Politics
AL’s associate organisations to hold rally on Friday too
The pre-announced youth rally of Awami League's associate organisations, Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchhasebak League will now take place on Friday, instead of Thursday at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon.
Jubo League General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil confirmed the matter.
A delegation of the AL associate bodies visited the old trade fair ground in Agargaon on Wednesday evening.
Also read: BNP’s grand rally now on Friday at Nayapaltan
The decision came after BNP decided to hold its rally on Friday, instead of Thursday.
Chhatra League General Secretary Sheikh Walid Enan said the decision has been made considering the sufferings of daily commuters.
“Considering the public sufferings, the peace rally of Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League and Chhatra League will be held on Friday, July 28 instead of July 27,” he said.
Also read: BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader
AL associate organizations called for the peace rally in the capital to protest the attacks on its leaders and activists in different parts of the country.
Earlier in the day, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk said police did not allow the BNP to hold the rally at Nayapaltan or at Suhrawardy Udyan. "We have suggested they go to Golapbagh Ground or any other field as Thursday is a working day."
The DMP also suggested three wings of the ruling Awami League—the Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and Chhatra League—to hold their scheduled rally, at Dhaka University or Mohanagar Natya Mancha, instead of at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram national mosque.
Also read: Fakhrul finds Quader's allegation of stockpiling arms along border as part of plot to foil movement
BNP defers tomorrow’s grand rally to Friday at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan
BNP on Wednesday night decided to defer its grand rally, scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday), to Friday. The party said it will hold the grand rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan area as it is unwilling to hold the programme at Golapbagh ground as suggested by the police authorities.
After a marathon meeting of the BNP standing committee members, party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said the rally will be held in front of their party’s Nayapaltan central office at 2 pm on Friday as it is a weekly holiday.
Also read: AL’s associate organizations to now hold youth rally on Friday
“BNP, which strongly believes in democratic values, is announcing to hold the pre-scheduled grand rally in Nayapaltan at 2 pm on weekly holiday, Friday (July 28), instead of Thursday, in order to take the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy forward in a peaceful manner,” Fakhrul said.
He hoped that the government or any of its institutions would not create any barrier to holding the grand rally.
He said the countrymen will consider any attempt to obstruct democratic programmes ahead of the forthcoming election as an “obstruction to the holding of a fair election.”
BNP also called upon people from all walks of life to make the grand rally a success.
He said there are instances of numerous rallies at Suhrawardy Udyan and Nayapaltan on workdays, but the police authorities objected to BNP’s rally on Thursday there showing the excuses of public suffering and an observation of the High Court.
Also read: BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader
As BNP always believes in “peaceful democratic movement,” Fakhrul said it has been showing unlimited patience and tolerance even after various provocations by the government and the ruling party cadres and even after the “killing of 20 leaders and activists and the torture on many leaders and activists of the party over the last one year.”
He alleged that the government has arrested many leaders and activists of BNP across the country centring the grand rally.
Besides, the BNP leader said the law enforcers are raiding hotels in the capital and searching houses of the party leaders and workers in different parts of the country.
Following BNP’s move, Awami League's three associate organisations—Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchasebak League—also announced to hold their rally at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Friday, instead of Thursday.
Also read: Fakhrul finds Quader's allegation of stockpiling arms along border as part of plot to foil movement
Earlier in the day, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk said police did not allow BNP to hold their rally at Nayapaltan or Suhrawardy Udyan. “We have suggested they go for Golapbagh ground or any other field as Thursday is a workday.”
The DMP also suggested three fronts of the ruling Awami League—Jubo League, Swechchasebak League and Chhatra League—hold their scheduled rally either at Dhaka University or at Mohanagar Natya Mancha instead of the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
Following DMP’s decision, BNP standing committee members sat in a meeting at 4 pm at their Nayapaltan central office to discuss the evolving situation over the rally venue.
