Politics
Bangladesh on verge of collapse like Sri Lanka: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday that the economic situation in Bangladesh is bound to be like that of Sri Lanka as the current economy is collapsing.
The country’s per-capita foreign debt is already around $472 and inflation will rise so much that the economy will collapse, he said in Thakurgaon while exchanging views with journalists in a programme of providing financial assistance to those killed in election violence on January 5 in 2014.
Read: BNP’s caretaker government dream to go in vain: Hasan Mahmud
Fakhrul said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi himself is a businessman. “He should have had a clear idea about the characteristics of Bangladeshi businesspeople. To trust traders means to create opportunities for them.”
“Amid rising commodity prices, we can clearly see these are being increased with the covert help of the government. their syndicates ,” said Fakhrul.
Two people were killed in the police firing in Thakurgaon in the one-party election held on January 5 in 2014, he said.
BNP’s caretaker government dream to go in vain: Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Friday said the election will be held under the Election Commission during the present government in line with the Constitution like all other democratic countries across the world.
“BNP will gain no benefit in dreaming for the restoration of caretaker government,” he said, replying to a question from journalists.
Also read: AL wants election with participation of all parties: Hasan Mahmud
The minister was talking to reporters before joining the 11th biennial conference of the Entomological Society at the Agricultural Research Council’s auditorium in the city’s Khamarbari area.
“If BNP makes ill-attempts to create chaos in the name of movement, it (anarchy) will be resisted taking the people with us,” he said.
About BNP's demand for caretaker government, Hasan said no government resigns before the election in all the democratic countries like India, Japan, Australia, Europe and even the USA.
He said BNP tried to thwart the 2014 election, but failed. In 2018, it also raised the same demand, but finally participated in the general election forging an alliance of many parties and secured only five seats (in Parliament).
“So, I would like to tell them to take preparation for the next election without making useless rhetoric,” said Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League.
Asked about BNP’s possible movement to overthrow the government, he said, “We’ve been hearing about the movement for the fall of the government for the last 13 years.”
Also read: Election will be held on time: Quader
“If they try to create chaos, carry out arson violence or burn people in the name of the movement as they did before, it will be resisted taking the people with us,” he said.
In the conference, the minister stressed the need for saving the agricultural lands in the country. The arable lands should not be lost due to unplanned urbanization and construction of structures everywhere in unplanned ways.
He said Bangladesh has multiplied its crop production due to agricultural research. “This trend must continue on the path of development,” he added.
Chairman of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Dr Shaikh Mohammad Bokhtiar and Director General of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) Dr Debashish Sarkar, among others, spoke at the conference.
President of Entomological Society Dr Syed Nurul Alam presided over the function moderated by its general secretary Dr Md Mizanur Rahman, said a PID handout.
BNP to unveil pro-democracy movement outline soon: Gayeshwar
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday said the party will soon unveil the outline of a united movement for the ‘restoration’ of democracy.
"BNP, the lead party of the largest alliance, will unite all through a statement centring on this idea (national unity) and move forward", he said at a discussion in the city.
Also read: Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul
"I think that efforts are going on. We’ll present it before the nation at any time,” he said.
The BNP leader also said the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman will come up with a call for waging a united movement soon in absence of Khaleda Zia. “He (Tarique) will present the outline of the future movement. We’ve almost completed the preparations in this regard.
A faction of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) arranged the discussion programme titled “Acceptable Election the Only Solution to the Crisis” at the Jatiya Press Club.
Also read: AL wants EVM in next polls in new plot to rig votes: BNP
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party is going to unite all parties with whom they have differences of opinions for the sake of the country and its people.
“The conspirators will be weakened when a strong unity among the nationalist forces will be forged. If the nationalist forces remain divided, the opportunists will be strong and plundering and corruption will increase,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government’s ‘fascist’ activities are encouraging the opposition parties to come together and move together putting aside the differences among them. “It’s visible from the statements that the opposition leaders made over the last one month.”
He said BNP's stance is clear that no national election can be held under the current Awami League government. “We want the fall of this government. The current parliament also has to be dissolved.”
Stating that their party has been on a movement, Gayeshwar said they will intensify it at a right and favourable time as per their movement outline. “Now our strategy is to hit back if we are attacked.”
He said no election can be held in a credible manner under the current Prime Minister. “Sheikh Hasina is a big obstacle to a fair election. She must be removed from power before the election. That is what the BNP is talking about.”
The BNP leader said their party will not only boycott the election under Sheikh Hasina, but also resist a name-only election to be held under her.
Fakhrul and BNP leaders should quit the party, says Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday asked his BNP counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to step down from the office for what he said his failure to lead the party in general election.
“You have no achievement to show. So instead of shouting for government’s resignation you better resign,” Quader said in escalating the battle of words with his political opponent.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was addressing the opening session of Faridpur district Awami League's triennial council this morning.
