Modi's visit to US has no connection with politics of Bangladesh: Quader
Terming India a time-tested friend, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to the United States and it has no connection with the politics of Bangladesh.
Speaking as the chief guest at Rath Yatra Mahotsav held at ISKCON Ashram in the capital's Swamibagh on Tuesday (20 June), he said, "There are many issues in today's world, including war, inflation and energy crisis. We have not discussed with India whether there will be any talk about Bangladesh there," he added.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the US visa policy is going to be implemented to make elections free and fair in Bangladesh and whether the Indian premier has anything to do in this regard, as India is a democratic country, is up to him.
"India is our true friend, but there is no reason to think that they will put us [Awami League] in power. I don't know what Modi's visit to the US has to do with the elections of Bangladesh. We are not supposed to know what they will talk about. Only they know very well whether there is any issue of Bangladesh in their discussion or not," he said.
The minister also said no outside force can influence the next national elections of Bangladesh.
"There is no doubt there will be free and fair elections in this country. It will not be influenced by any outside force, [such as] someone's outline or their word. The election will be held as per the constitution and on time," he added.
He further said, "For BNP, an election will be fair if the Awami League loses. According to them, the Awami League has to prove that an election can be free and fair by being defeated.
"We are not worried about the visa policy. Our concern is holding the next election according to the constitution."