Awami League
Awami League's policy unchanged despite allowing Jamaat rally: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said that the policy of the Awami League remains unchanged although Jamaat has been allowed to hold rally after a decade.
“While unregistered political parties are permitted to hold indoor events, they must adhere to certain guidelines. In this case, the Commissioner verified that Jamaat intended to hold an indoor rally,” he said.
Also Read: Jamaat's statement on resisting upcoming nat'l election came from BNP: Hasan Mahmud
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending the 18th foundation anniversary ceremony of Highway Police at Rajarbagh on Sunday afternoon.
Jamaat is an unregistered political party and various unregistered political parties in the country frequently organize different programs, said Asaduzzaman.
Also Read: Jamaat holds first rally after a decade, demands polls under caretaker govt
“There has been no change in Awami League's policy. Unregistered political parties can hold their meetings indoors,” he said.
Also Read: BNP behind Jamaat’s protest, meaning they are preparing for arson: Quader
No scope to invite anyone to election talks: Amu
Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu on Wednesday (June 7, 2023) said there is no scope to invite anyone to dialogue regarding the next general election.
“There is no scope to invite anyone (to join dialogue) and none was invited,” he said.
The AL senior leader was addressing a discussion arranged by Bangladesh Awami League (AL) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city, marking the historic 6-Point Day.
Also read: Amu’s remark on dialogue has no importance to BNP: Fakhrul
The remark came a day after he reportedly said it is not possible to resolve the crisis through any other means than dialogue.
Amu on Wednesday said the next general election will be held as per the Constitution as the leader of AL-led 14-party alliance and also Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed firm conviction to hold the polls in free, fair and neutral manners.
“Today the election will be held on the basis of the Constitution. It can't allow the creation of a constitutional vacuum in the country,” he added.
Also read: Amu opens door for govt to hold talks with BNP on election issues
Amu said conspiracies continued repeatedly regarding elections, starting from 2013.
“None was told about talks. None was invited to discussion,” he said.
Amu claimed that he on Tuesday said the BNP accepted defeat in dialogue in 2013 and then the election was held in a fair manner in 2014.
Also read: AL is yet to decide to hold dialogue with opposition on upcoming election: Quader
Amu’s remark on dialogue has no importance to BNP: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday (June 7, 2023) said they are not giving importance to Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu’s remark on dialogue to resolve political deadlock over the next general election,
Speaking at a press conference, he also said ruling party leaders’ contradictory comments on the talks with BNP have also manifested how the government has now become unnerved.
"I don't want to give importance to this issue. I don't even want to talk about it," the BNP secretary general said as journalists sought his comment on Amu’s comment on the dialogue.
Also read: Amu opens door for govt to hold talks with BNP on election issues
As some journalists approached Fakhrul for his comment on the issue later in the afternoon, he said he did not know whether Amu has been made the official spokesperson of Awami League. “Why should we give importance to his statement? I don't want to make any comment on it.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Amu said at a programme organised by the AL-led 14-party alliance at the AL headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue that the door for dialogue with BNP is open.
“Let a representative of the UN come. We want to sit with the BNP face-to-face and see where the differences are,” he added.
Also read: US visa policy for Bangladesh an outcome of AL’s misrule: Fakhrul
Meanwhile, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the ruling party leaders’ comments on talks are reckless.
Speaking at a programme at the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday, he recalled that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a few days back said there is no question of holding talks with BNP on election as it is a terrorist party.
“Amir Hossain Amu yesterday (Tuesday) said they’re ready to hold talks with BNP with the mediation of the UN. But Obaidul Quader (AL general secretary) today (Wednesday) trashed it. So, who is correct? In fact, they (AL leaders) have become unnerved and making reckless remarks,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: AL is yet to decide to hold dialogue with opposition on upcoming election: Quader
Mosharraf said Awami League will continue to be unorganised in the days to come as the party’s time is over. “People used to make unguarded comments when time is up.”
He also said the ruling party must quit power by handing over power to a non-party caretaker government, paving the way for holding a fair and credible election.
US visa policy for Bangladesh an outcome of AL’s misrule: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday (June 5, 2023) alleged that the US visa policy for Bangladesh is the outcome of Awami League’s misrule and mischievous activities.
Speaking at a seminar, he also said that democratic countries are creating various pressures on the current regime to restore democracy as it has destroyed all democratic institutions.
“The USA has imposed sanctions and announced visa policy. It’s a matter of shame for us, not a matter of joy. A country has imposed (visa) restriction on an independent and sovereign country, because of this Awami League government’s misrule, mischievous activities and plundering,” the BNP leader said.
