BNP Secretary General
Get organized, Fakhrul to farmers
Stating that farmers are now the most neglected section of people in Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the peasants to get organised for waging a strong anti-government movement.
“No one is now happy in Bangladesh and our farmers are the most neglected ones. They don't get the fair prices of their produce. They also don't get any help or any incentive from the government even at this horrible time of Corona,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to the members of the newly-formed partial committee of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He congratulated the Krishak Dal committee members and asked them to form a full-fledged committee within a short time.
“The central committee of the Krishak Dal was announced at the critical juncture of the nation. So, they’ve bigger responsibilities in organising the farmers throughout the country by reaching out to them,” Fakhrul said.
He alleged that the current ‘fascist' government has been running the country by ‘usurping’ power. “The people of all walks of life have to play a role in ousting this regime. “Our responsibility now is to organise ourselves and forge unity. There’s no other alternative to that.”
Criticising the government for what he said continuing its repressive acts, the BNP leader said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been kept under house arrest. “Around 35 lakh leaders and activists of our party are facing ‘’false’’ cases while over 500 ones have been made disappeared and over 1,000 killed.“
Speaking at the programme, Krishak Dal president Hasan Jafir Tuhin said they will work sincerely to strengthen the movement for the ‘restoration' of democracy by mobilising famers’ support across the country.
On Monday, BNP announced a seven-member partial committee of its associate body, Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal, five months after its national council.
Hasan Jafir Tuhin has been made president while Shahidul Islam Babul general secretary of the seven-member partial committee of the Krishak Dal.
On December 30, 1980, BNP founder late Ziaur Rahman established the Krishak Dal to ensure the rights and welfare of farmers.
BNP policymakers now to sit with grassroots leaders
BNP policymakers have now decided to sit with their grassroots leaders after holding three closed-door meetings with central leaders to work out the party’s next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
The decision was taken at the party’s standing committee meeting held on Saturday, said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said the series of meetings with the grassroots leaders will begin on Tuesday next and continue for three consecutive days.
“We exchanged views with the members of our party’s national executive committee on September 14th, 15th and 16th. Our standing committee meeting yesterday (Saturday) decided to hold meetings with the remaining executive committee members on September 21, 22 and 23,” Fakhrul said.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
He said the presidents of their party’s all district committees will be present in the meetings as they are the national executive committee members as ex-officio.
Earlier, the BNP policymakers had closed-door meetings with party vice-chairmen, advisory council members on Tuesday, with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries on Wednesday and with the top leaders of the party’s different associate bodies on Thursday last.
The meetings were held as part of the party’s planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action ahead of the next general election.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.
Fakhrul said they will inform the media about the outcomes of the meetings once those are concluded. “We’ll also let you know our next course of action and strategy.”
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
In the three closed-door meetings, he said BNP senior and mid-level leaders discussed the current political situation in the country and the party's organisational issues. “They also talked about a wide range of issues, including the government’s efforts to establish a one-party rule, repression on the opposition leaders and activists, false and fictitious cases and Khaleda Zia’s release.”
The BNP leader said their party’s organisational activities have been going on in full swing. “Most of our committees have started the overhauling process. The work on reorganising our associate bodies has also long been going on… we couldn’t hold the councils in different areas due to the Corona epidemic.”He said they have a plan to hold councils in some districts within a short time.
BNP policymakers now will sit with grassroots leaders
BNP policymakers are now planning to sit with the grassroots leaders after holding three closed-door meetings with its central leaders to work out the party’s next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
"We’ve already had three consecutive meetings. Our standing committee has a meeting next Saturday where we’ll decide whether we should hold a few more meetings,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Talking to reporters after the third consecutive meeting with party leaders, he said they still could not sit with some members of their national executive committee. “We also have a plan to hold meetings with the presidents and secretaries of our party at the district level.”
The BNP leader said they have also a plan to sit with the leaders of different professional bodies. “If our standing committee takes a decision in this regard, we’ll hold these meetings.”
Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Mirza Fakhrul said they sat with the top leaders of different associate bodies of their party today (Thursday) as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action.
“The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country, our organisational issues and our party’s next course of action,“ he said.
Asked about the outcomes of the three meetings with the party central leaders, he said they will disclose it later at the right time.
Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with the standing committee members began the meeting with the leaders of different associate bodies at 4pm at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. The meeting continued for four and a half hours where BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined from London.
Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP
Party sources said 92 leaders of Jubo Dal, Sewchchasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and other associate bodies of the party took part in the meeting.
The party policymakers started the series of meetings with the party's rank and file on Tuesday.
The BNP top leaders had also similar meetings with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members on Tuesday and with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries on Wednesday.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.
AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will never forgive Awami League as it has become a ‘repressive’ political party.
“Awami League is exploiting the country and its people in collaboration with some individuals and bureaucrats,” he said.
Talking to journalists at Kalibari residence here, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which once had struggled for establishing people’s rights and democracy, is now repressing people and snatching their rights.
He said the ruling party leaders are now indulging in widespread corruption deviating from the party’s old tradition and stance on democracy since it has got isolated from people. “Now it has no relation with people’s hopes and aspirations.”
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Fakhrul said bureaucrats now “own assets worth crores of taka. A police inspector has 18 houses in Dhaka city alongside having more houses abroad. If a police officer can amass such wealth, then you think about the condition of the entire system,” the BNP leader said.
“Now people aren’t getting justice. They’re being deprived of their rights. But Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader regularly says many things only to appease his leaders,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party has only one demand for arranging a credible election under a neutral government and the impartial Election Commission.
He said their party is in negotiations with the opposition parties to wage a united movement to ensure the fall of the current government and establish a pro-people government. “We’re taking preparations for that movement.”
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Replying to a question about BNP’s position on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Fakhrul said it is an internal matter of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will run the way its people want. But I would like to say one thing that we don’t support any fundamentalism, militancy and extremism.”
The BNP leader said their party hopes that whichever government comes to Afghanistan, they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people and ensure their rights and work for their welfare.
AL ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League is ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy to cling to power as it has become politically bankrupt.
“Awami League has lost its capability by arbitrarily using the bureaucracy only for hanging onto power. In fact, the bureaucracy has now become 'Bureaucratic League' while Awami League has become politically bankrupt,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an extended meeting of Thakurgaon district unit of BNP at a community centre in the district town.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He alleged that the ruling party has long been trying to suppress its political opponents with repressive acts and filing ‘false’ cases against them by ‘using’ law enforcement agencies.
“They (govt) have been controlling all the state machinery, including the judiciary, administration, police and other law enforcement agencies to make their political gains,” Fakhrul alleged.
He said it is unimaginable to file political cases against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists in a democratic country, but the current government did it to eliminate its opponents.
The BNP leader alleged that the opposition leaders and activists are being implicated in ‘false cases’ for holding meetings and carrying out political activities as the government has established the one-party rule under a different cover.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to step down and arrange a credible general election by stopping filing cases against opposition leaders and activists and harassing them.
“The government must hold the next election under a polls-time neutral administration as per people’s hopes and aspirations,” he said.
Fakhrul said the government will have to constitute the Election Commission with neutral persons for holding the national election in a fair and credible manner.
He also called upon all political parties to get united to force the government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a strong movement.
Concentrate on people’s sufferings: Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the government to concentrate on resolving the problems of people instead of making ‘indecent’ remarks and spreading lies.
“The ruling party leaders and ministers are making derogatory remarks and carrying out false campaigns against our party and its top leaders to mislead people. I call upon them to stop it, and concentrate on resolving people’s problems,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Baliadangi upazila unit BNP and its associate bodies at Baliadangi Pilot Model High School in Thakurgaon.
He said Awami League itself should resign shouldering its ‘limitless’ failures to run the country and deliver on all fronts.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
“Constitute a proper and neutral Election Commission for saving the country by holding a credible and impartial election. Protect the common people and ease their sufferings. Or else, people will pull you down from power,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the party’s leaders and activists to get ready for waging a tough movement to force the government to quit.
“A change in power won’t come without the involvement of students and youths. Organise students at every college and they will then remove this monstrous regime through a movement,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul alleged that members of police have been indulging in ‘corruption and various irregularities’ as the government has used them for making its political gains.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
“Police are now kings and they amassed wealth worth crores of taka. They themselves now kidnap people. They used to say it proudly that they brought this government to power,” he observed.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said, there is no alternative to waging a united movement to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.
Dr Zafrullah urged not to make reckless remarks on BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury to refrain from making unguarded and confusing remarks over their party and its leadership.
