BNP
Bad blood will linger between Dhaka and the West but Hasina’s return will be viewed more positively in the region: South Asia policy analyst Kugelman
With the opposition BNP boycotting the January 7 polls, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party, Awami League, are all but guaranteed a fourth consecutive term.
Five countries in South Asia will hold elections this year, and the first — in Bangladesh on Sunday (January 7) — features the least uncertainty.
Many Western countries value their trade ties with Bangladesh, given its powerful garment industry, and perceive it as a strategically significant state situated in the heart of the Indo-Pacific.
PM Hasina to address election rally in Narayanganj Thursday
But they cannot rule out punitive post-election steps, including trade sanctions. Either way, bad blood between Dhaka and the West — especially Washington — will certainly linger post-election, according to Foreign Policy’s South Asia Brief by Michael Kugelman.
By contrast, Hasina’s return will be viewed more positively in South Asia, said the South Asia policy analyst.
Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at Wilson Center in Washington, DC, said that Sheikh Hasina enjoys strong support from India, which, like the Awami League, characterizes the opposition as a potentially destabilizing threat that could lead to the return of Islamism in Bangladesh.
Jan 7 general election will be a milestone in country’s democratic history: PM Hasina
Hasina’s push for connectivity resonates with Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, all of whom are pursuing new initiatives with Bangladesh.
The strong economic growth under her offers new opportunities for trade within a region where it lags, said the analyst.
Finally, her policy of balancing relations with both Beijing and New Delhi converges with that of the region’s other non-aligned states, said Kugelman.
Although foreign countries play an outsized role in Bangladeshi politics, it will be up to the people of Bangladesh to determine the country’s future direction, said the International Crisis Group on Thursday in a new report.
President casts vote via postal ballot, encourages nationwide participation in Jan 7 election
Based on the decisions that the AL and BNP take, the public will decide either at the ballot box or on the streets, it said in its Asia Report, "Beyond the Election: Breaking Bangladesh’s Political Deadlock."
Although it may be impossible before polling day, it is incumbent on
both sides to enter talks as early as possible to avoid a lengthy and potentially deadly political showdown, reads the report.
Foreign governments, for their part, should work together to cajole the two sides into negotiations aimed at forging a new political settlement.
Given the level of domestic opposition it is facing, alongside economic and geopolitical headwinds, the AL has reasons to seek a compromise.
Negotiations to rebuild relations between the main political forces and put Bangladesh back on to the path of democracy, peace and stability will require concessions from both sides, said the Crisis Group.
The country’s foreign partners, particularly the US and India, should actively encourage them in that direction, it said.
“The 7 January election will not resolve Bangladesh’s political crisis. Although it’s too late to postpone the vote, a flawed election provides only more reason to redouble efforts to get the ruling Awami League and its opponents talking again after the poll," said Crisis Group's Asia Director, Pierre Prakash.
“Since the 2008 election that brought the Awami League to power, the country has not held a credible national election. And while Bangladesh has made significant progress in some areas over the past 15 years, most notably on the economic front and in reducing poverty, it has experienced continued political violence and repression of civil liberties," Prakash added.
A new political settlement between the two major parties would help to put Bangladesh back on to the path of democracy, peace and stability, Prakash said.
"It could avert further political violence – in the past few months alone, dozens of people have been killed. It would also help to balance Bangladesh’s international relations and improve its economic prospects,” said the Crisis Group's Asia director.
Read more: US wants a ‘fair and transparent’ legal process regarding case against Prof Yunus
‘Want the entire world to observe our polls and learn from us’: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said they want to see a "free, fair, non-violent and transparent" election and achieve the goal to build a "Smart Bangladesh" ensuring peace and stability.
"We want all from the entire world to come and see, and learn from us," he said while talking to journalists after his meeting with a team of European Union (EU) experts at his residence on Wednesday (December 27, 2023) night.
Momen, however, said the visiting EU team only listened to him as they wanted to know a few things, but did not make any comment on the election. “They didn't even want to talk to the media.”
He said Bangladesh is a democratic country, and there is a very strong Election Commission in place that is taking all necessary steps to hold a fair election.
Asked about BNP's allegations to the EU team in a separate meeting, the foreign minister said the government has not arrested anyone on political grounds but arrested those who were involved in “terrorist activities.”
Also read: Don’t want to see any proxy war in region; want to show world fair polls: FM
He referred to CCTV footage and statements made by some BNP supporters, mentioning who instructed them to carry out arson attacks and vandalism.
