BNP supporters happy with PM Hasina speech: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has claimed that even BNP supporters are ‘happy’ with the prime minister’s speech.

"Only Mirza Fakhrul and his associates seem unhappy with the speech," he said at a programme in Dhaka on Friday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation to mark the completion of three years of her government.

The speech was aired by all television and radio stations.

In her speech, Hasina hoped that all political parties would contest the 11th National Election to be held under the aegis of the new Election Commission which will be formed following the all-party discussion with President Abdul Hamid. 

In his immediate reaction to the prime minister’s speech, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticised Hasina for only highlighting her achievements and development projects during the speech.

"This speech of the prime minister is totally conventional, and self-gratifying and self-congratulatory," he had observed. 

Obaidul Quader countered Fakhrul's remark while distributing winter clothes at a programme at Russell Square in the capital on Friday morning.

The prime minister has spoken on "everything," ranging from Bangladesh's progress to procedures to be followed in the upcoming election”, he said.

"The whole population is happy after hearing the speech, even those who support the BNP. It has upset only those who call for different movements but spend time watching Hindi TV soaps," said Obaidul who is also the road transport and bridges minister.

Obaidul reiterated that the next national polls will be held under the prime minister, as instructed in the constitution.

BNP, the main opposition outside Parliament, has long been demanding for an election under a non-partisan caretaker government.

Obaidul warned his party activists to refrain from blocking roads in order to hold any rally or public meeting in the future.

The prime minister has given the order clearly, he said.

Dhaka witnessed two severe traffic congestions on the first two weeks within the month- one on the founding anniversary of ruling party's student wing Chhatra League and the other on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Homecoming Day.

"No programme will be held on streets in future," said the leader.

"We are looking for alternatives. Let's see if we can arrange such programmes only on weekly holidays."

He distributed blankets among 5000 people in presence of Relief and Disaster Management Secretary Sujit Ray Nandi.