AL
No point in complaining to foreigners, Bangladeshis will cast votes: Momen to BNP
Bangladesh's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday (April 16, 2023) said complaining to foreigners will bring no benefits to BNP and suggested that the opposition party reach out to voters at the grassroots and listen to them.
“These are very unfortunate. They should go to voters at the grassroots level. Foreigners will not cast votes, rather the people of Bangladesh will do that,” he said when a reporter drew his attention to a BNP delegation meeting US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Sunday.
Momen referred to his recent visit to his constituency in Sylhet and said political leaders' efforts should be focused on people’s welfare.
“If you discuss with grassroots voters, you will understand what can be done for further development,” he said.
Also Read: 3-member BNP delegation meets US envoy
Responding to a question, Momen said the US wants “free and fair elections” and they (AL) want the same. “There is no difference in opinion (on the election issue).”
He said the US wants to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh and the US ambassador is an expert on trade and investment issues. “We hope efforts on trade development will be expedited and the ambassador will emphasize on it.”
Regarding his recent meeting with the US Secretary of State, Momen said the Bangladesh side answered the questions that the US had including a question on the Digital Security Act (DSA).
Bangladesh is examining the issue as in some areas application of the DSA might not be done correctly. “We are examining it. If there is any weakness, we will take care of it,” said the foreign minister.
Also Read: US urged to create “safe protection zone” in Myanmar to facilitate Rohingya repatriation
Momen said the US is “pretty happy” with Bangladesh’s response as both sides want to avoid unnecessary harassment.
He said Bangladesh fought for establishing democracy, justice, freedom of press and religion and Bangladesh which gave blood does not need to take any lesson from others. “We told them our story and shared our position.”
Bangladesh has conveyed to the USA that the Digital Security Act (DSA) is not meant for restricting the freedom of press, noting that the government believes in freedom of press.
“We said we enacted the Digital Security Act, but it is not to curb the freedom of press. Awami League believes in freedom of press,” Momen told the US side during his meeting with Blinken in Washington DC.
Also Read: Digital Security Act not for restricting media freedom, Momen tells US
Momen mentioned the presence of a huge number of newspapers and private television channels in Bangladesh which he described as “hyperactive”.
At the meeting, Blinken expressed concerns about “violence against and intimidation of the media and civil society,” including under the Digital Security Act, according to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel.
Asked whether the government feels any pressure amid repeated calls for holding free and fair elections in Bangladesh, Momen said, “We are very happy.”
“No pressure. We want free and fair elections. It’s our own commitment.”
Read More: Investigate if BNP-Jamaat are behind recent fire incidents to cripple economy: PM Hasina asks authorities
Since holding free and fair elections is a government’s commitment, Momen said, the repeated calls from the US helped them make their commitment afresh.
He said the government and the Election Commission alone cannot ensure a free and fair election but it requires sincerity and commitment from all political parties.
Momen said the government encouraged the US side to send election observers as many as they want. “We are open to observers.”
“Of course, we’re looking – the world is looking – to Bangladesh for its next election, to make sure that they set a strong example of free and fair election for the region and for the world,” Secretary Blinken said during his meeting with Momen on April 10.
Read More: The entire world with Bangladesh for credible polls, human rights, press freedom: BNP
“I agree with Secretary Blinken. I am so happy that he also wants a model election which can be portrayed in the rest of the world. I want this, too and we seek support from all,” Momen said earlier.
Prothom Alo is enemy of AL, democracy and people: PM Hasina tells parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday came down heavily on the Prothom Alo saying that the Bengali language daily is the enemy of her ruling Awami League party, democracy and the people of the country.
“The name of the paper is Prothom Alo (first light), but it lives in darkness. Prothom Alo is the enemy of Awami League, democracy and the people of the country,” she told the parliament.
The premier made the remarks, joining the discussion on a motion placed by her in the House, marking the 50 years (Golden Jubilee) of the Bangladesh National Parliament. This was also her valedictory speech in the 22nd session of the current parliament.
She said the newspaper asked a 7-year old child to tell a lie, handing him Tk 10. They recorded his remark –-‘We want freedom of rice, fish and meat’--- and published it.
“I am very sorry to say that they never want the stability to remain in this country,” she said.
Hasina said the newspaper was very glad in 2007 when the emergency was declared and two newspapers got engaged wholeheartedly.
In an obvious reference to Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus, she said, “A loan shark was with them (the newspapers). He is very a favourite person of the USA.”
