Politics
BNP to revoke DSA, all other ‘repressive’ laws if returns to power: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday categorically said their party, if returns to power, will revoke all ‘repressive’ acts and ordinances, including the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists, he also said their party will ensure the implementation of the Wage Board for journalists and media employees and empower the Press Council if their party forms government in the days to come.
“We would like to clearly say that if we form the government, all the repressive acts and ordinances those are obstacles to the independence of the media will be annulled,” the BNP leader said.
BNP arranged the programme titled, ‘Media Control Laws in Annihilating the Media: Bangladesh Perspective’ at the Jatiya Press Club. Former BNP MP and its executive committee member Jahiruddin Swapan presented the keynote paper.
Fakhrul said their party believes that it is not possible to give democracy an international shape without the independence of the media. “BNP has been working towards that goal since the rule of late President Ziaur Rahman.”
Also read: BNP won’t join talks with current EC: Mosharraf
He said the current government has enacted various laws, including the DSA. “These laws are like putting a nail in the coffin of media freedom.”
The BNP leader said regulating the media is probably now one of the biggest problems in the world, especially in Bangladesh. "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence, we are saddened to see that the media is being completely controlled." Those who want to write freely and express their opinions freely, can't do it now. Moreover, they’re being subjected to different types of repressions and threats and they are facing obstacles to performing their professional duties.”
He alleged that the government has been controlling the fundamental issues of democracy in a planned way one after another since it came to power. In doing so, they have thought the media must be controlled first.”
The BNP leader also said almost every media outlet of print and electric and the social media platforms are controlled by the government's intelligence agencies. “Their surveillance has reached such a level that which journalist is talking to whom or meeting whom or who are meeting an editor are being monitoring by the agencies.”
“Laws are now enacted to completely regulate the media…it hurts me a lot when I see journalists are not able to write and the editors are being threatened in various ways. In fact, the courage of the journalists is being taken away through this,” he observed.
Under such circumstances, Fakhrul said all should raise their voice to restore the press freedom.
He said it will be ensured, if BNP returns to power, that no matter what is published in the media, the aggrieved person or organisation cannot file a case in the court without resolving the issue in the Press Council that will be reconstituted with more power.
Also read: BNP urges govt to drop expensive megaprojects to avert economic crisis
Besides, the BNP leader said their party will take steps for ensuring a fair distribution of advertisements to make the media self-sufficient. “BNP is also thinking of giving financial incentives to the media on the basis of a certain number of circulations and TRPs.”
Stating that the entire nation is now in danger, he said a strong unity of people all walks of life is now necessary to restore democracy in the country and defeat the ‘fascist’ regime.
Fakhrul is confident that there will be a change in power in the country through the next national election, "We are very optimistic as the people of Bangladesh have never been defeated. We’re not excited seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as we’ve always been working to establish democracy.”
Speaking at the programme, Prothom Alo joint editor Sohrab Hassan expressed solidarity with the commitments of BNP to ensure media freedom.
“We can try to be reassured. But our past experiences don’t suggest us to be reassured…No government was newspaper or media-friendly since independence,” he said.
He said politicians have the responsibility alongside the journalists to remove the barriers to the freedom of expression and raise voices against the repressive laws and repression against the journalists.
“We surely want the support of the opposition in removing the obstacles to free press and the freedom of expression. But at the same time, I would like to issue a warning so that the same thing should not happen if they come to power,” the senior journalist said.
He said the Awami League government has enacted a repressive and autocratic law, the Digital Security Act. “I condemn it and demand its withdrawal."
Sohrab recalled that Awami League amended the ICT Act that was enacted during the BNP regime. “Awami League has increased the punishment through the amendment.”
Senior journalists and current and former leaders of pro-BNP factions of BFUJ and DUJ participated in the discussion.
Abdus Salam Azad becomes BNP Dhaka division organising secretary
The BNP on Saturday appointed Abdus Salam Azad organising secretary of the party's Dhaka division unit.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement through a press release.
Read: BNP ditches upcoming EC formation law
Salam Azad has been serving as the assistant organising secretary of the same unit since the party's 6th national council.
Fazlul Haque Milon was nominated organising secretary of the BNP Dhaka division unit at the party's 6th national council in 2016.
He also served as Gazipur district unit BNP president.
Milon was re-elected president of the district unit at its recent council.
