BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Thursday alleged that an evil quarter has been exploding crude bombs with slogans in BNP’s name as part of a plot to have the opposition leaders and activists arrested in ‘false’ cases. “We’re now seeing bomb explosions happening across Dhaka city with slogans in the name of BNP. Their aim is to get the BNP leaders arrested in any way,” he said. Read more: BNP at IGP’s door; Seeks remedy for ‘fictitious’ cases Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Abbas also claimed that a group within the government is spreading false propaganda centing the BNP rally in the capital on December 10 to mislead people. “One thing is clear we want to hold the rally peacefully. We won’t create any chaos in our peaceful programme,” he said. He said the government has got panicked unnecessarily over BNP’s rally. “We don't want any conflict as this is just our divisional rally.” The BNP leader, however, alleged that the government has been indulging in serious suppressive acts centring the rally. “We’re not afraid of it. We’ve taken it as part of our rally.” He said their party has been taking all-out preparations to make the Dhaka rally a success. “Our leaders and activists are holding meetings across Dhaka Division. Preparatory meetings are also being held at Nayapaltan and Gulshan in Dhaka. We’ll hold the rally at Nayapaltan. People will come from outside to join it and we’ll do whatever is necessary to arrange the rally,” Abbas said. Replying to a question, he said their party only sought Nayapaltan, not any other venue, for their December-10 rally. Read more: Allow us to hold Dec 10 rally at Nayapaltan: Fakhrul The BNP leader said their party had over a hundred rallies at Nayapaltan without any trouble earlier. “What would be the problem if we arrange the rally at Nayapaltan on December 10? Efforts are on to mislead our leaders and workers. But don't be confused.” Asked what their party may do if it is not finally permitted to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, he said time will say what to do.

BNP on Thursday urged Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to take steps for withdrawing the fresh ‘fictitious’ cases filed by police against the party leaders and activists. A four-member BNP delegation, led by led by party Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, met the IGP at the Police Headquarters and also handed him over a letter from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in this regard. The delegation went to the Police Headquarters around 12:50 pm and had an hour-long meeting with the IGP over the fresh cases against the party leaders and activists and the party’s planned rally on December 10 in the capital. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Bulu said fictitious cases are being filed against BNP leaders and followers by police and ruling party activists after hurling crude bombs. “Our people are being arrested in fictitious cases. So, we, on behalf of our secretary general, submitted a memorandum to the IGP in this regard.” He said they also told the IGP that BNP leaders and workers are being harassed and their houses are being raided to arrest them in fictitious cases. “We’ve sought a remedy for this and he assured us of looking into the matters.” The BNP leader said their party’s 50 leaders and workers were arrested from the High Court gate though they obtained bail from the apex court. Read more: December-10 rally: BNP delegation sits with IGP He said a ‘fictitious’ case was filed in Narsingdi against BNP men accusing them of exploding crude bombs chanting slogans in the name of Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and urging people to come to BNP’s Dhaka rally. “Why should we explode bombs when we invite people to come to Dhaka?” With the letter of the BNP Secretary General, Bulu said, a list of 169 fictitious cases--filed in between August 22 and November 26 against 6,723 identified and 15,050 unidentified people-- were given to the IGP. Besides, he said a list of 559 arrested BNP leaders and activists was also submitted to the police boss.  About BNP’s December 10 rally, he said the police officials raised the issue of the rally. “We’ve said we want to hold it (meeting) at Nayapaltan. We sent two letters (to DMP) on November 13 and November 20 seeking Nayapaltan for our meeting venue. We didn't want any second venue.” He said the police authorities urged them to arrange the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan promising them to extend all-out support in this regard. “We said it is not our issue today…Our standing committee and the secretary general will take a decision on it.” The other delegation members were BNP Joint Secretary General Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Publicity Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal. High police officials, including Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq, were also present at the meeting. Read more: BNP to avoid AL's trap over December-10 rally: Gayeshwar Earlier on Tuesday, the DMP permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on December 10 on 26 conditions. However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to necessary take steps so that their party can hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan on the day.

