Elections Without Awami League Will Not Be Acceptable: GM Quader

Dhaka, August 13, 2025 – Jatiya Party Chairman Golam Mohammad (GM) Quader stated that holding elections without the participation of the Awami League would not be acceptable. He made these remarks as the chief guest at an opinion exchange meeting organized by the Dhaka district branch of the Jatiya Party at its central office on Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing the gathering, Quader said, “When the Awami League banned Jamaat-e-Islami from politics, I protested against it. Similarly, I am now saying that an election excluding the Awami League will not be acceptable.”

Quader criticized the handling of legal cases, stating, “During the July massacre, many false cases were filed. Numerous false murder cases were lodged against me and our party leaders and workers. Those arrested in these false cases are not being granted bail. The Law Adviser and the IGP have admitted that many false cases were filed. So why are those detained not being granted bail?” He further remarked, “The law says that to save one innocent person, even ten guilty ones can be released if necessary. But what’s happening now? To punish one guilty person, ten innocent people are being punished. They cannot suppress us by setting fire to homes and offices or by filing cases and attacking us. We are opposing the misdeeds of the current government, speaking for the people despite the risks.” Expressing concern over the state of the nation, Quader said, “There is no smile on the faces of the people. They are living in fear. Those who can do whatever they want will not want elections. The longer elections are delayed, the more they benefit. The people’s concerns are not on their agenda. Who are you to say we don’t want elections? Let everyone speak—that’s democracy. Want to be a dictator? You won’t survive. The people of this country do not accept dictatorship.” Quader also alleged that both the previous Awami League government and the current administration have restricted his political activities through legal maneuvers. “The Awami League government imposed restrictions on my political work through legal tactics. Now, this government is doing the same. I was elected chairman at a successful conference attended by local politicians and foreign diplomats. As chairman, I have the constitutional authority to appoint or remove individuals. What the Awami League did, the current government is doing too—what has changed?” He accused the government of repeating the tactics of the Awami League, saying, “The Awami League was called fascist or authoritarian. If the current government does the same, what will you call it? The Awami League threatened to give our party symbol to others to blackmail us, and now that game has started again. The government is targeting us. Forget about privileges—we cannot even enjoy our constitutional rights. In the eyes of the people, we are now the oppressed.”

The meeting was chaired by Jatiya Party General Secretary Shamim Haider Patwary. Other speakers included Presidium members Md. Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan, Iqbal Hossain, and Chairman’s Adviser Md. Khalilur Rahman Khalil, among others.