“He (Zafrullah) is a very revered and wise man. But as he has become older, he makes some reckless comments. His remarks on the process of appointing Tarique Rahman as the acting chairman of BNP is not logical,” he said.
Talking to reporters at his residence here, the BNP leader said Zafrullah has long been raising voice against fascism. ”But he never thought that such comments (against BNP) can disrupt the anti-fascist movement.”
"I would like to request him (Zafrullah) not to make such remarks that confuse people. Tarique Rahman is organising our party. The whole party is united under his leadership,” Fakhrul said.
READ: Dr Zafrullah describes how Bangladesh can go for low-cost vaccine production
Earlier at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital on Sept 2, Zafrullah criticised BNP for what he said making Tarique the BNP acting chairman violating its constitution.
Protesting Zafrullah’s remark, Fakhrul said Tarique was made the BNP acting chairman maintaining the party charter. “Tarique was the party's senior joint secretary general and then senior vice chairman. He has gradually come to this position. He’s been successfully organising the party from abroad.”
He hoped that BNP will soon be able to launch a movement reorganising the party’s rank and file under its current acting chairman. “We’ll able to remove the fascist Awami League government and establish a pro-people one through that movement.”
The BNP leader said people have lost their confidence in the entire election system. “We’ve seen its reflection in the previous parliamentary elections. The government has destroyed the election system, the first pillar of democracy, and usurped power illegally.”
READ: Bring Zaima back home to revive BNP: Dr Zafrullah
He slammed Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda for his subservient role in running the Commission, saying he always becomes ready to fulfill the hopes and aspirations.
Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
BNP on Sunday recalled Bangladesh’s ex-finance minister M Saifur Rahman claiming that presented the country with macroeconomic stability through various effective reforms and initiatives.
“Saifur Rahman himself was an institution. He’s undoubtedly one of them who had made outstanding contributions towards overhauling Bangladesh’s economy, and gave it a solid foundation,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he said Saifur was a successful finance minister who carried out some basic tasks for strengthening the country’s economy. “Saifur's greatest achievement was presenting Bangladesh a stable macroeconomy which is essential to keep the economy vibrant.”
Saifur Rahman Parishad arranged the programme, marking the 12th death anniversary of the former finance minister.
Fakhrul said Saifur founded the basis of an open market economy and expanded it braving all the odds and obstacles. “He’s a professional chartered accountant, but Ziaur Rahman brought him to politics seeing his talent and capability for bringing innovative economic reforms in the economy, and he did it successfully.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the late BNP finance minister also accomplished many basic works, including the introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) in Bangladesh amid serious criticism. “In the course of time, it’s proved that was the right decision and Bangladesh’s revenue collection increased significantly because of it.”
The BNP leader said Saifur also introduced old-age allowance, disability allowance and freedom fighters’ allowance, for ensuring social security of people. “He had also made contributions to female education by taking many practical steps as per Khaleda Zia’s direction.”
He said Saifur launched food for education for ensuring school enrolment and attendance of school-aged poor children. “It’s a significant and creative step.”
Fakhrul also said the ex-BNP finance minister tried to build Bangladesh as a manufacturing country by setting up heavy industries alongside the RMG sector. “He initiated this move by setting up EPZs.”
He said Saifur ensured discipline in the banking and the insurance sectors as well as the stock market.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
Stating that Saifur presented the national budget for the 12th time in parliament, Fakhrul said Bangladesh has not reached the current position overnight. “He (Saifur) reinforced the country's economy gradually in a disciplined manner. We remember him with great respect.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman was successful as a professional, economist, politician and minister.
He also said Saifur was a patriot finance minister and the country had achieved tremendous growth during his tenure. “BNP is proud of him.”
The 12th death anniversary of Saifur Rahman was observed on Sunday amid various programmers, including, placing wreaths at his grave in Moulvibazar, holding Milad mahfil, Qurankhawanni and distributing cooked food.
On September 5, 2009, Saifur, also a former BNP standing committee member, died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
‘Continue movement’, Fakhrul quotes Khaleda as saying
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia asked them to continue the movement without losing courage and getting disappointed.
"I met our leader Begum Khaleda Zia a few days back. She’s told me one thing that never lose courage and never get disappointed. Stay strong and keep your morale high as the victory will be yours,” he told a discussion.