The PM said the USA never raised the question how this person, who was the managing director of Grameen Bank, a statutory firm, got millions of dollars.
“He (Dr Yunus) runs social business in a place like the USA and makes investments at home and abroad. Did they (the USA) ever want to know from where the MD, who used to draw salary from the government, got millions of dollars? They didn’t” she said.
“Now we have to hear words (lesson) from them about corruption and the fight against corruption. And about human rights,” she said.
These people (Dr Yunus and others) tried to destroy democracy in this country and played ducks and drakes with the fate of the people.
The PM criticised the USA saying that the country talks against corruption, but they’ve been advocating for convicted persons in graft charges.
“They want to bring such a government here, scraping democracy, which would have no democratic existence –-- (that means) undemocratic trend,” she said, adding that “some local (so-called) intellectuals who live on selling their intellects obey them.”
She said the USA has been sheltering Bangabandhu’s convicted killer Rashed Chowdhury ignoring requests from Bangladesh on many occasions for deporting him.
Talking about the Article 70 of the Constitution that prevents floor crossing by an MP, the prime minister said this has created the scope for a government to complete its tenure in the country.
“Many people raise objections to Article 70. Those who raise this objection probably lack experience. But this article 70 has helped stability of the government in our country. As a result, the country has been able to witness development,” she said.
She said the Jukta Front government of 1954 did not survive due to floor crossing by elected representatives. Earlier the same game was played in 1946.
The PM said she believes and the people of the country also believe that the AL government has been able to change the fate of the people as it has been in power for 14 years in a row.
“Now the difference between villages and cities has reduced…..We are providing civic amenities to every village,” she said.
The premier raised a comparative scenario regarding the socio-economic development in many indicators between 2006 (at the fag-end of BNP-Jamaat regime) and 2022.
She said the per capita income rose to US$ 2,824 in 2022 from only US$ 543 in 2006, while the size of GDP to Tk 4600,000 crore from Tk 415,072 crore, the size of budget to Tk 678,064 crore from Tk 61,000 crore, the size of annual development programme to Tk 227,566 crore from Tk 21,500 crore, the reserve of foreign currencies to US$ 32.63 billion from US$ 0.74 billion, the export income to US$ 52.97 billion from US$ 10.05 billion, the remittance inflow to US$ 21.03 billion from US$ 4.8 billion, the allocation against the social safety sector to Tk 113,576 crore from Tk 2,505 crore, the life expectancy to 73 years from 59 years, the access to drinking water to 98.7 percent from 55 percent, the electricity generation to 25,227 megawatt from 3,882 megawatt, the beneficiary of electricity in the country to 100 percent from 28 percent, the literacy rate to 75.6 percent from 45 percent.
The PM said the economic growth was 5.40 percent in 2006 which rose to 7.50 percent in 2022, the inflation was at 10 percent in 2006 which came down to 5.5 percent in 2019 and 8.57 percent in 2022
She said the poverty rate declined to 20.5 percent in 2022 from 41.51 percent in 2006, the extreme poverty rate to 10 percent from 25.1 percent, the child mortality rate per thousand births to 21 persons from 84, the mother mortality rate per 100 thousand births to 161 from 370.
PM Hasina also highlighted the massive development of Bangladesh in the digital arena.
Fakhrul has no freedom of expression inside BNP: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has no freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics as the party is run on the prescription of a convicted fugitive.
“We understand the pain of Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir. In fact, Mirza Fakhrul has no freedom of expression in the internal politics of BNP. Fakhrul Saheb is forced to accept the decision, which is descended from far London, staying mum,” the AL leader said in a statement.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, alleged that the committees are formed and dissolved, expulsion and reward are fixed, and business centering committees and nomination is done, in undemocratic ways going against the charter.
Also Read: No scope for reinstating caretaker government in the country: Quader to US Ambassador Haas
Protesting Fakhrul’s recent remarks regarding the people’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression, he said Fakhrul has captured the people’s freedom of speech and his freedom of expression in his party’s internal politics in a single frame.
“So, Mirza Fakhrul is indulging in a grudge against the government like a parrot,” said the AL general secretary.
He said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has been running the government, keeping public aspirations and expectations in mind in a bid to ensure the welfare of the people.
Also Read: US HR report depicts Bangladesh’s terrible situation: Fakhrul
All the endeavors of the government are being conducted, not to keep the people silent rather to fulfill the public aspirations and expectation, he said, criticizing the BNP’s past regime for its misrules.
