Dhaka: Awami League General Secretary and Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP get permission to hold rally at Suhrawardy Uddyan, which demonstrated government’s democratic outlook.

He said successful organizing of conferences like IPU and CPA demonstrated the presence of democracy in the country.

‘It became evident by these two conferences that there is democracy very much in the country. And as here is democracy, they (concerned authorities) chose Bangladesh as the location for the conferences,’ he said.

The minister came up with the observations while talking to newsmen after placing wreath at Shaheed Nur Hossain Square in the capital.

Awami League joint general secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Jahangir Kabir Nanok, organizing secretaries Ahmed Hossain, AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, office secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil and agriculture and cooperative secretary Faridunnahar Laily were present on the occasion, among others.

While replying a question on whether the ruling party will urge BNP to take part in next general election, the AL general secretary said BNP would take part in the election at any cost.

‘Leaders of that party have already announced that they will take part in the election at any cost. We want a competitive election. BNP is a big party and their participation would make the election competitive,’ Quader said.

He also binned any need of holding dialogue with BNP regarding the next general election.

The minister recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Shaheed Nur Hossain for the country and its democracy, saying, his sacrifice freed country’s democracy.

On this day in 1987, Awami Juba League (AJL) leader Nur Hossain, who imprinted his bare chest and back with slogans ‘Free democracy’ and ‘Down with autocracy’, embraced martyrdom in police firing during an anti-autocracy demonstration at the city’s Zero Point, now known as Shaheed Nur Hossain Square.