BNP Secretary General
Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party will not allow any national election in Bangladesh without a non-party caretaker government.
“Our position is clear no election will be held in this country without a polls-time neutral caretaker government,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government must quit handing over power to a caretaker government. “An impartial election commission will have to be constituted and then we’ll form a representative government and parliament through a credible election.”
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the programme at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Govt out to clear election field: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said their party wants a change in the government and the youth can bring this change through a movement by organising people.
He said Jubo Dal, the youth wing of BNP, will have to play the main role in overcoming the current ‘crisis' of the country.
The BNP leader urged the leaders and activists of Jubo Dal to organise the young generation across the country to ‘restore’ democracy and free Khaleda Zia by ousting the current ‘monstrous’ government.
Stating that BNP leaders and activists are being harassed by filing ‘false’ cases against them, Fakhrul said, “We must get united and wage a strong movement to overcome the current situation.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Jubo Dal will have to work as a vanguard of the nation at this bad time of the country.
Read: People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
He urged the Jubo Dal leaders and activists to get ready to take to the streets to realise BNP’s demand for holding the next polls under a non-party government.
Another BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said it is an utter failure of their party that it is not being able to oust the current government despite having vast popularity and public support.
“We must get organised in a disciplined manner and face this government on the streets with courage and proper strategy to get success,” he observed.
People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
Stating that a change in government is now the demand of people, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday asked the government to hand over power to a non-party neutral government.
"We would like to say it clearly that a change in government is now the demand of people. Awami League has no right to stay in power as they couldn’t solve any problem. They’re now unleashing communal violence and violating human rights,” he said.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
Speaking at a ‘peace rally’ in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul also alleged that the Awami League government has made people's lives miserable with its ‘misrule' and repressive acts.
"We ask the government to step down immediately, handing over power to a neutral government for arranging a credible election under a neutral Election Commission so that everyone can cast votes and elect their representatives,” he said.
BNP was scheduled to bring out a ‘peace rally’ towards the Jatiya Press Club from its Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
As the government has deployed a huge number of police in Nayapaltan area since morning, the BNP general secretary announced that the programme was over by holding a brief rally on a makeshift stage in front of their party office.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists also gathered in Nayapaltan area to join the rally.
Fakhrul said they sent a letter to the authorities concerned earlier to bring out a peace rally towards the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the planned destruction of communal harmony by the government. “But unfortunately our leaders and workers have been arrested here since morning. So, we’re holding a brief rally now.”
He alleged that police arrested around of their 50 leaders and activists centring the programme and demanded their immediate release.
Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but ‘out of danger’: Fakhrul
Eds: Updates with more info
Dhaka, Oct 25 (UNB) – BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia is doing well and out of danger though she has undergone a biopsy test.
“I want to assure you that our leader Khaleda Zia is absolutely fine,” Fakhrul told a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman talked to Khaleda. “Her brother (Shamim Iskander) also talked to her. Her doctors have assured us that she’s out of danger. They think there’s no sign of any danger to her.”
As his attention was drawn to media reports on Khaleda’s critical health condition, he said it was wrong information. “It’s very unfortunate. Why should the media be so irresponsible? They should have confirmed it by talking to the people concerned.”
READ: Ambassadors from the Netherlands and Thailand present credentials to President Hamid
Khaleda has a lump
Khaleda’s personal doctor Prof AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief has a small lump in one part of her body.
“She was taken to OT (Operation Theater) today (Monday) for a small biopsy test to detect the nature of origin of the lump,” he said.
After the biopsy at Evercare Hospital, Zahid said all her health parameters are stable at the moment. “She’s undergoing treatment at the surgical ICU.”
Replying to a question, Dr Zahid said biopsy does not mean any treatment. “A biopsy is part of a diagnostic process which will determine the base of the next treatment.”
Asked when the biopsy report would be available, he said, "Scientifically it takes 72 hours to get the results of a biopsy. In some cases, it may take 15 to 21 days in a place like America. So, we’ve to wait for the biopsy report.”
Joining election depends on atmosphere: BNP
BNP will go to polls if an environment conducive to election is created, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday.
“We want to say it clearly that it’s not possible to hold a free and fair election under the Awami League government. For this, a neutral election-time government is needed. We’ll join the election if it’s conducted by a new Election Commission under the neutral government. We’ll wage a movement to ensure it,” said Fakhrul.
He came up with the remarks at a press briefing after visiting the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) in Sylhet on Sunday morning.
Fakhrul reiterated that BNP will not participate in any election under the Awami League (AL) government unless a suitable environment is ensured.
The BNP leader said, “There’s no election situation in Bangladesh now. An unelected and illegitimate government has been in power for the last two terms by force.”
The government has completely failed to provide security to the people of the country as a whole. “It has failed to ensure security of Hindu, Buddhist and Christian community people and their places of worship. Even majority Muslims have no safety in the country.”
Mirza Fakhrul reached Sylhet in the morning. After visiting the shrine in Sylhet, he went to Sunamganj to attend the mourning ceremony of former whip and former president of Sunamganj district BNP Fazlul Haque Aspia.
