Politics
Fakhrul confident about changeover soon
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday hoped that there will be a change in state power soon under the leadership of their party.
“We’re now confident that we'll be able to free the country (from AL hands) under the leadership of Tarique Rahman and the direct and active participation of Begum Khaleda Zia within a short time,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said a national unity must be forged without buying time to defeat the current government through a movement.
“If we want to make Bangladesh a truly happy and prosperous-democratic country, then we need to unite our people. We have no scope to waste time. Let's unite ourselves, all the political parties and all the politicians,” he said.
Also read: AL turned Bangladesh into 'hell': BNP
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking the 15th anniversary of the arrest of its acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, was arrested on March 7, 2007 by the joint forces on different charges, including corruption, from their then cantonment residence.
After nearly 18 months of imprisonment, he went to London securing bail from the High Court in September 2009. He has been staying there since then.
Fakhrul said Awami League fears Tarique because of his outstanding organisational capacity as he had started uniting the nationalist forces across the country in a very short time. “That’s why they’ve been spreading misinformation against Tarique Rahman and implicating him in false cases one after another.”
He said Tarique was arrested in 2007 as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy by those who wanted to turn Bangladesh into a failed and subservient state. “The 1/11 political changeover in 2007 was not only against the BNP but also against the nation with a motive to depoliticise the country.”
The BNP leader criticised the ruling party leaders and ministers for what he said were carrying out false campaigns about the country’s development and economic progress. “But the international organisations’ survey reports suggest that the poverty rate in Bangladesh has increased by 2 percent.”
Also read: Let Khaleda come out of home if have courage: Fakhrul to govt
He said only the Awami League leaders and activists have witnessed the economic development as they have 'amassed wealth by indulging in corruption and plundering public money'.
Accusing the government of destroying the country, Fakhrul the Sheikh Hasina-led government should hand over power to a neutral administration to pave the path for a fair election.
Soaring prices hit people hard: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday voiced concern that the country’s people are struggling hard to cope with the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials.
“People are in miseries. The government has raised the prices of fuel oil and gas, showing lame excuses,” he said.
Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, Quader said the transportation cost has gone up due to the rise in fuel prices.
“The prices of daily essentials are being raised by leaps and bounds on the pretext of increased costs of transportation and production,” he observed.
Also read: People want a change in politics: GM Quader
Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the spending of people are only increasing every day but not their incomes. “People are now struggling to make ends meet for lack of money.”
He also said many people are also unable to receive necessary treatment for want of money. "The number of unemployed people is increasing, but there are no job opportunities for them.”
The Jatiya Party chairman said people want to get rid of the current situation of the country.
He alleged that both the Awami League and BNP have shattered the country's economy and market system, and it started in 1991.
“People no longer trust Awami League and BNP. They want to see Jatiya Party in power as an alternative force,” GM Quader observed.
He urged the leaders and activists of Jatiya Party to get more organised to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people.
“Jatiya Party will never back track from the movement for the protection of people’s rights. Establishing human rights is our politics.”
Also read: AL turned Bangladesh into 'hell': BNP
Noted businessman Mesbah Uddin Jiban Chowdhury joined the Jatiya Party by presenting a bouquet to GM Quader at the programme.
The Jatiya Party chief welcomed Mesbah and asked him to work for strengthening the party.
AL turned Bangladesh into 'hell': BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the Awami League government has turned Bangladesh into a 'hell'.
"When I go to court, I don’t find any other people rather than our party’s ones. Many of them aren’t even our leaders. They’re only our supporters but there’re many cases against them,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party leaders and followers have also been subjected to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and various repressive acts.
“They (BNP followers) are being picked up and then either shot dead or maimed…The country where people remain satisfied with little things has been taken to an awful suffocating situation,” he lamented
Jatiyatabadi Help Cell arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) to provide financial assistance to the family members of some victims of enforced disappearance.
Besides, 'Shaheed Nurul Alam Stipend' was given to the children of 15 families of those who were made disappeared, abducted and tortured during the rule of the current government.
Also read: Let Khaleda come out of home if have courage: Fakhrul to govt
Fakhrul hoped that the current situation will be over very soon. "I hope this darkness will be removed as people are waking up.”
He also believes that the young people will come forward to bring back a truly democratic system ending the darkness within a very short time.
“Let's move forward towards that goal by forging unity and uniting people. We’ll surely be able to establish the government of people by defeating the current authoritarian and fascist regime,” the BNP leader said.
He warned that those who were involved in the enforced disappearances and unlawful killings will be put on trial someday. "Every person of the Awami League who are responsible for creating the horrible situation in the country will be identified and tried. People will bring them to justice.”
Fakhrul said repressive and unlawful acts continue to happen in a country where there is no democracy. “So, we have to bring back democracy. We must get rid of this situation in the interest of the country and its people."