Read: People, not PM, to decide whether they go to USA or not: BNP
Fakhrul said the Awami League regime has destroyed all the democratic systems, and institutions, including the judiciary, to cling to power by any means.
“They've (govt) politicised the parliament and the administration, dashing the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh for a democratic state and a democratic society. So, the democratic world is not seeing any other measures rather than imposing restrictions on Bangladesh for the restoration of democracy as the current regime has taken the country to such a bad situation,” he observed.
Fakhrul said they together with people and all democratic forces and parties must carry out the movement to restore democracy, give it an institutional shape and build a democratic free society.
Red more: US visa policy will apply to BNP leaders who are making open declaration to obstruct upcoming polls
“We have to build a democratic country in a true sense through a united movement. We want to take this vow on the occasion of the death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman," he added.
BNP arranged the seminar titled 'Martyr President Ziaur Rahman, the promoter of multi-party system in Bangladesh' at a city hotel, marking the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman.
Professor Kamrul Ahsan of Jahangirnagar University's Philosophy Department read out the keynote paper at the programme, depicting the different good initiatives taken by late President Zia for the development of Bangladesh and the welfare of its people.
Read more: BNP’s plot to boycott election failed for US new visa policy: Obaidul Quader
Fakhrul said the Awami League government has now become completely isolated from the country's people and it has no relation with democracy.
He said the ruling party tries to brand Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who established one-party Baksal rule destroying democracy against the will of the people as the greatest democratic leader in the world.
The BNP leader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is called by her party followers a daughter of democracy has annulled the caretaker government system unilaterally by force also against the will of people and the all political parties.
Read more: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul
He said the country’s people had accepted the caretaker government as a good system for ensuring free, fair and credible national elections in the country, but the Awami League government revoked it to cling to power by force.
“So, we’ve now only one way which is to wake up people as Ziaur Rahman did to liberate the country through the war,” Fakhrul said.
He said their party’s many leaders and activists were killed, repressed, made disappear, arrested and jailed in the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy. ‘We have to make more sacrifices for the sake of the country and win the struggle to bring back democracy.”
Read more: Kader Siddique calls US visa policy a disgrace for Bangladesh
AL govt has freed the country from lawlessness of BNP rule: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (June 5, 2023) said the Awami League government has established the rule of law in the country, ending the culture of lawlessness that existed during the rule of BNP.
The premier made these remarks when the newly elected leaders of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association paid a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.
PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed reporters after the meeting.
She congratulated the newly elected leaders of the Supreme Court Bar Association.
She said BNP introduced the culture of forced disappearance, killings and lawlessness through the indemnity ordinance proclaimed after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
Also Read: Plant trees to shield Bangladesh from climate change: PM Hasina
Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said did not have right to seek and get justice after the assassination of the Father of the Nation. “It was a gross violation of human rights. Today, we’ve been able to free the country from the phenomenon of not getting justice. The Awami League government always believes in justice,” she said.
She said the AL government has made arrangements for people to get justice. “Our government has digitized the judicial system so that people can get justice in a short time without facing sufferings,” she said.
The PM said her government has made it (trial proceedings) virtual during the Corona pandemic so that people can get justice in a short time, staying at home.
Also Read: Volatile global situation likely to worsen further: PM Hasina tells parliament
Noting that the people are suffering due to electricity amid the ongoing heat wave, she said, “We’ve trying out best and taking necessary measures in this regard.”
Hasina said Bangladesh has witnessed impressive development thanks to the continuation of democracy for the last 14 and half years in the country.
She said Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country due to dedicated efforts of the Awami League government. “We’ve been working to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country,” the PM said.
Also Read: PM Hasina slams critics and vows to implement the budget for FY23-24
Law Minister Anisul Huq and AL advisory council member and senior lawyer Yusuf Hossain Humayun were present at the meeting.
Among the newly elected leaders of Supreme Court Bar Association, its President Advocate Md Momtaz Uddin Fakir, Secretary Abdun Noor Dulal, vice presidents Mohammad Ali Azzam and Jesmin Sultana, Treasurer Masud Alam Chowdhury, Sr. assistant secretaries A.B.M. Noor-A-Alam (Uzzal) and Mohammad Harun-ur-Rashid, members Mohiuddin Ahmed (Rudra), Shafique Raihan Shawon, Safayet Hossain (Sajeeb), Delowar Hossain, Mohammad Najmul Huda and Suvas Chandra Das were present.