Read: People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
According to the constitution of the BNP, no one can hold more than one party post, forcing Milon to quit the post of the party's Dhaka division organising secretary.
GM Quader expresses doubt about fair polls under ‘despotic’ govt
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday expressed doubt about a fair general election under an authoritarian government.
“The administration or the constitutional institutions are helpless before an authoritarian government. “So there’re concerns about a fair election under an authoritarian government,” he said.
GM Quader, also the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, made the comments while speaking at a programme at the Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office.
A group of women entrepreneurs, led by Nazmin Sultana, the founding president of the voluntary organization 'Alokito Manush Foundation', joined Jatiya Party at the programme.
Also read: Bangladesh has become a paradise for money launderers: GM Quader
Welcoming those who joined the party, GM Quader said the Prime Minister has already announced that the next national election will be held using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
“If the EVM is not used in all the constituencies, it would be used in the constituencies where the ruling party candidates are unable to openly establish their influence,” he observed.
GM Quader said Jatiya Party does not want a farcical election in the country.
He said if the Election Commission invited their party to join a dialogue with it they will take a positive decision through discussions in their party forum.
The Jatiya Party chief said Awami League and BNP have introduced a colonial rule in the country. “Administrators were appointed to exploit the people during the colonial period. Administrators were accountable only to the government, not to the common people.”
He alleged that there is no iota of democracy now in the country and administrators have been appointed in all cases. “Politicians have now no authority. So no one is now accountable to the country’s people.”
Also read: EVMs in national election won't be logical: GM Quader
Replying to a question, GM Quader said Jatiya Party will take the decision on joining any alliance in the next election by understanding the pre-polls situation and the expectations of the common people.
He, however, said their party is moving ahead in the field of politics with the preparations for contesting the elections in 300 seats.
BNP won’t join talks with current EC: Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday categorically said their party will not participate in any dialogue with the current Election Commission (EC).
"Our position is clear that there is no reason for BNP to take part in any talks with the Election Commission. It matters little whether the commission holds dialogue or not,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party thinks the current Election Commission’s dialogue has no value. “So, there is no question of talking to them (EC).”
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the remarks a day after Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal’s comment that BNP would be invited to the dialogue soon.
Also read: AL planning to cling to power through reign of terror: Fakhrul
Sammilito Chhatra Jubo Forum arranged the discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 7th death anniversary of BNP leader Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu.
On May 3, 2015, former BNP lawmaker Nasir Uddin Ahmed Pintu died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
Reiterating their party’s stance on the next election, Mosharraf said BNP will not join any election under the current Awami League government.
He said BNP did not take part in the 'dramas' staged by the President and a search committee when the government formed the current EC. “We don’t recognise in any way those are now there in the commission."
"The election that we want must be held under a non-party neutral government after the fall or resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the dissolution of parliament,” the BNP leader said.
Once a non-partisan government takes charge of the country, he said it will form an impartial and acceptable EC to conduct the election in a fair and credible manner. “Then we’ll talk to that Election Commission.”
Mosharraf said Awami League resorted to various tactics in the past centering the national elections. "I want to make it clear that BNP and people will no longer fall into the trap of the ruling party.”
He called upon the country’s people to take all-out preparations to wage a street movement to bring a change in the government.
Also read: PM’s remark on Khaleda amounts to a ‘death threat’: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the current government is not in a good mood as it has no control over anything. "The ruling party leaders can’t sleep well...Bangladesh is in a much worse situation than Sri Lanka economically, politically and socially."
He said the government is not making public all the indicators of the economy. "The government talks about reserves. Economist Debapriya Bhattacharya in a statement said the government is not fully providing the information about the repayment of loans from our reserves.”
AL planning to cling to power through reign of terror: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the Awami League is planning to stay in power through the next parliamentary elections with a reign of terror.
"In fact, the natural character of Awami League is to always come to power with terrorist activities and a reign of terror. The party is planning to come to power again in the same way," he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters before a meeting with the leaders and workers of the district unit Swechchhasebak Dal at the Thakurgaon district BNP office.
He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a recent discussion meeting spat venom against former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and eminent persons of national and international repute.
"Sheikh Hasina even lashed out at newspaper editors and economists," the BNP leader said.
Read: PM’s remark on Khaleda amounts to a ‘death threat’: Fakhrul
He said the prime minister also slammed the BNP saying it came to power by indulging in vote-rigging. "I strongly protest and condemn her remarks."
