Politics
BNP leader Major Hafiz denies his involvement in forming kings party BNM
Former minister and BNP Vice Chairman Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has trashed allegation that he was a key person in forming the kings party Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM).
He rejected the accusation in a press briefing held at his Banani residence on Tuesday.
Hafiz said amid dull political activities due to holy Ramadan a photograph of him with Shakib Al Hasan (cricketer-turned MP) has created some ripples.
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He said cashing in on the picture a few newspapers have been writting imaginary reports that have tarnished his image as a politician who served six times as a member of parliament (MP) and two times as a minister.
He said during his 37 years of political life "I had good relation with both electronic and print media journalists and respect for them "
"Nevertheless a few journalists who are not known to me and vice versa are publishing news which are puzzleling to me as well as to my party and supporters," he added.
"I got a proposal to form a political party before the January 7 election. They brought Shakib Al Hasan to me but I did not influence him to join the party," claimed Hafiz.
He asserted that he did nothing wrong.
"Did I join the BNM? Did I break the BNP? " he askef admitting that "it is clear that I got a proposal to join the party. But I rejected that. Now they are spreading rumours confusing my party and my supporters."
Stating that a few retired army officers advised him to form a new political party, the BNP leader said, "I told them there is no shortcut to politics."
Hafiz said before January 7 election some important politicians from the ruling party started to make contact with him. "They noted I have differing view on BNP’s policy making process. They assumed that I am eager to leave the BNP."
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He said he told them after 32 years it is impossible for him to leave the party. Besides "I told them I am not good physically. Within a short time I will retire from politics."
Major Hafiz said he made it clear at a press bruefing that he will remain with BNP after former Information minister said he will join BNM.
Mentioning that three or four retired army officers formed the BNM, he said they brought Shakin Al Hasan to him and he (Shakib) expressed his interest to join politics.
Hafiz said "I told Shakib it’s up to you. You are still playing but think more about politics. Without getting any support from me, he left the place."
"It is not realistic that a party will get EC registration with my phone call. And I did not say anything. Those who did it you know," Major Hafiz said replying to a reporter's query.Replying to another question he said BNP held no party council. "I talked about the issue several times. But I never said anything unpleasant about Begum Khaleda Zia."
Govt to guard against complacency: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and Awami League joint general secretary Hasan Mahmud on Monday said his party will refrain from enjoying complacency even after being elected by people's vote for five consecutive times, including the fourth consecutive term.
"We will guard the country for the next five years in the same way as we have guarded the ballot boxes and the streets," he said.
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Hasan made the remarks at a party discussion presided over by Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day-2024 at the Dhaka district office of Awami League at Tejgaon in the capital on Monday afternoon.
He said BNP burnt people alive and set trains on fire in their efforts to resist the election, but they could not resist the election.
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"It was a fair and peaceful election. 80 countries of the world, 32 international organizations have congratulated the Prime Minister on her re-election. Seeing this, BNP is expressing their helplessness and distributing leaflets, and wondering what else can be done. Hope they won't go to the path of sabotage like before," Hasan said.
"But we have to be careful. So we are not complacent, we will guard the country for the next five years," he said.
Regarding the ongoing politics, the Foreign Minister said though frogs are small, their voices are loud.
"Some small political parties and abandoned leaders are making loud noises lately. I don't want to take their names, but there are no people with them. Their meetings are are being held with 20 people in front of 100 people on the stage and the rest with the media," he added.
People are living under a foolhardy government, says Gayeshwar Chandra Roy
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday said it is bad luck for the people of the country as they are living under a foolhardy government.
"How are we doing it is known to all but the ruling quarter situation nobody knows? We know them as they are not doing well. For that they delivered speech scattered advising people to break their fast with plum rather than date," he added.
He said it as a chief guest in a commemoration meeting to mark the 13th anniversary of the death of former Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain organized by Khandaker Delwar Smriti Foundation.
Remembering Khandaker Delwar Hossain contribution in politics Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said in his life time Khandaker Delwar has proved how valiant, powerful and wise he was.