In March last, pro-Awami League lawyers panel Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad won all the 14 posts of executive committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in the annual election.
Bangladesh's upcoming national polls will be under AL govt: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday made it clear that the next general election in Bangladesh will be held under her Awami League government and it will be free and fair.
“So under our government, definitely election will be free and fair,” she told a session titled "In conversation with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina" of the Qatar Economic Forum at the Raffles Hotel here in Doha.
Haslinda Amin, editor-at-large of Qatar Economic Forum anchored the session.
The prime minister is now in Doha on a three-day official visit mainly to take part in the Qatar Economic Forum 2023.
Her assertion came as the opposition BNP and its allies have launched a renewed campaign of street protests asking her government to step down to pave the way for holding the next election under a neutral caretaker administration.
Also Read: PM joins opening session of Qatar Economic Forum
Bangladesh is due to go to polls by December this year or in the first week of next year.
Responding to a question, she said that after the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, military dictators jeopardised all election process.
“The election was just a game (then),” she said.
She recalled that when the Awami League elected her as its president back in 1981 in her absence only then she could return to the country.
“Since then we started to struggle for restoring democracy and people’s right to vote. It was our struggle to ensure free and fair election. And we did it during our time in every election,” she said.
Regarding the opposition BNP's demand, Hasina, also the president of ruling Awami League, said that in 2008 election nobody raised any question about it.
“What was the result then? The party (BNP) which is raising the question now got only 29 out of 300 seats in the Parliament,” she said.
Sounding firm the prime minister said that she is here to ensure people’s voting right, Because people should decide who will run the country.
“It is people’s power, I want to ensure people’s power. I am here not to grab power. Rather I want to empower our people that they should have their right to choose their government,” she said.
Replying to a question, Hasina mentioned that now some parties said they will not participate.
“How will they participate? Because during their time the country suffered a lot. Our people suffered. At their time terrorist activities increased. Everywhere there was corruption, nepotism and exploitation. They never bothered about the people. It was very difficult for our people to get one meal per day. That was the situation,” she said. She said that after the Awami League came to power it has ensured everything for the people.
“It's the people’s right to vote in election. What we have done now the people understand that. If they vote for us I am here, if they don't, ok fine,” she said clearly.
Also Read: PM reaches Doha for Qatar Economic Forum 2023
The PM said that during her tenure there had been many by-elections, local government elections, which were free and fair.
“You can see, who is creating problem. We are not. But in every election some incidents may take place,” she said.
She also mentioned that the government has asked everybody to send election observers to Bangladesh for the next voting.
“So I can tell you I am here to ensure my people’s democratic right, voting right and it is our struggle," she stated.
She said that she is here to serve the country and its people so they could live a better and prosperous life.
“Bangladesh should be a developed country, that is my aim. Why should I try to jeopardise people’s right that we have established. Definitely election will be free and fair.”
She also termed BNP as a party of criminals and killers.
“They (BNP) may not feel comfortable. But, there are other parties, those parties will participate in the election," she said.
Replying to a question IMF's recent loan to Bangladesh, PM Hasina said the IMF assists only the country that can repay the loan. In providing the loan, the IMF considered whether the country can pay it back or not, she said
"We'll definitely be able to pay it back," said the PM.
The premier said Bangladesh has successfully overcome the fallout of COVID-19 pandemic due to her government's pragmatic plans and steps.
Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi district BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
District Awami League General Secretary Shariful Islam Ramzan filed the case with Natore Police Station around 9:30pm on Monday (May 22, 2023).
Abu Sayeed Chand has been made the main accused in the case. The BNP secretary general has also been accused in the case.
Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Top leaders of district and municipal Awami League were present.
Nasir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, accepted the case.
Citing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi BNP leader Abu Sayeed Chand as traitors, the plaintiff said the “threatening remarks” made by the main accused towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished the reputation of the country.
The remarks may deteriorate the law and order situation of the country, the case statement reads.
Read more: People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters.
Read more: Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed
A case was filed against Abu Sayeed Chand with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in this regard.
AL-BNP clash leaves 30, inclucing policemen, injured in Patuakhali
At least 30 people, including activists of Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and police personnel, were injured in clash between the two parties over holding rally in Sadar upazila of Patuakhali today.
Police used teargas to disperse the fighting groups while an additional number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
Local BNP leaders said there was a scheduled rally to press home their 10-point demand, including resignation of the incumbent government and holding the next parliamentary election under a neutral government, in front of the party office in Patuakhali's town's Banani intersection area at 10 am.