The BNP leader said the AL deceived people and did not give them any chance to cast their votes in 2014 as the party came to power by getting elected in 154 seats without any vote.
Also, he said, the ruling party created a reign of terror all over the country in 2018 and took the election results in their favour the night before the election day, using the "state machinery" and the Election Commission and arresting thousands of BNP leaders and activists in "fictitious" cases.
Fakhrul said the AL government has turned the country's constitution into an 'Awami constitution' through repeated amendments.
Read: PM urges fixing war-disrupted global supply chains to tame rising prices
He urged the government to create an atmosphere for holding a credible election in the country by handing over power to a non-party neutral government.
"The environment of the country is getting worse day by day. I urge you (government) to create at least a democratic environment instead of making it worse," the BNP leader added.
BNP mourns death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa
BNP on Thursday formally expressed deep shock over the death of United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
On Behalf of BNP, party standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury signed the condolence book opened at the UAE Embassy in Dhaka in memory of Sheikh Khalifa.
He also signed the condolence book on behalf of BNP chairperson Khaled Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman and paid respect in memory of the late UAE president.
Read: Cumilla city mayor Sakku expelled for life from BNP
Later, talking to reporters, Khosru said, “We expressed our shock over the death of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The relationship between Bangladesh and the UAE is very deep and long lasting.”
He claimed that their party founder and late President Ziaur Rahman had played an outstanding role in cementing Bangladesh’s ties with the UAE. “President Zia had laid the foundation for the relationship that developed between the two countries.”
On May 13 last, Sheikh Khalifa Bin died at the age of 73.
Read: BNP ditches upcoming EC formation law
Khalifa came to power in 2004 in the richest emirate Abu Dhabi and became the head of state.
Abu Dhabi, which holds most of the Gulf state's oil wealth, has held the presidency since the founding of the UAE federation by Khalifa's father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, in 1971.
PM’s remark on Khaleda amounts to a ‘death threat’: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's remark on pushing Khaleda Zia into the river from the Padma Bridge is tantamount to a direct ‘death threat’.
"I was surprised by the prime minister's statement on the Padma Bridge involving our leader (Khaleda). Being a prime minister of a country, no matter how she comes to power, can’t make such a comment,” he said.
Speaking at a meeting of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal at the district BNP office, Fakhrul also said their party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is a former PM and Leader of the Opposition.
He said talking about throwing a national leader off Padma Bridge can never be a normal thing. “The prime minister's remark is tantamount to a direct death threat. I was shocked and angry over such a comment, and I strongly condemn it.”
Read: Next EC not to make any difference, says BNP
The BNP leader said their party never expects such apolitical and indecent statements from the head of the government. “But that is her natural trait. This is how she speaks and this is how she behaves indecently with her political opponents. It is devoid of any political etiquette.”
He also bemoaned that it is unfortunate for the nation to tolerate such a leader. “All the statements she (Hasina) is making these days are completely devoid of political etiquette and decency.”
Fakhrul said people with healthy thoughts can never make such a statement. “I strongly protest the remark and urge her to refrain from making such statements. Otherwise, we will look for a legal option.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a discussion meeting of Awami League that Khaleda Zia once said that the Padma Bridge would collapse while using it as it was being constructed with patchworks. “What should now be done to them? They should be taken to the Padma Bridge and pushed into the river from there,” she said.
The much-awaited Padma Bridge is likely to be opened to traffic in last week of June.
Read: BNP ditches upcoming EC formation law
About the ruling party leaders’ comment on hatching a plot against the government with the help of foreigners, Fakhrul said it is an old habit of Awami League. “They always talk like that. They have looted the ballot boxes during the last two elections. This party always takes a stance against the will of the people.”
The BNP leader also said Awami League is used to seek the blessings of foreigners to hang onto power. “The foreign minister went to America and sought its assistance in the next election. We have not done such a thing. But it’s also Awami League’s habit to blame others.”
He said the current regime must quit handing over power to a non-party neutral government, paving the way for holding the next election under a new election commission. “The government will be forced to accept people’s demand,” he said.
Toll rates for using Padma Bridge ‘too high’: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the toll rates set by the government for crossing the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge are 'too high'.
The BNP leader made the remarks at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.
