Politics
BNP to intensify movement in Dhaka city with 16 rallies in September
As part of the party’s move to intensify its ongoing ant-government movement, BNP has drawn up a program of public rallies at 16 spots in Dhaka city till September 27, in protest against the increase in transport fares, and the prices of essentials and fuel oils.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme, to be organized jointly by the party’s Dhaka North and Dhaka South units, from a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
The rallies are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the killings of Bhola Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Narayanganj Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan.
Fakhrul said, “We’ve initiated a movement and it’ll continue. We would arrange protest rallies at 16 spots of the capital, including this one, until September 27.”
Once these programmes are observed, he said they will announce the next programmes of action across the country. “Join the movement,” Fakhrul urged.
As part of the programmes, a rally arranged by Dhaka south city unit’s Motijheel, Paltan and Shahjahanpur zone was arranged in front of the BNP central office today (on Saturday).
Read: Get ready for final push against AL govt: Fakhrul to BNP activist
The party’s Uttara east zone will arrange a rally on September 11 (tomorrow)while Shahbagh and Ramna on September 12 in front of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, Uttara west zone on September 13, Pallabi zone on September 15, Sutrapur and Dholaikhal on September 16, Postagola on September 18, Gulshan on September 19, Basabo on September 20, Mirpur on September 21, Konapara on September 22, Mohammadpur on September 23, Kamrangirchar on September 24, Badda September 25, Kalabagan zone September 26 and finally Tejgaon zone on September 27.
Besides, he said Dhaka south and north city units will arrange a silent sit-in programme by holding candles on September 27.
Fakhrul said strong unity of people is now necessary for the restoration of democracy and getting rid of misrule through an effective movement.
The BNP has been organising demonstrations across the country since the government raised fuel prices and adopted the Loadshedding policy.
BNP has also been alleging that their three activists were killed while over 1,000 were injured as police and ruling party men worked together to attacked the party’s programmes in different parts of the country.
Repression won’t help AL stay in power this time, Fakhrul says
Accusing the government of resorting to repressive acts to subdue opposition ahead of the next national election, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (September 10, 2022) warned that it will not help Awami League this time to “cling to power”.
Speaking at a discussion, he also questioned the justification of the government’s plan to build a flyover in the haor area.
“Several thousands of people have been injured and shot. They’re also filing cases (against BNP leaders and activists) in the same old style. But you won’t be able to stay in power this time by doing these things,” the BNP leader said.
He said the ruling party will no longer be able to fool the country’s people who are now putting up strong resistance against the government.
“The people of Bangladesh always established their rights and justified demands through struggles. That struggle has begun again and we believe they’ll achieve victory this time,” Fakhrul said.
Read: EC out to arrange stage-managed election: GM Quader
Eti Prokashon arranged the programme on the occasion of unveiling the book titled “Politics: East Pakistan and Bangladesh” at the Jatiya Press Club.
Fakhrul said Awami League is solely responsible for the current crisis in Bangladesh as it has destroyed democracy and the economy in the country.
“They (AL) have established a reign of plundering by ruining the economy and turning Bangladesh into a failed state. There’s no justice while the law enforcers have become a partisan force. It’s unimaginable that people are shot without any justification in a country that claims to be a democracy,” the BNP leader said.
About Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent India tour, Fakhrul said she went to the neighbouring country with “only the hope to take measures to retain power”.
“She brought nothing (from India). We can’t see anything except talking about 153 cusecs of water. A Bangladeshi boy was shot dead along the border the day those MoUs were signed. It happens often. But it (border killing) has not stopped till now,” the BNP leader said.
Read: Dipu Moni for participation of all parties in elections
He said their party wants India to have good relations with Bangladesh. “India is a friendly country to us. We are grateful for their support during our Liberation War.”
Fakhrul said they saw a picture of Sheikh Hasina dancing at Jaipur airport in India during her recent four-day tour. “The people of this country will never accept that you’re dancing at a time when the country is facing a dire economic situation.”
Referring to media reports, he said the government has allocated Tk 6,500 crore to build a flyover in the haor area. “We’ll see that it (allocation) will reach Tk 26,000 crore. But nothing has been mentioned about its requirements and how many vehicles may use it."
