Politics
‘Awami private committee’ formed in search committee’s name: BNP
BNP on Sunday alleged that the government has formed a ‘private’ Awami body in the name of a search committee.
“We previously said only those who wear the ‘Mujib Coat’ being inspired by the spirit of Awami Baksal would be there in the search committee…the newly formed search committee is the absolute reflection of that assumption,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said, "I think it’s justified to call it an ‘Awami private committee, not a search committee. This committee and those who will be found out by them for the Election Commission are all the passengers of the same boat. They’re birds of a feather.”
The BNP leader also said all the names that would be proposed by the search committee would be members of the Awami family.
Also read: ‘It’s like Baksal one’, BNP about EC law
Rizvi said the intended goal of the search committee will be finding out the tested and genuine Awami family members to hold another ‘stage-managed’ election as per a government blueprint.
On Saturday, a six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hassan, was formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
The other members of the committee are High Court Division Justice SM Kuddus Zaman, the Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Md Muslim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Md Sohrab Hossain, former election commissioner Muhammad Sohul Hussain and noted writer Anwara Syed Haque.
The tenure of the incumbent Commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, will expire on February 14.
Rizvi narrated how the search committee members have links with Awami League.
“Obaidul Hassan, the current head of the search committee, was a member of the previous two search committees and he belongs to a tested Awami League family. He was also an Awami League MP candidate. He was a big leader of the Baksal Chhatra League,” he said.
The BNP leader said Sohul Hussain, an expert in election engineering, has become a member of the search committee. “He bought the nomination form of Awami League in 2018 to be a candidate of the party in Sylhet-1 seat.”
Also read: BNP sold out the War of Liberation sharing power with anti-independence forces: Quader
He said another search committee member and High Court Division Justice SM Kuddus Zaman is the son of Rajbari’s late Awami League leader Hamiz Uddin Sheik. “His brother is an important leader of the local Awami League. Another member Prof Anwara Syed Haque is known as a blind Awami Leaguer. She is the wife of late poet Syed Shamsul Haque, a dedicated supporter of the Awami League. She served the Pakistan Air Force Medical Center throughout the war of independence. They’re experts in Hasina-style election engineering.”
Rizvi said neither the country’s people nor BNP has any interest in the search committee or in the Election Commission. “People believe that a fair election is not possible without a non-partisan and neutral government.”
He said a polls-time neutral government must be formed to hold the next general election in a credible manner. “Once the polls-time impartial government is formed, it will constitute a neutral Election Commission…people have turned down the Awami private committee in the name of the search committee with hatred.”
The BNP leader said the Election Commission to be nominated by the search committee will be loyal to the government. “So, a mockery with people is going on in the name of formation of the Election Commission through the search committee.”
He urged the government to quit and take steps for holding the next polls under an election-time neutral government to protect the country from a civil war.
BNP sold out the War of Liberation sharing power with anti-independence forces: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said BNP has betrayed the spirit of Liberation War by sharing power with the forces who opposed it in 1971.
Quader said this during a briefing at his office in the Secretariat this morning.
Pointing recent evidence of BNP’s anti-state propaganda by appointing lobbyists in the US, the AL leader said that the opposition party is trying to undermine the nation’s achievements and its image.
Also read: Joy shares video on BNP-Jamaat's "anti-Bangladesh activities"
He said Awami League has been doing politics of land and people since its birth. The party has been associated with every achievement of this country.
Quader, also the roads and bridges minister, said BNP is jealous of the nation’s strides towards development and that’s why it disputes the achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. They want to make electoral system of the country controversial, he said.
Also read: BNP fears about its political future: Hasan
‘It’s like Baksal one’, BNP about EC law
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the newly enacted law on the formation of the Election Commission (EC) is like a Baksal one.
“Awami League has moved forward gradually with various steps over the last 14 years to do what it could not successfully accomplish in 1975. There’s now a cover of multiparty democracy, but there’s no multiparty democracy in practice,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he said the ruling party also arranged the last two elections “under cover” depriving people of their voting rights.
Also read: BNP ditches upcoming EC formation law
“They’ve now enacted a law just like that Baksal one. The Baksal law was made in 11 minutes while this time they passed a law (on EC) in parliament by seven days,” the BNP leader said.
BNP’s national committee on celebrating Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence organised the virtual event, marking January 25 as ‘Baksal Day’ commemorating what it says introduction of one-party rule in the country on this day in 1975. BNP leaders from both home and abroad joined the programme.
Earlier on January 27, parliament passed the “Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022" by voice vote to ensure a legal framework for selecting the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the Bill in parliament on January 23 seeking to give a legal shield to the current and previous Election Commissions formed through search committees.
Fakhrul said Bakshl has now become an “abusive” word as through it the county’s economy, politics and the dreams of freedom fighters were destroyed in 1975. “They (AL) had plunged the country and the nation into deep darkness by establishing a one-party rule at that time.”
Also read: New bill a plot to form another EC with loyal people: BNP
In the same way, he said Awami League has now politicised everything and created a scope for plundering public money. “The activities of all political parties are being brutally suppressed and the pro-democratic people and free-thinkers are being annihilated by resorting to killing and enforced disappearance.”
