Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader warns party leaders and supporters

In an unusually stern warning to party leaders and supporters, Awami league General Secretary Obaidul Quader told them not to misuse power.

"If the party is not in power, you will have to run around from one place to another with all the money you have now made," Quader told a Awami League's meeting in Chittagong late on Saturday.

"Power and money does not stay for long, so don't misuse it."

At the party meeting in Chittagong's Panchlaish, Quader warned the party against accepting new members without checking out their background.

"Don't induct bad elements for money, because you will not find them anywhere near you when the party is out of power and bad times come," Quader said.

Making a fervent appeal to end factionalism, Quader said: If Awami League ends up becoming its own enemy, nobody can save us. But if we are united, we can face anybody who opposes us. If there are enemies within, you don't need outside enemies."

Quader made it clear he wanted an immediate end to the factional feud between Chittagong Mayor AJM Nasiruddin and Chittagong Metropolitan unit chief ABM Mohiuddin.

"Nasir is like your son, if he makes a mistake, reprimand him," he said, pointing to Mohiuddin. "The Chittagong unit stayed united during our troubled times, their unity showed us the way."

Quader pitched for an Awami League that would become a 'smart, well organised modern party' under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, as it prepares to face the next parliament election.

The Awami League general secretary denied any pact between his party and the Hifazat-e Islam through granting recognition to degrees awarded by Qawmi madrassas.

"We have only paved the way to bring them to the mainstream of national life. Recognition of their degrees and getting into a political alliance with them are two entirely different propositions," Quader said.

Blaming the BNP for trying to use the Hifazat to create another May 5 type incident, Quader said that plan has now been thwarted. "Now Hifazat chief Shafi has come out strongly against militancy and described it as an enemy of Islam."