Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday also came down hard on Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for his comment that the next election will not wait for BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia if she is convicted by court in corruption cases, saying his comment has triggered fear in public mind.

"His (Quader's) remark can appease the Prime Minister, but it has indicated an evil design of the government. It also manifested the government's usurping attitude," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference at the party's central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka.

Earlier on Thursday, Quader said the government has no plan to send Khaleda Zia to jail. "It's the court's jurisdiction whether it'll jail her if it finds her guilty or acquit her. As time and tide wait for none, the constitution and election also wait for none."

Reacting to the comment, Rizvi said no election can be held keeping Khaleda and her party out of it. "People will resist any further move to hold a unilateral and controversial election in the name of constitution."

Rizvi alleged that the Awami League cadres attacked the house of BNP's chairman candidate, Hajari Jakir Hossain, in Pabna's Sujanagar upazila parishad polls on Thursday night damaging valuables and harassing inmates. The elections are billed for March 6. 

He also alleged that police did not take any action after informing local SP about the matter.

'Reckless remarks' on WB an ominous sign for Bangladesh

BNP voiced concern over the ruling party leaders' 'unguarded' remarks about the World Bank and its officials, saying it is an ominous sign for Bangladesh and its development projects.

"Following the Canadian court's verdict (over Padma Bridge project graft), the ACC and NBR at the behest of the angry government has started investigating the activities of the World Banks' former and current Dhaka officials to find their corruption. The NBR has already summoned the bank's 16 vehicles," said Rizvi.

Speaking at the press conference, he further said, "It's an ominous sign for a developing country like Bangladesh the way the ministers and Awami League leaders are making reckless comment about the World Bank. It can't be good for the country, and it may cause a serious loss for the nation."

The BNP leader claimed that though the Canadian court dismissed the corruption allegation in Padma Bridge project graft, the global lender has not yet backed off from its earlier position.

He said experts fear that Bangladesh's relation with its largest development partner may deteriorate due to the ruling party leaders' bragging about the bank, which also can create a finical crisis in carrying out the development projects now being implemented with its assistance.

"The World Bank gives us loan with the lowest interest rate .5 percent.  Development works worth about thousands of crore taka in all most all sectors are still going on with the World Bank's financing.  But the Awami League leaders are making arrogant remarks about it after the Canadian court's verdict," the BNP leader observed.