Also read: BNP urges govt to drop expensive megaprojects to avert economic crisis
Replying to a question, he said, "We have not fully studied this issue (toll rates). But it seems to me that the fixed rates are too high."
He said the commuters will have to pay a lot more than they have to spend now to go to the southern districts.
Fakhrul also said the toll set by the government to use the Padma Bridge is much more proportionately higher than that of crossing the Jamuna Bridge. “The toll rate is almost two-time higher than that of Jamuna Bridge.”
As his attention was drawn to ruling party leaders’ comment that BNP leaders have to use the Padma Bridge with an apology, he said they want to ignore such reckless remarks.
“Is the bridge made with their (AL leaders') ancestral property? It’s made spending the money of our people. The full money has been taken from the pockets of our people,” the BNP leader observed.
Fakhrul also said the ruling party leaders 'plundered' money by spending Tk30,000 crore for a project worth Tk10,000 crore. “So, all these words do not fit in their mouths.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the government finalised the toll rates for different types of vehicles for crossing the Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
Also read: Rice price rising due to wrong policy despite new crop: BNP
The Bridges Division under Road Transport and Bridges Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard.
According to the notification, Tk 100 toll has been fixed for motorbikes, Tk 750 for private cars and jeeps, Tk 1200 from a pick-up, Tk 1300 for microbus, Tk 1400 for small buses (with 31 seats), Tk 2000 for middle buses (with 32 seats), Tk 2400 for big-size buses, Tk 1600 for small trucks (5 tonnes), Tk 2100 for middle-size trucks (over 5 tonnes to 8 tonnes), Tk 2800 for middle-size trucks (over 8 tonnes to 11 tonnes), Tk 5500 for big trucks (up to 3 excel) Tk 6000 for trailer trucks (4 excel) and Tk 6,000 plus for trailers (over 4 excel).
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on May 11 said the much-hyped Padma Bridge will be inaugurated in June and preparations are going on for its opening.
BNP urges govt to drop expensive megaprojects to avert economic crisis
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said that Bangladesh is going through “a very alarming economic situation” amid the growing inflation rate and devaluation of the taka against the US dollar.
Speaking at a press conference the opposition leader voiced deep concern that Bangladesh may face the same consequences like Sri Lanka in the near future and suggested the government drop what it said expensive and glamorous mega projects.
He mentioned the glamorous projects such as Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's-Bazar bullet train, the second nuclear power project, 110-storey Bangabandhu multi-storey building complex in Purbachal, Bangabandhu International Airport at Shariatpur, Paturia-Daulatdia Second Padma Bridge, Noakhali Airport, the second Bangabandhu Satellite Launch Project and shifting the capital outside Dhaka.
“These projects should be thrown away from the head (of the govt) without delay. Otherwise, there will be no alternative to facing the same fate of Sri Lanka.”
Fakhrul also questioned the justification of the implementation of some mega projects, including Rooppur nuclear power, construction of railways from Dhaka to Jessore and Payra port via Padma Bridge and railways from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar and Ghumdhum via Dohazari.
He said the country’s prominent economists have already identified these projects as white-elephant ones that will only make the public debt burden heavier.
Also read:Rice price rising due to wrong policy despite new crop: BNP
“The country has been made dependent on foreign loans by siphoning off money through mega projects,” the BNP leader observed.
The press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office was arranged to inform the media about the outcomes of the BNP standing committee’s virtual meeting that was held on Monday.
“Bangladesh’s present economic condition I think is very alarming. It’s also an ominous sign. We fear that Bangladesh may fall in danger like Sri Lanka in the near future. Our apprehension can be said realistic,” Fakhrul said.
He also said the main goal of the current regime is to make money by indulging in wide spared plundering. “The economy will rebound only when a representative government with accountability to people will be established.”
Replying to a question, the BNP leader said their party’s process of forging unity with the opposition parties is now at the final stage. “You’ll know everything, including our movement plan, when we’ll openly come up with the announcement of the unity process.”
Fakhrul said their standing committee meeting discussed elaborately the foreign currency reserves. “The macro-economy of the country has been under the most pressure now in comparison to the last 13-14 years. A kind of instability and uncertainty has been created in the economy of Bangladesh”
Also read: Bangladesh heading towards acute crisis: BNP warns
Especially, he said the meeting observed that the balance of foreign transactions is facing major problems due to rising import costs, declining exports and remittance income. ”The prices of commodities are becoming unbearable for various reasons, including the rise in the value of the US dollar against taka. It seems that the situation will get worse in the coming days.”
