Chittagong: Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday alleged that BNP is trying to make the new Election Commission (EC) controversial apprehending a debacle in the next general election like Narayanganj city polls.

“BNP knows it very well that it won’t be able to win the next national polls. It’ll face a debacle like Narayanganj elections. So, it’s trying to make the CEC controversial to create its logic in advance for its defeat so that it can say ‘we said the CEC was controversial’,” he said.

Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, came up with the remarks while speaking at a rally at Patiya arranged by local Awami League.

He claimed that no partisan person was appointed to the new EC unlike the one formed during the BNP’s rule.

The AL leader said the President constituted the Commission based on the search committee’s recommendations taking one name from BNP’s list, one from Awami League’s and three from other parties’ lists. “Though Awami League has no objection to the Commission, BNP dislikes the CEC.”

Mentioning BNP has become reckless and directionless, he asked his party colleagues not to be worried about the party.

Quader said though BNP has formed a jumbo-size 596-member central committee, it has no moral courage to take to the street and take out processions.

He also asked Awami League leaders not to ignore the dedicated and tested party leaders and activists while forming committees. “Form committees where it’s necessary, but don’t make any pocket committee.”

Quader came here to visit the site of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar Highway’s bypass road from Indrapol to Chakrashala.