United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said once this interim government takes the form of a caretaker administration, no person with political party links should remain in it to ensure neutrality. “When the current government starts functioning as a caretaker administration, no one with links to any political party can be kept in it, because the very concept of a caretaker government is based on neutrality,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader said there is no scope for any partisan individual or anyone with party identity to be included in a non-party, neutral polls-time government. Take ‘caretaker mood’, drop controversial advisers: Khosru to govt Rizvi said that the polls-time caretaker must demonstrate neutrality and non-partisanship to regain people’s confidence. “If those who lost faith in the voting system over the past 16 years see that the government is acting properly, they will begin to trust again.” He also said a free and fair election will not be possible if officials involved in the “wrongdoings and unlawful acts” of the past 15–16 years of autocratic rule remain in the administration. “Those who worked to protect the fascists and committed illegal acts must be identified and brought under the law. Many of them acted openly. Unless they are removed, a fair election cannot be held,” Rizvi said. Asked about the sending of 15 serving military officers to jail in connection with two enforced disappearance cases and a July uprising killing case filed under the International Crimes Tribunal, Rizvi said these matters are part of the legal process and the law will take its own course. Will do whatever necessary to hold peaceful, impartial polls: Prof Yunus tells BNP “Those who have committed crimes will be tried, and of course this must happen through the legal process. There will be no interference,” he said. The BNP leader said those accused will have the opportunity to prove their innocence in court. “If the court finds them guilty, they must face punishment accordingly. Everyone is equal before the law. People will accept whatever the law decides; that is only natural,” he added. Referring to the July Charter, Rizvi said almost all parties have accepted it and called for the implementation of its pledges. After August 5, he said, many people’s attitudes have changed, although the law and order situation has yet to show much improvement. Fakhrul urges interim govt to act like caretaker for fair polls in Feb Rizvi also mentioned that BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has announced a plan to plant 25 crore trees if the party returns to power, as part of efforts to protect the environment and restore ecological balance.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed on Friday accused Indian policymakers of conspiring to ‘rehabilitate’ the fallen Awami League, which he termed a ‘fascist’ party. “They (Indian policymakers) cannot accept Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. After the meeting between Dr Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman in London, the neighbouring country began plotting targeted conspiracies,” Rizvi said while speaking to journalists in Pabna’s Chatmohar upazila. He was visiting veteran BNP leader Abu Taher Pramanik alias Taher Thakur, who has been suffering from illness and leading a life of hardship.  Rizvi, under the banner of the BNP family and on behalf of acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, also provided financial assistance for Taher’s treatment. BNP opposes proportional representation in elections The BNP leader said the people of the country have started walking the path of democracy, but the journey is far from over. “The conspiracies are not over. Even now, many grassroots and national-level BNP activists remain missing. Many are still being harassed with false cases and arrests.” He added, “The fascist era was horrifying. Today we can speak freely. But from the moment Dr Yunus and Tarique met, the neighbouring country resumed its conspiracies.” Rizvi alleged that the Awami League regime looted public wealth for 16 years and laundered it to countries like Canada and Malaysia. “Sheikh Hasina ran smear campaigns through media control, but 180 million people cannot be silenced. Only the people will decide who governs this country,” he said. Regarding the next general election, Rizvi said, “It will be free and fair and held at an appropriate time based on demands from various political parties. This election will reflect the will of the people.” Several BNP leaders, including Pabna district BNP Member Secretary Advocate Masud Khandakar, Joint Convener Anisul Haque Babu, and student leaders from Chatmohar and Edward College, were present.    

Ashraful Alom, popularly known as ‘Hero Alom’, filed a Tk 50 crore defamation case against BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi for making "derogatory remarks" about the YouTuber. He filed the case with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate on Monday (August 07, 2023). ‘Your leader studied up to class 8, I completed class 7’: Hero Alom on BNP leader Rizvi calling him ‘uneducated’ The court took the statement of the plaintiff and directed the Detective Branch of Police to investigate the allegations and submit a report, said Hero Alam's lawyer Abdullah Munsur Ripon. Earlier on Sunday (August 06, 2023), Hero Alam said he went to the DB office to lodge a complaint against the senior BNP leader but the DB chief advised him to file a case with the court. Hero Alom to sue Rizvi for his ‘defamatory remarks’ BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi reportedly called him "uneducated" while addressing a march recently, Hero Alom said. On Saturday (August 5, 2023), Hero Alom took to social media to condemn Rizvi’s comments on his “education.” The social media content creator said: “I do not want to speak against anyone. But this is very sad. I have seen the video of BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi calling me crazy. He has also questioned my educational qualifications.” Read: Hero Alam files GD over death threat “By calling me uneducated, you’re also calling yourself uneducated. Because, the leader of your party, BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaled Zia, completed education up to class 8. I have studied up to class 7,” Hero Alom added.

A Dhaka court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and seven others in a case filed under the Special Powers Act. Dhaka Metropolitan Session Court judge KM Imrul Kayes issued the warrant taking the charge sheet against 33 BNP leaders into cognizance. The court set February 22 for submitting the report of action on the arrest warrant. In January, 2015, police filed the case with Badda police station for which the court was supposed to hear the charges today. None of the eight BNP leaders were present at the hearing.  

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi returned home on Tuesday, three days after he underwent a coronary angioplasty at a city hospital.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday underwent a successful coronary angioplasty at a city hospital.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was hospitalised again on Tuesday for the treatment of his cardiac problems.

BNP senior joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi returned home on Wednesday after receiving treatment for over two weeks at a private hospital for cardiac problems.