As a politician sometimes Khandaker Delwar Hossain had been felt ashamed for his children's wrongdoing but if they were aware of their duties he could not face it, he said.
BNP central leader and poet Abdul Hye Sikder chaired the event were BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council Member Zainul Abedin Farroque, BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain and others were spoke.
BNP claims acting chairman's speech distorted by using AI
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday claimed that the party’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's speech, which was delivered through zoom app to maintain communication with party leaders and activists, has been distorted with deep fake technology using artificial intelligence (AI).
He said the deep fake video is being spread through a few pro-govt online platforms and media outlets and being used for extorting from BNP’s well-wishers from home and abroad.
Not only acting chairman but also they are making deep fake video of BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and other members, he added.
He said it in a press briefing held at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central Office.
‘BaKSAL 2’ has been established in the country: Dr Abdul Moyeen
Rizvi said after an investigation done by BNP’s IT department they have found that a man named Nahid Rain accused for deception and convicted ied the activity against opposition to degrade their image with the help of Awami League (AL).
It is a matter of great sorrow but the truth is the prime criminal is being promoted in both online and offline by an influential foreigner, he alleged.
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi demanded the immediate arrest of Nahid Rain for the crime of extortion in the name of BNP leaders
Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said before January 7 dummy election, AL has been published numerous deep fake video on social media of their false development by using various international media’s anchor and logo.
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Moreover, they also made deep fake video about US Dhaka Embassy by using AI, he continued.
Realizing importance of the deep fake video, Financial Times correspondent Benjamin Parkin has published a report on December 14, 2023 where he showed that how a miscreant ring of pro AL is making deep fake video by using AI.
Petition submitted for extending suspension of Khaleda’s jail term, treatment abroad
A petition was submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday seeking another extension of the suspension of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's jail term and permission to take her abroad for better treatment.
Khaleda Zia’s younger brother Shamim Eskander submitted the petition saying that her life is at risk.
Earlier on September, 18, 2023 the government extended the conditional suspension of Khaleda Zia’s jail term for another six months. With this, her jail sentence suspension was extended for the eight time.
AL government synonymous with syndicate: Rizvi
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order by suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she would stay at her Gulshan house and would not leave the country. Since then, her release term has been extended every six months following the family's plea.
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail as a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty and convicted in another corruption case the same year.
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Khaleda, a 78-year-old former prime minister, has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, eye problems.
Bangabandhu to remain as source of inspiration always: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said although Bangabandhu is no longer among us but he is always a source of inspiration for the people of the country.
“Bangabandhu's birth means the birth of Bangladesh's independence,” he said.
He expressed his doubt whether Bangladesh would have become independent if a leader like Bangabandhu had not been born.
Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32, marking the 104th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation and National Children’s Day-2024.
Calling Bangabandhu the sole beacon of all sorrows of the Bangalees, he said the Father of the Nation will guide the nation to address all disasters and crises.
“Bangabandhu is no more today. We will continue the fight under the leadership of his daughter Sheikh Hasina. Our today's pledge is to continue our journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh,” said the AL leader.
‘BaKSAL 2’ has been established in the country: Dr Abdul Moyeen
BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said that “BaKSAL 2” has been established in the country.
Dr Abdul Moyeen made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting Dhaka district Jubo Dal’s former president Rezaul Karim Paul’s residence, who was recently out of jail.
Dr Abdul Moyeen said, “You know that in the past the BaKSAL had been established in the parliament by killing democracy. Now, there is no room for opposition voices. This is the reality of Bangladesh today.”
“We have said repeatedly that it’s impossible to wipe out the opposition through suppression,” he said.
AL government synonymous with syndicate: Rizvi
“We believe in the power of the people. BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who also declared the independence of the country, had said that people are the source of all power,” he added.