Fakhrul was supposed to inform the media about their party's decision on the rally venue after the meeting. But Fakhrul, together with other standing committee members, left Nayapaltan for Gulshan around 5:30 pm without talking to the media. They again sat in a meeting there.
After that meeting, Fakhrul said they rescheduled the grand rally for Friday.
Also read: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
A large number of law enforcers have been deployed with riot cars and water cannons in the Nayapaltan area since Wednesday afternoon.
On Monday, BNP sent a letter to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) expressing its interest to hold a rally at Nayapaltan or Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Last Saturday, Fakhrul announced the grand rally on Thursday to press home their one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to “pave the way for holding the next national election under a neutral government.”
BNP still undecided on new rally venue
BNP could not reach a decision on whether they will hold their Thursday’s planned grand rally at Golapbagh ground or not as of Wednesday evening.
“BNP standing committee members sat in a meeting at 4 pm to discuss evolving situation over the rally venue but no decision has been taken yet,” said Rizvi at a press briefing at 6pm at Nayapaltan on Wednesday.
He said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will announce their decision at a press briefing at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office at 8:30 pm today.
The BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party sat in the meeting at their party’s central office following DMP’s suggestion to choose a new venue instead of Suhrawardy Udyan and Nayapaltan to hold their grand rally.
Fakhrul was supposed to inform the media about their party decision on the rally venue after the meeting. But Fakhrul together with other standing committee members left Nayapaltan for Gulshan around 5:30pm without talking to the media.
Later, Rizvi said their standing committee meeting is still going on and Fakhrul will talk to the media around 8:30pm at their party chairperson's Gulshan office.
Read: BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader
Earlier DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruk said, “Police have not yet allowed BNP to hold the rally at Nayapaltan or Suhrawardy Udyan. We have suggested them to go Golapbagh ground or any other field as Thursday is a working day.”
A large number of law enforcers have been deployed with riot-car and water cannons in the Nayapaltan area.
Several hundred BNP leaders and activists also gathered in front of their party office around 5pm but they later left the area following the instruction by the party senior leaders.
On Monday, BNP sent a letter to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) expressing its interest to hold a rally at Nayapaltan or Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Earlier the DMP chief urged the political parties to hold their programmes without causing public suffering as they may be forced to ban political rallies in future if those cause public suffering.
A total of nine political parties including Awami League and BNP have sent letters to DMP seeking permission to hold rallies in the capital on July 27 but few parties will be allowed, he said.
“To hold political rallies is a democratic right of the political parties but it is the responsibility of the DMP to ensure the security of the people,” he said while talking to reporters after inspecting the overall security measures on the occasion of Holy Ashura over the Tajia procession.
Read: Fakhrul meets Khaleda ahead of Thursday's grand rally
On Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme to press home their one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to pave the way for holding the next national election under a neutral government.
He said the rally will be held in the capital at 2pm as part of their simultaneous movement.
Read more: Fakhrul finds Quader's allegation of stockpiling arms along border as part of plot to foil movement
BNP must take responsibility if public safety is disturbed during movement: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has warned that BNP will have to shoulder responsibility for any kind of terrorism and violence in the name of movement.
"If BNP creates any kind of terrorism and violence in the name of movement, Awami League will deal with it along with people. If the peaceful environment is hampered in any way and public safety is disturbed, the BNP will have to take responsibility for it, “he said.
Read: BNP-Jamaat made ‘fake voter list’ in 2006 to solidify grip on power: Sajeeb Wazed
He said this in a statement sent to the media on Wednesday, condemning the ‘misleading’ and ‘motivated’ political statements of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
In the statement, Quader said history says that terrorism and lies are the main tools of BNP's politics.
BNP and its allies have repeatedly disrupted the democratic progress of this country and BNP’s main aim is to grab power by any means by holding the people hostage by creating fear in the mind of people, he said.
