Quader offers money, jobs to Chhatra League leaders

Awami League’s Obaidul Quader has offered to provide jobs and money to its student leaders to keep them away from crimes and corruption.

Bangladesh Chhatra League should not just guard the interests of some, the ruling party’s general secretary said on Sunday.

“Don’t get involved in crimes. Come to me if you need money. When you finish your studies, come to me for jobs,” said Quader, who once headed the Chhatra League, citing instructions from the party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“Just don’t do anything to ruin the image of your oganisation,” Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said in his address to an extended meeting and workshop for Chhatra League leaders held at the auditorium of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

But involvement in the ruling party’s politics will not be enough to secure them jobs, he added.

“You’ll have to pass the written test. I’ll try to help everyone in keeping with the rules.”

Quader believed introducing e-tenders for various university works could prevent students from fighting over them.

“Many officials of educational institutes have started to play games with tender. And students fight over this.”

Quader called on colleges and universities to introduce e-tenders, phasing out the conventional bidding system.

He said Awami League leaders and ministers must not depend on the Chhatra League to boost their political leverage.

“Why should Chhatra League guard your interests? As part of this sick game, our student leaders are going into the living rooms of local leaders, MPs and minsters?”

He said Chhatra League’s committee will be determined by its own leaders. “You can’t show up in Dhaka with a committee after our meeting. Delayed committees make room for unqualified people.”

Quader also felt that student leaders could do more to combat anti-government propaganda on the social media.

“Chhatra League has to create Facebook pages to stop the spread of lies in villages and elsewhere.”