Also Read: BNP won't go to election under AL, Fakhrul reiterates
“We are united under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina to establish a developed-prosperous, human-welfare and smart Bangladesh for the next generation. Victory will be ours, Inshallah,” said Obaidul Quader.
AL destroys electoral system by “so-called” SCBA polls, says BNP demanding fresh vote
The BNP on Friday alleged that Awami League has put the last nail in the coffin of the electoral system of the country by holding a lopsided election of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) using police and outsiders.
The party also demanded a fresh election to Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) cancelling the results of the “so-called” violece-marred polls for the sake of the sanctity of the apex court of the country.
“Awami League has turn into such a bankrupt party politically that it has to use police and outsiders to announce its candidates as winners in the Supreme Court Bar Association elections. It’s a matter of great shame,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Under the circumstances, Fakhrul said their party wants the Chief Justice to come forward and take necessary measures to protect the sanctity of the Supreme Court, the highest institution of the judiciary.
Also Read: BNP delegation attends dinner hosted by Indian envoy
A day after the announcement of SCBA polls results, he made the demand at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office.
Even though there was no election legally, Fakhrul alleged that the candidates of the ruling party were declared elected “illegally” and “unilaterally” by arranging a drama in the name of polls. “I demand holding a fresh election to the Supreme Court Bar Association, immediately annulling the so-called polls
Also Read: BNP works out 10-day Independence Day programme
Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad, the panel of pro-Awami League lawyers, won all the 14 posts of the executive committee of the SCBA polls held on Wednesday and Thursday.
Voting took place on Wednesday and Thursday amid the ruckus, violence, clashes, police action, and the allegations of ballot theft and tearing.
Fakhrul said their party thinks the SCBA polls have exposed once again that Awami League is a master at vote rigging.
“The lawyers of the Supreme Court are called officers of the court. Awami League has destroyed the elections of those lawyers' association by using the police force in a medieval style,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that Awami League wants to establish a one-party Baksal rule in the country by completely regulating the Judiciary. “They want to establish their control on all bar associations by force. We’re uttering these words with anger and sadness today."
He said it is the sacred duty of those who are in charge of different state institutions to protect the country and the sanctity of the institutions they are leading.
“We can’t imagine that police can enter the Supreme Court and attack the lawyers, beat them, and injure them. This is not a trivial matter and we can’t take it lightly. These incidents are exposing the nature of the country and proving that it has become a failed state,” Fakhrul said
He called upon all concerned to come forward to protect the country and its institutions. "We have been saying repeatedly that Bangladesh is no longer a democratic state as the Awami League government is destroying all the democratic institutions in the country in a planned way.”
Replying to a question, the BNP leader said Awami League will definitely rig votes if the next national election is held under it.
“No credible election is possible under the Awami League government," he said adding "It has become their character that they will take everything by force. If they stay in power, they will take control over the election and declare their candidates as winners.”
AL to lose security money if next election is held under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said most of the Awami League candidates will lose their security money if the next national election is held under a non-party neutral government.
“Awami League won’t get even 30 seats if the election is held under a caretaker or neutral government. Their (most AL) candidates will lose their security deposit,” he said.
Speaking at an extended meeting of the Thakurgaon district unit BNP at his local residence, Fakhrul said the ruling party is against the caretaker government as it knows it will face a debacle in a fair and credible election.
Stating that political parties in Bangladesh do not trust each other, he said the caretaker government is the only solution in the current culture of Bangladesh’s politics to overcome the political crisis and have a fair and inclusive election.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has been carrying out false campaigns and indulging in various misdeeds to divert the people’s democratic movement, demanding the restoration of the caretaker government system and rights of people and the resignation of this government, to a different direction.
He urged the government to refrain from conducting ‘false’ campaigns against BNP.
Fakhrul alleged that the government wants to retain power by holding another ‘stage-managed’ election as they have already destroyed the electoral system. “But this time it won’t happen. The country’s people have woken up and they want to exercise their right to franchise.”
Govt behind Panchagarh communal violence
The BNP secretary general alleged that the government was behind the communal attacks on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh. “This happened with the direct and indirect backing of the government. The government must shoulder the responsibility for the incident.”
He alleged that Awami League leaders are blaming BNP for the communal attacks only to tarnish the image of the opposition party and hide the real offenders.
“Panchagarh incident was premeditated. It’s also an unexpected incident. The image of the country has been somewhat damaged while the image of the government has been seriously dented because of the incident,” Fakhrul observed.
He alleged that the government has orchestrated the incident to thwart the BNP’s movement that was moving ahead in full swing.
