‘US, other Western countries silent on anti-polls activities’

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday (29 November) said the United States (US) and other western countries remain silent against those taking destructive programmes to halt the 12th general elections in Bangladesh.

He said, "Why are the Western countries, including the US, and the so-called civil society of the country keep silent about those who are openly taking programmes to disrupt the elections?"

He said this while speaking at a press conference at the AL President's Dhanmondi political office here afternoon.

Quader said BNP is enforcing the hartals and blockages to halt the next elections slated for January 7.

"We heard internationally that any activity that interferes with the polls should be considered as anti-election act. Now everyone is silent. Nobody is saying anything. Europe doesn't say anything, America doesn't say anything too," he said.

The AL general secretary said the hartal and blockade could not be covered up in any way. "How can police killing be covered up? The attack on the Chief Justice's residence and setting fire to cars cannot be covered up in darkness? These are happening in public," he said.

Quader said no one is talking about punitive measures against them (BNP men) though they have been enforcing strikes, blockades and carrying out sabotage to disrupt the polls.