Politics
Khaleda can do politics, but not participate in next general election: Anisul
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia can take part in politics, but she is barred from contesting in the next general election because of her conviction for corruption, Law Minister Anisul Huq said on Sunday.
The government will not interfere in her doing politics, the minister said adding “Whether she will do politics or not, it’s her personal matter.”
The minister was talking to reporters after attending an orientation course held at Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in the city.
“The constitution states that any person who has been sentenced to two years of imprisonment cannot participate in the elections. There is nothing new to say,” said Anisul.
Read more: BNP demands unconditional release of Khaleda
The BNP leader has been convicted of cases of corruption in Zia Orphanage Trust and sentenced to 10 years in jail. In another corruption case involving Zia Charitable Trust she has been given seven years of imprisonment.
Her sentences have been suspended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on humanitarian grounds because of her poor health.
EU missions urge non-violent political process
The European Union (EU) and its member state missions in Dhaka have "strongly" encouraged all those engaged in political activities to conduct them in a "peaceful and lawful" manner.
The EU and EU member state missions expressed "deep" concerns about the recent reports of "politically motivated" violence.
The EU Embassy in Dhaka tweeted this brief message Sunday.
Read more: AL out to create chaos with counter programmes: BNP
Never did politics for getting or becoming something: President Hamid
President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged the senior politicians to come forward to highlight the authentic history in front of the new and future generations to enrich them with the spirit of Liberation War and independence.
"If we want to enrich our new and future generations with the spirit of Liberation War and independence, we should tell them the authentic history of these things. And this is the responsibility of all of us," he said.
The President made the statement while delivering his speech at the publication festival of his two books 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti and 'Swapna Jayer Ichcha'. The event was organised at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest while Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique spoke as special guests.
He said that independence is the biggest achievement of the Bengali nation. Struggle of independence and liberation war is the most important chapter in the history of Bengali nation.
The two-time president referred to himself as a common man born in the remote areas of Hoar region and raised in the mud of Hoar, and said that he never did politics with the aim of getting or becoming something. His politics started from his school life.
"I have not seen Bangabandhu yet. But the noble call of the great man always exposed me to the spirit of the independence movement. The first meeting with Bangabandhu was in 1964. And from then on, my activities in the politics began."
"Bangabandhu's political philosophy and ideology became my path. He was one and only sources of the ideal and inspiration in the language movement of 1952, Anti-military movement of 1958, six points of 1966, 11 points of the Chhatra League, uprising of 1969, general election of 1970 and liberation war of 1971. And he is the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he added.
This senior politician also commented that Bangabandhu's ideals and inspiration have given him strength to face all the ups and downs in life, including facing extreme situation.
"I prefer to think of myself as a worker of Bangabandhu. Please pray for me so that I can uphold Bangabandhu's teachings and ideals and live as a soldier of Bangabandhu's ideals till the end of my life," he added.
He also thanked everyone who was directly or indirectly associated with the publication of his autobiographical books.
After inaugurating the Book Fair this year, the Prime Minister unveiled the autobiographical book 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti'.
Mentioning 'Bangabandhu is my political spiritual guide, my journey to the politics started under his guidance', the President said that he started writing the autobiographical book with the intention of presenting the history of his political life to the next generation.
"I am very grateful to my wife for inspiring me to start writing. Late Mainuddin Uddin Khandkar also played a significant role in this regard," he added.
In order to spread the ideals of Bangabandhu from generation to generation, Hamid called on all those who came close to Bangabandhu to write autobiographies.
In addition, the first and second volume of the book entitled 'Swapna joyer Ichcha' is basically a collection of speeches given on various occasions during 2013-2018. The book was compiled and edited by the Press Wing of Bangabhaban.
After the welcome speech, Bangabandhu's close companion and longtime political colleague of the President, a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Awami League Tofail Ahmed discussed the two books. First Lady Rashida Khanam gave the vote of thanks.
Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech in the publication ceremony.
Later, the visual documentary on the glorious history of Bangabhaban was displayed on two side screens of the stage. Then, a brief cultural soiree was held by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy there.
On the occasion of the conclusion of the first session of the 11th National Parliament in 2023, a cultural programme and dinner was organized in honour of the Prime Minister, Speaker, Ministers, Members of Parliament.
For more than a long month, a discussion was held on the President's speech in the National Parliament. In the discussion, the parliamentarians gave their well hought--out views on various issues related to the interests of the country and the people.
Hamid asked all to continue the development work in their respective areas with more sincerity and compassion for the welfare of the people.