"Not a single person has been arrested for political reasons . Only criminals have been arrested. We cannot tolerate terrorism," Momen said.
The foreign minister said some big countries want Bangladesh to purchase things from them, but Bangladesh does not do so at the cost of sacrificing public interests.
"That's why they are unhappy to some extent. But we follow our principles. If you stand by your principles, your dignity will be enhanced," Momen said.
Also read: EU polls mission holds meeting with FM Momen, BNP leaders in Sylhet
He also talked about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s desire to build a “Sonar Bangla” and a “Smart Bangladesh.”
"We want peace. We want stability. We don't want terrorism. We want freedom of media and freedom of speech. We want the continuation of democracy. We want more job opportunities," Momen told the reporters, referring to Awami League's election manifesto.
Before going to Sylhet, Momen also talked to reporters in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon.
Highlighting the importance of peace and stability for greater development, he said they do not want to see any “proxy war” in the region.
“Our main goal is that we do not want to see any proxy war here. Problems remain there where we see proxy war despite having resources. Europe has fallen into proxy war and is facing challenges,” he told reporters, noting that there might be efforts to make the countries in the region weaker.
Momen said Bangladesh has taken a leadership role in the region and other countries acknowledge this.
Read more Cumilla presiding officer show-caused for campaigning in favour of AL candidate Mustafa Kamal
People have no interest in voting in a ‘meaningless’ election: BNP
BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday said the country’s people have no interest in casting their votes in a ‘meaningless’ election billed for January 7.
He also raised a question if there is public support in the 'one-sided' election, why the councillors have been given instructions by the police to bring voters to the polling stations.
Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets, containing BNPs' call for boycotting the upcoming polls, among the pedestrians on the Motijheel to Dilkusha Road, Nazrul said, “People are not interested in voting as they know it's a meaningless election... It's not a vote and not an election."
AL resorting to threats to drive up turnout after failing to get desired response for Jan 7 election: Rizvi
He called upon the voters not to go to the polling stations in any situation on January 7. “Don’t cooperate with the regime which is playing a game with the lives and livelihoods of people.”
Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said why the dummy candidates are needed to bring people to the polling station. "Why are beneficiaries of the government’s different programmes and facilities threatened that their cards will be cancelled if they don't cast their votes? Why have you used police to instruct the councillors to bring people to the polling stations?
Gazipur train derailment: Jubo Dal leader, associate arrested
He said people have already rejected the lopsided election and they will boycott the voting as well.
The BNP leader also questioned the justification of holding such an unacceptable election by spending several thousand crores of taka when the country’s economy and financial institutions are in dire straits.
“We urge the government to stop this expenditure on this illegal election...it can’t be called an election where all candidates belong to Awami League. We don't want such an election,” he said.
BNP leader shot dead over land dispute in Sitakunda
The BNP leader said their party wants such an election where the people can freely exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives.
As part of their three-day countrywide programme, Nazrul along with some leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal conducted a mass campaign and distributed leaflets among the pedestrians near Sonali Bank in the Motijheel area.
BNP leader shot dead over land dispute in Sitakunda
A local leader of BNP was shot to death by his rivals over a land dispute in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram district on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Nurul Mostafa Bazal, 58, senior vice-president of Baroierdhala union unit BNP and son of Mujibul Haque of Paschim Lalanagar Subedar Bari in the upazila.
FAO distributes agricultural inputs in Chattogram division
Md Kamal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Sitakunda Model Police Station, said Bazal had an enmity with Touhidul Islam, who was wanted in several cases.
At 7:30 pm, Bazal and Touhidul locked into an altercation over the issue.
Woman's decomposed body recovered from Chattogram hill
At one stage, Touhidul stabbed Bazal with a sharp weapon and opened fire on him, leaving him injured.
Later, he was taken to Upazila Health Complex where the doctors declared him dead.
Chattogram-15: Clashes escalate among supporters of independent and AL candidates in Satkania
Police are trying to arrest Touhidul as he is wanted in 18 cases.
However, the local unit BNP claimed that Bazal was murdered over political issues.
Kurigram Jubo Dal leader arrested in sabotage case
Police arrested a local BNP leader from Kurigram Municipality on Friday in a case filed over sabotage.
Md Nur Khaleque Moyna, co-organizing secretary of Kurigram District unit Jubo Dal, was arrested from Zia Bazar area of the municipality, Masudur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Kurigram Sadar Police Station, confirmed.