Fakhrul also said the people of the Ahmadiyya community clearly said in front of Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan that people around him were involved in this violence. “Among them, Abdur Rahman's name is notable. But none of them were arrested by the police, and no case was filed against them.”
He alleged that the government is trying to eliminate BNP leaders and activists in Panchagarh taking an advantage of the attacks on the Ahmadiyya community.
The BNP leader said cases have been filed against BNP leaders and workers and 180 of them have already been arrested. “A reign of terror has been created in Panchagarh. BNP leaders and supporters now can’t stay at home.”
He said attacking the Ahmadiyya community and damaging their houses and looting their valuables was a brutal and inhuman incident.
Even after such a horrific incident, Fakhrul said the government has been trying to put the blame on BNP instead of carrying out an impartially and fairly investigation to identify the real perpetrators.
He bemoaned that some media outlets have been carrying out false propaganda involving BNP with communal violence. “The media should always play a neutral role. If you (journalists) don't play a neutral role, people will remember it and give a fitting reply when the time comes.”
Ward-level AL leader in Patuakhali arrested over attempted rape of child
A man has been arrested over attempted rape of a 10-year-old in Patuakhali.
The accused, Md. Delowar Talukdar, 55, is the ward member and organizing secretary of Awami League’s local unit of Ward 8 under Dabluganj union in Kalapara upazila.
The mother of the child filed a case against the accused at Mohipur police station.
According to police and the child’s family, Delowar, along with 10-15 people, went to Barkutia village on Saturday for Union Parishad election campaign.
The child’s mother was working in a nearby field when the incident occurred.
Also Read: Wife slaughtered by husband in Joypurhat
“He came to our home and, upon realizing my child was alone, molested her,” said the mother.
Abul Khair, officer-in-charge of Mohipur police station, said police arrested the accused and sent him to Kolagara court.
BNP-AL clash in Moulvibazar: 20 including former BNP MP Naser injured
At least 20 people, including Moulvibazar district BNP President and ex-lawmaker from Moulvibazar-3, M Naser Rahman, were injured in a clash between Awami League and BNP over BNP's human chain programme in Moulvibazar on Saturday.
The injured were treated at various local private clinics.
Foyzul Karim Mayun, former mayor and vice-president of Moulvibazar district BNP, said during the preparations for their human chain in front of Kashinath Alauddin High School and College in the town around 1pm, activists of Chhatra League and Jubo League attacked with indigenous weapons, leaving 15 of their leaders and activists injured.
Syed Rezaul Karim Sumon, former general secretary of District Jubo League, said: "We were holding a peace march from Shaheed Minar as part of the central programme. Suddenly, someone threw a brickbat in the procession igniting the clash."
Later, brickbat pelting started between the two sides.
Five Chhatra League and Jubo League members were also injured in the clash.
Two vehicles were also vandalised during the clash.
Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Sylhet City mayor and central BNP executive member, was the chief guest in the human chain which was organised as a part of BNP's country-wide programme with 10-point demands, including the protest of abnormal increases in electricity price, price hikes of daily necessities, elections under a non-partisan neutral government by abolishing the current parliament and unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the clash under control, said Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabder, additional superintendent of Moulvibazar police.
"Culprits will be identified after watching the video footage and action will be taken against those involved in the clash," he added.
Read more: BNP announces rally in all cities on March 18
AL was big partner in plot to destroy democracy during 1/11:Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that Awami League was a big partner in the plot to destroy democracy through depoliticisation during the 1/11 political changeover in 2007.
“We have to keep it in mind that those who are now in power were not separated from that (1/11) conspiracy. Rather, they’re major partners in that conspiracy,” he told a discussion meeting.
The BNP leader also said Awami League has always taken a position against democracy and the country and its people.
“It’s Awami League which established one-party Baksal rule destroying democracy just in 11 minutes in parliament in 1975. The conspiracy to destroy Bangladesh and its nationalism has started since that day in 1975,” he observed.
As part of that plot, Fakhrul claimed that BNP founder and late President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in 1981. “Similarly, when an illegal government usurped power with the support of the military on 1/11, Awami League joined the swearing-in ceremony of Fakhruddin (the chief adviser of that regime) and extended its support to them."
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum organised the discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), marking the 17th anniversary of the arrest of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, was arrested on March 7, 2007, by the joint forces on different charges, including corruption, from their then-cantonment residence.
After nearly 18 months of imprisonment, he went to London securing bail from the High Court on September 3, 2009. He has been staying there since then.
