Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
90% people’s income sharply declined: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the real income of the country’s 90% people has marked a fall but the government has been showing a 'hoaxed' GDP growth to hide its failure to control the price hike of essentials.
"It’s horrible that the lives of people have become miserable due to the rise in commodity prices. But the government is denying it outright. Ministers are saying that the prices have gone up with the rise in their (people's) incomes," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government has been trying to fool people by talking about GDP growth and the rise in per capita income.
"Whose income has increased? They (govt) show a hoaxed GDP. What's GDP? GDP is calculated by adding up all things, including that comes from production,” said Fakhrul, also a former teacher of economics.
Also read: Draft regulations on digital media going to suppress people’s voice: BNP
Swadhinata Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the first death anniversary of late BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed.
On March 16 last year, Moudud Ahmed died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital at the age of 81.
About the 'hoaxed' per capita income, Fakhrul said it is measured by dividing the nation’s total income with the country’s population. “For example, I earn Tk50,000 a month while my brother earns Tk5,000 a month. If you divide these incomes together, then the per capita income will be Tk25,000 But it’s not our real income.”
He said around 90% of people are earning lower than earlier while the poverty rate has risen by another 2% in the country.
Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government has constituted the Election Commission to hold another election of fraud as they did earlier.
Also read: Need greater unity to oust AL govt: Fakhrul
He warned that people will come up with strong resistance this time and thwart all evil plans of the ruling party.
Recalling the chequered life of Barrister Moudud Ahmed, the BNP secretary general said he was a truly knowledgeable and prudent politician.
“Knowledge and wisdom are not given that much importance these days in politics as we’re passing through a time of tainted politics,” he observed.
Fakhrul said Moudud had fought for democracy throughout his life. “He was evicted from his house and many false cases were filed against him as he wanted to restore democracy. We must get united to materialise his desire. ”
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.
Corruption only reason behind price hike: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that corruption by ministers and Awami League leaders is the only reason behind the rise in prices of key commodities.
“Awami League leaders and ministers are amassing wealth by indulging in corruption...the price of soybean oil is soaring as most businessmen engaged in oil business belong to the Awami League,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also said the LPG prices have also been raised as one of Prime Minister’s advisers is involved with a company that imports the LPG.
He said fuel prices have been hiked and that of medicines are also on the rise. More worrying is that the health sector is on the verge of collapse due to widespread corruption, Fakhrul added.
“There has been no trial of those who've pocketed money in the name of land acquisition for a university in the Education Minister’s constituency in Chandpur. Now corruption by the government is everywhere along with its incompetence.”
Also read: AL turned Bangladesh into 'hell': BNP
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the "unbridled" price hike of essential commodities.
Fakhrul said ordinary people have been going through miserable sufferings due to the continuous rise in rice, pulse, oil and other commodity prices, and the tariffs of electricity, gas and water.
He alleged that the government has been conspiring to establish a monarchy in the country by snatching people’s rights.
The BNP leader said people liberated the country in 1971 through a Liberation War for establishing a democratic system and a free society.
“We've to unite all again like in 1971 to establish that free society. If necessary, we've to wage another struggle to free the country and its people (from the grasp of current govt),“ he said.
Also read: Unity of all is a must for prosperity: BNP
Fakhrul also said a fierce movement must be launched to restore people’s voting and all other rights and their ownership of the country.
He said people want to get back their franchise and elect their representatives through exercising it.
The BNP leader called upon all to get united to ensure the fall of the Awami League government and force it to hold the next parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.
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.
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.”
Corruption being patronized from top level of govt: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that corruption is being patronised from the highest level of the government.
“A grand festival of corruption is now going on in the country. This plundering and corruption are being sponsored from the highest level of the state,” he said.
Read: Next EC not to make any difference, says BNP
The BNP leader made the allegation at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office following a leaked telephonic conversation between Law Minister Anisul Huq and Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman on government projects.
He alleged no one, from the ministers to MPs and PM’s advisers, and the ruling party's mayors and chairmen, who are not using the scope of corruption.
“The entire administration, including some senior members of the state forces, has been implicated in this cycle of corruption,” Fakhrul observed.
He also voiced deep worry that the allegations of getting involved in corruption by the judiciary, the guardians of the constitution, are now being raised.
The BNP leader said the ruling party leaders have become very reckless and desperate due to their involvement in corruption.
He also said the Awami League leaders’ misdeeds have now reached such a stage that they now cannot hide or suppress those despite frantic efforts as those are getting exposed before people in one way or another.
“Their misdeeds are now floating in the virtual world, and the ugly picture of their misdeeds is being leaked. The masks of the great corruptors are falling off,” Fakhrul observed.
About the recent leaked conversation between the law minister and Salman F Rahman, he said it has clearly exposed a true picture of the corruption of the government. “This is now a proven fact to the nation.”
Though the country’s people, including BNP, demanded a fair investigation into the incident, Fakhrul said no such visible action has so far been taken by the government in this regard.
On behalf of BNP, he again demanded a fair investigation into the matter alongside launching a trial process without any delay.
Read: AL destroyed Language Movement spirit: BNP
"As a responsible political party, BNP and the country’s people can’t accept this. BNP is demanding that the recognised crime of involving the judiciary with corruption be considered separately,” Fakhrul said.
He also demanded the resignation of the law minister and the Prime Minister’s adviser and all others who are involved with the matter for ensuring transparency in the investigation process.
“We also want those involved in the incident to be brought to justice immediately through an investigation,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul also highlighted various media reports on the corruption by the relatives of the education minister in the land acquisition for a university in Chandpur, and the involvement of some other ministers and the Vice-Chancellors of various universities in corruption.
People to turn down search committee’s recommendations: BNP
BNP standing committee has said that the people of the country will turn down with “hatred” the recommendations of the search committee for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioners and other Commissioners.
At their virtual meeting on Monday, the BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party, also said almost all members of the search committee are directly or indirectly involved with Awami League, said a press release signed by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday.
Read: ACC probes wealth of Ex-MD of Eastern Refinery Rezaul and his wife
“Our meeting felt that BNP did not want to show any interest in the search committee as the Election Commission to be formed by them (search panel) would not be able to conduct an acceptable, free and fair election unless it’s held under a neutral government,” it said.
The BNP policymakers also think the formation of the Election Commission through the current search committee as per the ‘controversial’ new law is unacceptable and meaningless.
“It’s clear that the Election Commission to be formed based on the recommendations of this search committee will aim to bring Awami League back to power like the outgoing commission. This is nothing but another deception with people. People will reject such a mockery with hatred.”
The BNP standing committee alleged people’s basic human rights and right to vote have been snatched in the last one decade. “This is a big crime. Awami League will have to face trial.”
On Saturday, a six-member search committee, led by Appellate Division Justice Obaidul Hasan, was formed to suggest the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
Read: ACC probes wealth of Ex-MD of Eastern Refinery Rezaul and his wife
At their maiden meeting on Sunday, the search committee decided to request the registered political parties to propose names of eligible persons for the posts of chief election commissioner and other commissioners for the reconstitution of the Election Commission.
The BNP policymakers said there is no alternative to a neutral government in overcoming the current political crisis in the country.
Replying to a question, Mirza Fakhrul said the Awami League government has destroyed every institution.
“The Election Commission is not only failing to hold credible elections, but they are stealing public money and involved in corruption. “It's unbelievable,” he said.
The BNP leader said their party strongly believes that no fair and acceptable election can be held under a partisan government in Bangladesh.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said the government must quit dissolving the parliament and then a new interim government will be able to constitute an impartial election commission and bring back the democratic institutions to the right track.
DB to investigate case against BNP leader Fakhrul, 14 others
A Narayanganj court on Thursday directed Detective Branch (DB) of police to investigate a case against 15 people including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir , joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and 13 others over making derogatory comments on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Narayanganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Kawsar Ahmed accepted the case and directed the district DB police to investigate it.
On December 22, Md Akram Hossain Badal, president of Joybangla Muktijoddha Projonmo League central committee, as a plaintiff appealed to Chief Judicial Magistrate Shamsad Begum’s court for filing a case.
Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
Moazzem Hossain Alal was made the main accused in the case.
The other accused in the case are BNP’s Ishraq Hossain, Major Delwar Hossain, Nurul Haque Nuru, Major (Retd) Shahidul Islam Khan, Md Nure Ilias Ripon, M Rahman Masum, Atiqur Rahman Shobuj, Jahangir Alam, Rezaul Karim, Ilias Molla, Zakir Hossain, Sheikh Md Titumir Akash and journalist Ilias Hossain.
Plaintiff’s lawyer Nurul Huda said as a freedom fighter the plaintiff could not bear such comments on the Prime Minister and filed the case against these 15 people.
Also read: Govt conspiring to "kill" Khaleda: Fakhrul
‘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.
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.”