A faction of the Jatiya Party (Zafar) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 6th death anniversary of its late chairman Kazi Zafar Ahmed. He died on August 27, 2015 at the age of 76.
Fakhrul hoped that Khaleda will again lead BNP after complete release from jail.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He said they have been working tirelessly and trying to reorganise the BNP rank and file to wage a movement. “The people of this country never got defeated. It may take time, but the victory of people is sure.”
The BNP leader urged the youth to come forward to restore democracy by 'ousting' the current 'fascist regime through a movement.
“I see some sort of despair among you, but don’t find any reason to get frustrated. See the history as Awami League had been out of power for 21 years. Ershad had been in power for nine years while Ayub Khan for 12 years, but finally they had to quit. It's not possible to stay in power going against people," Fakhrul observed.
He said Awami leaders are now making remarks about Zia’s grave and his role in Liberation War as they have no other issue to talk about and they have nothing to give the nation since they have become politically ‘bankrupt’.
“The main issue is now vaccine as it’s necessary to save people. But you still couldn’t collect it even for four percent people. You've failed to vaccinate people. It’s better to make the health minister the astrology minister as he regularly talks about the vaccine arrival like an astrologist. The reality is that there’s no vaccine,” the BNP leader said.
He said the government is unable to collect the vaccine as it always looks for scopes to indulge in corruption and getting huge commission by procuring the vaccines.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said Awami League has established a one-party rule in disguise, but the journalists do not write about it by practising self-censorship. “Journalists are doing it in fear of being subjected to arrest and repression under the Digital Security Act. Our newspapers are now giving importance to unimportant issues like Pori Mini’s.”
He said the government has turned Bangladesh into an ‘authoritarian’ and ‘fascist’ state by obliterating democracy and ‘snatching’ all rights of people.
The BNP leader said the country’s existence and sovereignty are now at stake due to the ‘misrule’ and subservient foreign policy of the Awami League.
“Bangladeshis are being killed along the border for cattle smuggling and our ministers defend it saying the offenders must get punished. There’s no place in the world where people are killed in this manner for such a crime or crossing the border. Our government is so weak and subservient that it doesn’t dare to protest it,” he said.
The BNP leader said over a million Rohingyas have been staying in Bangladesh for nearly four years, but the government could not send any of them to their motherland Myanmar only because of its kneejerk foreign policy. “They don’t dare raise the issue with two countries--China and India--who can play the major role in resolving the problem.”
Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said bureaucrats are now running the country though Awami League is in power.
"If you go to the Dhaka DC office or that of other districts where the meetings of law-and-order committees or on development programmes are held, you'll see the bureaucrats playing the major role of Awami League," he said.
Read Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at a discussion, he also said the Awami League leaders are now nowhere in governing the country. "Where’s Awami League? The role of Awami League is not visible now as everything is under a bureaucratic league or military, or police administration. This is the situation in Bangladesh now.”
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum arranged the programme marking the day when BNP's current acting chairman Tarique Rahman was released from jail in 2008.
Tarique, arrested on March 7 after the 1/11 political changeover, was released on bail on September 3 the following year.
Fakhrul said social crimes have increased in the country as law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain law and order.
"We see in newspapers that policemen are taking ransom and extorting money after kidnapping people. We also see police officers are being accused of rape...the IGP (Inspector General of Police) said now police will also do journalism," he said.
The BNP leader said police will now do journalism instead of arresting thieves and robbers and maintaining law and order. "It's part of a far-reaching move."
He voiced deep concern that the government is going to control social media after the mainstream media only to suppress the truth.
"Our Information Minister yesterday (Thursday) said all the TVs that are operated here on social media and from outside the country must take permission (from the government here). That means the government will now control those who speak for democracy and the truth through social media," Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader said the government has already ‘destroyed’ the freedom of the press and 'curtailed' freedom of speech through different laws, including the Digital Security Act. "They've already established a one-party rule under a different cover by snatching people's voting rights and the press freedom."
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been making unguarded comments against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, his widow Khaleda Zia and their son Tarique Rahman to misguide people and divert their attention to a different direction from the government's failure to deliver on all fronts.
He said the Awami League government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a 'vassal' state, shattering all the dreams of people. “Basically, it is a puppet government.”
The BNP leader said the current government will not last long as it has isolated itself from people. "We must unite people and defeat this regime through a united movement."