Also read: Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul
He further said, “The people think that all top-to-bottom leaders of the BNP including Mirza Fakhrul should resign for failing the movement and elections,"
He reminded the BNP leaders that there was 24-hour load shedding in the country during the party’s rule.
In contrast, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has now ensured cent per cent electrification of the country, Quader said.
The AL leader warned the party members against the “cuckoos of the spring” or fair weather friends inside the party.
He called for identifying those who laundered crores of money abroad using the name of Awami League.
Also read: Next polls to be held under AL govt with BNP’s participation: Hanif
Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Quader said that the Awami League must continue in power under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in order to save the country's democracy, liberation spirit and Bangladesh.
He also said that the party should be turned well-organized and smart from now to successfully face the forthcoming national elections.
The council was presided over by Faridpur District Awami League President Advocate Subal Chandra Saha. Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap and Faridpur District Awami League General Secretary Syed Masud Hossain were also present.
Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said their party’s main focus is on ensuring the next national election under a non-party neutral government and not on the issue of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
“The government has started playing a new trick on the election as they’re saying it will be held using the EVMs. We don’t understand EVM. We have one point that the current government has to step down handing over power to a neutral one,” he said.
Speaking at a bicycle rally, the BNP leader also said the next election must be conducted under a new Election Commission to be constituted by a neutral government. “Until then, no election can be held in the country.”
Also read: AL wants EVM in next polls in new plot to rig votes: BNP
Before the election, Fakhrul said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia and all other jailed leaders have to be freed and all the political cases filed against BNP leaders and activists must be withdrawn.
On behalf of the party’s committee on the celebration of the golden jubilee of independence, district unit BNP arranged the rally at Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy Railway field.
Accusing the government of snatching people’s all rights and destroying democracy and all dreams and spirits of the Liberation War, Fakhrul said the bicycle rally will encourage and invigorate the country’s people to restore democracy and their all lost rights. “A new democratic journey has begun in the country through this rally.”
Also read: AL to face worse consequences than Rajapaksas: Fakhrul
He alleged that the ruling party resorts to repressive and coercive acts as it is afraid of BNP’s strength and popularity. “We must overcome all obstacles.”
The BNP leader called upon people of all walks of life to get united to defeat the current ‘fascist’ regime by forging national unity.
Hundreds of leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies took part in the bicycle rally and chanted various anti-government slogans.
Mirza Abbas warns opposition parties against joining national polls under AL govt
Issuing a warning to opposition parties, BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Thursday said those who will participate in the next national election under the current Awami League government will be considered as national traitors.
Speaking at a rally in the city, he also said their party will come up with a befitting reply if BNP leaders and activists are attacked by the ruling party men.
“Those who will join the election under the current regime will be considered as national traitors,” Abbas said.
He recalled that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as an opposition leader in 1986, said in Laldighi Maidan that those who would participate in the election under then military ruler HM Ershad would be the national traitors.
But, Abbas said Hasina herself joined that election despite her warning to others. “We’ll take action against both the government and those who will try to prove themselves as national traitors this time.”
Also read: AL wants EVM in next polls in new plot to rig votes: BNP
BNP Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting what the party said continuous attacks on opposition leaders by ruling party ‘cadres’ in different parts of the country including Cumilla.
Referring to different media reports on joining polls by opposition parties sharing seats with the ruling party, Abbas said they will not allow holding any such election.
“No election of seat-sharing will be held. No stage-managed election will be allowed in Bangladesh. Keep it in mind,” he warned.
The BNP leader strongly condemned and protested the recent attacks on the local residence of their party’s senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and on some other party leaders and LDP leader Redwan Ahmed.
“We would like to clearly say that if we’re again subjected to any attack and repression, we’ll put resistance together. No one will be spared,” he said.
AL wants EVM in next polls in new plot to rig votes: BNP
BNP senior leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Wednesday alleged that the ruling Awami League wants the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to be used in all 300 seats in the next national election as part of its fresh plot to rig vote digitally instead of stuffing ballots.
He was talking to journalists after placing a wreath at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of the party’s newly made Chandpur district unit committee.
Also read:AL’s assurance of fair polls a trap for BNP: Rizvi
“The daytime voting was held at night in the last election. They now want the use of EVM so that the ballots need not be stuffed at night,” he said.
Tuku, a BNP standing committee member, also said by using the EVMs the ruling party will set a programme on their own and take 80% of votes showing 90% of votes cast. “It’s that kind of plot what the country’s people and we understand.”
The BNP leader said no election will be fair in Bangladesh unless it is held under a completely neutral government.
He said neither BNP nor the other opposition parties would join the next polls if held under the current Awami League government.
Tuku said political parties in Bangladesh established democracy through movements in the past. “We’ll again wage a movement for the restoration of that democracy, and we’ll realise our demands through the movement."
Replying to a question, he said Awami League also knows it very well that the election will not be accepted internationally if BNP boycotts it.
