Behind-the-scenes understanding reached with everyone, says Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today asked the workers and leaders of the party to prepare for election as "an understanding has been reached behind the scenes".

"America needs Delhi. Delhi is there, so are we. No enmity with anyone, only friendship. Sheikh Hasina has struck a balance with regard to relations with everyone. No more worries. Election will be held in time," Quader said while addressing a "peace and development rally" in Aminbazar truck terminal area of Savar in the afternoon.

Dhaka District Awami League organised the rally. Leaders and activists of seven upazilas including Dhamrai, Savar, Dohar, Nawabganj, and Keraniganj took part in the programme.

Awami League presidium members, joint secretaries, organising secretaries, and district and upazila level leaders also spoke at the rally. All of their speeches focused on the upcoming elections and the opposition's one-point movement.

Obaidul Quader, the chief guest of the rally, began his speech by addressing the US visa restrictions.

"Two selfies put them into a checkmate," he said.

"One selfie in Delhi, the other in New York. Sheikh Hasina, Putul, and Joe Biden's selfies. One checkmate in Delhi, another in New York. Where are sanctions, where's visa policy?" Quader said.

Saying that threats of the visa policy are over, he said, "We do not care about the visa policy. We want peaceful election. So why the visa policy, sanctions? There will be free and fair election. There will be no more sanction. Fakhrul's voice has grown faint."

The minister also said, "If BNP comes to power, they will swallow democracy. They will swallow electricity. They will swallow the Liberation War of Bangladesh. If they come to power, they will again be world champion in corruption."

Benajir Ahmed, president of Dhaka District Awami League, also MP of Dhaka-20, presided over the programme while Paniruzzaman Tarun, general secretary of Dhaka District Awami League, moderated it.

Awami League Presidium Member Kamrul Islam and its Joint General Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak were present as special guests.