‘I’m being called insane for criticising AL corrupt’

Abdul Quader Mirza. Photo: Collected

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader's younger brother Abdul Quader Mirza yesterday said Awami League men were calling him insane because he spoke against corruption and misdeeds by many leaders of the party.

The municipality mayor of Basurhat, Noakhali, went on a rant  at a campaign rally on the premises of Companiganj Upazila Parishad. 

Mirza, who has stirred up a debate in the country's political circles with some of his recent remarks, is also contesting the municipality polls, slated for January 16, with an AL ticket.

"A lawmaker from Gopalganj has termed me insane. He is a former minister. But he was not made a minister this time because he was involved in different irregularities," said Mirza.

"Besides, another leader from Kushtia said I do not act responsibly. But what have you been doing while criminals vandalised the statue in Kushtia?"

Mirza also claimed that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was "helpless" because "there is an international conspiracy to kill her. Besides, fundamentalists and communalists are hatching conspiracies inside the country. Sheikh Hasina alone is resisting the conspiracies."

Flatterers and corrupt people are misguiding Hasina round the clock, he claimed.

Mirza then said some people brought illegal firearms to his municipality to cause violence during the election.

"A consignment of arms has arrived in Kabirhat of Noakhali from Chattogram. I have informed the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Noakhali. But they did not pay any heed to it … If there is violence during the polls, the DC and SP will have to take the responsibilities."

He then urged voters to resist voting irregularities.

"You will cast your vote. If anyone tries to stop you from going to the voting centre, break his leg. I will take the responsibilities."

Unveiling his election manifesto on December 31 last year, he brought allegations against some local lawmakers and AL leaders of corruption, tender manipulation, and recruitment scams.

He claimed that the district AL committee was formed, excluding the party's devoted and tested leaders.

"With regret, I want to say some sycophants often claim that the BNP's bastions in Noakhali and Laxmipur have been destroyed because of certain leaders.

"Have the BNP's bastions really been destroyed? If elections were held in a fair manner, our MPs, except for the ones in three or four constituencies in greater Noakhali, would not have found ways to flee. That's the truth," he had said.

Mirza's remarks have put the AL top brass in an awkward position. Cashing in on the situation, BNP leaders said Mirza's remarks proved that the government has been deceiving people, using the Election Commission.