The BNP leader also alleged that the government is suppressing the words of protests and people’s voices by making various oppressive laws, including the Digital Security Act.
Stating that the government has been making various blueprints to restore Baksal, he called upon BNP leaders and activists to come up with a strong resistance together with people.
Fakhrul said they will put in their best efforts to establish a pro-people elected government and parliament ousting the current ‘fascist’ regime.
He said the Awami League must quit and had over power to a non-party neutral government to pave the way for holding a credible nation election to be conducted by an impartial Election Commission.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Awami League and democracy cannot go together. “This party had established one-party Baksal rule in 1975 by obliterating democracy while it has been on power for the last 14 years by “force” snatching votes at night.”
He alleged that the ruling party has already established a one-party Baksal rule under cover of democracy.
The BNP leader called upon the people of all walks of life and political parties to get united to restore democracy by holding an acceptable election under a non-party neutral government.
BCL hall conference held after long 5 years
The hall conference of Dhaka University Chhatra League unit was held on Sunday after a gap of five years on TSC premises.
Amid playing of national anthem and releasing pigeons President of Dhaka University Chhatra League Sanjit Chandra Das inaugurated the conference,
A cultural session was held before the beginning of the main part of the conference.
Also read: After 5 years, BCL hall conference to be held Jan 30
Borikul Islam Badhon, former president of Bangabandhu Hall Chhatra League unit and convener of conference preparatory committee presided over the conference.
BNP ditches upcoming EC formation law
BNP on Thursday turned down the “Appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022" passed by parliament, saying it is not acceptable to people.
"We don’t accept the bill on the Election Commission. This bill is not only acceptable to us, but also to the people of the country. No one will abide by the bill as it’s not acceptable to people,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a discussion, he also said the current parliament has no moral rights and jurisdiction to pass such a bill since it was not elected with people’s votes.
Also read: Bangladesh one step away to have a law on EC formation
BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units jointly arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking January 25 as ‘Baksal and black day of annihilating democracy, commemorating the introduction of one-party rule in the country on this day in 1975.
Earlier in the day, parliament passed the Bill by voice votes to ensure a legal framework for selecting the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the Bill in parliament on January 23 seeking to give a legal shield to the current and previous Election Commissions formed through search committees. It was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for deeper examination.
On Wednesday, chairman of the committee M Shahiduzzaman Sarker placed the committee report with some changes in the original Bill.
Also read: Report on EC formation Bill placed in parliament
Fakhrul alleged that the bill was passed by the parliament very hastily, and warned that it will not help prevent the fall of the current regime.
Recalling that Baksal was formed just in11 minutes in parliament, he said the Bill on the Election Commission (EC) was also passed hurriedly after it had been tabled on January 23 and approved by the cabinet on January 17.
“Awami League introduced Baksal that day as part of their efforts to save themselves. They’ve now enacted the Election Commission law thinking that they will survive through it. But they have forgotten that Baksal couldn’t finally protect them. So, the law on the Election Commission can’t protect them ultimately,” the BNP leader said.
About their party’s position on the next polls, Fakhrul said their party will not join any national election under Sheikh Hasina’s government as they do not want to be caught in the toils of Baksal again.
He said the government must quit and hand over power to a non-party neutral administration which will arrange a credible election by forming the Election Commission in consultations with all political parties. “People’s representatives will be elected through the polls and they will determine how they’ll run the country.”
Koko’s 7th death anniversary observed
The seventh death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and current chairperson Khaleda Zia, was observed on Monday.
BNP and its associate bodies observed the day with various programmes.
Dhaka north city unit BNP arranged a Qurankhawani and special prayer session on Koko’s grave premises at Banani graveyard in the morning.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies paid homage to Koko by placing wreaths at his grave.
Also read: Koko’s wife returns to London
BNP arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office at noon seeking the eternal peace of Koko’s departed soul.
Besides, Dhaka north city unit of BNP organised special doa mahfil at its 26 thana units and distributed cooked food among the destitute and orphans.
Another doa mahfil was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 5pm.
Different associate and professional bodies of BNP and its city and district units also observed the day through various programmes across the country.
Also read: Khaleda’s son Koko ‘killed through torture’: BNP
On January 24, 2015, Koko died of cardiac arrest at the age of 45 at a rented house in Malaysia.
His body was brought back home on January 27 and buried at Banani Graveyard.
New bill a plot to form another EC with loyal people: BNP
BNP on Monday alleged that the new bill on the formation of the Election Commission (EC) has been formulated to constitute another Commission with people loyal to the government.
“The Prime Minister’s will be reflected on the Election Commission bill to be passed by the government without having elected representatives,” said party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He also said the government has prepared the draft of the Bill to constitute another Election Commission like Huda-Rakib ones. “People’s hopes and aspirations will not be reflected on the new Election Commission.”
Also read: Law on EC formation after dialogue just another ‘joke’: BNP
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of party founder Ziaur Rahman and current chairperson Khaleda Zia, by placing a wreath at his Banani grave, marking his 7th death anniversary.
