About Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon’s claim that people could not cast their votes in the last parliamentary elections, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday questioned whether he would have made the claim had he been a minister.
 
“He (Menon) is a senior leader. I humbly want to know whether he would have made the claim had he been a minister. Why did he make the claim at this time after so many days?” Quader said.
 
He was replying to queries from reporters at the Secretariat.
 
Addressing the council of his party’s Barishal district unit on Saturday, Menon claimed that people could not cast their votes in the December 30 national election and he was a witness to it.
 
Menon was elected MP in the 11th parliamentary election from the Awami League-led Grand Alliance.
 
He served as Social Welfare and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister during the two previous tenures of the Awami League government unlike this time.
 
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, said there was no discussion with Menon either on behalf of the government or the party to this end.
 
Asked whether the party will seek explanation from the Workers Party chief, he said they will want to know from coordinator of Awami League-led 14-party alliance Mohammad Nasim and discuss it at the party forum.
 
In reply to a query as to why Menon, also chairman of Fakirerpool Youngmen’s Club where a casino was running, made the comments when an anti-casino drive is on, Quader suggested that reporters asked him the question.
 
He said no one involved in any crime, including casino business, will be spared.
 
Asked whether Jubo League Chairman Omar Faroque Chowdhury was invited to today’s meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganobhaban, the ruling party leader said no one was called against her will. “However, I don’t know the matter. Jubo League can tell you that.”
 
About the age-limit for Jubo League, he said a decision will be taken as per its constitution whether there will be any amendment to this end.