Pointing to the missing family members, the BNP secretary general said in an emotional voice that he feels guilty seeing the plight, mental trauma and financial hardship of them and their children. “There're families that are facing difficulties to pay for their children's education and treatment as we couldn’t stand by their side in that way."
Also read: New CEC a staunch Awami Leaguer, claims BNP
He urged their party leaders to take the issue seriously and create a special fund for bearing at least the education cost of the children of those who fell victims to enforced disappearance.
Some family members of the victims of enforced disappearance also spoke at the programme narrating the sufferings and ordeals they are going through losing their near and dear ones.
Let Khaleda come out of home if have courage: Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the government has kept their party chairperson Khaleda Zia confined to her home out of the fear of her vast popularity.
Speaking at a rally, he also alleged that the government is not allowing ailing Khaleda to receive advanced treatment abroad with an aim to remove its “obstacle” to staying power by ensuring her “demise without treatment”.
“The government is seriously sacred of Khaleda Zia. They know if she takes to the streets and waves her hand from her vehicle, then no one can resist people. "If you have the courage, release Khaleda Zia and let her come out (of home)," he said.
Dhaka South city unit of BNP arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the release of its member secretary Rafiqul Alam Majnu and party chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Fakhrul said Khaleda has been in jail for over three years while their 35 lakh leaders and activists have been facing false cases.
Read: Unity of all is a must for prosperity: BNP
He said Awami League has long been trying to suppress BNP by arresting and jailing its leaders and activists since the party has got isolated from people. “Awami League is a party of liars and deceivers.”
Fakhrul said there is no alternative to waging a fierce movement to have Khaleda, Majnu and other party leaders and workers freed from jail. “We must forge a strong unity and create a mass upsurge to defeat the dangerous fascist regime.”
He also called upon all the political parties and people of all walks of life to get united to force the Awami League government to hand over power to a neutral administration for ensuring a credible election and restoring people’s voting and other rights.
The BNP leader said the government is depleting the resources of the country by indulging in plundering and corruption. "The government is now lying as it wants to cover up the corruption that it has committed by fooling the people.”
Read: People want a change in politics: GM Quader
He warned that the government will no longer be able to hang onto power by resorting to lies and different tricks as people have started waking up. “Social media are now flooded with the contents on how the ruling party’s top leaders have indulged in corruption.”
Fakhrul called upon the government to take steps for checking corruption and handing over power to an impartial administration before time runs out fast.
Unity of all is a must for prosperity: BNP
Stating that vested quarters sometimes make efforts to create divisions using religion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said a strong unity of all Bangladeshis is a must to take the country forward and ensure its prosperity.
“Communal violence is almost zero in Bangladesh. That’s the reality. But there’re some vested quarters who sometimes try to create divisions using the religion,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks at the funeral of Suddhananda Mahathero, the principal of the Buddhist Monastery in Basabo.
He said those who live in the country all are Bangladeshis and they may have different religions and different thoughts. “This is the philosophy of Bangladesh advocated by Ziaur Rahman.”
Read: New CEC a staunch Awami Leaguer, claims BNP
Fakhrul said their party does not do the politics of divisions as it believes that it is possible to unite the entire nation following the philosophy of Bangladesh.
“We always do the politics of unity. If Bangladesh is to prosper and take forward, then there must have a strong unity among all Bangladeshis,” he observed.
New CEC a staunch Awami Leaguer, claims BNP
BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday alleged that new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal is a staunch supporter of the Awami League.
“The Awami government has again formed the so-called Election Commission with its loyalists and partisan bureaucrats, who were tested in the Awami Laboratory, only to stay in power without voting,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also said extremely ‘controversial’ former bureaucrat Kazi Habibul Awal is also a very favourite person of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“She considered Kazi Habibul Awal in every case whenever it came to giving appointment to any constitutional post since he is a staunch Awami Leaguer. His entire family is involved in Awami-Baksali politics,” he added.
Also read: BNP wants election under non-party govt like in 1991: Fakhrul
Though BNP earlier said it had no interest in the new Election Commission (EC), the party came up with the allegations a day after the CEC and four other Commissioners had been sworn in.
Earlier on Saturday, President Abdul Hamid appointed former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new Chief Election Commissioner.
Based on the search committee’s recommendations, he also appointed Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan (retd), former district and sessional judge Begum Rashida Sultana, former senior secretaries Mohammad Alamgir and Anisur Rahman as the four other commissioners of the new EC.
The tenure of the immediate past EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, expired on February 14.
Also read: BNP shows no interest in new EC
Rizvi said Kazi Habibul Awal was the Additional Secretary of the Legal and Drafting wing of the Law Ministry and it was an administrative cadre post.
