Online Desk: Agriculture Minister and Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said there is no democracy inside and out of BNP.

“If Tareque Zia, staying in London, sends a letter or verbally says that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will not be the secretary general of BNP, it will be enough for removing him from his post . . . but it is impossible in AL without holding council,” he said.

The AL leader made these remarks while speaking at a national dialogue on enhancing the capacity of political parties organized by Democracy International at a city hotel in the city, said a press release.

Noting that the country’s democracy is progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina overcoming various obstacles, Razzaque said the practice of democracy is not smooth in a country like Bangladesh.

“Democracy has been repeatedly obstructed in the country. During the Pakistan period, there was a military dictatorship. After independence, military rulers including, Ziaur Rahman, obstructed democracy for a long time,” he added.

Undemocratic forces are still hindering democracy, the minister said, adding dealing with these obstacles, democracy is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and soon it (democracy) will improve further.

Mentioning Awami League is a very well-organized and strong party, Razzaque said, “AL is on the right track. Awami League can never be ousted by a movement”.

AL International Affairs Secretary Dr Shammi Ahmed, Information and Research Affairs Secretary Dr Selim Mahmood and Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, and Democracy International Chief of Party Dana Olds spoke at the dialogue, among others.

Senior leaders of district and city units of AL joined the dialogue.

Democracy International works with political parties on training, women’s inclusion and political empowerment, and strengthening internal democratic practices. The organization has been working with Awami League since 2011. Currently, it is working with 21 units of Awami League at the district and metropolitan levels.

In the dialogue, it was revealed that so far Democracy International has provided training to 28,684 leaders and activists. Over 9,000 women leaders have participated in political skill development programmes and 857 women leaders have been included in various committees at the grassroots level.