Government
AL is party of people, no force can dislodge it from power: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that there is now no force in Bangladesh that can overthrow her Awami League government.
“The Awami League has deep roots among the people. No such force has yet emerged that can topple the Awami League government,” she told Parliament, replying to a supplementary question from Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam.
Hasina, also the AL president, said her party wasn’t born from the pocket of any power-grabber and military dictator, rather it was born from the soil and the people of this country. “So, our roots have gone deeper into the soil,” she said.
She said dictators like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Gen. Ziaur Rahman, Gen. Ershad and Khaleda Zia tried to destroy Awami League but failed. No such force will ever again be able to do so with the AL, she said.
“When Awami League is in power, it means the government serves the people and changes the fate of the people,” she said, asking all to remember what the condition of Bangladesh was before her party was voted to power 14 years ago.
In his question, Fakhrul referred to one-eleven political changeover in 2007 and asked the PM if she thinks it is now time to reach political compromise among all parties though there is no possibility that the country would witness another one-eleven due to her wise leadership.
Read more: If come to power, will build ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041: PM tells JS
The PM said those who polluted the election, utterly destroyed the electoral process, snatched away the voting rights of the people and played ducks and drakes with the fate of the people are now raising questions over election.
“What right do they have to raise questions (regarding election)? ….If we analyze every election, we see that the people can vote peacefully when the Awami League is in power,” she said.
She said the people vote for the Awami League spontaneously because they know this party keeps the promises it makes.
Hasina said BNP didn’t join the 2014 general election as the party knew that they secured only 30 seats in the 2008 election and the country witnessed an unprecedented development thanks to steps taken by the grand alliance government. “So, the people bestowed their trust and confidence in us and voted for us. They (BNP) boycotted the election,” she said.
The PM said BNP apparently stood aside from the 2018 election midway due to nomination business and tried to make the polls questionable. “They have been able to make it questionable by carrying out different campaigns and propaganda…. But the people still have trust and confidence in Awami League,” she added.
Pointing to Fakhrul, the PM said there is nothing to be scared. “Don’t be scared. We’re still here (in power). There is nothing to be worried,” she added.
In reply to another supplementary question from AL lawmaker Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, the premier said the government would take tougher action, if necessary, against the hoarders of commodities and black marketeers in order to ease the sufferings of consumers.
She said the matter is really unfortunate here in Bangladesh that the businessmen try to enhance the commodity prices anyhow during Ramazan and other festivals when their demands go higher. But in other countries, the prices of commodities are always reduced during festivals.
She said the businesspeople are dilly dallying in importing commodities in many cases as they want to make profit by increasing the prices and demand of goods. “It is inhumane,” she added.
“We’re taking proper actions against the hoarders, black-marketeers and those who are engaged in LC-related anomalies…. If needed, we’ll take tougher actions and we will pay special attention so that people won’t suffer,” she added.
Read more: If voted to power in next election, will continue Bangladesh’s dev journey: PM tells CPC Vice-Minister
Responding to a supplementary question from AL MP Ahasanul Islam (Titu), the PM said the government is taking steps to ensure proper supply of commodities during the upcoming Ramazan.
“We want so that the people of our country won’t suffer during Ramazan,” she said.
The government has kept arrangements to open LCs for importing essential consumer goods from different countries, she said adding that there is no problem in opening LCs for importing food items at proper prices.
In reply to a question from Gonoforum MP Mukabbir Khan, the PM outright rejected the allegations of corruption in various mega projects and threw a challenge to place specific evidence—where and how much money was lost due to corruption.
“The allegations he has raised are completely baseless…. I am throwing a challenge to the lawmaker that he will have to say clearly here about where and what amount (of money) was lost due to corruption and I will answer to these,” she said.
Mukabbir in his question raised allegations of corruption in mega projects and quick rental power plants.
Wake up more to restore voting rights, Fakhrul urges people
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon the country’s people to wake up more to restore their voting rights by ousting the Awami League government.
“The people of Bangladesh have woken up. We need to now wake up more to materialise the dreams of the Liberation War and build a truly people's Bangladesh for ensuring a beautiful future for our children,” he said.
