DHAKA, Dec 29, 2021 (BSS) - Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today urged the BNP to come forward to form a strong Election Commission (EC) as the President is holding dialogue with all the enlisted political parties for constituting a neutral EC ahead of the next general elections.

   "We hope that BNP will come forward for constituting a powerful EC by avoiding negative politics," he said while speaking virtually at a press conference on contemporary issues from his official residence here this morning.

   Whether the political parties would come or not, the formation of the Election Commission would not remain stopped, Quader also general secretary of the ruling Awami League told reporters.

   Replying to a remark of BNP's secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that 'the dialogue with the president is meaningless and it will not resolve the crisis,' the ruling party leader said the same system, which had been followed earlier in formation of EC, would also be followed this time. 

   Mentioning that earlier an Election Commissioner had been appointed from the list provided by the BNP, Quader said, "The powerful EC would never be formed through giving speeches in the media." A certain process needs to be followed for constituting the commission, he said, adding that the process would prove whether the BNP wants a powerful election commission or creates only controversy on the issue.

   Criticizing BNP for organising a voter-less elections which had created chaotic situation for the democracy, the minister said, "It is BNP which wanted to bury the democracy by creating 1.25crore fake voters."

   Terming BNP as a communal outfit, Quader said BNP is a creator of an undemocratic and plundering politics. Although BNP shows democracy in their speeches but practically it cherishes communalism and opportunist politics internally, he added.

 "BNP has branding the country with fanatic, extremism and communal evil forces," he said, adding "But Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has founded the country as a potential economic power before the world by establishing the rights of the people." 

   Replying to the allegations made by the BNP leaders that the government is spreading falsehood about the treatment of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, AL general secretary said it is not the government but BNP which is spreading falsehood on the BNP chairperson's health issue.

   Quader said the BNP leaders had not tried to release the BNP Chairperson from jail, rather they wanted to use Begum Zia's issue to achieve ill political purposes.

  Even the BNP leaders have been doing excess politics with Begum Zia's health issue, the road transport minister said the BNP leaders focused on gaining political interest rather than Khaleda Zia's health issue. After all, Sheikh Hasina has established an instance of generosity and humanity on Begum Zia, he said. But they [BNP leaders] have no gratitude to this end.

   Now, BNP has targeted to capture the state power anyhow because plundering of state wealthy is their only target, said the ruling party leader.