The BNP leader said their party policymakers also think there is no reason to be complacent about reserves as it is rapidly declining. “In the last eight months, the reserves have dropped from USD48 billion to USD42 billion. It will drop by another USD4 billion in the next two months.”
“Thus, if imports continue to increase in comparison to exports and the gap cannot be filled by remittances, then the reserves of Bangladesh Bank will run out very soon.”
“The current situation in Sri Lanka is the worst example of the dire consequences of the depletion of the reserves,” the BNP standing committee warned.
Fakhrul said their meeting observed that it will be possible to meet the import cost of only five months with the existing reserves available in Bangladesh. "Our import expenditure has increased by about 44 percent. The way the import rate has grown, the same way the export rate has not increased. On the other hand, the expatriates' income has also decreased. As a result, a deficit is being created every month. ”
He said BNP standing committee thinks that the current ‘irresponsible’ and ‘illegitimate’ government is responsible for the current horrific economic anarchy and instability.
The BNP leader said there is no alternative to dislodging the Awami League government through a united and fierce street movement to save the country, its people and to protect independence and sovereignty.
Stating that the price of the US dollar has crossed Tk100, Fakhrul said it will have a negative impact on international trade and inflation. “The government is talking about 6.22 percent inflation. But this is not at all consistent with reality. Inflation is higher in villages than in cities. The food inflation is higher than non-food products.”
According to economists, the BNP leader said the current inflation rate is 12 percent while the value of the taka is also declining as the reserves have reached a dangerous level.
“The price of everything is going up, leaving the buyers in a miserable situation. Besides, the prices of essential commodities, especially palm and soybean oil, have already gone up alarmingly due to the foul play of the ruling-party-backed syndicates. The price of rice has also increased in the last three days at this full time of harvesting season.”
Rice price rising due to wrong policy despite new crop: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the rice price is going up even during the full Boro harvesting season due to the government’s wrong policy and a foul play of the ruling party.
Speaking at a press conference, he also said the current government has not taken any initiative to develop the country’s agriculture sector and improve the lot of farmers.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office following a visit of its leaders to the flood-affected areas.
Also read:Bangladesh heading towards acute crisis: BNP warns
“The rice price is not supposed to rise during this full harvesting season. It’s the time when the price should come down as the Boro harvesting has begun. But the price of every variety of rice has gone up. That means there are some problems in total planning,” Fakhrul said.
He also said the government has given the charge of different ministries to such people who are directly involved in that business. “The person who is involved in the food trade has been given the charge of the Food Ministry. As a result, business is becoming more important than serving people.”
The BNP leader said the big farmers and rice traders are stockpiling paddy to sell it after some days at higher prices. “Because the price of paddy will increase and their profit will also rise in the days to come. This is their (ruling party’s trick."
Fakhrul, who served as BNP government’s state minister for agriculture, said the AL government does not have a well-thought-out plan for the development of agriculture and farmers.
“Marginal farmers now pull rickshaws and vans while many middle farmers are giving up farming as agriculture is now an unprofitable job, decreasing the cultivation of food grains,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the present government undertakes only those works where they have their own profit and commission of crores of taka. “That is why they do not build permanent dams in the haor areas.”
Referring to the recent flood in the haor regions, he said flooding is a very old problem there due to the onrush of water from upstream. “If protection can be given ……by constructing dams or building reservoirs this problem will be resolved. It will also help farmers grow two-three crops in a year. It’s unfortunate that no such programme or plan has been taken up so far."
Also read: Publish the list of Money launderers, BNP asks govt
The BNP leader also alleged that the ruling party men indulged in massive corruption in the name of dam construction in the haor region.
“Some dams have been constructed in the haor area but those are so fragile and weak that they can't hold the pressure of water for twenty-four hours,” he observed.
Citing the reports of various research institutes and the observations of local public representatives, Fakhrul said crops worth about Tk1,000 crore have been destroyed this year as huge areas in Sunamganj went under water due to the embankment collapse.
On behalf of the Krishak Dal, he placed an eight-point demand, including constructing permanent dams with cement blocks in haor, providing affected farmers with the interest-free loans, wavering interest on loans, and suspending loan installments until normalcy returns, introducing crop insurance in haor area and bringing those involved in dam construction corruption to justice.