Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday said new and women voters would be the main weapon to win in the next general election.

He made this comment at the party’s new member collection and renewal of its membership programme on the premises of Harimohon Government High School in Chapainawabganj yesterday.

“Terrorists, extortionists, illegal drug traders and those involved with any kind of misdoings will not be included as members of Awami League,” he said.

He asked nomination seekers from Awami League for ‘sound competitions’. Sheikh Hasina, the ruling party chief is collecting information and she would nominate those who are acceptable to the people, he said. She did not give permanent lease to anybody and those who will not work well will have to leave the party, he said further. “You are to win the love of mass people to be leaders,” he added.

The minister suggested his party men to increase contact with people and make them know the truth by holding meetings and forming village committees.

“BNP only exists by name as the party did not achieve anything during the last eight years. They only give threats to launch movement every month. They lie in order to win the next polls,” he said.

Regarding the achievements of the government he said no previous government worked for development as much as Awami League did. He cited examples of launching allowance for the old, widows, freedom fighters, empowerment of women, bill paying facilities through digital centres, providing eight crore people with internet facilities and so on.

Criticising BNP the minister said during and after the elections of the 5th January, BNP torched vote centres and schools, burnt hundreds of people, and cut trees.

He asked people to vote for Awami League, the party that gave them development and all necessary facilities.

The programme was arranged by Chapainawabganj district unit of Awami League. It was held with its president Moinuddin Mondol in the chair.

Among others, Central Joint Secretary of AL Jahangir Kabir Nanak MP, Central Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury MP, members of the central committee AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Nurul Islam Thandu and secretary of Chapainawabganj district unit of AL and lawmaker of Chapainawabganj sadar constituency Md Abdul Wadud were also present there.

Before attending to this programme, the minister laid foundation stones of several development projects.