Read more: President is very successful: PM
BNP’s 3rd march from Gabtoli to Mirpur begins
The leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka North City unit have started marching towards the capital's Mirpur from Gabtoli to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain formally inaugurated the programme at Gabtoli SA Khalekque Paribahan Maidan around 3:20 pm on Tuesday.
Read more: People know who fled the country after 1/11: Fakhrul
It is the third such programme of BNP as the party’s Dhaka North City unit marched from Badda to Malibagh al on Saturday and the Dhaka South City unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurine on Monday.
In a brief address prior to launching the march, Mosharraf said whenever BNP announces any programmes, the ‘usurper’ government try to mislead people by talking about violence. “But BNP held 10 rallies peacefully braving various obstacles. We also held many other programmes peacefully. The fact is that the government gets scared of losing power whenever BNP comes up with any programme.”
He said the government has ruined the country’s economy by indulging in widespread plundering and siphoning off huge money abroad, creating a famine-like situation in the country.
The BNP leader said people have taken to the streets to ensure the fall of the current government. “The sooner this regime goes the better for the country.”
He asked the party leaders and activists to hold the programme peacefully as they did all other previous programmes to prove once again BNP does not resort to violence and chaos.
Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said people are going through a very tough time due to unusual price hikes in all essential items.
He said the government is also raising the prices of utility services as it has taken a stance against the country’s people. “There’s no alternative to ousting this regime to save the country, and its people and restore democracy and people’s rights.”
Read more: BNP’s 2nd march from Jatrabari to Jurain begins
Leaderless BNP has no chance of coming to power: Health Minister
Criticising the movement by the opposition BNP to topple the government of Bangladesh, Minister for Health and Family Planning Zahid Maleque on Saturday (January 28, 2023) said a party left without a leader has no chance of coming to power.
“First get a leader and then come to politics,” he said.
Maleque said this while addressing at the inaugural function of a newly-built building and prize giving ceremony of a sports competition at Jagir High School in Sadar upazila of Munshiganj, as the chief guest.
Urging the BNP to join the next national election expected to be held early next year, he said there is no chance to come to power by the backdoor.
Read more: 'Only way to oust government is through election'
“Seek the vote of people joining the election, go to the power once people take you (BNP) to the power through voting, otherwise not,” he said.
Addressing the developments carried out by Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina, the health minister said that she must be brought to power again for the development of the country.
Advising students to study attentively, he said a good human being without education and dreams does not materialise.
With the school governing committee president Md Shamim Miah in the chair, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Abdul Latif and Municipality Mayor Md Ramjan Ali among others spoke at the event.
Read More: 10-point Demand: BNP marches from Badda to Malibagh
New Zealand's Ardern has many possibilities for a second act
When Jacinda Ardern announced this week she was stepping down as New Zealand's prime minister, speculation began almost immediately about what she might do for a second act.
When she leaves, she will have accumulated 15 years experience as a lawmaker and five-and-a-half years as leader. She will also be just 42 years old. Observers say she has all sorts of career possibilities open to her.
Ardern said she was leaving the job because she no longer has “enough in the tank to do it justice” and has no immediate plans for her own future other than to spend more time with her fiancé and 4-year-old daughter.
Read more: New Zealand's Ardern, an icon to many, to step down
“I’ll have to admit I slept well for the first time in a long time last night," Ardern told reporters Friday, adding that she felt both sadness and relief.
Stephen Hoadley, an assistant professor of politics and international relations at the University of Auckland, said he couldn't imagine Ardern would remain at home over the long term, given her energy and skills.
“She has the potential, she has the ability, she has the profile, she has the acceptability to do a whole lot of things," Hoadley said. “Give her a few weeks to rest up, and to refill the tank, to use her phrase. But I would imagine by the end of this year, she’ll be off and running on a whole new career line.”
Hoadley pointed to the career path of Helen Clark, another former New Zealand prime minister who went on to become a top administrator at the U.N., leading the development program.
“Jacinda could be tapped by any number of United Nations, or charitable, or philanthropical, or other kinds of organizations,” Hoadley said.
“There are many, many possibilities, and her profile is so high that I think she would have her pick.”
Climate Change Minister James Shaw, who first met Ardern in about 2007 and has remained friends, said he was in shock but also not wholly surprised when Ardern told him of her plans to resign.
“It's been a really intense five years,” Shaw said.
On top of a busy legislative program, Shaw said, Ardern had needed to steer the country through a series of crises, including a mass-shooting at two Christchurch mosques that left 51 people dead, a volcanic eruption that killed 22, and the coronavirus pandemic.