Rail track bolts stolen from Kurigram-Rangpur railway line
According to the police, a case was filed under the Special Powers Act at the Sadar police station in November this year. Nur Khaleque was accused in that case.
Poor people suffer due to severe cold in Kurigram
Regarding this, the President of Kurigram Jubo Dal, Md Raihan Kabir, tried to contact several times on his mobile phone to get comments on but failed.
The BNP leader was sent to jail on Saturday morning, said the OC.
Severe cold grips Kurigram as Mercury drops to 11 degrees Celsius
BNP killing people, setting fires in name of 'non-cooperation': Dipu Moni
Supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are killing people and setting fires on trains, buses and trucks in the name of 'non-cooperation' movement, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni said on Friday.
"But there can be no non-cooperation without the involvement of the people,'' the minister said while campaigning in Shah Mahmudpur Union (Chandpur-3 Constituency) of Chandpur Sadar Upazila on Friday afternoon.
BNP accuses foreign ministry of being anti-people on polls
She also said that the people are not with the BNP. With a sudden announcement on social media, four or five people ran on to the streets and vandalised whatever they could.
"Non-cooperation does not mean sabotage. Those who commit sabotage, violence, are the allies of war criminals, they do not even understand the meaning of non-cooperation," added the AL leader.
National Election: 15-17 security men to guard every polling station
Nazim Dewan, chairman of Chandpur Sadar Upazila and leaders and activists of District and Upazila Awami League and its allies were present at that time.
30 injured in earthquake panic rush in Cumilla, Chandpur
BNP accuses foreign ministry of being anti-people on polls
BNP on Friday alleged that the foreign ministry has taken an anti-people stance with its statement on social media accusing opposition parties of obstructing the upcoming election slated for January 7.
Talking to reporters after distributing leaflets in the capital’s Uttara area, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also alleged that the ministry has been playing a role in favour of a unilateral election.
He said the foreign ministry is campaigning on social media that the BNP and its allies are obstructing the elections in Bangladesh and they have stepped up their efforts to enforce the blockade to achieve their goals.
National Election: 15-17 security men to guard every polling station
“The foreign ministry’s statement on social media is not correct. It has now become clear to the democratic world that a lopsided election is going to be held in Bangladesh. In this situation, the foreign ministry has taken the role of the new Razakar by standing against the people,” the BNP leader said.
He also said the foreign ministry is also working as a collaborator of the government with a stance against a free, fair, transparent, and participatory election in the country. “It is an anti-people move. We strongly condemn such activities of the foreign ministry.”
SC upholds HC order to dispose of Fakhrul’s bail pleas
The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a High Court order that directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in connection with 10 cases.
Justice M Enayetur Rahim, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division of the SC, passed the order following a petition filed by the state challenging the HC order.
The Chamber Judge also sent the petition to its full bench and fixed January 15 to hear in this regard.
Narayanganj-4: This may be my last election, says Shamim Osman
Senior lawyer Zainul Abedin , A M Mahbub Uddin Khokan, and Advocate Sagir Hossain Leon appeared in the court on behalf of Mirza Fakhrul, while Attorney General A M Amin Uddin, Deputy Attorney General Md Sarwar Hossain and Tushar Kanti Roy represented the state.
Eleven cases were filed at Paltan and Ramna police stations on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28.
Of them, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why Fakhrul should not be granted bail in a case filed over the attack on the Chief Justice's residence.
Ganatantra Mancha urges voters to boycott lopsided polls
He sought bail in the remaining 10 cases. But on December 12, the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court of Dhaka rejected the bail petitions.
Later, a writ petition was filed with the HC on December 14.
Following the petition, a High Court bench on December 18 directed the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Courts in Dhaka to accept and dispose of the bail petitions of BNP Secretary General in the nine cases as Mirza Fakhrul was shown arrested in one of the cases filed with Paltan police.
Equal opportunities will be ensured for all candidates: EC Ahsan Habib
The BNP secretary general was arrested in a case on October 29.
Later, a bail petition was filed with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court of Dhaka. The court sent him to jail rejecting his bail petition.
BNP-Jamaat acting on directives from London: PM says in Sylhet
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, today vehemently criticized BNP-Jamaat for inciting a wave of terrorist and militant activities against citizens of the country. This campaign, she asserts, aims to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for January 7, 2024.
