Modi didn’t say anything about polls: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that they did not discuss anything about the upcoming 11th parliamentary election with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

"We did not discuss anything with Modi about the 11th parliament election. Modi himself didn’t talk in this regard too," Quader said while addressing a press conference at the party president Sheikh Hasina's Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka this evening.

After wrapping up a three-day visit to India, Quader along with 19-member delegation retuned Dhaka on April 24 and told reports that the neighbouring country has no intention to interfere in any internal affairs of Bangladesh including its elections.

Claiming that the 11th parliamentary election will be held in due time and many political parties will join it, Quader said, "Will India help us to go for the state power? Did they do it in the past?"

"Awami League was defeated in the 2001's general election. Did it (India) help (AL) in staying in state power? India doesn’t do it. No foreign power, rather the country's people will settle our fate," Quader added. 

With parliamentary elections in Bangladesh just months away, a 19-member Awami League delegation led by its general secretary went to India and held talks on several important issues with its Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many leaders of its ruling camp on April 23.

"During a dinner party there, not only the Indian ruling party leaders, but many of other leaders told that Awami League will come to power again in Bangladesh," Quader said.

The Awami League leader said he discussed many issues during half-an-hour-long meeting with Modi upholding the country' national interest and the Indian prime minister heard the issues paying his due attention.

"We talked about Rohingya and Teesta water-sharing issues. We told Modi that Teesta is a life and death issue for many people of Bangladesh. We talked about the crisis of water also," Quader said expressing hope that a friendly relation will be strengthened and positive mentality will be created between the two countries if the Teesta water sharing deal is signed.

BNP now a “complete liar”

Responding to a query about BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman's citizenship, Quader said BNP now admits that Tarique took asylum in UK.

"Earlier I told that BNP is a pathological liar. Now, I am telling that it’s a complete liar," Quader also road transport and bridges minister, said.

Responding to a remark of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Khaleda's health related issue, Quader said the government must take necessary measure if recommendation comes from the assigned physicians.

"We see her (Khaleda) condition normal. We didn’t see deterioration of her health condition," he added.