“Although there was no rule to be appointed as the secretary of the Law Ministry from that post, he got it with the special grace of Sheikh Hasina. The post of Law Secretary is a judicial one. This is why the High Court and the Appellate Division declared his appointment invalid,” the BNP leader said.
He said such a person has been made the CEC who did not obey the law in his professional career and whose appointment was declared illegal by both the divisions of the Supreme Court.
“He (Awal) also insulted the judges by the police and apologised to the parliamentary committee…He also became the secretary of different ministries one after another due to close the relationship with the government even after his illegal appointment (as the law secretary)," Rizvi said.
He alleged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had finalised the list of her trusted people much earlier for forming the Commission.
“The search committee was just eyewash. That is why those who belong to the Awami Baksal were appointed as the CEC and the Election Commissioners to implement another blueprint for the election,” the BNP leader observed.
He also said the new Election Commission is actually the Prime Minister's ‘kitchen’ commission. “The EC won’t have any role in the elections as the DCs and SPs will conduct the polls.”
BNP wants election under non-party govt like in 1991: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said their party wants the next national election to be held under a 'non-partisan government' like in 1991.
"We’ve no alternative to forcing the current government to quit through a movement for getting out of the crisis in the country," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the resignation of the Awami League government will pave the way for holding the next election under a non-party administration.
“If a neutral government is empowered as in 1991 to hold an impartial election through a neutral election commission, then it’ll be possible to form a truly representative parliament and government," he observed.
Also read:It’s AL-backed EC of bureaucrats: JaPa
BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s Independence arranged the discussion titled “February 27, 1991 Election: A role model of acceptable elections under a neutral government” at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.
Fakhrul said a general election under a neutral government will help not only overcome the country's crisis but also build a future for the nation.
Accusing the government of turning the country into a paradise of corruption by destroying all institutions in a planned way, he said a credible election will create an opportunity to rebuild the country and its all organs.
The BNP leader called upon the people of all strata to come forward to protect the country, its future generation and save democracy. “Let’s wage a fierce movement to establish a government of people by ousting the fascist and despotic Awami League government.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said a non-party neutral government had been formed in the country after the fall of the autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990.
Also read: BNP shows no interest in new EC
“There’s no provision in the constitution at that time for a non-partisan government. But a non-partisan government was formed at that time in the interest of the nation and people,” he observed.
The BNP leader said such a government can also be formed now and the constitution cannot be a barrier to protecting the nation’s interest.
He said the Awami League government has been running the country by ‘usurping’ power and resorting to ‘vote robbery’. “That’s why a ground for a mass movement that took place in the 90s has now been created in the country.”
Stating that no autocratic regime of any country wants to quit power without a mass movement, Mosharraf urged their party rank and file to make all preparations for a movement as in the 90s.
It’s AL-backed EC of bureaucrats: JaPa
Describing the new Election Commission EC as an Awami League-backed Commission of bureaucrats, Jatiya Party on Sunday voiced doubt whether it will be able to hold neutral and credible polls.
“The newly appointed Election Commission is an Awami League-supported bureaucrat-dependent one,” said Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu.
Talking to reporters after a meeting of Jatiya Party presidium members at the Banani office of its Chairman, he also said the activities of the new EC will exhibit how impartial they are.
Also read: Next EC not to make any difference, says BNP
Earlier on Saturday, President Abdul Hamid appointed former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new Chief Election Commissioner.
Based on the search committee’s recommendations, he also appointed Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan (retd), former district and sessional judge Begum Rashida Sultana, former senior secretaries Mohammad Alamgir and Anisur Rahman as the four other commissioners of the new EC.
The tenure of the immediate past EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, expired on February 14.
Replying to a question, Chunnu said both BNP and Awami League could not hold neutral elections.
He recalled that their party’s late Chairman HM Ershad had earlier proposed the introduction of proportional representation in elections. “There’s no alternative to the proportional representation system for free, fair and neutral elections.”
This is a concept meaning that the number of parliamentary seats won by a party is proportional to the number of votes it received.
Also read: People want a change in politics: GM Quader
“It’s possible to have a fair election only in a proportional representation system,” the Jatiya Party secretary general said.
He, however, said political parties need to trust each other and cooperate with each other for holding the polls in a fair and acceptable manner.
“Fair elections will never be possible in Bangladesh if the political parties don’t reach a consensus about the election system,” he observed.
According to the current law on the Election Commission, Chunnu said the employees of the republic will work under the EC during the election period and they’re bound to listen to its orders. “But nothing has been said about what will happen if they don't obey (the EC’s orders).”
He said their party had a demand for enacting the law empowering the EC to take action against those who will defy its orders during the election period.
“The government didn’t enact that law. If a law is enacted empowering the Election Commission and the Commission shows goodwill, then fair elections will be possible. Or else, fair elections are difficult,” Chunnu opined.