The BNP leader alleged that the government has been moving away from the main problems of the country by taking mega projects and unnecessary projects.
He said, around 42% of people still live below the poverty line and cannot afford two meals a day while most do not get proper health care in the country. “Youth are not getting jobs after passing BA and MA. They are being forced to ride-share motorbikes and pull rickshaws. But you (govt) are saying that Bangladesh has become a role model for development. This is deception with people.”
“Mismanagement”: BCL faction to submit complaint against Al Nahian, Lekhak to AL high-ups
A faction of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) – consisting of more than one-third of the student body’s central panel – has decided to submit a complaint letter against the “irregularities and mismanagement” by BCL president Al Nahian Khan Joy and general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee.
Contacted, some BCL central committee leaders confirmed the development, saying that they went to the Awami League party office today (September 10, 2022) and tried to submit the complaint letter to the party’s Office Secretary Biplab Barua but couldn’t reach him.
They said that some top leaders of Awami League have assured them of taking necessary steps against Al Nahian and Lekhak. However, they will try once again to send the letter to the party high-ups.
A copy of the letter has been obtained by UNB, which says that Al Nahian and Lekhak have formed most of the recent committees by taking money from the candidates. Besides, they have posted “former Shibir and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activists along with drug addicts and drug peddlers” in the top positions of the committees, they alleged.
Read: BCL Central Committee announcement sets off factional clash at DU; 7 injured
The letter also says that Lekhak Bhattacharjee is “engaged in stone trading in Sylhet and has created a monopoly by controlling the business there”. Also, Lekhak has managed licenses in the name of his brother Avinav Bhattacharjee for Hilsa trading, abusing his influence as a top leader of BCL, it says.
The letter also alleged that Al Nahian and Lekhak regularly support wrongdoings of some BCL leaders by not taking any action against them.
Khaleda’s conditional release to be extended once petition is filed: Law Minister
The government will extend the suspension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s jail sentence in two corruption cases, if her family files petition, Law Minister Anisul Huq said today (September 10, 2022).
The law minister said this while talking to reporters after attending a training programme of judges at Bangladesh Judicial Administration Training Institute in Dhaka.
“If we receive any petition from Khaleda Zia’s family, the tenure of her conditional release will be definitely extended,” he said.
Also read: Khaleda returns home from hospital
Amid the Coronavirus outbreak, the government suspended Khaleda’s jail term for six months through an executive order on March 25, 2020.
The government extended her conditional release in the two corruption cases several times.
The former prime minister was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after she was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a special court in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018.
She was convicted in a second corruption case later.
Also read: Khaleda being deprived of due treatment: Fakhrul
The 76-year-old BNP chief has been staying at her Gulshan residence since her release from jail. A special team of her personal physicians has been overseeing her treatment.
BNP sees no visible achievement from PM’s India visit
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said there was no "visible achievement" of Bangladesh, except the Kushiyara River water sharing MoU, from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s four-day visit to India.
"In this visit, the achievement of Bangladesh so far that we can see is 53 cusecs of water from the Kushiyara River. We have not seen any other visible achievement" he said.
Stating that a defense contract worth $500 million has been signed to buy military vehicles from India, the BNP leader said it has been assured that border killings will be brought to zero level. “On the day this was said, one person was killed at the Dinajpur border and two others remained missing. This’s the outcome (of her visit).”
He was talking to reporters after paying homage to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave alongwith the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, marking its 44th founding anniversary.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday night returned home wrapping her four-day official visit to India.
Read: Let’s see what she achieves this time, Fakhrul about PM’s India tour
During her visit, Hasina had bilateral talks with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and met Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar separately on Tuesday.After the bilateral talks between the two leaders, Dhaka and Delhi signed seven MoUs -- demonstrating cooperation in a number of areas, including water sharing of the Kushiyara River.
Fakhrul said though there was no fruitful outcome from the visit, the ruling party leaders are highlighting their love for India.
