United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday raised concerns over the government's preparedness in tackling a potential new wave of coronavirus, as new sub-variants of the virus keeps spreading in neighbouring countries, including India. “We learned during the last COVID wave that, except for a few private hospitals in Dhaka city, oxygen availability was extremely limited,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The BNP leader said there was also a shortage of test kits and other essential medical equipment at that time. “If another wave hits, does the government have the necessary life-saving drugs, injections and equipment in place? So far, we have seen no initiative or assurance from the government in this regard,” he said. Rizvi criticised the Health Ministry for remaining silent about its readiness to combat any resurgence of COVID-19. He said the ministry should proactively inform and reassure the public about the availability of sufficient medical supplies, including oxygen and emergency drugs — not just in Dhaka but also in district hospitals. DMTC urges Metro passengers to wear masks amid rising COVID-19 cases “Despite cases already being detected, we haven’t heard anything from the ministry about public awareness or readiness. We don’t even know whether the government has taken any real preparation,” the BNP leader said. He said the Health Ministry, on its own initiative, should tell the people to remain aware and provide reassurance that the country will not face the same problems it did in the past. Rizvi’s remarks came in the backdrop of health authorities issuing a new alert amid rising cases of a COVID-19 sub-variant in India and other neighbouring countries. As the spread of a new sub-variant of the coronavirus has increased in India and several neighbouring nations, there are concerns it may spread to other countries.  The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), under the Health Ministry, has already issued a new alert. The alert advises people to avoid travelling to India and other affected countries unless absolutely necessary and instructs all land and airports to strengthen health screening and surveillance measures to tackle the potential risk. Rizvi also slammed the government over the recent drop in rawhide prices during Eid-ul-Azha, claiming that people failed to sell their sacrificial animal hides at government-set rates. “People didn’t get the prices fixed by the government. They were forced to sell at half the rate. Why should this happen?” he questioned. The BNP leader said the government should have created a mechanism to ensure that those offering sacrifices could sell the hides of animals at a fair price. “But we saw no such system. This is a clear failure to protect public interest.” Rizvi also questioned the logic behind the government’s decision to hold the next parliamentary election in April. Covid-19: Railways Ministry urges Eid holidaymakers to wear masks He alleged that the government keeps swinging like a pendulum based on the suggestions of one or two political parties. “How can it explain choosing April for the election? There are major public exams scheduled around that time — SSC, HSC, madrasa exams — and also seasonal natural problems. So why is the government trying to hold the election amid such adversities? People want to know the real reason behind it,” Rizvi said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that certain advisers to the interim government are attempting to incite public sentiment by portraying BNP’s demand for a national election within a specific timeframe as a ‘grave sin’. “Why is there so much unnecessary delay over the election? Is it a great sin to call for elections within a clear timeframe? From the remarks of some advisers, it appears they are provoking this notion among different people in various ways,” he said. The BNP leader said this while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam by placing a wreath at his grave on the Dhaka University campus, marking his 126th birth anniversary. He said BNP and other democratic parties have wanted the interim government to carry out necessary reforms and hold a free and fair election, which Sheikh Hasina had delayed, depriving voters of their right to vote. “All our protests and movements have been aimed at getting out of such a situation, restoring true democracy and ensuring a free environment. But now, there are so many ploys surrounding the election,” the BNP leader said. Three roadmaps discussed with CA: Nahid He also accused some advisers of exacerbating the ongoing political crisis and speaking about the election beyond their jurisdiction. "If the advisers are pursuing any hidden agenda outside their responsibilities, the people will not accept it." Rizvi said Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s role is to protect and improve the environment, but she speaks about the election instead. He questioned what she has done to save the Buriganga and Shitalakhya rivers. “Why are we still breathing toxic air? Since taking office, we have seen no drive or initiative from her to make the environment pollution-free.” Justifying his party’s call for the resignation of two student-leader-turned-advisers, Rizvi said the role of the interim government is to remain neutral. He said it is not the interim government's responsibility to help form a particular political party or aid its growth. "Rather, they must perform their duties impartially. In this case, if an adviser calls the SP (of Cumilla) and orders him to arrest people belonging to the BNP and prevent the party from carrying out any activities there, why would there not be demands for his resignation?" Rizvi said. He also said his party supported the government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus after the fascist Awami League regime fled. “But if we find anyone within the government playing a partisan role, we will have to protest against them,” the BNP leader said. He alleged that Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives, as well as Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, phoned the SP of Cumilla’s Muradnagar, instructing him not to allow BNP leaders and activists to carry out activities in the upazila, which happens to be the adviser’s home constituency. Elections before reforms may not meet people's expectations: Jamaat Ameer “So, this is a repeat of the Sheikh Hasina era. Now there is supposed to be a free environment, yet those in charge of running the government continue to play such a controversial, partisan role. Such incidents are occurring in various places,” Rizvi said.