Responding to another question, he said Jatiya Party is an election-oriented party, and they will decide whether they should join the next general elections or not under the new EC before the polls.
BNP shows no interest in new EC
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party has no interest in the new Election Commission (EC).
"We’ve no interest in the new Commission. We also don’t have any curiosity about who the new CEC or commissioners are. We don't want to talk about it," he said.
In their immediate response to the new EC, the BNP leader also said no EC will be able to hold a neutral and credible election if Awami League remains in power during the election period.
"It has been proved through the elections in 2014 and 2018 and local government ones that polls can’t be fair and acceptable under a partisan government.
He said the EC under the Awami League government becomes obedient to the ruling party and works at their behest. “So, elections won’t be neutral in any way if Awami League stays in power. This is the undeniable truth.”
Read: Pension scheme a ploy to plunder public money: BNP
Fakhrul said the general election must be held under a non-party neutral government. "BNP won’t go to polls under a partisan government."
Earlier in the day, President Abdul Hamid appointed former defence secretary Kazi Habibul Awal as the new Chief Election Commissioner.
He also appointed Brigadier General Ahsan Habib Khan (retd), former district and sessional judge Begum Rashida Sultana, former senior secretaries Mohammad Alamgir and Anisur Rahman as the four other commissioners of the new EC.
The Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification in this regard.
Read: AL 'helping big power' make Bangladesh a subservient country: BNP
On Thursday, President Abdul Hamid received the names of 10 individuals recommended by the search committee to be appointed in the next five-member Election Commission at Bangabhaban.
This is the first time an election commission was formed under a law mandated by the constitution.
The tenure of the immediate past EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, expired on February 14.
Pension scheme a ploy to plunder public money: BNP
BNP on Saturday expressed doubt that the government has taken a move to introduce the universal pension scheme for all citizens as part of its new ploy to plunder public money.
Speaking at a rally, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also alleged that the government has haired lobbyists with taxpayers’ money to legalise its repressive acts, including enforced disappearance.
As part of BNP’s 11-day countrywide programme, its Dhaka north and south city units arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials and utility services.
Also read: AL 'helping big power' make Bangladesh a subservient country: BNP
“I’ve seen a media report about whether the government will introduce a universal general pension. They’re not saying anything clearly about it. But can realise that they are going to resort to another trick to loot public money,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government will take Tk 1,000 from each person per month for up to 60 years. “If any one dies before the age of 60, their money won’t be given back…that means they’re taking the step as to how people’s money can be looted and their pockets can be cut.”
The BNP leader said the government is unable to take any step to resolve people’s problems. “Rather, they’re putting people in danger. People have started now considering this regime as their enemies.”
Why lobbyists?
Fakhrul said though the government was talking tall about the US sanctions on Rab and the force’s some former and current officials, it has now appointed lobbyists to lift the bans by spending $20,000 every month.
Also read: Long queues near TCB trucks exposes reality: BNP
“Why have you now engaged the lobbyists? The only reason is to legalise and hush up the repressions like killing and enforced disappearance, on people by spending their tax money on lobbyists,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government will not be able to hide its misdeeds as those are getting exposed one by one. “You’ve no way to suppress (your misdeeds) no matter what step you take or appoint lobbyists.”
Stating that a poster carrying a sobbing photo of a minor daughter of enforced disappearance victim Mahfuzur Rahman Sohel pasted on different walls around the capital, Fakhrul said it has created a commotion all over the world.
“This government has looted all of our good things and achievements. The people of this country will never forgive this government. We would like to tell Awami League it won’t be able to subdue people by resorting to enforced disappearance, killing and repressive acts,” he observed.
He urged people, including the youth, to wake up and become involved with their party’s movement for protecting the country from the misrule of the Awami League. “We call upon all democracy-loving and patriotic political parties to initiate a struggle against the horrible fascist regime. Our victory is there for sure.”
Fakhrul asked the government to quit and arrange a credible election under a non-party neutral administration before time runs out fast.
Corruption
He said the prices of all commodities and services that are needed for people’s survival have gone beyond the buying capacity. “We all need rice, pulses, oil and salt. The lines of people near the TCB’s trucks are getting longer every day. Even people belonging to the middle class are standing in the lines to buy goods from TCB’s trucks.”
The BNP leader said the prices of electricity, gas and water have been rising every year for several times only because of corruption and looting by the government and its administrations. “Corruption has become pervasive everywhere in the country.”
Awami League has now become a party of looters. “They want to hang onto power by looting public money. There’s no place where there is no corruption and plundering during the rule of this regime.”
Referring to a leaked telephonic conversation between Law Minister Anisul Huq and Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman, he said they talked about a project of Prime Minister’s son and IT adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
He said though their party has long been seeking a clear explanation on the matter, the government still did not pay heed to it. “People want to know why Joy’s name was used for passing the project.”