Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
BNP policymakers now will sit with grassroots leaders
BNP policymakers are now planning to sit with the grassroots leaders after holding three closed-door meetings with its central leaders to work out the party’s next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
"We’ve already had three consecutive meetings. Our standing committee has a meeting next Saturday where we’ll decide whether we should hold a few more meetings,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Talking to reporters after the third consecutive meeting with party leaders, he said they still could not sit with some members of their national executive committee. “We also have a plan to hold meetings with the presidents and secretaries of our party at the district level.”
The BNP leader said they have also a plan to sit with the leaders of different professional bodies. “If our standing committee takes a decision in this regard, we’ll hold these meetings.”
Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Mirza Fakhrul said they sat with the top leaders of different associate bodies of their party today (Thursday) as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action.
“The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country, our organisational issues and our party’s next course of action,“ he said.
Asked about the outcomes of the three meetings with the party central leaders, he said they will disclose it later at the right time.
Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with the standing committee members began the meeting with the leaders of different associate bodies at 4pm at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. The meeting continued for four and a half hours where BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined from London.
Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP
Party sources said 92 leaders of Jubo Dal, Sewchchasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and other associate bodies of the party took part in the meeting.
The party policymakers started the series of meetings with the party's rank and file on Tuesday.
The BNP top leaders had also similar meetings with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members on Tuesday and with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries on Wednesday.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.
Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the next general election must be held under a neutral government.
“We would like to say it unequivocally that there’ll be no such election in Bangladesh where voters can’t go to polling stations. The election must be held under a neutral government and it must be conducted by an impartial election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said before holding the next national election, the government will have to free Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists. “Otherwise, no election will be allowed to be held in the country.”
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now 'bureaucrats running' country
Fakhrul urged the government to take necessary steps and create an atmosphere conducive to constituting a neutral election commission.
“You (govt) are talking about the formation of a law for constituting the Election Commission… people won’t accept it if you pass a unilateral law for your own benefit in parliament and form the Election Commission under it,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has politicised all the state machinery. “You (govt) have politicised the judiciary, administration and the law enforcement agencies. Even, you’re trying to politicise the army. We now can't speak up and write freely.”
He said journalists also cannot write anything now without fear as they are being harassed and implicated in cases under the Digital Security Act.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh who liberated the country through a long battle will never accept an authoritarian and one-party rule.
He urged the leaders and activists of Mohila Dal to get united for waging a strong movement for the restoration of democracy and having Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
Read: Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is no other alternative for their party to waging a one-point movement for ensuring the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
“We’re trying to forge a strong national unity to force Sheikh Hasina to quit for holding a free and fair election… we won’t get any benefit even if the next election is held under an ‘angel’ keeping Sheikh Hasina in power.”
AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will never forgive Awami League as it has become a ‘repressive’ political party.
“Awami League is exploiting the country and its people in collaboration with some individuals and bureaucrats,” he said.
Talking to journalists at Kalibari residence here, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which once had struggled for establishing people’s rights and democracy, is now repressing people and snatching their rights.
He said the ruling party leaders are now indulging in widespread corruption deviating from the party’s old tradition and stance on democracy since it has got isolated from people. “Now it has no relation with people’s hopes and aspirations.”
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Fakhrul said bureaucrats now “own assets worth crores of taka. A police inspector has 18 houses in Dhaka city alongside having more houses abroad. If a police officer can amass such wealth, then you think about the condition of the entire system,” the BNP leader said.
“Now people aren’t getting justice. They’re being deprived of their rights. But Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader regularly says many things only to appease his leaders,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party has only one demand for arranging a credible election under a neutral government and the impartial Election Commission.
He said their party is in negotiations with the opposition parties to wage a united movement to ensure the fall of the current government and establish a pro-people government. “We’re taking preparations for that movement.”
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Replying to a question about BNP’s position on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Fakhrul said it is an internal matter of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will run the way its people want. But I would like to say one thing that we don’t support any fundamentalism, militancy and extremism.”
The BNP leader said their party hopes that whichever government comes to Afghanistan, they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people and ensure their rights and work for their welfare.
AL ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League is ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy to cling to power as it has become politically bankrupt.
“Awami League has lost its capability by arbitrarily using the bureaucracy only for hanging onto power. In fact, the bureaucracy has now become 'Bureaucratic League' while Awami League has become politically bankrupt,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an extended meeting of Thakurgaon district unit of BNP at a community centre in the district town.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He alleged that the ruling party has long been trying to suppress its political opponents with repressive acts and filing ‘false’ cases against them by ‘using’ law enforcement agencies.
“They (govt) have been controlling all the state machinery, including the judiciary, administration, police and other law enforcement agencies to make their political gains,” Fakhrul alleged.
He said it is unimaginable to file political cases against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists in a democratic country, but the current government did it to eliminate its opponents.
The BNP leader alleged that the opposition leaders and activists are being implicated in ‘false cases’ for holding meetings and carrying out political activities as the government has established the one-party rule under a different cover.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to step down and arrange a credible general election by stopping filing cases against opposition leaders and activists and harassing them.