Read: BNP thought foreigners would be instrumental in ‘toppling the Sheikh Hasina govt’: Salman F Rahman
The Awami League general secretary said BNP leaders who destroyed democracy in Bangladesh are standing in front of people wearing the mask of democracy. People know the faces behind the masks well and so they have not responded to any call of BNP and they will not get any support of people in future, he added.
He urged BNP to come back from the path of conspiracy and face the people through elections.
Read more: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Fakhrul meets Khaleda ahead of Thursday's grand rally
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met with the party’s Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday night, just two days before the party’s planned grand rally in the capital.
The BNP secretary general went to the BNP chief’s Gulshan residence around 8pm and had near 40 minutes meeting with her, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Also read: Fakhrul finds Quader's allegation of stockpiling arms along border as part of plot to foil movement
He said Fakhrul enquired about the BNP chief about her health condition.
Party sources said the BNP secretary general informed the BNP chief about the party’s plan centring the grand rally slated for Thursday.
The BNP chief also gave Fakhrul the necessary directions in this regard.
Also read: One-point Movement: BNP to hold grand rally in Dhaka next Thursday
Fakhrul last met the BNP chief on July 8 last and informed her about the one-point demand.
On July 22, the BNP leader announced to hold a grand rally in the capital as part of their one-point demand.
The party has already sent an application to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissionr seeking either Nayapaltan or Suhrawardy Udyan for the venue of the rally.
Also read: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Fakhrul finds Quader's allegation of stockpiling arms along border as part of plot to foil movement
Trashing the ruling party’s allegation of 'stockpiling arms along the border', BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir on Tuesday said it’s a fresh plot to foil the anti-government movement and Thursday’s grand rally.
“They (govt) have started a new plot to stop the rise of people and the political movement to restore democracy. Mr Obaidul Quader said in a meeting that BNP is accumulating weapons along the border to create anarchy in Bangladesh,” he said.
Also read: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Speaking at a discussion with lawyers, the BNP leader said the ruling party leader made the terrible remark when the people are waking up and starting their final movement to establish their rights.
“They (AL) are trying to hatch a new conspiracy. We would like to make it clear that you'll have to bear all the responsibilities if you use weapons against the people again. The people will also give a reply to it,” he warned.
Fakhrul said their party’s grand rally in the capital slated for Thursday will be held in a peaceful manner. "This rally can’t be thwarted by resorting to any conspiracy and unleashing violence,” he pledged.
Also read: No possibility of conflict from AL side on July 27 but govt will ensure safety of lives and property: Quader
He urged the authorities concerned to make all necessary steps so that BNP can hold the rally peacefully.
Or else, he warned that the government, the authorities will be held responsible if anything bad happens centring the grand rally.
Bangladesh United Lawyers Front arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. Lawyers from different districts adjacent to Dhaka join the programme.
Also read: BNP thought foreigners would be instrumental in ‘toppling the Sheikh Hasina govt’: Salman F Rahman
Earlier in the day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a views-exchange meeting said BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.”
“Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said.
Fakhrul called upon the lawyers to join the ongoing democratic movement of the opposition parties to free the country from misrule. “The people of Bangladesh have to fight another war-like the Liberation War to build a welfare state for the people. Let us all move forward toward that goal.”
Also read: 'AL wants to trigger confrontation through counter-rally programme': Fakhrul
Fakhrul said Bangladesh is now facing its worst-ever political crisis as the current regime has been in power by deceiving the people, spreading fear and destroying all state institutions.
“It is a difficult task for any democratic force to overcome such a crisis. That’s why all the (opposition) political parties have united under this and simultaneously announced a one-point demand,” the BNP leader said.
He said the current regime must resign, dissolve the current parliament and hold a free, fair and impartial election by re-establishing a non-partisan government.
The BNP leader said the Election Commission also must be reconstituted with competent, patriotic and talented people as the current ‘worthless’ commission will not be able to hold a credible national election.
“There’s is no path open in front of us. This government filed false cases against 40 lakh people while it is shedding blood when we’re taking to the streets,” Fakhrul said.