‘Invisible’ force controlling Bangladesh: Fakhrul
Stating that a plot is there to turn Bangladesh into a “communal state”, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that an “invisible” force is now controlling everything.
“We’re always under surveillance… the power of an invisible force that now actually runs the country is so deep-rooted that they’re now controlling the country and its people and our society,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party has been fighting for democracy amid an adverse situation in the country.
He called upon all the opposition political parties to get united putting aside misunderstanding and divisions among them to restore democracy and people’s rights through a united movement.
"We (BNP) are on a movement. We expect you to come together in this fight on one issue – the restoration of democracy. Let's fight together to free the country from the current terrible situation. We’ll overthrow this fascist government and establish a democratic one,” Fakhrul said.
OLi Ahad Smriti Sangsad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 9th death anniversary of language veteran Oli Ahad.
Read:No more game over election to be allowed: Fakhrul -
Price hike
Earlier speaking at a human-chain programme, Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said its failure to control the unbridled price hike of daily essentials.
“They had promised to provide people with rice at Tk10 per kg, but now its price is Tk 70. The prices of soybean oil, sugar, salt, vegetables and pulses have also gone up,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government is least bothered about public sufferings caused by the price hike as ruling party men are busy making their own fortunes. “They’re indulging in corruption and siphoning off money abroad and making second homes there.”
He demanded the government take effective steps to control the market and reduce the prices of essentials.
Dhaka south city unit BNP arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the rise in the prices of the essentials.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has snatched people’s basic rights by destroying democracy.
Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
He said people have started now turning around as they want to get back their rights, including the right to vote. “We want to see the release of Khaleda Zia and the withdrawal of 35 lakh cases filed against our leaders and activists.”
The BNP leader said people joined the Liberation War in 1971 with a goal to establish an independent and democratic Bangladesh. “But this government has destroyed the country and its achievements in a very well-planned way. They (AL) want to restore a one-party system of government.”
He urged the government to stop oppressing people and hand over power to a non-partisan and neutral government paving the way for holding a credible election.
BNP not to fall into ‘election trap’ any more: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will no longer fall into the ‘trap’ of any election under the current Awami League government.
"The people of the country know it very well that any election under the Awami League government will never be fair and credible. So, we’re no longer going to be caught in the trap of any election under it,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a workers’ rally arranged by Chattogram city unit BNP at a community centre in the city’s Kazir Dewri area.
He said their party will create a mass upsurge to force the current “monstrous’ government to step down handing over power to a non-party neutral government.
The BNP leader said no major question was raised about the four national elections held under the caretaker government.
Read: EC going to be formed as per govt wish: BNP
Opposing the formation of the Election Commission through a search committee, he said the government will form the search committee with the people of their choice to constitute another KM Nurul Husa-like Commission that held an election at the night before the voting.
About the recent communal incidents, the BNP leader said the ruling party has a hand in all these despicable incidents.
He also alleged that the government itself carried out the communal incidents in Cumilla, Chnadpur, Chattogram, Noakhali and other areas in the country through its different agencies to divert people’s attention to a different direction from a democratic movement.
Fakhrul also alleged that ‘innocent’ people have been arrested over the communal incidents only to harass them by filing false cases against them.
He said the government used to foil the rallies and meetings of the opposition parties using law enforcers. “Opposition leaders and activists are not allowed to stand in and make their way to the political field. BNP leaders are telling us that criminals vandalised temples and puja mandaps in the presence of police and Rab in different areas. But cases are being filed against BNP leaders and activists over.”
Also read: Forming EC through search committee a deception: BNP
“There’re many dangers ahead of us. People are going through a critical time now. This government talks about democracy, but it doesn’t believe in democracy. It has snatched all the rights of people in a well-planned way and established a dictatorship undercover of democracy,” he observed.
Fakhrul advised the party followers to stay away from Facebook-centric politics and engage in real politics. “A loyal and well-disciplined force is necessary to create a mass upsurge. The movement has to be carried out with a prudent strategy. Politics on Facebook won’t pay off.”
He claimed that nearly one lakh ‘false’ cases were filed against 35 lakh BNP leaders and activists across the country. “Our over 500 leaders disappeared while more than a thousand others were killed. It’s our misfortune that we have not yet been able to defeat this despotic regime.”
The BNP leader said they are now working to overhaul the party within a short time by waging a strong movement to establish a pro-people government ousting Awami League from power.
Khaleda needs to go abroad for treatment: Fakhrul
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia needs to go abroad for advanced treatment, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged the government to ensure her release on bail.
“Doctors are saying the complete treatment of the diseases she (Khaleda) has been suffering from is not possible here. She needs to go to a multi-disciplinary quality hospital or centre that can treat all the diseases altogether,” he said.
Read:Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Khaleda’s doctors have also made it clear that there is no such hospital in Bangladesh that can provide the treatment of her all diseases at once. “She has to go outside the country (for that treatment.”