After boycotting the  national election, BNP has now decided not to join the upcoming upazila parishad polls under the current government. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. "We have always said that any election under Sheikh Hasina will never be peaceful, credible and fair. So, BNP had taken a decision not to go to any election under her. BNP still stands by that decision,” he said. Earlier on Monday, Awami League Central Working Committee at an emergency meeting decided not to field party candidates and allocate party’s election symbol “boat” in any local government polls, including the upcoming elections to city corporations, municipalities and upazila parishads. Read more: 'India deepened ties with AL, not people of Bangladesh': Rizvi Asked what BNP will do if the elections are held without party symbols, Rizvi said, “We’re saying that the elections will not be fair under this government…we’re still stick to our decision of not going to any polls under Sheikh Hasina since no free and fair election can ever be held under her.” Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman on Monday said the first phase of upazila polls can be held by April 30 considering the beginning of the SSC examinations in February and the fasting month in March. Justifying their decision to boycott the upcoming upazila polls, Rizvi said the country’s people know how the 12th parliamentary election was held under Sheikh Hasina and what were the results and nature of that polls. He said it was also proved through the national elections in 2014 and 2018 that credible polls are not possible under the Awami League government. “Sheikh Hasina in no way believes in democracy, no matter what statements she makes. She doesn’t believe in the power of the people, the will of the people,” the BNP leader said. He said the government conducted a strange and farcical election as per its master plan with the support of its masters as it is least bothered about democracy and public opinions. Read more: Moyeen Khan expects AL govt to fall apart 'like a house of cards'

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday described the attacks on female leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Dhaka University Campus by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) as a 'cowardly' act. “The Prime Minister has made Chhatra League men cowards, terrorists and extortionists. The way Chhatra League cadres attacked the female students at Dhaka University yesterday (Tuesday) was a cowardly act,” he said. Also read: BNP starts pro-democracy movement dialogue with political parties Rizvi was speaking at a human chain programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office arranged by Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal in protest against what it said issuing a death threat to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. BNP said that the prime minister’s recently reported remark that Khaleda should be pushed into the river from the Padma Bridge is tantamount to a death threat.  The Awami League, however, said BNP is misinterpreting the PM’s remark. Rizvi wondered how the leaders and activists of the ruling party student body could beat JCD female leaders as students should have a sense of humanity. “I visited a hospital yesterday (Tuesday) where Mansura and Trina (JCD female leaders) were groaning in pain. They are students of Dhaka University,” the BNP leader said.  He said the videos on the attacks on the female JCD leaders have gone viral on social media. “No one but cowards can hit girls in this brutal way.” The BNP leader said many other JCD leaders and activists were also beaten by the BCL leaders and activists on the DU campus. “Of them, the condition of Rashed and Afsan was critical.” Also read: Home minister bins BNP allegation on BCL-JCD clash Rizvi strongly protested and condemned the attack and demanded immediate arrest and legal action against those who attacked the JCD leaders and activists, including the female ones. At least 35 people were injured in clashes between the activists of BCL and JCD on the Dhaka University campus on Tuesday.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said convicted lawmaker Haji Selim’s going abroad has rendered the court  ‘helpless' before the ruling party. “Haji Selim left the country without surrendering to the court in a corruption case.  His smooth foreign trip has proved that the court has now become helpless before the leaders and ministers of the ruling party,” he said. Also read: Govt let loose police against BNP, alleges Rizvi The BNP leader was addressing a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office. He alleged that the role of the court is almost the same as the way the RAB-police are harassing the the opposition since the government has politicised every institution, including the judiciary and administration. Rizvi recalled that the law minister turned down BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s application seeking permission to go abroad, and questioned how Haji Selim availed of that scope.  “If the law is the same for everyone, then under what law did Haji Selim go abroad for treatment?"  Which constitution allows one law for Begum Khaleda Zia and another law for Haji Selim. What a rule of law it is! ” he said. Also read:Repression again on BNP leaders as per ‘govt master plan’: Rizvi The BNP leader also said a medieval  rule  now prevails in every sector of the country. “Awami Leaguers who wear Mujib Court and those enjoy the blessings of the prime minister are above the law while the judicial orders are being made with vengeance at the behest of Ganobhaban.” Awami League  MP Haji Selim, who was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment in a corruption case, went to Bangkok for treatment recently. 

