Game has not started yet: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the game of the country's politics is still in its early stage and the BNP's mass movement will be lost if the game begins in full swing.

Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, made the remark while addressing a rally organised by Dhaka city south AL in front of the party's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

Commenting that BNP is now like a disoriented wayfarer, Quader said, "The game has not started yet. It's just the beginning. When the game will be played, the BNP's mass movement will be lost. Now they [the BNP] have leaders and activists but people are not with them. The BNP is upset as people are in peace."

Criticising the statement of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that a one-party "Baksal-like" rule is now going on in the country, Obaidul said Baksal is not a single party. It is a national party, which was comprised of all parties and all opinions.

He said there is evidence that Ziaur Rahman become a member of Bakslal by applying to Bangabandhu. "Your party founder joined Bakslal through an application but you [Fakhrul] call it one-party," he added.