Speaking at a sit-in programme, the BNP leader also called upon people from all walks of life to join their ongoing simultaneous movement to force the present ‘autocratic’ government to quit, paving the way for establishing a pro-people government and parliament through an acceptable election.
“Let us move towards that goal. We’ve to move forward uniting the people of Bangladesh to restore our voting rights and democracy. There’s a good sign that the noted citizens of the country are coming forward to this end,” he said.
BNP arranged the sit-in programme in front of its Nayapaltan central office as part of the simultaneous movement against the current government.
Other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations also observed a similar programme in different areas of the capital and nine other divisions in the country to realise their 10-point demand including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government.
Read more: BNP announces countrywide rally, procession on Jan 16
BNP began the programme at Nayapaltan around 10:30am with the recitation of verses from the holy Quran.
It was the second programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession by the 33 opposition parties on December 30.
Earlier on December 30, BNP and 32 other like-minded opposition parties staged a mass procession programme in different parts of the capital as the first programme of the simultaneous movement.
AL has become isolated from people
Fakhrul said Awami League identifies itself as a political party. “We know that they are a very old familiar party. “But now they have completely lost their political existence.”
He said Awami league has also got isolated from people. “That's why they have to depend on the police and bureaucrats now to stay in power by force."
The BNP leader said all the opposition political parties have agreed to remove the current government for the restoration of democracy and people's right to vote. “They will make this movement successful by realising the 10-point demand.”
He said the current government has destroyed all the state institutions. “That’s why we’re talking about 27 points to reform the state.”
Referring to media reports on Wasa Managing Director Taqsem A Khan’s 14 houses in the USA, Fakhrul said an official of an autonomous organisation is building houses abroad by siphoning off hundreds of crores of taka abroad.
Read more: BNP’s 27 points parts of anti-govt movement: Amir Khosru
He alleged that people belonging to the ruling party are ruining the country’s economy by indulging in plundering and siphoning off huge money abroad.
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders have established a reign of plundering by establishing their control on all institutions, including the banks.
He said the current government’s main target is to restore one-party Baksal rule by snatching people’s all rights. “We won’t let the government do it. We’ll move forward together with people to ensure the fall of this regime.”
Fakhrul said many leaders and activists of their party have still been languishing in jail enduring unbearable suffering.
He demanded the government immediately release the party’s arrested central leaders, including Dhaka south city unit convener Abdus Salam, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon and publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne.
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party activists and law enforcers attacked their peaceful sit-in programmes in Faridpur and Mymensingh. “We strongly condemn and protest it.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the government used to say BNP announces programmes to create chaos. “But we arranged 10 rallies and subsequent programmes peacefully.”
He said they will also hold their all programmes in the days to come in the same way together with people to oust the government and implement their 27 points to reform the state.
Read more: Implementing 10 points a key New Year’s challenge for BNP: Mosharraf
He thanked the party leaders and activists for making the sit-in programme a success with their huge participation.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said this government must go as people have woken up against it.
“We don’t want to remove this regime by pushing it down. We want to ensure its fall through a credible election under a caretaker government,” he said.
Abbas said their party doesn’t want to resort to any violence as BNP believes in democracy and peaceful programmes. “The government is suffering from unnecessary panic. BNP does not want any chaos and unrest. We urge the government to refrain from provocative activities. If you do that then the consequences will not be good. The days of being in power by force are over.”
He also called upon the government to accept their party’s 10-point demand and hand over power to a non-party neutral government for arranging a free and fair election.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the sit-in programme, disrupting traffic movement in the area.
Besides, Ganatantra Mancha observed a similar programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote at Purana Paltan, LDP at FDC Crossing and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya in the east side of the Jatiya Press Club and Gonoforum (Montu) at Arambagh.
BNP, like-minded parties set to observe sit-in protest in Dhaka, other divisions Wednesday
BNP and other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations are set to observe a mass sit-in programme in Dhaka and other divisions in the county as part of the simultaneous movement to unseat the current government.