BNP on Monday alleged that the ruling party business syndicate has raised the prices of daily essentials for lack of the government’s market intervention. "The prices of essentials have gone up several hundred times. The market syndicate of their own (ruling party's) people have done this,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said though the prices of all essentials have skyrocketed, there is no government intervention to control it. Read: Govt filing ‘false’ cases against BNP leaders again: Fakhrul “The Awami government has created a manmade disaster in Bangladesh through the unlimited rise in commodity prices, misrule, enforced disappearances, killings and extrajudicial killings,” Rizvi observed. The BNP leader also alleged that Awami League government has made the people of the country even poorer in the last 12 years. He came down hard on Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi for his comment that the government has nothing to do with the rise in commodity prices. “His comment has exposed that Awami League is not running the country. When you’ve nothing to do then who runs the country? Is any invisible force running the country?” The BNP leader said the commerce minister's statement is nothing but a strong defence for corruption. “It’s also a cruel joke of the minister against the unemployed, half-starved and starving people of the country.” He also questioned the government as to why it remains in power by force when it cannot deal with people’s problems.  Read: Govt 'indulging again' in acts of enforced disappearance, abduction: BNP “A decent government steps down when it fails and can’t do anything for people. This is a practice in the democratic world. But you (govt) have been there in power shamelessly through an illegal parliament,” Rizvi said. He slammed Prime Minister's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy for his remark that the country was pushed back 50 years during BNP's five-year rule. “He (Joy) did not say how Awami League has taken the country forward…His remarks give an impression that he has studied in a strange institute. Mr Joy is the headmaster of providing bizarre information.”

BNP on Wednesday alleged that police attacked its peaceful rally in Habiganj and sprayed bullets indiscriminately on its leaders and activists, leaving around 300 injured. BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the allegation at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. “As the rally began in front of our party office in Habiganj’s Shaistanagar at noon, police attacked the rally without any provocation and opened fire indiscriminately, injuring over 300 leaders and activists,” he said. Read: 10 injured in BNP infighting in Chattogram As part of their countrywide programme, Rizvi said Habiganj district unit BNP arranged the rally demanding party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad. BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain was present at the rally as the chief guest, while its chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque as special guest. Rizvi said the injured include Habiganj district Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) organising secretary Rajib Ahmed Ringan, Jubo Dal general secretary Jalal, BNP leader Advocate Sharif,  JCD leaders Saidur Rahman, Arshad, Abdul Aahad Tushar, Matshajibi Dal leader Mobarak Hossain, Shipon Ahmed Shahjahan and Zahir Ali.

BNP on Tuesday said its chairperson Khaleda Zia has been going through an extremely critical time at Evercare Hospital in the capital as her physical condition continues to worsen. “Despite repeated demands to send BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment, the government has remained mysteriously silent. Her condition is deteriorating as days go by,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he said doctors are saying Khaleda’s treatment for liver cirrhosis and internal bleeding is not possible in the country. “Advanced treatment abroad is urgently needed to save her life.” Read: Khaleda’s condition still unchanged: BNP The BNP leader alleged that the “government has indulged in a terrible inhumane conspiracy” without considering the dying state of Khaleda. “The government has been conspiring in various ways over her treatment to eliminate her from the world.” He bemoaned that Khaleda is being deprived of basic human rights while she has been there at the crossroads of death and life. “Our leader’s treatment abroad is possible as per the customary law of the country.” Rizvi said the government is trying to remove its political rival ignoring the demands of people of all walks of life irrespective of their party affiliation. He urged the government to take necessary steps to allow the BNP chief to go abroad for treatment immediately and said their party will start holding rallies in district towns from Wednesday to push the demand. Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since November 13. Her medical board members said Khaleda immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Read: Writ seeks HC directive for Khaleda’s treatment abroad On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment. Law Minister Anisul Huq recently said the government is looking for a legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for treatment.

 A Dhaka court Monday issued warrants for the arrest of  BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and its Rajshahi division organizing secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu in a case filed under the Special Powers Act. The case was filed at Shahbagh police station in 2018 . Read:Tarique, Fakhrul among 9 face arrest warrant Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayes passed the order. Besides, the court accepted the charge sheet submitted against them.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was admitted to Square Hospitals in the city with coronavirus infection on Thursday morning.