United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party would abolish the indemnity provision in the power sector if it returns to power. Speaking at the ‘CAB Youth Parliament 2025’ organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at Dhaka University, Rizvi said the indemnity law had legalised massive corruption in the power sector. “During the fascist regime, hundreds of thousands of crores of taka were looted from the energy sector. Using the indemnity law as a tool, money was siphoned off abroad,” Rizvi alleged. He said through rental and quick rental power projects, the previous government unleashed a wave of plunder in the energy sector, and the indemnity provision had paved the way for further large-scale corruption. “BNP stands firmly against such looting. Once in power, BNP will definitely repeal the indemnity,” he affirmed. Read more: Salahuddin slams ‘mismatch’ between July Charter and Commission report Rizvi said investment in the energy sector had declined and stressed that Bangladesh must start focusing on renewable energy now. “The previous government never thought about energy for people. Although the current interim government’s intentions regarding renewable energy seem right, their actions are not yet visible,” he observed. The BNP leader said that the party’s 31-point reform agenda places special emphasis on renewable energy, adding that acting chairman Tarique Rahman has repeatedly highlighted the issue in his speeches. “BNP has also pledged to plant 250 million trees across the country,” Rizvi said, adding that the party has always been serious about environmental issues. Apart from tree planting, our acting chairman has repeatedly talked about restoring the navigability of 20,000 km of canals, wetlands, and dead rivers,” he added. On the country’s renewable energy potential, Rizvi said Bangladesh needs to explore more alternative sources beyond solar and wind power. “Currently, only 4.71 percent of the national grid’s electricity comes from renewable sources. If Bangladesh can produce biofuel like Brazil—from sugarcane husks and other byproducts—it can make significant progress in this sector,” he said. Rizvi identified investment as the major challenge in renewable energy, saying that foreign investments are often delayed or blocked due to bureaucratic hurdles. “Overcoming these challenges is crucial to take the renewable energy sector forward,” he added. Read more: Fakhrul slams Jamaat for ‘spreading lies’ to mislead people ahead of election

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said if his party comes to power in future, it will form a government that must be accountable to the people. “Our hope and desire is to form a government that is accountable to the people of the country. The government would be obliged to be accountable to the people. If so, then we will be able to solve all the problems of the country in phases,” he said while addressing a workshop in Cumilla through a virtual platform. The workshop was held at Fun Town Park auditorium in Cumilla city to drum up public support for the BNP’s 31-point state structure reform agenda. The BNP acting chairman asked his party activists to reach this 31-point reform agenda to every person of the country. If there is any objection or suggestion to the 31-point agenda, it would be changed, he said. “The 31-point state reform agenda describes what BNP will do if it comes to power in the future,” he said. Read: Tarique Rahman seeks limit on PM’s consecutive terms    Tarique Rahman asked BNP activists to refrain from controversial activities and rather work for gaining public trust. "We’ve to take care of the party. Anything can’t be done that would damage the trust of the people. We’ve to work to gain the trust of the people,” he said. He said the dictators have destroyed the country. “There is still time. Let us spend it on the work of the country and the people. People now have expectations from BNP," he added. Replying to a question in the workshop, the BNP leader said the country's public transport system needs to be improved. “Traffic congestion is a major problem in the country, and concerted efforts need to be taken to address this problem,” he said. The BNP acting chairman said various establishments will be named after the martyrs of the July-August revolution in different areas. Read more: Tarique Rahman urges unity to end political vengeance BNP standing committee member Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain earlier opened the workshop. BNP Cumilla divisional organising secretary Selim Bhuiyan presided over the event moderated by BNP Training Affairs Secretary ABM Mosharraf Hossain. Local BNP leaders from the party’s district, city and municipality units under its Cumilla division took part in the workshop.