Tuku also slammed Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for advising BNP to participate in the election for the sake of its existence, saying there is a question about the existence of Awami League, not BNP.
Also read:Chhatra League attack on LDP leader Redwan ‘premeditated’: BNP
“We have a party and most people are with us. “They’ve no party and only police and hooligans are with them…We won’t join the election under them this time,” he said.
Asked whether their party will finally take part in talks with the government and join the election under it as they did in 2018, Tuku said Awami League had broken all trusts of people and usurped power defeating people. “This time the election will be held only when people turn victorious and we’ll go to that polls.”
AL to face worse consequences than Rajapaksas: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the present Awami League government will end up facing even worse consequences than that of embattled Sri Lanka.
"This government won’t take a lesson from the persisting situation in Sri Lanka as they don’t know how to take a lesson. They didn’t take any lessons over the last 10 years,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul also said, “Their (current govt’s) condition will be worse than Sri Lanka. “People (Ruling party men) in Sri Lanka have jumped into the river, but they (AL leaders) will jump into the Bay of Bengal.”
On Monday, Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned amid mass protests at the government's handling of a deepening economic crisis.
Fakhrul said their party’s standing committee meeting that was held on Monday night turned down Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent comments on bringing BNP to the next national election and using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in it.
Renewing their party’s stance, he said BNP will not join the polls under the current ‘illegal’ government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Election won’t be neutral and acceptable under the current government. This government has to go and the power must be handed over to a neutral government. An atmosphere for an impartial election will be created after the formation of a neutral election commission under a neutral government,” the BNP leader said.
READ: BNP won’t even join talks on polls until AL quits power: Fakhrul
He said their standing committee also viewed that EVMs will not be acceptable for voting in the national election.
Fakhrul questioned how the Prime Minister determined that the EVMs will be used in 300 seats. “It’s the responsibility of the Election Commission to decide whether it will use the EVMs or not. It has exposed that the government controls the electoral process.”
He said their standing committee meeting blamed the government for the abnormal rise in edible oil prices and the creation of an artificial crisis of soybean oil in the market.
“The meeting thought that the decision (to hike the prices of soybean oil) was taken to benefit the members of the syndicate of unscrupulous businessmen directly supported by the government,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul said people are going through a miserable life as the prices of all essential items went up due to the government’s corruption and wrong policies.
He said the BNP's standing committee demanded the immediate resignation of the government for its failure to control commodity prices.
Fakhrul said their standing committee meeting expressed surprise over the foreign trip of convicted Awami League MP Haji Mohammad Selim. “This incident has proved that all the state institutions have been politicised."
He urged the government to create a democratic situation in the country by unconditionally releasing Khaleda Zia.
BNP’s takes up 10-day programme to observe Zia's death anniversary
BNP on Tuesday chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the 41st anniversary of the death of its founding leader Ziaur Rahman.
The observance of the anniversary will begin on May 29 and end on June 7.
Also read: BNP’s two-day demo protesting attacks on opposition leaders
The programmes were finalised at a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies held at its Nayapaltan central office with BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in the chair.
After the meeting, Fakhrul announced the programmes that include discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and wearing black badges, paying homage to Zia and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman, a military-ruler-turned-president, founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. He was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
As part of the programmes, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party, including its Nayapaltan headquarters, at 6am on May 30.
Besides, party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
Also read: Chhatra League attack on LDP leader Redwan ‘premeditated’: BNP
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities, from June May 29 to June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city on May 30.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes.
BNP’s two-day demo protesting attacks on opposition leaders
BNP on Tuesday announced a two-day demonstration programme for Thursday and Saturday next protesting what it said the continuous attacks on opposition leaders by ruling party ‘cadres’ in different parts of the country including Cumilla.
Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Also read: Chhatra League attack on LDP leader Redwan ‘premeditated’: BNP
As part of the programmes, he said the party’s Dhaka south and north city units will stage a demonstration in the capital on Thursday (May 12).
Besides, Fakhrul said their party’s all-district units will stage demonstrations across the country on Saturday (May 14).
He alleged that ‘Awami cadres’ have created a reign of terror across the country by attacking senior BNP leaders and other opposition leaders.
The BNP leader said the ruling party activists attacked their party standing committee member and former minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain in Cumilla's Daudkani on Saturday, but later a false’ case was filed against BNP leaders and activists.
He said the ruling party cadres also attacked LDP leader Dr Redwan Ahmed in Chandina upazila of Cumilla on Monday.
Also read: AL’s assurance of fair polls a trap for BNP: Rizvi
Fakhrul said Awami League ‘cadres’ also attacked earlier BNP leaders in different areas, including in Feni, Satkhira, Narayanganj and Patuakhali. “So, we’ve taken a two-day programme in protest against these terrorist attacks.”
Earlier, the programmes were finalised at a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies at the party’s Nayapaltan central office with Mirza Fakhrul in the chair.