United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to roll out its election manifesto on Friday ahead of the 13th parliamentary election, outlining eight key pledges it says will guide the country if it returns to power, with a focus on tackling corruption, strengthening good governance and promoting economic freedom. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will formally unveil the manifesto at 3:00pm at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital, his press secretary Saleh Shibly told UNB on Wednesday night. Diplomats and intellectuals and noted citizens and prominent figures from various professional groups will be invited to the programme. Party sources said the manifesto has been prepared by combining BNP’s previously announced 31-point reform outline, the July Charter, commitments made by Tarique Rahman at election rallies and the party’s recent political directions. The manifesto gives priority to young people, females, farmers and workers, with corruption eradication, establishment of good governance, creation of new jobs and economic liberation of people set as the party’s main goals. Special programmes have also been included to attract new voters. According to party insiders, BNP’s core promises will centre on eight major areas, including family cards, farmer cards, social security, job creation, youth and women’s empowerment, demand-based education, improved healthcare and family-friendly policies. These programmes, already shared with the public, will receive the highest priority in the manifesto. The manifesto will also include pledges to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 including interest, construct the Padma Barrage in response to India’s Farakka Barrage, implement the Teesta mega plan and address region-specific problems across the country. Restoration of democratic governance, rebuilding the electoral system, judicial independence, administrative decentralisation, protection of human rights and strengthening anti-corruption institutions have been included as central themes. Party policymakers said BNP’s commitment is to return state ownership to the people and establish an administration free from partisan influence. BNP leaders expressed hope that the combined manifesto, based on the 31-point agenda, the July Charter and target-group-focused commitments, will meet public expectations. Sources said Tarique Rahman directly supervised the preparation of the manifesto, with the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ given special importance. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party has already presented practical programmes aimed at ensuring economic freedom for the people, which will be reflected prominently in the manifesto. “The main objective of the BNP manifesto is to rebuild the collapsed state structure, establish a strong democratic state and consolidate our independence, security and democracy through constitutional reforms, ultimately ensuring economic freedom for the people,” he said. BNP announced its 31-point reform outline on July 13, 2023, aiming at constitutional and state reforms and economic emancipation. The manifesto will elaborate on key issues including free and fair elections under a non-partisan government, independence of the Election Commission, protection of human rights, freedom of expression, transparent administration and economic recovery. In line with the July Charter, the manifesto will also prioritise full independence and neutrality of constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission, Human Rights Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission. BNP to make women self-reliant if voted to power: Tarique The manifesto will include commitments to develop Qawmi madrasah, establish an Islamic research fund, modernise religious education and ensure an environment free from barriers to religious practice. It will also promise special tribunals to prevent land grabbing from religious and ethnic minorities, security cells, state support during festivals and strict action to prevent communal violence. Targeting the youth, BNP has pledged large-scale job creation, including one crore new jobs within the first 18 months in office, startup funds, IT training, access to new overseas labour markets and formation of an anti-drug task force. Agriculture has been given special emphasis, with commitments to reduce input costs, ensure fair prices, simplify agricultural loans and ensure transparent procurement of rice and paddy. Tarique Rahman has recently said farmers will no longer be forced to sell crops at a loss. BNP to build equitable, knowledge-based society, hopes Zubaida Women’s safety, equal opportunities at workplaces, women entrepreneurs’ fund, increased maternity allowances and fast-track tribunals to prevent violence against women have also been included. BNP has already shared its eight priority social policy areas with the diplomatic community and development partners. These include family cards, farmer cards, health, education, sports, environment, employment and welfare-oriented roles for mosque- and madrasa-based religious leaders. On January 21, BNP highlighted these eight sectors at a policy dissemination programme held at a city hotel in Banani, attended by ambassadors and diplomats from around 30 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan and Russia.

Clashes broke out between police and BNP leaders and activists on Saturday when the latter gathered at several entrances of the capital to observe their five-hour sit-in programme. The clashes broke out at Sonir Akhra, Uttara,Matuail and Gabtoli around 11am when the opposition activists took position there.  Police picked up several BNP leaders including BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Amanullah Aman  during the clashes. BNP leader AmanUllah Aman fell sick during chase and counter-chase with police when he went to Gabtoli to join the sit-ins programme. Police picked him up while he was lying on the road. Also read: AL’s Dhaka South unit postpones sit-in program at entry points of capital  Meanwhile, a large number of law enforcers have been deployed at the key entry points of Dhaka centring BNP’s sit-ins as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Friday night said it will not allow the party to hold their programme.    

Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP have started gathering in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office since Friday morning to attend their grand rally. Defying senior leaders’ instructions, several thousand activists thronged Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area on Thursday night and stayed there overnight. Visiting the rally venue around 10:30 am on Friday, the UNB correspondent saw thousands of party leaders and followers from different parts of the city arriving in processions. Also read: BNP gears up for Friday's anti-govt rally amid fear, speculations Carrying banners, festoons, placards and portraits of the party’s top leaders, they were shouting anti-government slogans. Roads and alleys stretching from Bijoynagar to Nayapaltan were crowded with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. Many leaders and activists of the party alleged that they had to face checking by law enforcement agencies at the entry points of the capital.  The party has already set up a big stage on nine trucks, rolled out red carpets, and installed loudspeakers. Also read: Ground for grand rally of Awami League's associate organisations is being ready Two separate stages have also been erected for the cultural activists and journalists. Artistes from the BNP's cultural body are performing patriotic songs to keep the crowds invigorated under the scorching sun and they will continue till 12 pm.  BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units are organizing the rally to press home the opposition’s one-point demand for holding the upcoming national election under a non-party government. The rally is scheduled to formally begin at 2 pm after Juma prayers.  Also read: Over 500 leaders, activists arrested in Dhaka ahead of grand rally: BNP BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest and announce their next course of action to mount pressure on the current government to accept their one-point demand. Apart from BNP, 37 like-minded political parties and alliances are also going to arrange separate rallies in different city areas to press home the one-point demand that includes the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next election under a neutral government. Besides, three associate bodies of the ruling Awami League—Jubo League, Swechchasebak League and Chhatra League—are also scheduled to hold a rally in front of the south gate of Baitul Mukarram mosque which is 1.7 km away from the BNP’s rally at Nayapaltan. The rallies of the ruling and opposition parties were scheduled to be held on Thursday, but they rescheduled their programmes for Friday as Dhaka Metropolitan Police authorities did not allow them to use their chosen venues on a workday for the sake of avoiding public suffering. Also read: BNP, AL associate bodies get permission for rallies at Nayapaltan, Baitul Mukarram on conditions Political analysts think it will be a daunting task for the law enforcers to maintain peace and fend off any untoward incident as both the opposition and the ruling parties will hold their programmes at short distances and at the same time. All eyes are on the BNP rally as there are speculations that the party may announce non-stop action programmes to force the Awami League government to step down. On Thursday, Dhaka Metropolitan Police gave BNP and Awami League’s three associate bodies permission to hold their rallies at Nayapaltan and Baitul Mukarram respectively on 23 conditions. The police authorities asked BNP to limit their rally from Kakrail’s Nightingale crossing to Rajarbagh Police Hospital, while the AL associate bodies have to restrict their rally from Mahanagar Natya Mancha to Muktangan.  

BNP will observe the 41st death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on Monday. BNP and its different associate bodies chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the death anniversary across the country with due reverence. Also read:Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began today (Sunday) through a discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and will end on June 7. The programmes include arranging discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibition, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute. Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981. In observance of the day, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including Nayapaltan headquarters at 6:00am on Monday. Besides, BNP senior leaders, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning. BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities until June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes. Also read: BNP holds talks with Labour Party to wage united movement The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city. The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes including discussions to be participated by BNP senior leaders.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday expressed concern as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is fighting a battle for its 'existence' as a political party. “How can a party survive when it’s led by a person who’s convicted for arms smuggling for the August 21 grenade attack and siphoning off orphans’ money?” she questioned. Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, posed the question while addressing a civic reception accorded to her at Queen Elizabeth Centre in London. She joined the programme virtually from her place of residence here. Read: Deliver due services to expats: Hasina to diplomats She said a convicted criminal in a killing case, arms smuggling and corruption case, and a fugitive, is now at the helm of a political party. The Prime Minister said Khaleda Zia’s sons are corrupt, which was dug out by US’ FBI and also in Singapore. “We’ve been able to bring back some smuggled money from abroad,” she said. They (Khaleda and her sons) do not have any patriotism as they treat power as a tool of pleasure and place for looting, Hasina said, referring to the lavish lifestyle of Tarique Rahman in London questioning his source of income. “Awami League always stands beside people and thinks about the welfare of people,” she said. After the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said, the people of Bangladesh had plunged into an era of darkness. “But when Awami League came to power, people started availing of services from the government.” The Prime Minister recalled that she had started moving the country’s wheels towards prosperity after forming the government in 1996. “Today, Bangladesh doesn’t live on begging! Today Bangladesh has learned to stand on its own feet. Some 90 percent financing of our development projects comes from our own resources. We’ve attained that capability,” she said. Talking about Padma Bridge, Hasina said a vested quarter tried to stigmatise the government, especially the Prime Minister and her family members linking them to corruption cases. “I threw a challenge to the World Bank. They’ve failed to prove that. There was no corruption in Padma Bridge,” she said. Read: Secret documents on Bangabandhu to be nice resources for researchers: Hasina Hasina said Awami League does not come to power to indulge in corruption and make their fortunes. “We ‘re here to build the fate of people, and that’s our aim, and we’re working to materialise that aim.” She urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the 100 economic zones that are being constructed across the country. “If you (expatriates) want to invest, you’ll get special facilities. We’ll ensure that.” Hasina said the government has taken steps to solve the problems of expatriates, and urged them to inform her about investment in Bangladesh and she will solve every problem. She said the government will pave the way so that Bangladeshis could invest in other countries as well. UK Awami League president Sultan Mahmud Sharif presided over the programme.

BNP on Wednesday announced a 12-day programme to observe the 39th death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.