“The government has become desperate (to stay in power). You must remember that before this visit, the Foreign Minister (AK Abdul Momen) had said that he had requested the Indian leaders to take measures to keep the Awami League government in power by any means possible," he observed.
The BNP leader said their party believes that all the democratic countries will play their role in upholding democracy and establishing people's rights around the world.
“India is our good friend and a democratic country. We believe that India will also keep its democratic character intact," he said.
Unleashing the reign of terror by govt
Fakhrul slammed the government for attacking their party’s peaceful programmes across the country and implicating their leaders and activists in ‘false’ and ‘fictitious’ cases.
“False cases were filed against many of our leaders and workers over the last few weeks. Fictitious cases are also being filed against us as they did in the past. You know that already three of our leaders have been killed,” he said.
Read: Movement to continue until AL govt’s fall: Fakhrul
Referring to his Thursday’s visit to Popular Hospital to see Shrabon, a 14-year-old bullet-hit leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Kishireganj unit, the BNP leader said, the boy’s lung, liver and kidney were affected by bullets. “He is vomiting blood…doctors are trying their best to save his life.”
Besides, he said, many leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies have lost their eyesight while many others have sustained various injuries and became maimed. “They (govt) have again unleashed a reign of terror all over the country. I would like to say no one can hang onto power by resorting to terror acts.”
Reacting to the law minister’s comment that BNP’s programmes will not be obstructed if it does not resort to violence, Fakhrul said, "BNP does not believe in terrorism and engage in terror acts…the cadres of Chhatra League and Jubo League have attacked peaceful programmes of democracy-loving people. We strongly condemn it. We’ll defeat them with the power of the people.”
Fakhrul mourns legendary Queen's demise
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed "deep shock" at the demise of the legendary British Queen Elizabeth II.
“We're deeply saddened at her death. We think she was a legendary queen and a Royal Administrator of Britain,” he said.
"With the Queen’s demise, a long-standing tradition and her reign of 70 years is over," Fakhrul told reporters after placing a wreath at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave.
Fakhrul recalled the Queen’s contribution to promoting democracy all over the world during her reign.
Read: When Queen Elizabeth II came to Bangladesh
“We’ve seen the development of democracy and the protection of democracy in Britain during the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II and its shadow has spread the politico-democratic world sphere,” he said.
He prayed for the eternal peace of the Queen’s departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved members of the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at the age of 96 in Scotland, after being on the throne for 70 years.
Better days will come, democracy will be restored: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (September 8, 2022) said better days will come and democracy will be restored in the country.
“Your son was seriously injured in the movement for democracy. His sufferings and pain won’t go in vain,” he told injured Kishoreganj Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) leader Shrabon’s mother.
Fakhrul went to Popular Hospital in the capital’s Dhanmondi area around 1:30pm to visit Shrabon who sustained critical injuries in police firing at a rally of BNP at Pakundia upazila in Kishoreganj on September 3.
Also read: Govt repressing opposition activists to foil movement: BNP
He talked to duty doctors and inquired about the JCD leader’s physical condition and treatment.
Later, talking to Srabon’s mother, the BNP leader said their party will remain by her family in ensuring proper treatment of her son.
“Have patience and seek divine blessings by keeping trust in Allah. We're with you…democracy will be restored and better days will surely come,” he said.
Also read: “Govt lacks public support, failed to resolve issues with India”
BNP’s health affairs secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam and its media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan were present.
Dr Rafiqul Islam said Shrabon's lungs, liver and kidney were affected by the bullet wounds and it will take a long time for him to recover.
Dipu Moni for participation of all parties in elections
Minister for Education Dr Dipu Moni said on Wednesday that they want the participation of all political parties in the upcoming zilla parishad and national elections.
She also said there is no scope for bringing in any political party if they have the intention to make the elections questionable.
Minister Moni, also joint general secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL), said this while responding to queries from journalists at a function at Chandpur Circuit House in the evening.
Asked about the use of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the elections, she said the use of the EVMs depends on the election commission (EC), and the AL will assist them in holding a fair election.
“I don’t know whether all parties will reach a point regarding the use of the EVM, however, we will have to march forward for the sake of development with technology unless all are agreed,” Dipu said.