“They say BNP was born in the cantonment… I don’t know from where they got this information, but I want to clarify this. Ziaur Rahman was a soldier but he reinstated multi-party democracy by freeing it from BaKSAL rule. On the other hand, AL claims they are a pro-democracy and pro-independence party, but they have established a one-party BaKSAL rule by stealing democracy,” the senior BNP leader said.
“This is the difference between AL and BNP,” he said.
“AL claims they are a pro-democratic political party, so why are they killing democracy in the country? — Dr Moyeen raised the question.
“The founding spirit of Bangladesh was democracy. Fifty-three years ago, we had said that under the Pakistan structure, no democracy is possible, and for that Bangladesh was formed,” the BNP leader said.
“The beauty of democracy is in the coexistence of ruling and opposition parties, but AL does not believe that,” Dr Abdul Moyeen said.
Extortion in transport sector will never stop completely: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that extortion in transport has been going on for a long time.
"And efforts are underway to bring it under control," he was speaking in a press conference at Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue this morning.
Regarding the prices of essentials, Quader said the government is working sincerely to control the price of goods in the market. "We are working and the result will come one day."
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About BNP, he said that BNP is daydreaming the change of government in a short time.
"There is no alternative to change the government without elections. So, if they (BNP) want to change the government, they have to wait for another election," he said.
Quader said BNP has become isolated. People have no interest in the BNP's movement. People are happy with Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina's leadership is trusted and the people of this country have accepted her honesty, diligence and leadership, he added.
"There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina as the leader of Bangladesh."
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Whether Dr Muhammad Yunus' sentence will affect the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, Quader said I don't think it will affect the relations between the two countries.
Among others, Awami League Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, Afzal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan and other central Awami League leaders were present.
AL government synonymous with syndicate: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the Awami League government is known to the people as a syndicate and plunderer.
After failing to control the soaring prices of daily commodities, AL has let loose Chatra League to attack on Muslim devotees' iftar arrangement, he alleged.
When AL comes to state power, it undermines the religious belief of Muslims and their culture and suppress the alem-ulemas (Islamic scholars) community. They do it to please their master, he claimed.
Rizvi made the comments at a press briefing held at BNP Nayapalton Central office.
All kinds of programme except Iftar are allowed to organise on university premises where AL leaders Obaidul Quader and Hasan Mahmud were present to glorify the occasion. But Iftar organisers have suffered from AL attack. It is a part of conspiracy against Muslims, Rizvi stated.
When Muslims want to celebrate any occasion, why Quader and his party's men feel ashamed, askef the BNP leader.
Sometimes, AL uses Islam for their interest, sometimes throwsvit away, he alleged.
The majority Muslim people of the country are going to lose their culture and values as they have already lost their right to vote, he alleged.
“Dummy AL government could not care less about poor people's voice also," he said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fails to hear the ‘SOS message’ of hungry people in this Ramadan, he claimed.
AL resorts to corruption and misuse of power as one of their former ministers owned more than 350 assets in London worth two hundred million pound. Besides, they have laundered money to Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Europe, Australia and America, he continued.
Rizvi said after January 7 dummy election the AL’s one and only agenda is to wipe out the BNP from politics.
As part of their plan, they are not allowing former PM Khaleda Zia to go abroad for better treatment besides spreading slander against Tarique Rahman to tarnish his image, he said.
Noting that a few media houses have lost their sense, the BNP leader said that without any proper investigation and fact check and only to please Sheikh Hasina they have made it as a habit to publish news against BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
The people now believe that yesterday a report was published on a daily newspaper’s online version following the prescription of an intelligence agency, Rizvi added.
The newspaper could not maintain neutrality as an institution, he alleged.
Democracy International hosts iftar party to promote cross-party engagement
Senior leaders of the Awami League, the BNP and the Jatiya Party on Thursday attended a multi-party Iftar programme organised by the Democracy International.
More than 50 political leaders gathered for the event organised at a hotel in the capital on Thursday.
For more than a decade, the Democracy International has been working with the three main political parties of the country with the aim of promoting women and youth leadership and cross-party tolerance and cooperation.