Politics
Rail fare hike illogical, inhumane: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday expressed deep concern over the increase in rail fares, saying it is an irrational and inhumane move.
In a statement, he also slammed the government for its decision to withdraw the rebate facility for train passengers.
"Rail is the mode of transportation for the poor and downtrodden. Rail fares are comparatively affordable…any increase in rail fares at this time will create a disproportionately negative impact on the lives of the poor and ordinary people,” GM Quader said.
He urged the government to maintain the previous fares of the trains, revoking its latest decision.
The Jatiya Party Chairman said rail passengers have long been enjoying a rebate facility of 20% for a journey of 101-250 km, 25% for a journey of 251-400 km and 30% for a journey of more than 400 km.
“The fare has now increased from Tk 20 to Tk 400 on rail routes due to the withdrawal of the rebate facility. People are already in dire situation amid the growing price hikes in commodities,” he observed.
GM Quader, also the opposition leader in parliament, said the normal income of people is being adversely affected by the extreme heat waves. “In such a reality, increasing rail fares is illogical and inhumane.”
He said the increase in rail fares may also create unbearable hardships for ordinary people in their travel on railways. “At the same time, with the increase in rail fares, the cost of commodities will go up further. So, those who do not travel by rail will also be affected by this move.”
GM Quader hoped that the government would make rail travel affordable for ordinary people by keeping the rebate facility for them and maintaining the existing fares.
BNP expels 61 more leaders for contesting UP polls
The BNP has expelled 61 more of its grassroots leaders for participating in the second phase of upcoming upazila elections by violating the party's decision.
With this latest action, the party has so far expelled 140 leaders for contesting the upazila polls in violation of its directives.
Previously, BNP had ousted 79 grassroots leaders who had filed nominations for chairman, vice-chairman, and female vice-chairman positions in the first phase of upazila polls scheduled for May 8.
According to a press release issued on Saturday, these punitive measures were taken in line with the party's constitution.
It said the 61 leaders of BNP and its associate bodies contesting for the post of chairman, vice chairman and female vice chairman in the second phase of upazila polls in violation of the party's decision have been expelled from all party positions, including its primary membership.
Of the expelled leaders, 26 were contesting for the post of upazila chairman, 19 for vice-chairman, and 16 for female vice-chairman.
A total of 152 upazilas across the country are set to go to polls in the first phase on May 8 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission. The elections for 492 upazilas will be held in four phases, with the second phase scheduled for May 23, the third on May 29, and the fourth on June 5.
BNP remains steadfast in its decision not to participate in the upazila elections, mirroring its stance on the last national election, asserting that fair elections are impossible under the Awami League government.
Earlier on Friday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticised their party leaders for participating in the upcoming Upazila Parishad (UP) polls against the party's decisions, describing them as misguided.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also warned that the opposition leaders seeking to participate in the election race under the Awami League are living in fools' paradise.
On behalf of BNP, Rizvi urged opposition leaders and workers to boycott the "so-called" upazila elections and said people will not accept the local body polls like the January 7 national election even if some misguided BNP leaders remain in the race.
UP polls a government trap: Mirza Abbas
Describing the upcoming Upazila Parishad (UP) elections as the “government's trap”, BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Saturday said their party did not fall prey to it by boycotting the polls.
"The current government has set another trap entwined with the upcoming upazila Parishad elections. They laid a trap earlier during the national election, but BNP boycotted that poll as well,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also said the country does not need elections where people cannot exercise their right to franchise.
Like the national election on January 7, he said people will refrain from going to the polling station to cast their votes in the upazila elections.
Regarding the reported internal discord within the ruling party over the upazila polls, Abbas said Awami League leaders are restraining their own members from contesting the elections and conducting campaigns amidst the boycott by BNP. “What would have happened had the BNP given candidates in the polls? So, our decision (to boycott the election) is justified."
Habibur Rashid Habib Mukti Parishad organised the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the release of BNP’s Dhaka South city unit joint convener Habibur Rashid Habib.
Mirza Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said the country is now under the grip of an autocratic rule and the downfall of this regime is inevitable in the face of public outrage, sooner or later.
“This is not an elected government. So, it is not BNP's responsibility to overthrow this regime. When the people decide, they will oust this government and no one will be able to resist it,” he observed.
Slamming the government for continuously arresting BNP leaders and activists, Abbas said no autocratic regime in the world could suppress any movement by resorting to arrest.
“We’re waging a movement and the country will be freed (from misrule). I don't know if I'll live to see it. But someone will come forward to free this country from the hands of these hyenas,” he said.
Abbas bemoaned that their party Chief Khaleda Zia, who fought for democracy throughout her political career, is now fighting for life as she has been suffering from various critical ailments.