Read: AL wants competitive elections: Obaidul Quader
The minister reiterated that the national elections will be held on time and won’t wait for anyone. Some political parties oppose opposition without reasonable grounds.
Expressing her optimism of participation of all competent parties in the upcoming election, she said it is their political right if they don’t compete in the election despite having all arrangements.
Chandpur Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Hasan, Superintendent of Police Milon Mahmud and the party’s leaders and activists were present there.
EC out to arrange stage-managed election: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader Wednesday said the Election Commission (EC) is trying to arrange a stage-managed general election by using electronic voting machines (EVMs) in up to 150 seats.
"During their dialogues (with the EC), almost all the political parties opposed the use of EVMs, but the Election Commission decided to conduct voting with it. Most people in the country think that EVMs are vote-rigging machines," he said.
Referring to the chief election commissioner's recent remarks that it is not their responsibility to ensure all parties' participation in the polls, the Jatiya Party chief said it has cast doubt in the public mind about the EC's ability to conduct a free, impartial and acceptable election.
"It seems that the EC is trying to implement an agenda. On the other hand, the people of the country are unable to speak out. If there is a movement for any demand, the police and opponents are attacking it," he said.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there will not be a level playing field if the national election is held in such a context. "Where the government has 90 percent influence (on state machinery), having the police and administration in its hands, a fair election cannot be expected."
Read: Scope for politics gets limited: GM Quader
He said there is no crisis in the Jatiya Party and it will not face any split. "The Awami League and BNP have repeatedly tried to harm the Jatiya Party. None of those who left the party could establish themselves as a strong organiser. Even if someone leaves like this, the Jatiya Party will not be weak."
Replying to a question, GM Quader said Raushon Ershad called him repeatedly to inquire about his condition as his vehicle was recently hit by a bus and told him she does not want to be the chairman of the National Council.
He also said the top leaders of the Jatiya Party think that Raushon was forced to announce the party's council under pressure. "Taking advantage of her illness, some outsiders may be trying to implement a different agenda by using Begum Raushon Ershad's name."
In response to a question about the formation of an electoral alliance, the Jatiya Party chair said a decision will be made on it following a discussion in the party forum before the election. "The Jatiya Party will decide on the formation of any alliance considering the reality and the expectations of the commoners."
GM Quader, however, said their party is now preparing for elections in all 300 seats. "We are implementing regular programmes to strengthen the party."
UK expresses grave concern over recent political violence in Bangladesh
The United Kingdom today (September 7, 2022) expressed deep concern over the recent political violence between police and BNP activists, especially in Bhola and Narayanganj that left three people killed.
In a brief statement on the verified Facebook page of the British High Commission in Bangladesh, the UK called on all parties to exercise calm and restraint, choosing dialogue over violence.
“The UK is gravely concerned about recent violence between political parties and law enforcement, particularly after the deaths of BNP activists in Bhola and Narayanganj,” the statement reads.
The statement was issued following a meeting between a four-member BNP delegation and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson.
BNP delegation included party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, organising secretary Shama Obayed and executive committee member Tabith Awal.
Read: Jubo Dal activist killed in N’ganj; BNP activists-police clash in parts of country
Stating that engagement with political parties is a key part of the UK’s diplomatic presence in Bangladesh, the statement said Dickson was pleased to meet Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders at the British High Commission today (Wednesday), discussing the current political situation.
Contacted, Amir Khosru Mahmud told UNB that they met Dickson at the invitation of the High Commission at 2pm.
“We had around one and a half hour meeting and discussed the latest political issues in Bangladesh, including the recent incidents of police firing at our peaceful programmes,” he said.
As the high commissioner wanted to know from them, Khosru said, “We narrated what actually happened and how law forcers and political goons attacked our peaceful programmes across the country, leaving our three leaders dead and injured many others.”
He said they also talked about false cases filed against thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies across the country by law enforcers. “We think it’s the beginning of the end of democracy and electoral process. If it continues a level-playing field will never be created and a credible election won't be held in Bangladesh."