Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, labelled the Transparency Inter-national Bangladesh (TIB) as BNPs agent and its recent report as one-sided and anti-government.
"The TIB is an agent of the BNP. TIB speaks in the tone of the BNP. All of TIBs statements are biased. History says they have always been against the Awami League. They speak for the BNP. We could not find impartiality in their research. TIBs recent report is one-sided and anti-government," Quader said at a press briefing at the Awami League Presidents Dhanmondi office in Dhaka on Thursday.
Obaidul Quader said, "There are some organizations that talk about accidents. If 100 die, they say 500 have died. TIB is like them. TIB and CPD had said Padma Bridge was impossible. Filing a case does not solve everything. Some things are said for public perception. They will be dealt with politically."
In its report published on Wednesday, TIB said Bangladeshs 12th general election was
ot free or inclusive.
In response to a question about the internal conflict of the AL following the election, the partys General Secretary said, "We are a political party. All political parties will have conflict, there may be strife. Why are you so worried about our party? Our party is moving forward."
"We have been in power for 15 years. Our advantage is we have no doubt, no conflict on the question of our leadership, Daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina," he assured.
The AL General Secretary also acknowledged the existence of political tactics and conflicts within parties, saying, "Conflicts are inherent in politics, and the AL navigates through them under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party is united in addressing challenges wherever it arises."
Regarding upcoming local government elections, Quader said, "Decisions on local government elections, including upazilas, and the use of party symbols will be finalized in the ALs board meeting."
In response to query about the opposition party in Parliament, the Minister said, "Clarity on the opposition party will emerge once the Parliament session commences. Those who oppose the government are the opposition party."
Regarding unusual hike of commodity prices, Quader noted, "The Prime Minister has given instructions on commodity prices. Ministries are formulating action plans based on the ground reality, including price control measures. The authorities have already started working to control the price."
He said, "We will take up a realistic programme. The Prime Minister has asked everyone to work toward that. Each ministry has started fixing its action plan."