BNP activists and leaders from different parts of the district started gathering with processions since early morning, they said, adding that they were barred by the ruling party activists on their way to the rally venue.
A clash broke out between the activists of the parties when an AL procession was passing by, witnesses said.
Brickbats were thrown targeting each other, while BNP’s district office was also vandalised. The rival groups chased each other several times in the area, causing panic among the commuters and locals.
BNP Central leader ABM Mosharraf Hossain said at least 25 BNP activists were injured in the attack by AL men.
Md Saidul Islam, superintendent of police (SP), said, the situation is now under control and an additional number of policemen have been deployed in front of the BNP office in the town.
The SP said they used teargas to bring the situation under control but instantly could not inform how many rounds were used.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mainul Hassan said several policemen were injured in the clash.
Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Md Moniruzzaman, said a process was underway to file cases against those who attacked law enforcers and tried to deteriorate the law and order situation.
The district unit of BNP held an emergency press conference in favour of their 10-point demand and protested the "attack" on their rally at a hotel this afternoon.
At the press conference, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo said the next national polls won’t be free and fair without a caretaker government.
Meanwhile, local AL leaders and activists held a peace rally in the morning.
AL's district unit President and freedom fighter Kazi Alamgir and Vice President Sultan Ahmad Mridha, among others, spoke at the rally.
The district AL president said they will file a case against BNP men for "attacking" their rally.
PM seeking foreigners’ favour getting isolated from people: Amir Khosru
BNP Senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currying favour with foreigners to hang onto power after getting isolated from the country’s people.
“The Prime Minister is out on tours. Those who are alienated from people are now seeking the favour of foreigners (to stay in power),” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said Awami League has got completely isolated from people and politically defeated.
“They have become dependent on certain apparatuses of the state and the are dependent on other forces to cling to power. So, they’re going from country to country and door to door seeking a favour. They have no connection with the people of Bangladesh,” he observed.
Sher-e-Bangla Jatiya Jubo Smriti Foundation arranged the discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 61st death anniversary of Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to Tokyo on Tuesday at the start of her four-day official visit to Japan.
Tokyo is the first stop during the PM’s two-week three-nation official visit that will also take her to the United States and the United Kingdom.
Read more: People have given verdict for restoration of caretaker govt: Khasru
Khosru said the Prime Minister will not be able to make any political gain, no matter how many countries she goes around with a stance against the people of Bangladesh. “You have to be defeated. When the people of the country take a decision and take a political stance, no force can fight against them."
He said their party’s ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy will surely turn out to be successful with the spontaneous participation of people.
The BNP leader said the country’s people are closely observing everything they will also impose sanctions on the government and on those who were involved in vote rigging.
BNP Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman, Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, and Legal Affairs Secretary Barrister Kaiser Kamal, among others, spoke at the programme.
Shun intra-party conflict to work for national dev: PM Hasina urges AL
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked her party members to shun intra-party conflict and work together for the development of the country and welfare of the people.
“No grouping and intra-party rivalry shall be allowed in the area. Everyone has to work. I will give the nomination. Those who want to work in the area, must work together,” she said.
She gave the instruction in a video call at the party's joint meeting held at the political office of the Awami League President in city's Dhanmondi.
The Awami League president also directed the party leaders and activists to highlight the development activities of the government during the holy Eid-ul-Fitr vacation alongside looking after the beneficiaries of the government projects.
She said that various types of allowances are being provided to women, men, children and the elderly persons through numerous schemes of the government.
In this connection, she asked the party men to check whether these allowances are being received directly by the beneficiaries.
Accirding to sources at the meeting Hasina instructed the leaders and activists to stand by the helpless people on the occasion of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitre to make the party more dynamic.
She urged all to highlight the development activities of the government ahead of the upcoming general elections.
She asked the AL members across the country to remain vigilant against arson attacks of BNP-Jamaat alongside making the people aware of such violence.
Read more: Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM
While talking to Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap over phone, she also asked the party leaders to plant trees for developing sound environment in the country.
Apart from giving instructions, she exchanged Eid greetings with AL leaders and activists and wished everyone a safe journey.
Earlier, a joint meeting was held with Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader Obaidul Quader in the chair.
AL presidium members and presidents-general secretaries of Dhaka City North and South units of AL and other allied organizations were present in the meeting.
Talking to journalist, AL Office Secretary Biplab Barua said that the PM asked all party members to raise public relations in view of the upcoming elections alongside exchanging Eid greetings.