Politics
Establishing people’s voting rights crucial for democracy: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Monday said it is crucial to establish the voting rights of the people for ensuring democracy and good governance in the country.
“Voting is the gateway to democracy. If voting rights are not ensured, democracy is not guaranteed while good governance remains elusive,” he said.
Speaking at a programme of Chandpur district unit Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, GM Quader also said the accountability of the government and human rights are not established if voting rights are not ensured.
Read: CEC: Army may be called out for next parliamentary polls
“So, it is important to establish the voting rights of the people of the country,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief also said the people in Bangladesh are eagerly waiting for a free, fair and impartial election.
The leaders of the Jatiya Jubo Sanghati greeted GM Quader with a bouquet at the programme.
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu and praesidium members Mir Abdus Sabur Asud and Rezaul Islam Bhuiyan were, among others present.
Govt promoting officials involved in enforced disappearance: BNP
BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday alleged that the government is giving promotions to the officials involved in enforced disappearance and murders.
"Based on the Prime Minister's offer for tea, I would like to say the US State Department imposed sanctions on some officials for indulging in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. But what did you (PM) do? You have recently promoted two people who are involved in such disappearance and murder,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, he also said those who carry out the act of disappearance and murder in favour of the government are called Sheikh Hasina's `death squad'.
Read: AL's ‘mega corruption’ led country to edge of disaster: Fakhrul
Stating that an ancient Greek philosopher was killed by giving him hemlock juice, Rizvi said, "You (Sheikh Hasina) are offering tea. There’s a question in people's minds what will be there in Sheikh Hasina's cups of tea? Whether there will be the juice of hemlock in that tea? Because we saw how she dealt with the opposition in the past."
He alleged that the current government has made disappearances, crossfires and killings a part of politics in running the state. “Everyone knows who are involved in killings and crossfire. In today's era of technology, everyone is also monitoring it internationally.”
Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal arranged the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the hike in prices of daily essentials and indecent comments against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman by a ruling party leader.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she would offer BNP leaders to tea if they come to besiege her office (Prime Minister's Office).
Read: 'BNP desperate to grab power': Obaidul Quader
"I will listen to them – whatever they want to say. I believe in democracy," she said while speaking at a meeting of Awami League's Dhaka North and South units.
Rizvi, the senior BNP joint secretary general, said the PM’s soft tone like offering tea to the protesters is not a good sign. “Why is your voice suddenly so soft? It's a strange thing. When the tone of your voice weakens, it is an indication that some more terrible torture is coming down on the opposition.”
Recalling that Hasina asked BNP to send the list of cases to her before the 2018 election, he said, “Then we saw you filed cases against us more extensively.”
The BNP leader alleged that the PM is allowing the plundering of public money in the name of mega projects as she has no love for people.
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BNP, JSD agree to wage anti-govt movement
BNP and Jatiya Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) on Sunday agreed to forge national unity to wage a simultaneous movement to oust the government.
The talks between the parties were held at JSD President ASM Abdur Rob's Uttara residence in the capital.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rob led their delegations at the meeting.
"We've reached a consensus to oust the current regime through a united movement by forging national unity. We also won't participate in any election under the Awami League government," Fakhrul told the reporters after the meeting.
Read: Jasad wants monitoring of foreign embassies' role in elections
He said they also agreed to work together to ensure that the national election is acceptable by defeating the current government.
Apart from waging a movement for a credible election, the BNP leader said they will also work together to materialise the dreams of the freedom fighters and the Liberation War by bringing a radical change in the country and its governing system.
Jasad wants monitoring of foreign embassies' role in elections
President of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD) Hasanul Haq Inu on Sunday asked the Election Commission (EC) to be careful not to allow unwanted snooping of foreign diplomats.
The party gave this suggestion after participating in a dialogue organized by the EC at its conference room of the election building.
Jasad President Hasanul Haq said EC is not an institution of arbitration.
"Do not engage in any arbitration or political debate. We are shocked by the work of the diplomats. Diplomats in Bangladesh give unsolicited advice. This is also the failure of our political parties. Political parties also protested at embassies here. It is not right to try to bring diplomats into the role of arbitrators on petty issues," he added.
Also read: Will have tea with you if you accept demand for caretaker govt: Fakhrul to PM
He also said that some people are boycotting the election dialogue. There are crises everywhere in the world. It is being corrected through continuous experience.
"So this complaint is going from America to Japan. This is nothing new. But one thing everyone follows, under no circumstances should the election be thwarted on time except by constitutional means," he also said.
He added that the EC should have a strong position to hold elections at the right time and will not make any concessions here.
The former information minister said that those who are proposing to change the government before the election, they are actually proposing to subvert the constitutional clause. They are practically proposing to establish an unsual government.