“The government must hold the next election under a polls-time neutral administration as per people’s hopes and aspirations,” he said.
Fakhrul said the government will have to constitute the Election Commission with neutral persons for holding the national election in a fair and credible manner.
He also called upon all political parties to get united to force the government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a strong movement.
Concentrate on people’s sufferings: Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the government to concentrate on resolving the problems of people instead of making ‘indecent’ remarks and spreading lies.
“The ruling party leaders and ministers are making derogatory remarks and carrying out false campaigns against our party and its top leaders to mislead people. I call upon them to stop it, and concentrate on resolving people’s problems,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Baliadangi upazila unit BNP and its associate bodies at Baliadangi Pilot Model High School in Thakurgaon.
He said Awami League itself should resign shouldering its ‘limitless’ failures to run the country and deliver on all fronts.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
“Constitute a proper and neutral Election Commission for saving the country by holding a credible and impartial election. Protect the common people and ease their sufferings. Or else, people will pull you down from power,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the party’s leaders and activists to get ready for waging a tough movement to force the government to quit.
“A change in power won’t come without the involvement of students and youths. Organise students at every college and they will then remove this monstrous regime through a movement,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul alleged that members of police have been indulging in ‘corruption and various irregularities’ as the government has used them for making its political gains.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
“Police are now kings and they amassed wealth worth crores of taka. They themselves now kidnap people. They used to say it proudly that they brought this government to power,” he observed.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said, there is no alternative to waging a united movement to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.
Dr Zafrullah urged not to make reckless remarks on BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury to refrain from making unguarded and confusing remarks over their party and its leadership.
“He (Zafrullah) is a very revered and wise man. But as he has become older, he makes some reckless comments. His remarks on the process of appointing Tarique Rahman as the acting chairman of BNP is not logical,” he said.
Talking to reporters at his residence here, the BNP leader said Zafrullah has long been raising voice against fascism. ”But he never thought that such comments (against BNP) can disrupt the anti-fascist movement.”
"I would like to request him (Zafrullah) not to make such remarks that confuse people. Tarique Rahman is organising our party. The whole party is united under his leadership,” Fakhrul said.
READ: Dr Zafrullah describes how Bangladesh can go for low-cost vaccine production
Earlier at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Sept 2, Zafrullah criticised BNP for what he said making Tarique the BNP acting chairman violating its constitution.
Protesting Zafrullah’s remark, Fakhrul said Tarique was made the BNP acting chairman maintaining the party charter. “Tarique was the party's senior joint secretary general and then senior vice chairman. He has gradually come to this position. He’s been successfully organising the party from abroad.”
He hoped that BNP will soon be able to launch a movement reorganising the party’s rank and file under its current acting chairman. “We’ll able to remove the fascist Awami League government and establish a pro-people one through that movement.”
The BNP leader said people have lost their confidence in the entire election system. “We’ve seen its reflection in the previous parliamentary elections. The government has destroyed the election system, the first pillar of democracy, and usurped power illegally.”
READ: Bring Zaima back home to revive BNP: Dr Zafrullah
He slammed Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda for his subservient role in running the Commission, saying he always becomes ready to fulfill the hopes and aspirations.
Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
BNP on Sunday recalled Bangladesh’s ex-finance minister M Saifur Rahman claiming that presented the country with macroeconomic stability through various effective reforms and initiatives.
“Saifur Rahman himself was an institution. He’s undoubtedly one of them who had made outstanding contributions towards overhauling Bangladesh’s economy, and gave it a solid foundation,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he said Saifur was a successful finance minister who carried out some basic tasks for strengthening the country’s economy. “Saifur's greatest achievement was presenting Bangladesh a stable macroeconomy which is essential to keep the economy vibrant.”
Saifur Rahman Parishad arranged the programme, marking the 12th death anniversary of the former finance minister.
Fakhrul said Saifur founded the basis of an open market economy and expanded it braving all the odds and obstacles. “He’s a professional chartered accountant, but Ziaur Rahman brought him to politics seeing his talent and capability for bringing innovative economic reforms in the economy, and he did it successfully.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the late BNP finance minister also accomplished many basic works, including the introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) in Bangladesh amid serious criticism. “In the course of time, it’s proved that was the right decision and Bangladesh’s revenue collection increased significantly because of it.”
The BNP leader said Saifur also introduced old-age allowance, disability allowance and freedom fighters’ allowance, for ensuring social security of people. “He had also made contributions to female education by taking many practical steps as per Khaleda Zia’s direction.”
He said Saifur launched food for education for ensuring school enrolment and attendance of school-aged poor children. “It’s a significant and creative step.”
Fakhrul also said the ex-BNP finance minister tried to build Bangladesh as a manufacturing country by setting up heavy industries alongside the RMG sector. “He initiated this move by setting up EPZs.”
