Won't allow BNP on streets, Quader tells AL rally

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said Awami League will not allow BNP to take to the streets during a 36-day ultimatum he issued to the opposition.

On September 25, Quader issued the ultimatum. The current parliament expires on January 29 and the national election must be held during the final 90 days of the parliament's tenure. The 90-day countdown begins on November 1, which was 36 days away on September 25.

"Every area would be under the control of the soldiers of Awami League, soldiers of Sheikh Hasina," said Quader, also AL's general secretary, while speaking at a rally held at Tongi Government School premises in Gazipur.

Regarding BNP's threat that they will make the government resign by October, Quader said, "They (BNP) said Hasina's term is over... our term is over. They said October will be the last... We saw 15 such 'Octobers'. Hasina will remain in power."

"You (BNP) are now plotting to occupy Dhaka. We are waiting to see who will occupy Dhaka and how," he said.

Regarding Hasina's leadership, he said, "Captain is coming. She is now in Washington, and asked us to get ready."

Addressing the BNP secretary general, he said, "Now, Mirza Fakhrul is crying, [he is] crying out of despair... He failed as a secretary general. They could not even wage a movement for Khaleda Zia..."

Pointing towards the US, he said, "Why are you so worried about a small country like ours?" President Biden, you stay in power, we have no issue. But stop Trump first. Trump is still ahead in popularity in your own country."