Also read: CEC: Army may be called out for next parliamentary polls
"The political partners of those who are making these proposals, we see, are militant, known war criminals. So, behind the shadow of an unusual government, there is a process of bringing in a virtually sectarian Taliban government. It is a terrible thing for the country," he warned.
He said, one thing is said that a flat place will be needed. It seeks the opportunity to bring the sentenced convicts to the elections. In the name of level playing field there will be no level playing field outside the ethics of democracy and law.
"So democracy has boundaries. There will be no criminals in it and no militant groups. Everyone should be careful in this place," he also said.
Hasanul Haque Inu said the issue of supporting signatures of 1 percent voters of independent candidates needs to be considered as the constitution says that anyone can get nomination if he is qualified. So how the provision got into the People's Representation Order, it is our mistake.
"You will consider it. If one fulfills the conditions, he can be a candidate. Think about how and what to do to exercise executive power," he said.
In the dialogue, party general Shirin Akhtar MP presented the written proposal.
Will have tea with you if you accept demand for caretaker govt: Fakhrul to PM
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said they have no problem taking tea with the prime minister at her office if she accepts the party’s demand for the caretaker government to oversee the next polls.
“You first say that you’re accepting the caretaker government system. You come up with this announcement and then we'll have no problem having tea at the Prime Minister’s Office,” he said responding to PM Sheikh Hasina’s offer made on Saturday.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the formation of a representative parliament and government having accountability to people is the only solution to the country’s current political and economic crisis.
The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh arranged the programme on the ongoing crisis in the power and energy sector at the Jatiya Press Club.
He also said the country is now facing an economic crisis caused by widespread corruption as the government is not accountable to people.
“So, we would like to say, there is no point in making a blunt comment like offering tea. We would like to say one thing that you step down handing over power to a non-party neutral government and pave the way for an acceptable and inclusive election under a new election commission and thus take back Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said pointing at the PM.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she would offer BNP leaders tea if they come to besiege her office (Prime Minister's Office).
"I will listen to them – whatever they want to say. I believe in democracy," she said while speaking at a meeting of Awami League's Dhaka North and South units.
Fakhrul said they are in talks with political parties to forge unity for ensuring the fall of the Awami League government.
“We must be united to get rid of the awful regime. I urge the country’s people to get united for defeating the current government through a street movement and thus materialise the dreams of the country’s Liberation War,” he said.
Read: Accept election-time govt demand or face ouster: Fakhrul to AL
About the power crisis, the BNP leader said the government has increased the power generation capacity without thinking of the sources of fuel and energy needed for it.
"Unfortunately, this government wants us to wear shoes that are much bigger than what they need. As a result, they are now unable to walk and getting stumbled. They take steps for quick rental power plants and nuclear power plants for power generation, but they didn’t think about where the fuel will come from,” he observed.
Stating that 51 per cent of fuel for power generation comes from gas, he said the government has not made any step for exploring it in the last 15 years. “They have been in power for 15 years. In these 15 years, they have only focused on how to plunder thousands of crores of taka and siphoned it off abroad.”
Fakhrul alleged that country and its people are facing an economic crisis for the misdeeds of the government. “Their (govt’s) corruption, looting, incapability and failure all together have made people’s lives miserable in Bangladesh.”
He said the ruling party leaders bragged about turning Bangladesh into Malaysia, Canada and San Francisco, but the poverty rate in the country has increased to 40-42 per cent. People are now unable to manage two meals a day. Even, 21 per cent of people in some districts of Bangladesh, including Kurigram, Gaibandha and Sunamganj, cannot eat two meals a day.”
The BNP leader said the ruling party leaders are now making reckless comments due to the economic crisis amid the decline in the flow of remittances.
He alleged that people in rural areas are hit hard by the frequent power outages. “The load-shedding is highest in the rural areas as the government wants to keep the people of cities happy with fewer power outages, but it will hamper crop production and put the food security at stake.”
Accept election-time govt demand or face ouster: Fakhrul to AL
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday warned that Awami League will be ousted from power through a street movement if it fails to accept their demand for an election-time government.
He also said there is no scope for their party to engage in talks with the government on any other issue, except the election-time government.
“If the government doesn’t take any step to accept our demands (especially polls-time govt), then the solution will come only through a street movement,” the BNP leader said.
He voiced confidence that this time they will be able to ensure the fall of the Awami League government through a movement with people’s spontaneous support.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at ‘Meet the Ocab’ programme at the Jatiya Press Club organised by the Overseas Correspondents Association of Bangladesh.
He said they will initiate a simultaneous movement with all other opposition parties in the days to come to realise their demands.