He also asked the government as to why Khaleda Zia is not being granted bail. “Begum Zia does not want mercy from you. You ensure the bail as she deserves it. Everyone has been given bail in such cases. I know no one is left. Then, why aren't you giving her bail? ”
Afsar Ahmed Siddiqui Smrity Foundation arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity marking the 20th death anniversary of former BNP leader Afsar Ahmed Siddiqui.
Fakhrul said Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the city on Tuesday as she is ill.
He said their chairperson’s various health complications turned critical as she had not been given proper treatment during her stay in jail.
The BNP leader said Khaleda has been suffering from low fever for a few days.
Read:Khaleda's bail extended by one year in 5 cases
The BNP leader said as their party chief did not have any medical tests since she was discharged from the same hospital on June 19. “So, she was taken to the hospital as per doctors’ advice for further tests and treatment.”
On Tuesday afternoon, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital.
A medical board, led by Dr Shahabuddin Talukder, has been providing her treatment for various diseases.
On April 27, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentences based on two conditions on March 25 last year.
As per the conditions, Khaleda Zia will not be allowed to go abroad for treatment as she will have to stay home and receive treatment there. She was released earlier on the same conditions.
Read:Thank govt for suspending Khaleda’s sentence, Hasan tells BNP
The BNP chairperson’s doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
BNP daydreaming of staging 90s-like mass upsurge: Quader
Stating that the perspective of the 90s and 2021 is not the same, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that BNP’s plan to create another mass uprising like the 90s is a daydream.
"The perspective of the 90s and 2021 is not the same. So, the BNP’s plan to create another mass uprising like the 90s aiming to oust the government is now a daydream," he said.
He said this while addressing a briefing at his residence in reply to the recent remarks of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Read: Quader urges BNP to forget neutral caretaker govt. for polls
On Monday, Mirza Fakhrul called upon students and people in general to unite for "another mass uprising", like that of 1990, to oust the current government.
"Students and people overthrew the then dictatorial government through a mass uprising in the 1990s. Our leader Khaleda Zia led the movement. We need such a mass uprising again," said Fakhrul.
Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not accept the upcoming national election unless it is held under a" neutral government".
"Our stance is very clear there would be no more game in the name of an election. The election must be held under a neutral government and to be conducted by a neutral election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said, “We won’t accept any election if there’s no polls-time neutral government and an impartial election commission."
BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
Stating that the days of the current government are numbered, Fakhrul urged Awami League to try to read public minds and understand the writings on the walls. “That means quit power after making the provision of the polls-time caretaker government and let people exercise their right to vote.”
He called upon BNP leaders and activists to be organised and get ready for a street movement instead of creating chaos for having party posts.
“This is the only way left for us. It won’t be possible to remove the current monstrous regime without a mass movement and mass uprising. So, we’ve to unite all our people, unite all the political forces to take place a mass uprising,” the BNP leader said, pointing at the party rank and file.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
He said Awami League has become politically bankrupt losing public support for its ”misdeeds and repressive acts. They (AL) know they won’t even get 30 seats if any election is held in a free and fair manner. That’s why they have politicised all the state institutions.”
Fakhrul also alleged that the government has established its control over the judiciary, administration, law enforcement agencies and the media. “So, the entire nation is unable to speak up and exercise their freedom of expression.”
PM’s US visit has ‘no success’, says BNP
Stating that the Prime Minister’s visit to the USA has ‘no success’, BNP on Sunday alleged that the government wants to take international advantage by keeping the Rohingya problem alive.
“I didn't find any outcome from her (PM’s) visit. Even, she couldn’t come up with a solution to the Rohingya problem,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Read: Govt agencies active to divide opposition forces: Fakhrul
He said their party thinks Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government have failed to play any effective role in resolving the crisis.
“In fact, they (gov) want to take international advantage, especially from the Western countries, by keeping this issue alive,” the BNP leader said.
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the members of the newly formed committee members of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal.
Fakhrul said the Prime Minister could not yet reach out to the main stakeholders by visiting the countries like China and India with an aim to have a salutation to the Rohingya problem.
Read:Get organized, Fakhrul to farmers
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to the USA last week to attend the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Fakhrul alleged that the Prime Minister made “indecent remarks” about BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia while refuting various reports published in the media about her visit. “We strongly condemn and protest it.”
He alleged that Sheikh Hasina in her address to the UNGA resorted to lies about the country’s situation. “This is her only achievement (from her visit).”
The BNP leader said there is no democracy in the country while a fascist governing system has been established here by snatching people’s rights, destroying the Election Commission and politicising the state institutions.
Read:Govt restricting Khaleda from going abroad out of ‘fear’: Fakhrul
“But the Prime Minister didn’t mention in her speech how she’ll overcome this situation, restore democratic governing system, democratise the electoral system and remove people’s sufferings,” he observed.
Fakhrul hoped that good sense will prevail upon the government to give democracy an institutional shape and restore people’s right to vote and their freedom of expression.
He urged the government to take steps for holding the next election under a neutral election-time administration to establish a truly representative government and parliament.