AL doesn’t want EC Talukder to go, says Quader

The Awami League (AL) general secretary, Obaidul Quader, has said that his party does not want removal of election commissioner Mahbub Talukder for his dissenting views on how to make the 11th parliamentary polls free, fair and inclusive. “An election commissioner can express dissenting views on an issue. He has the right. Why will we seek his resignation for that? We don’t want his removal. It is an internal matter of the Election Commission,” he said.

Obaidul Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the Indian high commissioner, Harsha Vardhan Shringla, at Setu Bhaban in the city yesterday (Thursday). On Monday, Mahbub Talukder walked out of a preparatory meeting of the EC for "not being allowed to speak on how to hold the 11th parliamentary polls in a free, fair, and inclusive manner".

Referring to AL presidium member Mohammad Nasim’s statement on removal of Mahbub Talukder, Quader said: “It can be his personal opinion. It's not the AL’s statement.” At the 14-party press conference on Wednesday, AL leader Mohammad Nasim said the Mahbub Talukder should resign from his post,as he cannot make any unconstitutional speech from his constitutional position.

Replying to a question, Quader said India did not express any apprehension over holding of polls in time. “India wants to see a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh. And I hope the polls will be an inclusive one,” he added.

About forging alliance with other political parties, the AL general secretary said: “Some political parties, including the Jatiya Party, left-leaning political parties and the Islami Front of Bahadur Shah Mozaddedi, have communicated with us. They want to join our grand alliance. It will take time to know more about the politics of alliance. I don’t want to disclose it now.”

He also said that any kind of alliance would not put obstruction on the way of holding the polls in a free and fair manner. The polls will be held in time in line with the country’s Constitution. “If any alliance hatches a conspiracy to foil the elections, it will have to face dire consequences,” he said.

AL doesnt want EC Talukder to go, says Quader

The Awami League (AL) general secretary, Obaidul Quader, has said that his party does not want removal of election commissioner Mahbub Talukder for his dissenting views on how to make the 11th parliamentary polls free, fair and inclusive. An election commissioner can express dissenting views on an issue. He has the right. Why will we seek his resignation for that? We dont want his removal. It is an internal matter of the Election Commission, he said. Obaidul Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with the Indian high commissioner, Harsha Vardhan Shringla, at Setu Bhaban in the city yesterday (Thursday). On Monday, Mahbub Talukder walked out of a preparatory meeting of the EC for not being allowed to speak on how to hold the 11th parliamentary polls in a free, fair, and inclusive manner. Referring to AL presidium member Mohammad Nasims statement on removal of Mahbub Talukder, Quader said: It can be his personal opinion. Its not the ALs statement. At the 14-party press conference on Wednesday, AL leader Mohammad Nasim said the Mahbub Talukder should resign from his post,as he cannot make any unconstitutional speech from his constitutional position. Replying to a question, Quader said India did not express any apprehension over holding of polls in time. India wants to see a free, fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh. And I hope the polls will be an inclusive one, he added. About forging alliance with other political parties, the AL general secretary said: Some political parties, including the Jatiya Party, left-leaning political parties and the Islami Front of Bahadur Shah Mozaddedi, have communicated with us. They want to join our grand alliance. It will take time to know more about the politics of alliance. I dont want to disclose it now. He also said that any kind of alliance would not put obstruction on the way of holding the polls in a free and fair manner. The polls will be held in time in line with the countrys Constitution. If any alliance hatches a conspiracy to foil the elections, it will have to face dire consequences, he said.