Read: 'BNP desperate to grab power': Obaidul Quader
“We have the experience of carrying out simultaneous movements in the past. You surely didn’t forget that we carried out such a movement in 1990…we’re now in talks with the political parties following that model,” the BNP leader said.
He also said the opposition political parties will initiate the movement from their respective positions. “The movement itself will later determine in which direction it may go.”
Fakhrul, however, said the government can resolve the political crisis and pave the way for a credible election peacefully by incorporating the election-time administration into the constitution.
“Everything is possible if the government wants. We have made it clear that we’ll go to the election only if it is held under a neutral caretaker government,” he said.
The BNP leader said the constitution was amended for the sake of elections in the past, including in 1990.
“Awami League also amended the constitution and changed many parts of it. So if you want, you can do it as there is a term Doctrine of Necessity. It’s now necessary for the interest of people. So, the constitution should be amended and the next election must be arranged under a non-partisan government,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: AL's ‘mega corruption’ led country to edge of disaster: Fakhrul
Narrating the experiences of recent elections, including the 2014 and 2018 national polls, he said an acceptable and credible election is not possible under a partisan government. “No Election Commission can work neutrally under a partisan government…even KM Nurul Huda (former chief election commissioner) who conducted a stigmatised election in 2018 said the election under a partisan government is very difficult.”
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said their party is not having any back door discussion with the government.” Everything we do is at the front door." "We’re declaring publicly from the public meetings that we and many other parties won’t join the polls without a caretaker or a neutral government.”
Asked if the country is heading towards a politics of violence, he said it will depend on the actions of the government. "As the government is now in the driving seat, it has to take initiatives to resolve the political crisis. If they don’t want to see violence and confrontation, then the government must quit and take steps for the formation of a caretaker government.”
The BNP leader also said they expect that all the democratic countries, including India, will play a positive role from their respective positions in strengthening democracy in Bangladesh.
In reply to a question, Fakhrul said they see some similarities between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in terms of economic crisis.
He said Bangladesh is now hit hard by the hike in fuel and energy prices in the international market while the country has become dependent on foreign countries for gas since the government did not take steps to explore own gas over the last 15 years. “The prices of imported gas and dollars are going up.”
Besides, the BNP leader said the country’s foreign currency reserves are going down and the import and production costs are growing. So, a major crisis has already begun here and it is now deepening. "That is why we are afraid that a financial situation like Sri Lanka may emerge here.”
He alleged that people are going through a miserable life because of the increase in prices of essentials and utility services, power crisis and growing unemployment rate. “The government is indulging in mega plundering in the name of mega projects. An awful situation has been created due to the widespread corruption of the government. This government, which is involved in corruption, will never be able to solve this problem.”
Fakhrul also said BNP is the only alternative party that can solve the current problems of the country by returning to power through a credible election. "We have now one suggestion…step down and arrange the election under a neutral government. Only the elected government can solve the crisis.”
Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB), is a platform of Dhaka-based journalists working for foreign media.
OCAB convenor and BBC correspondent Qadir Kallol, its member secretary and German news agency DPA correspondent Nazrul Islam Mithu and senior member and UNB Editor Farid Hossain, were among others, present.
'BNP desperate to grab power': Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has said the BNP is desperate to grab state power, and by any means.
“BNP has actually become desperate to capture power by any means, though the election is imminent. It is engaged in ill-attempts to make election and democracy questionable,” Quader said in a statement Friday.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said BNP should understand that one cannot come to power in a democratic system by giving rhetorical statements without doing anything for the people.
He said BNP is not able to present any specific plan before the people to win the next parliamentary election. “BNP leaders continue to give misleading speeches and statements before the nation,” he added.
Read: BNP conspires to seize state power, says Obaidul Quader
The AL general secretary said the people of the country have successfully faced all the crises under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina for more than a decade. But BNP leaders have been constantly making blatant lies and giving provocative statements to thwart the united efforts of the people to deal with the existing crisis caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, he claimed.
“BNP has become a pessimistic political party failing to gain the people's trust. So, BNP leaders are constantly playing a joke with the nation by telling stories of despair,” he said.
Qauder said BNP leaders want to damage the self-confidence of the country’s people by comparing Bangladesh with Sri Lanka often. They want to achieve their political interests by spreading confusion among the people of the country, he said.
Noting that the basic foundations of the two economies are different, he said, “There is no way to compare Bangladesh and Sri Lanka equally.”
AL's ‘mega corruption’ led country to edge of disaster: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the Awami League government has led the country to the brink of a dark abyss, through ‘mega’ corruption in mega projects.
In a statement, he said, “Lower and middle-income people of the country have lost all means of livelihood. Every indicator of the country's economy is going down.”