The four-hour programme will be observed from 10am to 2pm separately by the opposition parties and the organistaions to realise their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government.
It will be the second programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession by the 33 opposition parties on December 30.
Read more: BNP’s 27 points parts of anti-govt movement: Amir Khosru
BNP policymakers said the programme was worked out for January 11 keeping in mind the political changeover that took place on that day in 2007 - an episode popularly known as 1/11 in the country.
Meanwhile, BNP vice chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain along with party law affairs secretary Kaiser Kamal met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq on Tuesday evening.
Coming out of the DMP office around 7:20pm, Dr Zahid said they got permission for observing the sit-in programme in front of their party’s Nayapaltan central office from 10-am to 2pm.
DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq said they urged BNP to observe the programme keeping traffic normal. "They (BNP) have to take the responsibility if there is a disruption in traffic."
BNP senior leaders, including secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Mirza Abbas, will address the programme.
Besides, Ganatantra Mancha will hold the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance at Bijoy Nagar Water Tank, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote at Purana Paltan, LDP at FDC Crossing and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya in the east side of the Jatiya Press Club and Gonoforum (Montu) at Arambagh.
Though Bangladesh Jamaat Islami joined the mass procession programme with BNP and other parties on December 30, the Islamist party has decided not to observe the sit-in programme due to a strategic region, said a senior leader of the party.
After the sit-in, the opposition parties and alliances are likely to announce fresh programmes to intensify the simultaneous movement.
Besides, BNP senior leaders will take part in the mass sit-in programme in different divisions.
Read more: Restoring people’s ownership of country is BNP’s main challenge: Mosharraf
As per the plan of BNP, party standing committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy will lead the programme in Sylhet Division while Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan in Rajshahi, Nazrul Islam Khan in Mymensingh, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in Chattogram, Selima Rahman in Barisal, and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku in Rangpur, Vice-Chairmen Barkat Ullah Bulu in Comilla, Shamsuzzaman Dudu in Khulna and Advocate Ahmad Azam Khan in Faridpur.
Earlier on December 30, BNP and 32 other like-minded opposition parties staged a mass procession programme in different parts of the capital and Rangpur city as the first programme of the simultaneous movement.
They also separately announced the sit-in programmes across the country for January 11 as their next course of action, to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current government and formation of a polls-time caretaker government.
Earlier on December 24, BNP held the mass-procession programme in all divisional cities and district headquarters. Due to the national council programme of the ruling Awami League and Rangpur city polls, BNP rescheduled the same programme in Dhaka and Rangpur for December 30.
Court works independently: Law Minister
The government does not interfere in judiciary, the law minister said on Friday about the government's appeal against the High Court bail granted to BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas.
“Court is making the decisions independently. There is no government interference in the release of Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas,” Law Minister Anisul Huq said at the Kasba press club in Brahmanbaria.
Quoting the attorney general, the minister said there was a violation of law in the bail process in the High Court for the two leaders. So a petition challenging the HC order was filed with the Appellate Division.
On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital.
Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas.
Read more: Bangladesh must not return to lawlessness again: PM Hasina
Regarding misconduct with the Judge at the Brahmanbaria courtroom, Anisul said judiciary is independent, now the High Court has taken the matter under its jurisdiction. “I will not comment on this now.”
“I have seen the video footage of the incident, and if it is true I am shocked. As a member of a lawyer family, I believe that all lawyers in Brahmanbaria cannot do such things.”
On Thursday, The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil summoned three lawyers including Brahmanbaria Bar Association president for misbehaving with the district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq.
Those summoned are Bar Association president Advocate Tanvir Ahmed Bhuiyan, Secretary (Administration) Advocate Md Akkas Ali and Advocate Zubair Islam.
On January 4, the district Woman and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge Mohammad Faruq sent a written complaint to the High Court to take action against those involved in this incident. Later, on the instructions of the Chief Justice, the Registrar General of the Supreme Court sent the written complaint of the judge to the HC bench.
