No Awami League nomination for you: Quader to Cox’s Bazar’s Badi

Enraged by Cox's Bazar MP Abdur Rahman Badi's failure to complete repairs on a road in his constituency, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has threatened to deny him a nomination in the next parliament polls.

“You have been elected twice, and still you have not been able to fix this road,” Quader scolded Badi as he travelled on the Teknaf-Shahporir Island road to the area affected by Cyclone Mora on Friday.

“You should be taught a lesson for making the people suffer in this way. You will not be nominated next time.”

Badi had first been on the Awami League ticket in 2008.

Though he was listed as a yaba trafficker by the Department of Narcotics Control, Badi’s nomination was not blocked during the 2014 elections.

Last year a Dhaka court sentenced the Cox’s Bazar MP three years in prison over a corruption case. The case is currently awaiting a High Court hearing.

The Teknaf-Shahparir Island road in Badi’s constituency has been in disrepair for a long time.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader was using the road to travel to the area affected by Cyclone Mora to distribute aid to the victims.

A group of Awami League central leaders headed by Quader had arrived in Cox’s Bazar on Thursday. The group then split into four to cover several of the affected areas.

Quader’s team went to Cox’s Bazar Municipal Ward - 1 to inspect the damage and help in relief efforts.

“We have not come to receive flowers or take part in a photo session,” said Quader. “We have come to stand by those people who are in distress and who need help. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a friend of the poor. We will stand with you at her request.”

Cyclone Mora made landfall on the Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong coast on May 30. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief estimates some 286,000 people in 16 districts have been affected by the storm.

The prime minister said none should suffer because of the disaster, Quader said.

“The prime minister may be abroad, but her heart is with every person affected by the storm in Teknaf, St Martin’s, Moheshkali, Kutubdia and the Cox’s Bazar coastal area.”