She accused the BNP-Jamaat of acting on directives from London, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would not tolerate such crimes.
Asserting the constitutional right of citizens to vote, Sheikh Hasina declared that no one should obstruct or harm others for exercising their voting rights. Her comments came during interaction with reporters following her visit to Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet.
The Prime Minister emphasized that Bangladesh rejects all forms of militant and terrorist acts. She expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would eventually reject those responsible for such actions.
PM Hasina visits shrines of sufi saints in Sylhet at start of polls campaign
Addressing the recent arson attacks on trains, she issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, emphasizing that such criminal acts would be met with decisive action. Sheikh Hasina criticized the BNP-Jamaat clique’s attempts to derail the election and prevent voter participation but noted the public's overwhelming support for the electoral process.
“People are not responding to BNP’s strikes. What will they gain through such destructive activities? Rather, people will hate them ultimately,” she said.
Highlighting her party’s past successes, she recounted the Awami League’s election victories in 2009, 2014, and 2018, attributing them to the party’s commitment to meeting the people’s basic needs.
“Rest of the needs will be fulfilled Inshallah, if in the January 7 election people of Bangladesh cast their votes for the ‘boat’ symbol, and if we can from the government again. We will ensure a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. And no one will be without an address, home, and land,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also touched on her government’s goal of bringing happiness to the impoverished, in line with the vision of the Father of the Nation, and mentioned the country’s recent elevation to developing nation status.
PM Hasina condoles loss of lives in China earthquake
Regarding BNP’s decision to abstain from the election, she questioned the necessity of resorting to violent tactics like arson attacks, which she labeled as “terrorist and militant activities.” She condemned the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s history of violence, including recent attacks on civilians, police, and journalists.
Emphasizing the democratic process within the Awami League, she stated that the party allows all members to participate in elections, leaving the choice of MPs to the electorate.
She emotionally condemned the tragic deaths of a mother and child in yesterday’s arson attack on a train in Dhaka, questioning the morality of such violence. “There is nothing more painful... How can a human being do this to another?”
AL upbeat as PM Hasina to launch election campaign from Sylhet Wednesday
She reiterated her stance against fear tactics used to disrupt elections, referring to similar unsuccessful attempts in 2013 and 2014.
BNP leaders from top to bottom are leaving the party: Hasan Mahmud
Being annoyed with the BNP’s activities, its leaders from top to bottom are leaving the party, said Awami League Joint General Secretaryand Information and Broadcast Ministet Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday.
“I have a question to the BNP leaders: why do they do the politics of BNP? The top leader of the party is not allowed to participate in any election whatever it is at union, upazila or national level.”
He made the remarks while talking to journalists at his office at the secretariat on Thursday.
Govt inviting danger for RMG sector only to retain power: Rizvi
Regarding the King's parties, Hasan, also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said BNP is the first ‘king’s party’ of the country founded by Ziaur Rahman. “Ziaur Rahman after usurping power formed the BNP through distributing leftovers of power,” he said.
About the recent role of civil society and intellectuals, Dr Hasan said, “We saw different statements of intellectuals with importance. But unfortunately they are silent when the arson attacks are being carried out on public transports and public property. Many people became victims of the arson attacks.”
He said those subversive activities will be stopped when the conscious people, journalists and civil society would raise their voice against them. But it is regrettably true that the so-called civil society didn’t make any statement against the violence of the BNP-Jamaat, he added.
EC okays transfer of 338 OCs and 205 UNOs
Dr Hasan said, “I think that the so-called civil society who makes statements from time to time should be identified as opportunists. I would like to urge the journalists to identify them and unmask them.”
Being annoyed with the BNP’s subversive politics, many leaders and workers would leave the party, Hasan Mahmud hoped that the BNP would refrain from such evil politics.
Replying to another query over elections, Hasan said it is not mentioned in the constitution that an election would not be acceptable if a particular political party does not take part in the election.
Many elections were held in Bangladesh in the past where many political parties remained absent, he said, adding even a political party led by a big leader didn’t take part in the 1970's election. "But there was massive participation of the people and the election was accepted."
So far 338 aspirants challenge RO’s decisions
The information minister said the BNP and other political parties didn’t take part in city corporation polls. But, the countrymen took part in those polls, he said.
The festivity among the people has already started centring rhe upcoming polls. So there will be a huge participation of the people in the elections slated on January 7, Hasan Mahmud hoped.