Referring to a provision of the draft Bill allowing convicted persons to be the EC members, Rizvi said it means those who have committed atrocities in the last 14 years can be the members of the Commission.
“In fact, the government wants to appoint people loyal it as the EC members. They don't want to appoint any gentlemen,” he observed.
Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
The BNP leader alleged that the government hastily placed the Bill in parliament as part of a plot to manipulate the next general election.
He said the government is conspiring to constitute the search committee with the people of its own pockets.
“People who wear Mujib Coats will be there in the search committee of the government. This search committee will also find out the people who wear Mujib Coats,” he observed.
Earlier on Sunday, Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the draft Bill, “Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022”, in parliament and it was sent to the scrutiny committee for further examination.
As per the proposed law, a search committee will be formed taking approval from the President over the constitution of the Election Commission.
The search committee will recommend the names of suitable candidates before the President to appoint the CEC and other election commissioners,” the Bill says.
Rizvi alleged that Arafat Rahman Koko died due to torture by the government.
He urged the country’s people to pray for the members of the Zia family.
About the health condition of Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment in the city’s Evercare Hospital, he said she is still suffering from bleeding. “She's now at the crossroads of life and death for lack of advanced treatment.
Law on EC formation after dialogue just another ‘joke’: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday described the government’s move to enact a law on the formation of the Election Commission (EC) after the President's dialogue with political parties as just another 'joke'.
”Those who rule the country by force will pass a law. Then, a search committee will be formed as per the law. In other words, the search committee will give the president a list that will be provided by the Prime Minister,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the president will just announce the names of the chief election commissioner and other commissioners from that list.
Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
"So, it's just another joke to confuse people. The government had made a joke first by holding a dialogue with the political parties through the president,” he observed.
Ziaur Rahman Foundation arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 86th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
The much-talked-about Bill, “Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022”, will be placed in parliament on (Sunday) as the government wants to have a law in this regard as per the Constitution.
On Monday last, the Cabinet meeting approved the draft Bill.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has a strict stance on not joining any election under the current ‘illegal’ and ‘fascist’ government.
“So, the drama the government is staging now is pointless. There’ll never be a neutral and acceptable election under this regime, and no Election Commission can function independently under this government. The two last Election Commissions have left evidence of that,” he observed.
The BNP leader said Bangladesh’s image has been seriously dented globally only for lack of an elected government. “The current regime is fully responsible for it as they have been committing various misdeeds to hang onto power by force.”
He said it is now urgent to oust the current Awami League government from power to restore the country’s image by establishing a democratic government through a credible election under a non-party neutral administration.
Also read: Dialogue before EC formation just a mockery, says BNP
Big Warning
Mosharraf said the 12 international Human Rights (HR) organisations’ letter to the United Nations to ban Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from deploying the peacekeeping missions and the US stations on the elite force and its former and current officials are a big warning to the Awami League government.
Referring to the media reports, he said the UN has taken the rights bodies’ letter into its cognizance. “They (UN) will investigate the matter and take action.”
He said the government is failing to understand how it is being warned internationally only because of the arrogance of power.
Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the filing of ‘fictitious’ cases against their party leaders and activists and arresting them by the government has now become an order of the day.
“It seems to have become a routine exercise of the current government to file politically motivated fake and fictitious cases and arrest opposition leaders and activists, including those of BNP and its associate bodies, in a bid to remove them from politics,” he said.
In a statement, the BNP leader warned that aggrieved people can rush to the streets at any time to overthrow the present government.
The statement was issued protesting the arrest of two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila on Sunday night.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
Fakhrul said the current ‘authoritarian’ Awami League government, which ‘usurped’ power shamelessly through vote-rigging the night before the December-30 election, has now begun to rule the country in a completely fascist manner.
He alleged that the government has snatched the voting and democratic rights of millions of people by force to cling to power.
Fakhrul said BNP leaders and activists are being imprisoned with ‘false’ charges without any reason to turn Bangladesh into a country without any opposition party.
He said the arrest of two JCD leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila is part of the government’s evil activities.
The BNP secretary general said the government has become ‘crazy’ to arrest and imprison the leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies in ‘fabricated’ cases to hush up its unprecedented failure to deliver on all fronts.
Also read: AL conspiring to rig votes again, alleges BNP
He said public resentment is now escalating as they want to eliminate all the misdeeds and misrule of the government.
The BNP leader demanded the government unconditionally release the arrested JCD leaders and withdraw the case filed against them immediately.
Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the 86th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19.
Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a doa mahfil on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal’s Dhaka north city unit arranged the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Gecretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife and the ailing leaders of the organisation, including its President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and General Secretary Shohidul Islam Babul.
The programmes include placing wreaths at Zia's grave, holding discussions and arranging free medical camps.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19.
Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am.
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia.
Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office the same day.
BNP will also arrange a free medical camp at the same venue on January 20.
The party has taken steps for publishing special articles in national newspapers on the occasion.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
Also read: Covid surge: BNP rescheduled 32 rallies
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.