He said Saifur ensured discipline in the banking and the insurance sectors as well as the stock market.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
Stating that Saifur presented the national budget for the 12th time in parliament, Fakhrul said Bangladesh has not reached the current position overnight. “He (Saifur) reinforced the country's economy gradually in a disciplined manner. We remember him with great respect.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman was successful as a professional, economist, politician and minister.
He also said Saifur was a patriot finance minister and the country had achieved tremendous growth during his tenure. “BNP is proud of him.”
The 12th death anniversary of Saifur Rahman was observed on Sunday amid various programmers, including, placing wreaths at his grave in Moulvibazar, holding Milad mahfil, Qurankhawanni and distributing cooked food.
On September 5, 2009, Saifur, also a former BNP standing committee member, died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League government has stigmatised the independence of Bangladesh by distorting the history of the country's Liberation War.
"We would like to say it clearly that there'll be no use in falsifying the truth in Goebbelsian style and suppressing the rights of people," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the current government has destroyed democracy by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "They're now working to establish a one-party system of government.”
Fakhrul urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a fearless mass movement to 'restore' democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
BNP arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are constantly spitting venom against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his widow Khaleda Zia just out of political jealousy. "They try to belittle Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and BNP for the same reason.
He called upon the Awami League leaders to ask themselves about their contributions to the country.
"Their contributions are to surrender to the Pakistanis and become leaders fleeing the country to India (during the Liberation War). Their contributions are to destroy democracy and establish a one-party rule annihilating the soul of the nation and Bangladesh," the BNP leader said.
He alleged that Awami League is now trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda against Zia and raising a question about his role in the Liberation War.
Fakhrul said Zia is there in people's hearts as they know his contributions to the country and the Liberation War.' "History has accepted Zia, no matter what propaganda the ruling party spreads."
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work for uniting the country's people and all the democratic forces to defeat the 'autocratic' regime of Sheikh Hasina. "We have to establish a pro-people government and free Khaleda Zia from jail. The victory of the people is certain."
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party's main target is now to free the country from the hands of a 'despotic' government and restore democracy and thus free Khaleda from jail. "I call upon all to get ready for a strong movement with a vow to oust the autocratic regime.
Having Khaleda freed BNP’s main challenge: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the restoration of democracy and the complete release of Khaleda Zia are now the biggest challenges for their party.
"People are now being deprived of the right to vote today for lack of credible elections as the Election Commission has become a subservient institution,” he said.
While talking to reporters after paying homage to Zia, he also said the entire administration and the judiciary have been politicised by establishing a one-party despotic regime in disguise.”
Fakhrul, along with party standing committee members and some senior leaders, placed wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, marking the party’s 43rd founding anniversary.
On September 1, 1978, late President Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
BNP and its associate bodies took up various programmes, including discussion, to mark the day.
He said BNP stepped into 44 years today (Wednesday) after 43 years of various struggles. “The biggest challenges for BNP are now to restore democracy in the country and free Khaleda Zia.”
Fakhrul said BNP is standing on its own feet despite various obstacles and repressive acts. “Our 35 lakh leaders and activists have been facing false cases while 500 others have been made disappeared.”
He said they are working to reorganise their party and making them ready to take to the streets. “We hope we’ll be able to play a big role in restoring democracy next year and the year after.”
Fakhrul recalled Zia’s role in introducing multi-party democracy, the free-market economy in the country and taking it forward with various reforms and effective steps.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
“When the enemies of the independence assassinated Ziaur Rahman, everyone thought that the BNP might lose its existence. But his worthy successor and the uncompromising leader of democracy, Zia, took the helm of the party. She gave democracy an institutional shape through a long struggle for nine years.”
He said it is unfortunate for the nation that Khaleda has been kept in jail as the government has implicated her in ‘false’ cases.
He came down hard on Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque for what he said making various remarks about a freedom fighter like Ziaur Rahman, his body and grave. “Let him (Haque) prove that he was a freedom fighter.”
AL destroying Bangladesh like 'demonic force Assur': Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that Awami League has become an ‘evil force’ like ‘Assur’ as it is destroying all the achievements of Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is now under the grip of two Assur (demonic) forces -- one is coronavirus another is Awami League. This party is destroying all of our achievements and the good things like our independence and democracy that we achieved through the Liberation War,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while addressing a virtual discussion arranged by BNP, marking Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Sri Krishna, and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community.
He said the ruling party has created a situation in the country where untruth and injustice have been established exiling the truth. “Awami League has also created a horrible situation here by resorting to killings, enforced disappearances and repressive acts.”
Fakhrul said the path Lord Sri Krishna showed to establish truth and justice by defeating unjust will have to be followed. “As Krishna advised Arjuna to embark on Rath Yatra (chariot procession) to establish justice, we’ve to do the same to defeat demonic power Awami League and establish the truth.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the young generation should come forward to ‘restore’ democracy and win the battle for ensuring justice.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League only speaks of secularism, but the party does not practise it. “They have unfortunately occupied the property of minority communities and destroyed their worship places. It has continued persecuting the members of the minority community.”
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt