Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
No change in Khaleda’s condition: Fakhrul
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said there has been no improvement in the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital with multiple complications.
“She’s now in between life and death. The medical board formed for her treatment sat in a meeting today. What we came to know so far is that there has been no significant improvement in her condition,” said Fakrul while talking to reporters at BNP’s Gulshan office.
“When I visited her several times I found her mentally strong. Doctors also said she is mentally very strong despite her illness which will help her respond to treatment,” he said.
He urged the government to allow her to go abroad for treatment without further delay. “I urge the government to allow her to go abroad without considering the issue as political one and considering her contributions to the country and its people,” said Fakrul.
“Doctors are giving her the best ever treatment here, but her recovery is not possible in the country due to her critical condition. Doctors suggested us names of three countries – the UK, the USA or Germany -- where her treatment is possible,” he added.
Read: Sending Khaleda abroad: Pro-BNP lawyers submit memo to Law Minister
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, was readmitted to Evercare Hospital on November 13, six days after she had returned home from the hospital.
The BNP chief's physicians said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, critical cardiac, kidney ophthalmological and dental complications. The hemoglobin level in her blood has also dropped.
On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, however, said recently that the BNP chairperson has to make a fresh application first by going back to jail to go abroad for treatment.
Read: Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria
A delegation of pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to Law Minister Anisul Huq seeking the government’s permission to send ailing Khaleda Zia abroad for treatment.
They argued that there is no legal obstruction for the government in allowing Khaleda to go abroad.
The minister said that they will examine the memorandum.
Let Khaleda go abroad or face oust-govt movement: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday threatened to wage a one-point movement seeking the fall of the government if Khaleda Zia is not allowed to go abroad for treatment.
“Our leader Khaleda Zia has been staying in a hospital with critical health problems. Doctors are saying it’s now essential for her to receive treatment abroad but that permission is not given,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader urged the government to take necessary steps so that the BNP chief can receive treatment in any advanced centre outside the country.
“We would like to say Begum Khaleda Zia be released immediately and given a scope to get treatment abroad. Otherwise, they‘ll have to face a one-point oust-government movement,” Fakhrul warned.
Read: No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister
BNP’s national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the country’s independence arranged the programme, marking the 45th death anniversary of great national leader Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.
Fakhrul recalled Bhasani’s lifelong struggle for ensuring the rights of common and working people and said Bhasani is also one of the key leaders who played a major role in liberating the country.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said people have been living in suffocating conditions. “People have got fed-up with the government as there is no democracy now and voting and other rights in the country.”
Read: Khaleda’s condition improves slightly: Physician
He alleged that Khaleda has been pushed towards death by sending her to jail “for no reason”.
The BNP leader urged all to get united for ousting the current government through a mass movement.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Biplobi Workers Party general secretary Saiful Haque, among others, spoke at the programme.
Deal with border killing as per international law: BNP
BNP standing committee members urged the government to take steps as per international law to stop the unacceptable killing of Bangladeshis along the border by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).
At a virtual meeting on Monday, the party’s highest policymaking body also worked out a three-day human-chain programme in Dhaka, Sylhet and Lalmonirhat in protest against border killings, said a press release issued by BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
As part of the programmes, he said, their party will hold a human-chain programme at Kaliganj of Lalmonirhat on November 18 and at Kanaighat of Sylhet the following day.
The party will also observe a similar programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on November 20 to register their protests against border killings.
Also read: Border killings unfortunate for Bangladesh; shameful for India: FM
Fakhrul said their meeting strongly protested and expressed anger against the recent killing of Bangladeshis by BSF along the Kaliganj and Kanaighat borders.
“The meeting felt that the incidents of gunning down Bangladeshis along the border by India continue due to the government's knee-jerk foreign policy,” he said.
The BNP leader said their standing committee criticised the statement of the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh on the border killing issue. “The killing of people by opening fire along the border to stop smuggling can’t be accepted under any circumstances. We call upon the government to take action in accordance with international law.”
He said their meeting also condemned widespread violence, killing and rigging and fraudulence in the recently held Union Parishad polls.
“The decision to hold local government elections in a partisan manner is an extreme threat to the country's democracy and socio-political stability at the grassroots level,“ the meeting observed.
Fakhrul said BNP policymakers think the recent local body polls have proved no election can be held in a fair and credible manner under the Awami League government.