Fakhrul alleged that Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 as part of a conspiracy to weaken Bangladesh’s independence, and sovereignty and to harm its progress.
He said the ruling party has been carrying out huge propaganda against Tarique and spreading misinformation about him with an aim to portray him as a villain and disqualified to lead the nation. “Those who have taken a stand against Bangladesh and its interests, including some newspapers and TV Channels, have joined this campaign.”
The BNP Secretary General warned that the media owners who are indulging in misdeeds by conducting false campaigns against Tarique and BNP will not be able to sustain themselves since people will not forgive them.
He also said no false campaign against the Zia family and repressive acts against opposition leaders and activists can resist BNP from ousting the current regime.
The BNP leader said the country’s people will no longer allow any monarch and master to rule the country in the future.
“They (Awami League) think that the country is their monarchy and they’re the owner of the country and we all are their subjects. This is how they want to run the country. But people won’t allow them this time to hang onto power,” he said.
Fakhrul said their current movement has created a strong wave to wash away the current “fascist” and monstrous regime.
He also renewed their party’s stance that the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government to ensure people’s right to franchise.
AL wants inclusive election with participation of all parties: Hasan
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Awami League wants the participation of all political parties, including BNP, in the upcoming general elections. "We want the participation of all political parties, including BNP, in the upcoming general elections," he told reporters after exchanging views with the representatives of 'The Election Monitoring Forum' (EMF), a platform of election observers, from home and abroad, at his official residence in the capital's Minto Road.
"We also want people to cast their votes with enthusiasm for electing the next government in a free and fair manner. We, on behalf of the government, will cooperate if it is necessary," he said.
He also said a total of 108 organisations are registered with the Election Commission for monitoring the elections. Of those, the Election Monitoring Forum is an alliance of 51 organisations.
"The EMF representatives discussed election-related issues with me elaborately. They also want the participation of all political parties, including BNP, in the next polls where the countrymen will elect their next government. The forum monitored the last election and they will send an election monitoring team to observe the next polls," added the minister.
Read more: Any move to hold polls under a partisan govt to be resisted: Fakhrul
The minister said the EMF was informed that the next polls will be held under the Election Commission (EC) like all other democratic countries. And the current government like India, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and other countries of Continental Europe would work as the election-period government and the polls will be held under the EC, he added.
Replying to a query about BNP, Hasan said the party is afraid of elections and it is normal as they got only 29 seats in 2008 polls. Later, they had boycotted the 2014 polls to resist democracy though they failed, he added. He said BNP got only six seats after forming a grand alliance with rightists, leftists, extreme rightists, extreme leftists and the Taliban in 2018 polls. But, that didn't bring any fruit for them. Consequently, they are scared of the election, he added. Hasan hoped that the BNP would take part in the next polls. He said the EC conducts elections and the commission would take initiative so that all parties participate in the polls.
Among others, AL Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Aminul Islam Amin, EMF chairman Mohammad Abed Ali, Social activist and political analyst of Germany Volkar U Freidrich, Global Village Connection chairman of Bhutan Jackson Dukpa, Islamic Arabic University acting vice chancellor and director of the forum Abul Kalam Azad, pro vice-chancellor of BUET and director of the forum Professor Dr Abdul Jabbar Khan and agriculturalist Dr Azadul Haaque, attended the meeting.
AL to resist anything nefarious on behalf of nation: Dipu Moni
The Awami League will resist any nefarious move with the help of the people of Bangladesh, said Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday.
“An identified evil force wants to destabilize the country ahead of the national election. They want to wreak havoc once more, as they did in 2013 and 2014. However, Bangladesh Awami League will strongly oppose any vicious move with the people of the country,” she said.
The education minister, also the Awami League Joint General Secretary, said this while talking to the reporters at the diamond jubilee ceremony of Chandpur Govt College.
Also Read: BNP conspiring to regain power illegally: Dipu Moni
“The Awami League's peace rally today is part of the effort to move Bangladesh forward,” she said, adding: “This program is to ensure that we can continue our development work and build Smart Bangladesh.”
Our programs are not counter to any party’s programs, she explained and said, “We have always been in the field and will always be. We are in the government, we are also with the people of the country in the field. We have always been present to safeguard peace, order, and people's lives, and we will remain so in the future."
Md Hasanuzzaman Kollol, secretary to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Md Anisur Rahman, election commissioner, Faruk Hossain, former secretary and author, and Kamrul Hasan, DC of Chandpur, were among those present at the ceremony.