“Allah knows when that happens to her. She’s not allowed to go abroad. We have been repeatedly saying to send her abroad for treatment. Her condition is not good,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government is trying to kill Khaleda by not allowing her to go abroad, showing the excuse of laws.
Those who want to keep govt under pressure are themselves under pressure: Quader
Those who want to keep the government under pressure are now remaining under pressure as the Arab spring has also gone beyond the Atlantic, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
Quader, also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said this while addressing a press briefing at the Awami League President Sheikh Hasina's political office in the capital's Dhanmondi on Friday.
"We feel pressure while governing the country. Even before the election, there was pressure and threats. They have publicly said that they will impose sanctions. Now those who will stress for normal reasons are stressed enough themselves. The Arab Spring has also touched the other side of the Atlantic and we can see it from afar."
Regarding upazila elections candidatures, Awami League general secretary said that the party president has specifically meant wives and children as close relatives of MP ministers. She made it clear in the party's Thursday meetings.
Quader said that many relatives of the MP and minister have started withdrawing their candidature in the upazila elections. Many have already done so. Lastly, Ghulam Dastgir's son withdrew his candidature, he mentioned.
About the BNP chairperson's treatment abroad, Quader said although Khaleda Zia is now imprisoned in the cases filed by the caretaker government, she is now in her residence due to the generosity of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. "She is also even receiving treatment from foreign physicians"
"BNP leaders could not even do a legal battle to release Begum Khaleda Zia. They failed to make any visible procession on the streets," he added.
BNP had created such an unstable situation across the country in the name of a movement with a target to thwart elections and that's why they have lost people's support, Quader said.
As a result, BNP activists now become tired and frustrated though their leaders show them a dream of power, he added.
Obaidul Quader said we do positive politics. Some practical measures should be taken to relieve the people from the particular crisis and to eliminate it.
"The party leader has given the responsibility to organize the party to continue the development process, eliminate the unemployment problem and implement the election manifesto and that is how we are organizing the party," he said
Among others, the press conference was also attended by Awami League Organising Secretaries BM Mozammel Huq and SM Kamal Hossen.
Rizvi describes BNP leaders participating in UZ polls as 'astray, misguided'
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday criticised their party leaders participating in the upcoming Upazila Parishad (UP) polls against the party's decisions, describing them as astray and misguided.
“When the people's support and endorsement align in one direction, there are inevitably a few who stray from the right path. These misguided individuals may choose to participate in the elections, and the party is taking measures against them," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi also warned that the opposition leaders seeking to participate in the election race under the Awami League, a party that lacks faith in fair elections and voting, are living in fools’ paradise.
He said the ruling party leaders have been demonstrating repeatedly the repercussions of elections under Sheikh Hasina's government over the last 16 years by obstructing their opponents from submitting nomination papers, conducting election campaign and physically assaulting them.
Rizvi said people will not accept the local body polls like the January-7 national election even if some misguided BNP leaders remain in the election race.
“Some leaders from our party might participate in the local body polls. A few of our leaders also took part in the sham election on January 7 and appeared victorious... However, in the end, 95 percent of voters abstained from voting, and BNP emerged victorious. BNP's decision prevailed as it was accepted by the people," he said
On behalf of BNP, Rizvi urged opposition leaders and workers to boycott the 'so-called' upazila elections. "Do not go to the polling stations. Encourage people to boycott the polls as well. Stand for democracy, stand with the people, and stand by them."
He urged BNP leaders and supporters to remain vigilant and not be swayed by the ruling party’s attempts to spread fear or confusion.
“Participation in the so-called upazila elections is not urgent at this moment. Instead of becoming part of Sheikh Hasina's autocratic rule and her attempts to perpetuate power, it is much more honourable and respectful for you to be embraced by the people's love," said the BNP leader, pointing to the country’s people.
Replying to a question, Rizvi said their party is expelling those of the leaders are joining the upazila polls going against its decision. “We’re asking them to stay away from the polls. many of them are withdrawing their candidatures. Those who are going against the party decision at this moment are not the party's people...organisational action is being taken against them.”
A total of 152 upazilas across the country will go to polls in the first phase on May 8 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission.
The elections to a total of 492 upazilas will take place in four phases. The second phase of upazila polls will be held on May 23 while the third phase on May 29 and the fourth phase on June 5.
The BNP high-command earlier decided not to join any elections under the current government and the Election Commission.
Upazila polls: EC orders transfer of Matlab Thana OC, SI
The Election Commission (EC) has ordered the transfer of Chandpur Matlab thana Office-in-charge (OC) ahead of the upazila parishad polls.
EC’s senior assistant secretary Md Shajalal sent a notice to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on Thursday.
UZ elections: 1 dead as law enforcers open fire over alleged rigging in Dinajpur
According to the notice, aiming to hold the sixth upazila polls in a free, fair and neutral manner, EC has decided to withdraw Chandpur Matlab Thana (North)OC Md Shahid Hossain and Sub-inspector Md Abu Hanif and appoint eligible officers in that posts.
