Dhaka: BNP on Thursday accused Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader of instigating violence with his ‘aggressive’ comments.

‘Like mafia dons, Obaidul Quader yesterday (Wednesday) said we’ll have to go on action instead of making statements anymore. He provoked his party’s cadres to resort to violence with such a comment,’ said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, reports the UNB.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also alleged that the ruling party men have got desperate and they are attacking the candidates and supporters of ‘Sheaf of Paddy at different parts of the country.

‘The ruling party cadres are demonstrating with arms openly across the country in favour of Boat. Police are raiding the houses of our leaders and activists all over the country as they are playing an aggressive role against the candidates of Jatiya Oikyafront and the 20-party alliance,’ the BNP leader said.

He bemoaned that Election Commission and the returning officers are not taking any action against those attacking their leaders and activists and violating the election code of conduct.

Rizvi said they will not quit the election race under any circumstance as people are waiting to give a befitting reply to the ruling party’s misdeed and repression through ballot. ‘People must ensure the victory of Sheaf of Paddy demonstrating their courage on December 30.’

He claimed that their party’s 2,415 leaders and activists have been arrested since the announcement of the election schedule while 425 ones since the distribution of election symbol.’

Rizvi claimed a false and fabricated audio clip in the name of telephonic conversations between their party standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and a Pakistani spy agency official has been circulated in the media to defame BNP.

He alleged that the audio clip was made faking Mosharraf’s voice.