Read more: BNP urges judiciary to work impartially, independently
On January 2, Bar Association president advocate Md Tanvir Bhuiyan, Secretary Advocate Md Akkas Ali and around 10-15 lawyers including Zubair Islam came and rudely asked the judge to leave the courtroom. Advocate Tanvir hurled abusive words at the court, as per the complaint.
BNP’s 'tall talks' to console their activists: Info Minister
BNP leaders including senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain are telling tall tales against the government to console their activists, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday.
“BNP could not wage any movement; they will not be able to,” he added.
He was speaking to the reporters after placing a wreath at the grave of Awami League (AL) former general secretary and public administration minister Syed Ashraful Islam in the city's Banani on his fourth death anniversary.
Read more: BNP paying for "imprudent" decisions: Hasan Mahmud
Regarding the BNP’s demand to unseat the current government, he said, “They (BNP) have been saying this since a few months after we formed the government in 2009. In fact, their leaders and activists are not with them.”
“The way they shouted on December 10 and talked about 10 lakh people joining their rally...since then the leaders of BNP have been questioned by their activists as only 50,000 people joined there,” said the senior AL leader.
The way Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is taking the country forward despite the global recession, today the whole world is praising her. The people of the country are also with the Awami League and the government, Hasan added.
Read more: AL workers thwart BNP's attempt to sow chaos: Hasan Mahmud
Paying tribute to Syed Ashraful Islam, the minister said he (Ashraf) took politics as a vow and the new generation of politicians has a lot to learn from him.
He also prayed for eternal peace for Ashraf's departed soul.
BNP paying for "imprudent" decisions: Hasan Mahmud
The BNP and its allies attempted to cause problems for the government through their anti-national politics and bootlicking of foreigners, but their plan backfired, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
The AL leader made the remarks while speaking with reporters at the ministry’s conference room at the Secretariat on Monday.
“The BNP wanted to cause problems for the government through its contradictory politics, anti-national activities, and bootlicking of foreigners. But it backfired on them,” he said.
“Because they believed they could make a fuss on December 10 in front of Nayapaltan. They failed and came to terms with their strength and capability,” he went on.
He also said that the BNP would continue to attempt to destabilize the country this year.
Also Read: AL workers thwart BNP's attempt to sow chaos: Hasan Mahmud
Mentioning that the government dealt with the sabotage of BNP in 203–15, he also said, “We know what BNP wants to do and how much they can do. We also know how to handle it."
“We are prepared, it won't be hard for us,” he added.
He also stated that, in December last year, the BNP took two imprudent decisions.
“One is that they were stubborn about holding their Dhaka rally in Naya Paltan. Another is that the party forced its members of parliament to resign,” he said.
"Both decisions caused them political losses,” added the minister.
“These issues created internal problems, and because Khandkar Musharraf is unable to address them, he’s just making loud noises.”
The BNP and 32 other like-minded opposition parties staged a procession of showdowns Friday in different parts of the capital, by way of the first joint program in what is being billed as a collective movement to take down the incumbent government and set the stage for free and fair elections.
They also separately announced sit-in programs across the country on January 11 as their next course of action, to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current government and the formation of a poll-time caretaker government.
Attendees tight-lipped on inter-ministerial meeting to tackle propaganda, misinformation
The government has decided to deal with "anti-government propaganda" at home and abroad in a "coordinated way" and fight against misinformation by presenting correct information.
Representatives from the relevant ministries and departments will sit regularly to find effective ways to present correct information about Bangladesh against fabrication and misinformation.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at State guesthouse Padma on Sunday with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in the chair.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and representatives from law enforcement agencies were present.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate the work.
Asked about the meeting, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said it was a closed-door meeting and there is nothing to share with the media.
Read more: Misinformation, fake news a grave concern, says Md Shahriar Alam
We remain better prepared in 2023: Shahriar Alam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Sunday said the government remains better prepared in 2023 to achieve its goals overcoming the challenges both from domestic and international fronts.
"If it seems to be more challenging, I would say we remain better prepared for that," he said while talking to a small group of journalists at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The state minister described the year 2022 a very successful year in terms of its engagement with the international partners with opening of new markets.