The EC requested the authorities concerned to take necessary initiatives, reads the notice.
Fakhrul off to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left the country for Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon to perform Umrah.
Fakhrul along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum left Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight around 3:15pm, his personal assistant M Yunus Ali told UNB.
He said the BNP leader and his wife will first go to Medina to offer fateha at the grave of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Pbuh) and offer prayers in the Prophet's Mosque.
Later, they will go to Makkah to perform the holy Umrah and offer prayers in Masjid al-Haram.
The BNP leader is scheduled to return home on May 8 .
Mirza Fakhrul was arrested on October 29, the day after the BNP's grand rally in Dhaka's Naya Paltan was foiled by the police. He was released on bail on February 15 after almost three and a half months of imprisonment.
The BNP secretary general has been suffering from various physical complications since going to jail. His wife Rahat Ara Begum is also sick.
After his release from jail, the couple went to Singapore for treatment on March 4.
Fakhrul calls for unity among parties and workers’ unions to ‘restore democratic rights’ on May Day
Wednesday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urged all, regardless of their political affiliations, to initiate a new movement aimed at reclaiming the rights of the people and eliminating widespread corruption.
Speaking at a rally in Nayapaltan, the BNP leader criticized the government's economic policies. "The government has established a reign of looting by destroying banks and all other economic institutions and capturing all businesses. They have grabbed all the businesses of people belonging to the opposition parties even in the rural areas,” he stated.
Addressing the crowd before the rally, the BNP leader highlighted the need for unity among people from various sectors to restore their rights. "We must all come together. On this May Day, I urge all political parties and ideological organizations, particularly workers' unions, to be united...let’s wage a movement to achieve our desired goal of getting back our voting and democratic rights and the rights of people. This should be our pledge on this May Day,” he said.
Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for check-up
The rally, organized by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, an associate body of the BNP, was held to mark May Day.
Fakhrul also accused the government of attempting to impose a one-party rule, diverging from past methods. “A unilateral governance system is being established in the country. Their tactics are different this time. They do not want to establish BaKSAL now passing a bill in the parliament as before. They want to do it by destroying all democratic institutions under the guise of democracy.”
He reaffirmed the opposition’s commitment to democracy and expressed determination to continue the struggle. "We must always remember one thing, that we have never been defeated in the past, and we will not be defeated in the future as well. Our goal is to establish democracy and restore the voting rights of people in Bangladesh. We’re ready to make more sacrifices to this end,” he added.
The BNP leader lamented that May Day is being observed at a time when the hardworking people of Bangladesh are bereft of their basic rights, under what he termed a “demonic regime”.
BNP activists gather at Nayapaltan to join rally marking May Day
The rally started in the afternoon with cultural performances on a makeshift stage built with trucks in front of the party's headquarters, energizing leaders and workers despite the high temperatures.
As the event unfolded, traffic in the Nayapaltan area slowed, with one side of the road closed. Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists had gathered since noon, arriving in small processions to participate in the rally.
Khaleda Zia taken to Evercare Hospital for check-up
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was taken to Evercare Hospital in the capital this evening for health check-up.
She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 7:05 pm, said her media wing member Shamsuddin Didar.
He said the BNP chairperson will undergo several tests at the hospital as per the advice of her medical board.
BNP activists gather at Nayapaltan to join rally marking May Day
Didar said the medical board will decide whether she needs to be hospitalised after observing her condition and assessing the test reports.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and issues related to kidney, lung, heart, and eye.
Earlier on March 31, the BNP chairpersons was admitted to the hospital and stayed there for two days for some pathological tests and regular examinations.
Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after 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 in another corruption case the same year.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order, suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail.
Sramik Dal to hold rally in city Wednesday to mark May Day
Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending her abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.
On October 26 last year, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
BNP activists gather at Nayapaltan to join rally marking May Day
Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations have started gathering at Nayapaltan in the capital to participate in a rally on the occasion of May Day.
Braving the scorching heat, the opposition activists have begun thronging the rally venue since noon with small processions.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, an associate body of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has arranged the rally which will formally begin at 3pm.
BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is scheduled to address the rally as the chief guest with Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal President Anwar Hossain in the chair.
A makeshift stage has been set up using trucks on the road in front of the party's headquarters where cultural activists have been performing songs to keep the opposition leaders and workers invigorated amidst the severe temperatures.
Traffic movement has slowed down in the Nayapaltan area as one side of the road is completely closed due to the gathering, causing public suffering.
Additional police have been deployed around the rally venue to maintain law and order.
Earlier, Sramik Dal sent a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner informing about the rally.
After brief addresses by the leaders of BNP and Sramik Dal, the opposition workers will take out a colorful rally from Nayapaltan which will end in front of the Jatiya Press Club.