They also opined that the electoral system in the country has been destroyed due to the naked interference of the ruling party, the biased role of the administration, and the utter failure of the Election Commission.
The meeting urged the government to step down immediately, paving the way for holding a credible national election in the country under a neutral administration.
Also read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
The BNP standing committee meeting also demanded that the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG be reduced considering public sufferings.
BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku joined the virtual meeting chaired by party acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Govt “destroyed” elections system: BNP
BNP on Friday voiced concern over the violence in Union Parishad (UP) polls and said the government “deliberately destroyed the electoral system to hang onto power”.
“Common people usually join local government polls with enthusiasm, but the government also destroyed it. Many people died in polls violence yesterday (Thursday),” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, he also said it is unimaginable the way ruling party men were seen holding sharp weapons, pistols and sticks in the UP polls. “But the ministers are saying it’s a usual bickering. We would like to say the government is behind all these things.”
The BNP leader said the government has very consciously and deliberately destroyed democracy and politics in the country. “Their main motive is not allowing anyone to do politics here and thus perpetuate their power.”
Fakhrul also slammed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda for describing the UP polls as free and fair despite the widespread violence. “This gentleman (CEC) has no sense of shame.”
A faction of Jatiya Ganotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking “civil-military uprising” on November 7, 1975.
Fakhrul said US President Joe Biden has invited 100 countries to a virtual Summit for Democracy. “But it’s a matter of shame that Bangladesh’s name is not there. It means the country is now being identified as an undemocratic one. Nothing can be more unfortunate than that.”
He said the current government is so vindictive that it did not allow ailing Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment.
The BNP leader said the nation is going through a tough time due to the ‘misrule’ of the Awami League government. “No one is now happy. We all are now suffering from a sense of discomfort.”
READ: Country under “terrible fascist aggression”: BNP
He urged people of all walks of life and all political parties to get united and put up a strong resistance against the government to overcome the current situation.
Raintree Hotel case verdict “disgraceful”
Fakhrul expressed displeasure over the verdict in the Raintree Hotel rape case saying that the “entire woman folk has been insulted with it”.
“The verdict in a case filed in connection with raping two students at Raintree Hotel was delivered yesterday (Thursday). As we see in the newspaper, the accused gave confessional statements in court. But the verdict was given acquitting them,” he said.
“What’s the reason? The reason is those who were arrested and accused are powerful. They’ve so much money, Jewelry and MP…. I strongly protest it. I’m disappointed and I’m aggrieved. We can’t accept such a verdict,” the BNP leader said.
READ: Control prices, BNP to govt
On Thursday, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-7 acquitted five youths, including Apan Jewellers owner’s son Shafat Ahmed, of the charge of raping two university students at Raintree Dhaka hotel in the capital in 2017.
People facing “starving-like situation”: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday voiced concern that people are going to face a starving-like situation due to price hike of daily essentials and fuel oil.
“The prices of diesel and kerosene have abruptly been hiked by Tk 15 per litre. Where’ll common people go now?’’ he questioned.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the fuel prices have been raised when the prices of essentials are skyrocketing. “So, the prices of essentials will double now. A situation has created that the ordinary people will now starve to death without nutrition.”
Also read: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
Tariqul Islam Smriti Sangsad arranged the programme at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the third death anniversary of late minister and BNP standing committee member Tariqul Islam.
Fakhrul also said commuters are going through sufferings due to the ongoing transport strike enforced in protest against the fuel price hike.
Under the current circumstances of the country, he said, there is no alternative for people to oust the current regime for establishing a pro-people government and parliament. “Let’s get united to achieve this goal and defeat Awami League government by taking to the streets together with people.”
As people have started waking up and raising their voices to realise their voting and other rights, the BNP leader said the government is creating different issues to mislead the nation.
He alleged that the current government has been working in a planned way to turn Bangladesh into a “failed and subservient” state dependent on others.
Fakhrul said the government has been taking mega projects in the name of development in a bid to make Bangladesh indebted with loans. “If we look around us we’ll see nothing but corruption, plundering and theft.”
Also read: BNP extends support to transport strike
He said 84 ruling party leaders and supporters died in violence over the last seven months centring the Union Parishad polls. “They (AL leaders) themselves are getting involved in internal feuds in absence of opposition parties. They’re indulging in looting, infighting and creating various problems, but cases are being filed against BNP leaders and activists.”
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party itself incited the communal incidents during Durga Puja of the Hindu community members, but cases have been filed against hundreds of BNP leaders and activists. “This is their old style to suppress their opponents ahead of any national election. They did the same thing during the 2018 election.”
Fakhrul’s annoyance
At the beginning of his speech, Fakhrul got annoyed as unruly party leaders and activists were chatting with each other, creating chaos.
As he failed to stop them from creating noise with repeated warnings, the BNP secretary general got angry and sat down in his seat from the podium declining to continue his speech.
Later, he returned to the podium as the BNP activists stopped talking.
Fakhrul asked the BNP activists to know how to exercise restraint and control themselves. “Otherwise, we won’t be able to achieve anything.”
Earlier, party leaders Shamsuzzamn Dudu and Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal also frequently requested their party followers to keep silent but failed to stop them from creating noise.
Meanwhile, a windowpane at the main gate of the meeting venue was damaged as BNP leaders and activists were scrambling to get out of the auditorium altogether hurriedly after the end of the programme.
Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the government's logic behind the increase in diesel and kerosene prices is ‘unacceptable’.
"How much irresponsible and isolated from people the current government is as it has taken such an inhumane decision (of increasing fuel prices). When the prices of diesel and kerosene were hiked in Bangladesh, neighbouring India has reduced their prices by Tk 5,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said increasing fuel prices on the international market is the reason the government showed behind its decision of raising the prices of diesel and kerosene.
“Why did you take the price of fuel higher when its price went down on the international market? You didn’t reduce the fuel price at that time as you stole that money. You’re again trying to make your pockets heavier by cutting the pockets of our people,” the BNP leader said.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units jointly arranged the programme at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the second death anniversary of undivided Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Read: Fuel price hike to benefit “looters”: BNP
Fakhrul said the prices of diesel and kerosene were increased by Tk15 overnight. “This is the sign of misrule of the current government.”
He said the LPG price has also been increased while the power tariffs have been repeatedly hiked in a year. “The price of electricity has jumped three to four times in a year. If you go to a kitchen market you will find it difficult to buy any commodity as the price of everything has gone up. ”
Referring to the transport strike in protest against the fuel price hike, the BNP leader said the bus fares and truck charges will now be enhanced by the transport owners which will ultimately push up the prices of all essential commodities like rice, pulses and sugar, in the kitchen market.
“The government is destroying the economy of Bangladesh in a planned way. It has already destroyed the politics of Bangladesh and the future of people,” he observed.
Fakhrul said though BNP has not been there in the Union Parishad polls, around 87 people have so far died due to violence unleased by the ruling party leaders and activists. “The election system has been completely destroyed.”
Read: Fuel price hike ‘illogical’: GM Quader
He recalled Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s outstanding contributions to the country and BNP. “He was a patriotic politician from head to toe.”
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Meanwhile, the price of private operators' liquified petroleum gas (LPG) was also increased to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (4 November) at the retail level.
BNP ridicules AL's fair election desire
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Awami League’s desire for a fair election is like the "devil listening to the scriptures".
“The Awami League general secretary yesterday (Thursday) said the Prime Minister wants a free and fair election in the country so that everyone can vote. It’s like the devil listening to the scriptures," he said.
Read:Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader said Awami League is now talking about a fair election after “destroying” the election system and three national elections.
Fakhrul said the election system has now reached such a state in the country that a Shariatpur MP said he would select the chairmen and members in the UP polls.
“We can't imagine such a scenario of our country. We fought for democracy in 1971, but they (govt) have now established a one-party rule by throwing that democracy into the Bay of Bengal.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.
Fakhrul alleged that the current government cannot tolerate dissent and criticisms at all.
He claimed that police attacked their party leaders and activists from behind without any provocation while they were returning home after a peace rally in front of their Nayapltan central office on Tuesday.
The BNP leader said the law enforcers charged batons and opened fire on their leaders and activists, leaving many of them injured.
“But cases are now being filed against our hundreds of leaders and activists. Why are you so sacred? You fear us as you’ve lost the ground beneath your feet. You won’t even get the escape route the day people will take to the streets,” he said.
Read:BNP men clash with police in city
Fakhrul called upon the administration not to take a stand against people by abetting the government that has been indulging in ‘plundering’ and ‘anti-people activities.
He said ruling party leaders are becoming millionaires through ‘corruption and looting’ while people are getting poorer.
The BNP leader said people are going through immense sufferings as the prices of essential commodities, including that of rice, pulses, eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, kerosene oil and edible oil are continuously soaring since the government has lost control over the market.
He said the ruling party business syndicates are hiking the prices of the essentials and making a quick buck. “People are now living in a suffocating situation in the country… there’s now no alternative to waging a strong movement to get rid of it.”
Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party will not allow any national election in Bangladesh without a non-party caretaker government.
“Our position is clear no election will be held in this country without a polls-time neutral caretaker government,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government must quit handing over power to a caretaker government. “An impartial election commission will have to be constituted and then we’ll form a representative government and parliament through a credible election.”
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the programme at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Govt out to clear election field: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said their party wants a change in the government and the youth can bring this change through a movement by organising people.
He said Jubo Dal, the youth wing of BNP, will have to play the main role in overcoming the current ‘crisis' of the country.
The BNP leader urged the leaders and activists of Jubo Dal to organise the young generation across the country to ‘restore’ democracy and free Khaleda Zia by ousting the current ‘monstrous’ government.
Stating that BNP leaders and activists are being harassed by filing ‘false’ cases against them, Fakhrul said, “We must get united and wage a strong movement to overcome the current situation.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Jubo Dal will have to work as a vanguard of the nation at this bad time of the country.
Read: People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
He urged the Jubo Dal leaders and activists to get ready to take to the streets to realise BNP’s demand for holding the next polls under a non-party government.
Another BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said it is an utter failure of their party that it is not being able to oust the current government despite having vast popularity and public support.
“We must get organised in a disciplined manner and face this government on the streets with courage and proper strategy to get success,” he observed.
People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
Stating that a change in government is now the demand of people, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday asked the government to hand over power to a non-party neutral government.
"We would like to say it clearly that a change in government is now the demand of people. Awami League has no right to stay in power as they couldn’t solve any problem. They’re now unleashing communal violence and violating human rights,” he said.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
Speaking at a ‘peace rally’ in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul also alleged that the Awami League government has made people's lives miserable with its ‘misrule' and repressive acts.
"We ask the government to step down immediately, handing over power to a neutral government for arranging a credible election under a neutral Election Commission so that everyone can cast votes and elect their representatives,” he said.
BNP was scheduled to bring out a ‘peace rally’ towards the Jatiya Press Club from its Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
As the government has deployed a huge number of police in Nayapaltan area since morning, the BNP general secretary announced that the programme was over by holding a brief rally on a makeshift stage in front of their party office.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists also gathered in Nayapaltan area to join the rally.
Fakhrul said they sent a letter to the authorities concerned earlier to bring out a peace rally towards the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the planned destruction of communal harmony by the government. “But unfortunately our leaders and workers have been arrested here since morning. So, we’re holding a brief rally now.”
He alleged that police arrested around of their 50 leaders and activists centring the programme and demanded their immediate release.
Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but ‘out of danger’: Fakhrul
Eds: Updates with more info
Dhaka, Oct 25 (UNB) – BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia is doing well and out of danger though she has undergone a biopsy test.
“I want to assure you that our leader Khaleda Zia is absolutely fine,” Fakhrul told a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman talked to Khaleda. “Her brother (Shamim Iskander) also talked to her. Her doctors have assured us that she’s out of danger. They think there’s no sign of any danger to her.”
As his attention was drawn to media reports on Khaleda’s critical health condition, he said it was wrong information. “It’s very unfortunate. Why should the media be so irresponsible? They should have confirmed it by talking to the people concerned.”
READ: Ambassadors from the Netherlands and Thailand present credentials to President Hamid
Khaleda has a lump
Khaleda’s personal doctor Prof AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief has a small lump in one part of her body.
“She was taken to OT (Operation Theater) today (Monday) for a small biopsy test to detect the nature of origin of the lump,” he said.
After the biopsy at Evercare Hospital, Zahid said all her health parameters are stable at the moment. “She’s undergoing treatment at the surgical ICU.”
Replying to a question, Dr Zahid said biopsy does not mean any treatment. “A biopsy is part of a diagnostic process which will determine the base of the next treatment.”
Asked when the biopsy report would be available, he said, "Scientifically it takes 72 hours to get the results of a biopsy. In some cases, it may take 15 to 21 days in a place like America. So, we’ve to wait for the biopsy report.”