He, however, said it is a failure that the Rohingya repatriation is yet to begin.
Also Read: Border killings not expected: Shahriar Alam
Shahriar Alam said they saw a kind of “overenthusiasm” (from diplomats) at the end of 2022 but they are handling it diplomatically.
He hoped that everyone will remain respectful to their “rules of engagements” as Bangladesh does not oppose those recommendations and advice which are beneficial for Bangladesh.
“Everyone appreciates that Bangladesh remains engaged and listens to….,” said the State Minister.
Regarding democracy, he said there is no “fit for all” formula for democracy and everyone knows it and Bangladesh is doing much better compared to other countries.
Responding to a question, Shahriar said the government remains engaged with the USA to withdraw sanctions on the Rab as an institution at least keeping in mind that Rab played a very strong role in combating terrorism and militancy in the country sacrificing their lives.
Also Read: Appropriate steps to be taken if diplomats cross boundary: Shahriar Alam
"Painfully, it's a slow process. We will strengthen our efforts," he said.
He said there is a need for a law to deal with misinformation and other issues but surely the Digital Security Act is not for harassing journalists.
Responding to a question on human rights issues, the State Minister said the UN member states know Bangladesh’s true intention.
Asked why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to share a non-paper note with foreign missions in Dhaka centering BNP’s December 10 programme, he said there was nothing wrong in it. “It’s a proactive engagement as they (diplomats) might have asked the questions on the issue the following day.”
The government says they shared the information with the foreign missions stationed in Dhaka to leave no room for "misinformation" and "confusion."
Main demand of BNP’s 10 points is fall of govt: Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Wednesday said the main demand of their party’s 10 points is the fall of the government. "We’ve placed the 10 points to save the country from the situation where the government has taken it…in fact, the main point of 10 points is the fall of the government. All the 10 points will be fulfilled if this government can be removed,” he said.
Read more: BNP denounces Metro fares as too expensive
Speaking at a discussion, he also said the country’s people have already taken to the streets unitedly while different political parties are also getting united to oust the present regime.
“I’ve heard here (at the meeting) that the 11-party nationalist coalition started its journey. Earlier, 12 parties formed an alliance and declared that they will save the country from the misrule of this government. This is how the Ganotantra Mancha has been formed,” the BNP leader said.
National People’s Party (NPP) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club’ demanding the release of the jailed opposition leaders, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Read more: Cannot be 'pro-liberation' without believing in democracy: BNP Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said the 10 points are not the demands of any party, but the demands of people. “With their backs pushed against the wall, people have no choice but to take to the streets.” He called upon people of all walks of life and all the democratic parties to come forward to oust the current government and resolve the country’s problems.
The BNP leader claimed that around 24,000 leaders and workers were arrested across the country over the last 15 days in the name of a special drive.
He demanded the government to release all the arrested BNP leaders and activists, including Mirza Fakhrul.
AL National Council: Not easy to lead both party and government, says PM
Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it is a hard job to lead both the government and the party.
“I am cordially accepting the responsibility that you have given to me. But I think new leadership has to come up. I hope that you will bring new leadership in the future,” she said.
The prime minister said this while speaking at the second session of the 22nd National Council of ruling party Awami League, where she was elected as the president of the party for the 10th consecutive time, starting from 1981.
The second session of the council was held at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
Hasina said that many people tried to destroy the Awami League, but failed.
“AL always changes the fate of the people, people always get something whenever AL comes to power. Whenever AL comes to power, it develops the lives of the masses, and the country's image and dignity are also enhanced,” she said.
Read more: AL leaders, activists must remain united to resist conspiracies: PM at party’s nat’l council
"Keeping that in mind, we have to advance our party through strengthening it," she added, before turning her focus to the next general election. “The next election will be held in 2024, we have public support, and we have to increase our votes by consolidating the support.”
In this regard, she put emphasis on increasing membership of the party. “There must not be any deviation in this connection,” she said.
She also asked the AL leaders and activists to remain beside the people of the country at all times in order to serve them.
Read more: AL’s struggles will end when it can ensure smiles on the faces of people: PM Hasina