A four-member BNP delegation sat in a meeting with Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun on Thursday at the police headquarters to talk about permission to hold the party’s rally at Nayapaltan on December 10 and the arrests of party leaders and workers. The delegation, led by led by BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, went to the Police Headquarters around 12:50 pm and the meeting started around 1pm. Read more: BNP won't be allowed to orchestrate violence surrounding December 10 rally: Quader The other delegation members are BNP Joint Secretary General Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Publicity Secretary Shahiduddin Chowdhury Annie and Legal Affairs Secretary Kaiser Kamal. Talking to UNB, Annie said they will urge the IGP to allow their party to hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan and to stop the arrest of the party leaders and activists ahead of the rally. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan Earlier on Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on December 10 on 26 conditions. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to necessary take steps so that their party can hold the rally at Nayapaltan instead of Suhrawardy Udyan on the day.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to take necessary take steps so that their party can hold its rally at Nayapaltan, instead of Suhrawardy Udyan, on December 10. “From our party, we sent a letter to DMP for holding our divisional rally at Nayapaltan a month ago.  Many grand rallies were held here earlier without any chaos. So, take steps as per our letter as we’ll hold our rally here. It’s your responsibility to take proper steps in this regard,” he said. Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader assured that they will hold the rally at Nayapaltan peacefully as part of their movement to restore democracy and people’s voting and other rights. Read more: If Khaleda joins BNP’s Dec 10 rally, court will take steps: Home Minister About their opposition to the Suhrawardy Udyan, Fakhrul said their party is not comfortable holding the political programme at the venue, which is surrounded by walls all around. “There’re no roads to easily enter and come out of it. There’s only one gate through which one or two people can enter.” Under the circumstances, he called upon the government to permit their party to hold the rally peacefully at Nayapaltan changing its decision. Otherwise, the BNP leader warned that the government will be held responsible for any untoward incident centring the rally. BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office protesting against the filing of false and fictitious cases by police against the party leaders and activists    Earlier on Tuesday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on December 10 on 26 conditions. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan Stop false cases Fakhrul said the government has been showing a lame excuse that huge traffic jams will be created if the rally is held at Nayapaltan. “No such traffic jams will be created on Saturday as it’s a public holiday.” The BNP leader said the government has been taking wrong decisions one after another as it does not want to understand the writing on the wall and the language of the people’s eyes. The BNP leader asked the government to refrain from filing false, fabricated and fictitious cases against the opposition leaders and activists considering its consequences. “You have seen the sanctions have been imposed. If people now impose sanctions, the situation will be direr. So, stop the fictitious cases, attacks and arrests, and let the people's movement continue peacefully." Read more: No problem with movement, but don’t go for violence: PM Hasina warns BNP Dhaka rally a challenge The BNP leader said it is a challenge for the people of Dhaka to make the rally on December 10 a success. "The people of entire Bangladesh have turned around with fresh hope. It’s (December-10 rally) a challenge to the people of Dhaka and the division.  Inshallah the rally will be successful.” The BNP leader said the government has been unnecessarily obstructing BNP’s rallies, which are detrimental to democracy and the state. “It’s also not good for you (govt) at all. You’re not keeping the path open. I once again ask you to take steps for ensuring a safe exit taking lessons from the past history.” He said the current movement has turned into a struggle of people of the entire country, not just of BNP, as people from all walks of life are getting involved in it for getting rid of Awami League’s misrule. Fakhrul said the government has ruined the entire country and all its sectors, not only the banking sector, through widespread plundering. He alleged that the government has been using the state machinery, the Election Commission and police, and other forces to illegally stay in power.

