Criticising a recent joint statement of 40 intellectuals over the 12th national elections, Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said the intellectuals are implementing the political agenda of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

“Those, who are talking about elections without calling for stopping arson attacks, are the agents of BNP. The statement, made by 40 intellectuals about the elections, shows that they are implementing the political agenda of BNP,” he said.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, made the remarks at a press conference at the AL President Sheikh Hasina’s Dhanmondi political office here.

So far, 27 political parties are participating in the polls, while there are a total of 1,886 candidates and of them, 357 are independent, he said, adding that all-out preparations are being taken for holding the national elections.

About the statement of AL presidium member and Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque made over the arrests of BNP leaders, the AL general secretary said Dr Razzaque’s remark was his personal opinion.

“The Awami League is not a bankrupt party. It is not right that the Awami League would make such a weird proposal to BNP or any party violating the party’s discipline and its commitment to democracy.

 Such proposals were not made by the government and the AL at all,” he said.

Quader asked BNP leader Moin Khan to give concentration to the whole of Bangladesh on January 7 next and look at the polling stations.

“If you do so, you will understand how much people of the country are enthusiastic to vote on that day,” he added.

AL Organising Secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam and Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Religion Affairs Secretary Sirajul Mustafa and Education and Human Resources Secretary Shamsunnahar Chapa were present, among others, at the press conference.