CT Online Desk:

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that the independent candidates who are participating in the upcoming election should be considered competitors. "Even if independent candidates participating in the election are from our party, they must be considered competitors," he said at a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday.

"Those who have become independent candidates from Awami League are still our party’s leaders and activists. Therefore, there must not be any bias or hostile environment. We do not want any biases in the election, which is not justified," he added. The Awami League general secretary said: "If any Awami League candidate or any candidate engages in violence, the Election Commission will take legal action. We will not give shelter to any violent activities.

“We want a peaceful election, without any violence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants a violence-free, peaceful election," he added. He said: "Those who have called for boycotting the election will be rejected by the people of the country. They have failed in their movements by not participating in elections. Boycotting the elections will further narrow their political future. Those who practice politics of terrorism and are anti-democratic should not speak about democracy."

Regarding BNP's non-cooperation movement, Obaidul Quader said: "If taxes are not paid, one has to go to jail. If utility bills including electricity and water are not paid, lines will be cut. Instead of calling for bizarre movements from abroad, come to the streets, and face it. There will be no Khomeini-style movement in Bangladesh. "In response to a question from journalists, he said: "Once again, there is a conspiracy of One-Eleven happening. But that won't happen in this country, and there's no chance.”

DCT/OL/AH/END