Stating that the government has filled the country with misdeeds and corruption, the BNP leader said, the stories of looting, money laundering, killing and grand corruption of the ruling party are now on people's lips.
Read: BNP won’t even join talks on polls until AL quits power: Fakhrul
“The government has always cooperated (with the looters) in plundering the country's financial sector. Because the masterminds of those involved in the looting are all the agents of the government…Bangladesh has been made bankrupt,” he observed.
The statement was issued denouncing the jailing of Feni district unit Jubo Dal president Jakir Hossain Jasim in a ‘false’ case.
Fakhrul alleged that law enforcers arrested Jasim on Thursday evening from Kakrail in the capital and then brought him to his house in Feni. Later, the BNP leader said Jasim was implicated in a ‘false case’ and sent to jail.
“The illegitimate government has got desperate to stay in power and continue its misrule. That’s why they’re implementing the blueprint of wiping out the opposition parties through repression,” Fakhrul said.
He said the ruling party has snatched all human rights as they consider the country’s people as their enemies. “Freedom of expression is now imprisoned in Awami prison. People's lives are endangered by the poisonous grasp of Nazi rule and everyone is worried about the safety of life and property.”
The BNP leader said the existence of the opposition party has become a threat to the government. “So, their only programme now is to create planned incidents, file false cases for the arbitrary arrest of the opposition activists. The government is shamelessly using the administration and police to implement the programmes”.
As part of that ‘evil’ programme of the government, Fakhrul said Jasim was arrested in a false case and sent to jail.
He demanded the withdrawal of the ‘politically motivated’ case against Jasim and his unconditional release.
BNP holds talks with Samyabadi Dal, DL to wage greater movement
BNP Thursday sat with a faction of Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal and Democratic League (DL) as part of its move to work out a strategy to wage a greater anti-government movement.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan had separate meetings with the parties, also the components of the 20-party alliance, in the evening at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
An eight-member delegation of Samyabadi Dal, led by its general secretary Sayed Nazrul Islam, first sat with the BNP leaders.
Later, the BNP leaders had a meeting with a six-member delegation of DL, led by its general secretary Saifuddin Moni.
Read: BNP appreciates CEC, but won't join any talks with current EC
Later, Fakhrul told the media that their party's talks with political parties remained suspended for some days due to floods and Eid. "We resumed the dialogue again through the two meetings with Samyabadi Dal and Democratic League today."
He said they are trying to unite the political parties through the talks to launch a greater movement to restore democracy.
During the meetings, Fakhrul said the two parties agreed to wage a united street movement to force the current Awami League regime to quit power and establish a pro-people government through a credible election under a non-party administration.
"We've already sat with many parties, and we hope we'll be able to conclude the talks within a short time," the BNP leader said.
On May 24, BNP formally began the dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya – aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
The party also had talks with Labour Party, Ganosanghati Andolon, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), National Democratic Party (JAGPA), Nap (Bhasan), Muslim League, Islami Oikya Jote and Jamiat Ulama-e Islam.
CEC: Army may be called out for next parliamentary polls
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal on Thursday said that the upcoming national elections may require the deployment of the army along with other forces.
He said this in a dialogue with the Bangladesh Jatiya Party at the conference room of EC building.
"We will try to install CC cameras in every polling station according to our capacity in the National Assembly elections. I would like your help so that I can control the muscle power," he said
He added that the EC can’t do it alone. The participation of district administration, police, BGB, district magistrate and even the army may be necessary.
Also read: CEC says sorry for his rifle for sword remarks
Saying 'The Electoral Act has given the commission quite a bit of power,' Habibul also pointed out that they can use that power to reduce potential violence or use of muscle power.
Regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), the CEC said, "I am aware of the skepticism and lack of confidence (about it). We have not blindly taken any decision on EVM. But we are not ruling out that there are some good or bad sides to it. EC is trying to test how objective that potential is."
Also read: EC in the soup as major parties differ: CEC
Calling upon all the parties to participate in the election, he said balloting will be held on time as it is the responsibility according to the constitution.
"If there is no party, we cannot force it. But again and again we expect your participation," he said.
The CEC also said that your (parties') proposals are reasonable. That's why you have to be strong and active. “We will be stronger.”
He said the national election is not a joke as the government will be formed through the election of the national parliament and the highest administrative organization of the state will be the cabinet.
"So we think that the election is not a matter of negligence, the election should be representative of the people and the government should be formed with the support of the people. This requires a free, impartial election, where voters can cast their ballots unhindered," he said.
The 12-member Bangladesh Jatiya Party team was led by its chairman Professor MA Mukit.
Four election commissioners, EC secretary and senior officials of the organization were also present.