said.

Quader said BNP is spreading falsehood over the graft case against Khaleda Zia. “BNP leaders are saying Khaleda Zia has been kept in jail politically. But they are falsifying. They are doing so deliberately,” he added.

The AL general secretary said pro-BNP lawyers turned the court premises into a battle-field.

He said even the chief justice had to comment on the incident that he did never see such a situation in the courtroom before. The chief justice further commented that everything has a limit, he added.

Quader said after failing in election and movement, now BNP has nothing to do but to fish in troubled water by creating instability.

“BNP is now creating chaos inside the courtroom and on court premises… this is their politics. They will now create disorder and instigate (people),” he said.

AL Presidium Member and convener of office affairs sub-committee Pijush Kanti Bhattacharya, Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, Deputy Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Central Working Committee member Anwar Hossain and sub-committee member Khandker Tareq Raihan attended the meeting, among others.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the BNP will not be allowed to hold any rally blocking the roads.

Quader, the minister for road, transport and bridges, alleged that the BNP executed a plot to kill people to create chaos, and is instigating violence, centring its December-10 rally in Dhaka.

He made the allegations at a meeting with the leaders of AL's Dhaka North and South city units as well as the party's front organisations and associate bodies at its Bangabandhu Avenue office.

AL leaders and activists in all wards, unions and upazilas will remain vigilant, he said.

"We will not attack but if we come under attack, we will give befitting reply."

Referring to some diplomats, the AL leader said they at times express concern in such a way, which is unfair and not in conformity with diplomatic norms.

"Diplomats are our friends… We want to remain your friend."

Slamming the media, Quader said, "You [the media] talk about neutrality, but why didn't you publish reports that many police personnel were wounded ….The media is playing a biased role."

He asked the party leaders and activists to stay calm and face the situation in a cool head.