BNP’s dream for ‘blueprint polls’ won’t be fulfilled: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP’s dream for a ‘2001-like blueprint election’ will never be fulfilled.

Noting that the upcoming national election will be held with the participation of all political parties, he said the Election Commission will be equipped with all mechanism involving all stakeholders to hold a free, fair and acceptable election.

“I hope that BNP will participate in the next election. But, the election must be held in time in accordance with the constitution,” Quader, also General Secretary of ruling Awami League (AL), told journalists after visiting the construction site of a Tk 100 crore Patiya bypass road project here.

Referring to the recent India visit of some BNP leaders, he said the visit became fruitless as they visited India without any official invitation for lobbying and seeking blessing.

About the development of road communications, the Road Transport and Bridges Minister said the construction of the four-lane Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Road has been finalised after consultation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the project is awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Later, Quader attended the Qulkwani of Sabura Khatun, mother of local lawmaker Shamsul Hoque Chowdhury, at Shouvandondi village under Patiya upazila.

Shipping Minister Shajhajan Khan, Chattogram City mayor AJM Nasir Uddin and deputy commissioner of Chattogram Mohammad Ilias Hossain were, among others, present on the occasion.