On top of that, Ardern also bore the brunt of a growing number of threats, Shaw said, and a toxic, misogynistic online culture that had grown worse in recent years.
Read more: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern to leave office next month, sets October election
“What I hope is that she can get some time at the beach with her family, uninterrupted, for a while,” Shaw said.
He said he believes Ardern when she says she doesn’t yet have firm plans for the future.
“I think she could do pretty much whatever she wants from this point,” Shaw said.
“Jacinda is one of the most selfless, determined, publicly-minded people I have ever met," Shaw added. "So I would imagine that whatever it is, it will be in the public interest.”
Zia’s birth anniversary: BNP vows to make movement ‘to restore democracy’ a success
BNP has vowed to make the ongoing anti-government movement for ‘restoring democracy’ a success on the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.
BNP leaders and activists took the oath after placing wreaths at the grave of former president and the party founder Ziaur Rahman on his 87th birth anniversary at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city on Thursday.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the people of the country have woken up to thwart the plot of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule.
Read more: Zia’s 87th birth anniversary Thursday
“The entire nation has plunged into darkness. It has woken up to restore democracy and thwart conspiracy of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule,” he said while talking to reporters.
“We hope that we’ll be able to organise people with a new pledge and win the movement of restoring democracy, protecting the multi-party democracy, protecting Bangladesh and saving independence and sovereignty of the country,” he said.
The Liberation War started not only with the proclamation of independence by Ziaur Rahman, he also led the war against from the front side and after nine months the country became independent, said Fakhrul.
“Ziaur Rahman within a short span of time united the divided nation and brought us from the darkness of one-party rule to the light of multi-party democracy,” he said.
Read more: Zia's 87th birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
Earlier, around 11 am, BNP leaders including its senior leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, led by Mirza Fakhrul placed the wreaths at the grave of Zia and offered Munajat.
Later, Fakhrul also inaugurated a free medical camp and a blood donation programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office at noon.
BNP also published posters of Ziaur Rahman on the day. They also kept the national flag at half-mast.
Govt desperate to suppress opposition: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government has become "desperate" to suppress the opposition leaders and activists being afraid of the ongoing pro-democracy movement.
“You (AL leaders) used to say a few days back that we didn’t have the ability to stand on the streets and our backs were broken. But now you have become so restive that you are oppressing people by using all might to stop our movement,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, condemning the attacks on BNP’s sit-in programme in Faridpur and Mymensingh and some other areas in the country by police and ruling party activists on Wednesday.
Read more: Wake up more to restore voting rights, Fakhrul urges people
He said the government has lost the ground beneath its feet. “The government has become so scared that they are carrying out attacks on our peaceful programmes.”
The BNP leader also said the ruling party leaders are making various unguarded comments about the ongoing movement sensing their fall.
He alleged that the armed ‘cadres’ of the ruling party attacked BNP’s programme in Faridpur and Mymensingh in presence of law enforcers.” The police not only played the role of a silent spectator there but also attacked the leaders and workers of BNP, lobbed teargas shells and charged batons on them.”
The BNP leader claimed that the law enforcers also arrested over 100 BNP leaders and activists from the two divisions while over 250 others were injured during the attacks.
Besides, he said police filed a case against BNP leaders and activists in Faridpur in connection with the clash.
Sought his comments on Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark on the outcome of the simultaneous movement with small parties, Fakhrul said people do not care about what the ruling party leader says. “Like me, people all over the country don't give any importance to his remarks.”
Read more: BNP, like-minded parties announce countrywide rally, procession on Jan 16
No programme at district level on January 16:
Fakhrul said their party will hold a rally and procession programme on January 16 in all cities and upazila headquarters to press home their 10-point demand and protest the government’s power price hike decision.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) I said the programme will also be observed in all districts. But the programme will be observed only in all metropolitan cities and upazilas, not in districts.”
Wake up more to restore voting rights, Fakhrul urges people
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday called upon the country’s people to wake up more to restore their voting rights by ousting the Awami League government.
“The people of Bangladesh have woken up. We need to now wake up more to materialise the dreams of the Liberation War and build a truly people's Bangladesh for ensuring a beautiful future for our children,” he said.
Speaking at a sit-in programme, the BNP leader also called upon people from all walks of life to join their ongoing simultaneous movement to force the present ‘autocratic’ government to quit, paving the way for establishing a pro-people government and parliament through an acceptable election.
