Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday alleged that the BNP had joined the December 30 polls only to make the elections appear controversial. “The BNP had not taken necessary preparations to join the elections. It deliberately refrained from posting polling agents at election booths on the voting day. That party didn’t properly conduct electioneering before the polls. Actually, it staged a drama in the name of joining the polls to make the elections appear controversial,” he said.

Quader was talking to reporters at AL president Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office in the city yesterday. About the debacle of the BNP in the just-concluded 11th parliamentary elections, Quader said the BNP an itsd allies got beaten by a huge margin because of the party's ‘weak organisational structure.’       

Replying to a question on the formation of the new government, the AL leader said the process to form the new government is likely to be completed before January 10, the homecoming day of Bangababdhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He also said the gazette notification will be published within one to two days and then the newly elected members of parliament will be sworn in. “After that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will meet the President, who will request the Prime Minister to form the government. The Premier, then, will

form the new Cabinet. But all the tasks of forming the new government would be completed before January 10,” he added. Replying to a question, Quader said if any candidate fails to take oath, the Election Commission (EC) will arrange necessary steps according to the constitution. A new schedule will be announced for a by-election to the constituency.

“Many democratic countries, including India, China, Sri Lanka, have already started congratulating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. If the BNP candidates do not participate in the democratic process, democracy will not halt for them,” he added. Replying to another question over the BNP’s movement, Quader said the BNP will not wage any movement to protest against the results of the December 30 polls. “There is no ‘objective condition’ to wage movement against the government right now,” he added.

He urged the party’s leaders, activists and supporters not to be revengeful to the opposition and behave carefully.