BNP is set to hold its ninth-divisional rally in Rajshahi city on Saturday (December 3) with enthusiasm after Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) gave it permission. The approval for BNP to hold its rally at Madrasa Ground in Rajshahi came on eight conditions, RMP Additional Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Alam told UNB on Wednesday. BNP can hold the rally at the venue from 2pm to 5pm on that day as per the condition. The party has to seek permission from the authorities concerned for using the venue as only RMP’s permission is not enough for holding the rally. Read more: If Khaleda joins BNP’s Dec 10 rally, court will take steps: Home Minister Any anti-state activities or statements at the rally venue are prohibited, according to another condition. It also says that no propaganda or distribution of leaflets will be allowed, and no procession can be brought out from the venue. All activities of the rally should be kept inside the venue and completed by the deadline, it says. All security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, vehicle scanners and metal detectors at the venue should be arranged by BNP. The party will be responsible if law and order situation deteriorates at the rally. “Legal action will be taken if BNP fails to comply with any of the conditions,” said RMP official Rafiqul. Meanwhile, the party leaders alleged that police were harassing by arresting and filing cases against BNP leaders and activists in various districts ahead of the rally, said advisor to BNP Chairperson Mizanur Rahman Minu at a press briefing at the party office in Malopara of the metropolis. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan “At least 50 leaders were arrested last night,” said Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu, BNP’s organising secretary and rally committee coordinator. In another development, Rajshahi Divisional Road Transport Owners' Association threatened to enforce a strike in all eight districts of Rajshahi division from December 1 for an indefinite period. They called the strike to press home their 11-point demand, including the scrapping of the Road Transport Act 2018 and the ban on movement of illegal three-wheelers and battery-driven auto-rickshaws on highways by November 30. However, the party leaders are hopeful that it will be the largest rally in the country with at least 15 lakh people joining the rally. “We will make the rally a success at any cost,” said Ruhul Kuddus. As part of their ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Read more: BNP's rally the cue for Rajshahi transport owners to strike BNP has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla, braving various obstacles and transport strikes. BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen. BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

If BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia attends the party’s December 10 rally in Dhaka, court will take necessary steps, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today (November 30, 2022). “Khaleda Zia is out of jail on condition, and if she joins the public rally, the court will take steps,” the minister said while speaking at an annual training programme of Bangladesh Police Women Network in Dhaka’s Rajarbagh area. Read more: DMP gives BNP 26 conditions for holding Dec 10 rally at Dhaka's Suhrawardy Udyan BNP received permission to hold their rally at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan on December 10 and the government has allowed them to conduct it smoothly, the home minister said, adding, “If they initiate any kind of violence, it will be a big mistake.” BNP initially sought permission to hold the rally at either Suhrawardy Udyan or Manik Mia Avenue. They got permission to hold the event at Suhrawardy Udyan as Manik Mia Avenue, where the National Parliament is located, is a restricted area, said the minister.

The Election Commission officials on Tuesday set a deadline till December 4 to keep the National Identity Registration (NID) department under their control and stop all postings. Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association submitted a copy of the written decisions to the EC secretary and Chief Election Commissioner after their meeting today. Read more: Election Commission won’t favour any political party: Anisur Rahman If the demand is not implemented, they will start a movement for it within a day, the association informed. The demands of the officials are: retainment of NID service activities under the Election Commission, stoppage of all postings on deputation in the Election Commission Secretariat, ensuring visible and effective steps to fill the vacant posts, approval of the EVM project proposed by the Commission including logistics (warehouse and vehicles), and implementation of the proposed organizational structure as soon as possible.  They said if visible measures are not taken by December 4 (Sunday) in all these matters, the EC officials will sport black badges on December 5 (Monday) and abstain from work for half a day on December 8 (Thursday). They also said if no visible effective action is taken within that period, strict action will be taken as decided by the executive council of the association. Read more: New secretary joins Election Commission The announced programme will be held simultaneously at the Election Commission Secretariat, NID, Electoral Training Institute and all the field level offices.  However, the announced election activities will be exempted from the demonstration, they added. A copy of the document signed by Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association President Muhammad Hasanuzzaman and Secretary General Rashedul Islam was also sent to journalists.