“Let us move towards that goal. We’ve to move forward uniting the people of Bangladesh to restore our voting rights and democracy. There’s a good sign that the noted citizens of the country are coming forward to this end,” he said.
BNP arranged the sit-in programme in front of its Nayapaltan central office as part of the simultaneous movement against the current government.
Other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations also observed a similar programme in different areas of the capital and nine other divisions in the country to realise their 10-point demand including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government.
Read more: BNP announces countrywide rally, procession on Jan 16
BNP began the programme at Nayapaltan around 10:30am with the recitation of verses from the holy Quran.
It was the second programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession by the 33 opposition parties on December 30.
Earlier on December 30, BNP and 32 other like-minded opposition parties staged a mass procession programme in different parts of the capital as the first programme of the simultaneous movement.
AL has become isolated from people
Fakhrul said Awami League identifies itself as a political party. “We know that they are a very old familiar party. “But now they have completely lost their political existence.”
He said Awami league has also got isolated from people. “That's why they have to depend on the police and bureaucrats now to stay in power by force."
The BNP leader said all the opposition political parties have agreed to remove the current government for the restoration of democracy and people's right to vote. “They will make this movement successful by realising the 10-point demand.”
He said the current government has destroyed all the state institutions. “That’s why we’re talking about 27 points to reform the state.”
Referring to media reports on Wasa Managing Director Taqsem A Khan’s 14 houses in the USA, Fakhrul said an official of an autonomous organisation is building houses abroad by siphoning off hundreds of crores of taka abroad.
Read more: BNP’s 27 points parts of anti-govt movement: Amir Khosru
He alleged that people belonging to the ruling party are ruining the country’s economy by indulging in plundering and siphoning off huge money abroad.
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders have established a reign of plundering by establishing their control on all institutions, including the banks.
He said the current government’s main target is to restore one-party Baksal rule by snatching people’s all rights. “We won’t let the government do it. We’ll move forward together with people to ensure the fall of this regime.”
Fakhrul said many leaders and activists of their party have still been languishing in jail enduring unbearable suffering.
He demanded the government immediately release the party’s arrested central leaders, including Dhaka south city unit convener Abdus Salam, party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon and publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne.
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party activists and law enforcers attacked their peaceful sit-in programmes in Faridpur and Mymensingh. “We strongly condemn and protest it.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the government used to say BNP announces programmes to create chaos. “But we arranged 10 rallies and subsequent programmes peacefully.”
He said they will also hold their all programmes in the days to come in the same way together with people to oust the government and implement their 27 points to reform the state.
Read more: Implementing 10 points a key New Year’s challenge for BNP: Mosharraf
He thanked the party leaders and activists for making the sit-in programme a success with their huge participation.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said this government must go as people have woken up against it.
“We don’t want to remove this regime by pushing it down. We want to ensure its fall through a credible election under a caretaker government,” he said.
Abbas said their party doesn’t want to resort to any violence as BNP believes in democracy and peaceful programmes. “The government is suffering from unnecessary panic. BNP does not want any chaos and unrest. We urge the government to refrain from provocative activities. If you do that then the consequences will not be good. The days of being in power by force are over.”
He also called upon the government to accept their party’s 10-point demand and hand over power to a non-party neutral government for arranging a free and fair election.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the sit-in programme, disrupting traffic movement in the area.
Besides, Ganatantra Mancha observed a similar programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote at Purana Paltan, LDP at FDC Crossing and Ganatantrik Bam Oikya in the east side of the Jatiya Press Club and Gonoforum (Montu) at Arambagh.
Divisional duties assigned among new AL committee
The ruling party Awami League on Sunday distributed divisional duties among the joint-general secretaries and organising secretaries, said a press release.
Among the joint-general secretaries, Mahbubul Alam Hanif was given charge of Sylhet and Chattogram divisions, Dipu Moni was made responsible for Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions, Hasan Mahmud got Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions, and AFM Bahauddin Nasim got Khulna and Barishal divisions.
Among the organising secretaries, Ahmed Hossain was given Sylhet division division, BM Muzammel Haque given Khulna Division, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan got Chattogram 1adivision, SM Kamal Hossain got Rajshahi division, Mirza Azam was given Dhaka division, advocate Afzal Hossain got Barishal and Sujit Roy Nandi got Rangpur division.
The party chose prime minister Sheikh Hasina as the president of Bangladesh Awami League for the 10th consecutive term and road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader as general secretary for the third successive time at its 22nd national council on 24 December.