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Tuesday permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions. A notification was issued in this regard from the DMP headquarters, signed by Deputy Police Commissioner (Headquarters and Admin) Abdul Momen, on behalf of the DMP commissioner. Following BNP’s application, DMP permitted the party to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Shahbagh instead of Nayapaltan, as it may cause traffic jam and public suffering. BNP can hold the rally at the venue from 12pm to 4:30pm on December 10, according to the notification. READ: People to give fitting reply to govt’s repressive acts through movement: Fakhrul BNP has to seek permission from the authorities concerned for using the venue, mentioning the 26 conditions, as only DMP permission is not enough for this purpose, it said. Anti-state activities and statements at the rally venue are prohibited, read the conditions. Besides, no propaganda or leaflet distribution will be allowed, and no procession can be brought out from the venue. All security measures, including installing CCTV cameras, vehicle scanners and metal detectors at the venue should be taken by the party. An adequate number of volunteers (with visible ID cards) should be deployed at the venue under the party’s own management. The party will be responsible if the law and order situation deteriorates at the rally, said the DMP notification. All activities of the rally should be kept inside the venue and completed by the timeframe. If BNP fails to comply with any of the conditions, the permission will be cancelled immediately, DMP said in the notification. Contacted, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said they received the DMP's letter regarding the permission. “But we’ll arrange the rally in front of our party office at Nayapaltan.” BNP publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne told UNB that their party did not seek permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. “We sought permission to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, not at Suhrawardy Udyan.  Our party is determined to hold the rally at Nayapaltan as per our previous decision,” he said. Anne, however, said BNP standing committee will take final decision in this regard after considering the overall situation. Earlier on November 15, a BNP delegation met DMP Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq and sought permission to hold their much-talked-about Dhaka rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on December 10. READ: Strict action if anyone creates anarchy: Information Minister The DMP Commissioner, however, asked BNP to give names of other venue options. As part of their ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. BNP has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal,  Faridpur, Sylhet and Cumilla braving various obstacles and transport strikes. BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen. BNP will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (November 29, 2022) said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always works to serve the people of the country, not as a ruler, so AL activists must sincerely work for the nation. “Just wearing a Mujib coat doesn’t prove that you are a true soldier of Bangabandhu. To be a ‘Mujib’s soldier’, one must uphold his ideals,” Quader said while speaking as the chief guest at the tri-annual conference of Noakhali town and Sadar upazila unit of Awami League. Quader joined the conference virtually from his official residence in Dhaka. Read more: No transport strike during BNP’s Dhaka rally: Obaidul Quader “We will counter misinformation from BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul with truth and constructive action,” the AL leader and minister said. Referring to the “killings of 21,000 AL leaders and activists by BNP,” Obaidul Quader said that during BNP’s last 5-year tenure, AL leaders and activists could not stay at home even for 50 days. Regarding BNP’s recent countrywide movement, Quader said that they have no issues with peaceful protests, but if BNP “plays with fire and resorts to violence, we are prepared, and a fitting reply will be given to protect the lives and property of the people.” Read more: PM instructed to move BCL council from Dec 8 to 6 to facilitate BNP’s Dhaka rally: Quader Abdul Wadud Pintu, president of Noakhali Municipal Awami League, presided over the conference while Awami League Organizing Secretary Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Faridunnahar Laili, Noakhali District Awami League Convener AHM Khairul Anam Chowdhury Salim, Joint Convener Shihab Uddin Shaheen, Sahid Ullah Khan Sohail and Member of Parliament Ekramul Karim Chowdhury, also spoke.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader urged fromer shipping minister and transport labour leader Shajahan Khan to ensure no transport strike given during BNP’s rally in Dhaka on December 10. He made the call while addressing the tri-annual conference of Dinajpur Awami League at Gor-e-Shaheed field in Duinapur city on Monday. Read: BNP's rally the cue for Rajshahi transport owners to strike He said no obstruction will be given during BNP’s rally but if any chaos occurs it will be protested. He said the date of Bangladesh Chhatra League’s (BCL) central council was changed only for the BNP rally. Adressin BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam he said, “Come to Dinajpur and see what a rally is called. Come and see the difference between a river and sea wave as you keep speaking about people’s huge crowd in every rally,” Read: BNP’s Sylhet rally plagued with transport strike He said that the game will be on from next December. “This time the game will be against corruption, against Hawa Bhaban, against vote theft, against those who have smuggled crores of taka abroad. The game will be about election, and movement. No more unfair elections will be held like February 15,” said Obaidul Quader.