Also read: Govt using “internet shutdown" as weapon to suppress opposition: Fakhrul
He said the country’s people have no confidence in the election under Sheikh Hasina. “Their (people's) only demand is to reform the electoral system and bring back the caretaker government to arrange a fair election. “We won’t return home until this demand is met.”
Nur threatens to ‘throw Election Commission officials in the drain’ over his party not getting registered
Nurul Haque Nur, leader of a faction of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has threatened to “throw Election Commission officials in the drain” over his party not getting registered.
“Haven’t you seen what happened in Sri Lanka? … In our country you’ll be thrown into the drain,” Nur said today while he and his supporters tried to lay siege to the Election Commission building.
Also read: Nur’s supporters ‘beat up’ factional rival Tarique
In a live video posted on his official Facebook page, Nur was also heard telling law enforcers that there were thousands of Gono Odhikar Parishad activists against 100-150 policemen.
“Consider this a trailer, during the final match whoever shows up in front of us we will kick you out like football,” he warned.
Gono Odhikar Parishad split into two after Reza Kibria was removed from his position as convener by the faction loyal to Nur.
Also read: Nur and his supporters try to break into locked office space, building owner says rent due for almost 17 months
The faction led by Reza Kibria, which includes several central leaders holding important positions, asked the Election Commission not to allow the approval for Nur’s appeal as they do not consider Nur to be their leader. They also said that the Nur-led faction breached conditions as stated in party documents and lacked support from the majority of the party.
The spat between Nur and Reza grew after allegations were raised against the former of embezzlement of party funds and running the party in an autocratic manner.
Meanwhile, 21 leaders and activists of Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, the student front of Nur’s party, resigned en bloc protesting “immorality and policy violations by its central leaders.”
Also read: Nur now calls two media outlets ‘govt’s lackeys’
Nur, however, did not provide any evidence to counter the allegations against him.
Recently Nur attempted to forcibly enter his office space after the owner locked it, citing Nur’s “refusal to pay rent for almost 17 months."
BNP-Jamaat made ‘fake voter list’ in 2006 to solidify grip on power: Sajeeb Wazed
In fear of public rejection to Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman, the BNP-Jamaat alliance made a “fake voter list of 12.3 million people in 2006” in a bid to win the polls riding on undemocratic vehicles, according to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed.
His observation was conveyed through a video posted on his verified Facebook page, narrating the agony and sufferings that the people of the country underwent during the BNP-Jamaat rule between 2001 and 2006, a period characterized by “rape, murder, arson, and corruption.”
Also read: BNP could never accept people's mandate for AL: Joy
Sajeeb Wazed also held BNP-Jamaat responsible for Bangladesh becoming a “global champion” in corruption for five times in a row between 2001 and 2006, which fueled strong public sentiment against Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.
Containing media reports published back then, the visual conveyed that BNP and Jamaat came to power in 2001 through “subversive activities and tyrannized the whole country through murders of journalists and intellectuals, rape of women, and extortion in every sphere.”
Also read: Sajeeb Wazed attributes restoration of democracy to AL, recalls dark times when govt was led by military rulers and fundamentalist forces
“BNP-Jamaat recruited their party goons as returning officers,” it said.
The video contains media reports exposing how the party then appointed party loyalists disregarding merit in the Public Service Commission (PSC).
By utterly disregarding the constitution, they set up 300 Chhatra Dal cadres as polls officials, a design to rig the election and usurp power which sparked chaos across the country at the time, the video said.
Also read: Polls-oriented confusion and conspiracy evident in BNP: Sajeeb Wazed
BNP thought foreigners would be instrumental in ‘toppling the Sheikh Hasina govt’: Salman F Rahman
Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman has said that BNP thought foreigners would be instrumental in “toppling the Sheikh Hasina government and putting them in power.”
“They did not get any support from foreign countries over the caretaker government issue,” he said at an event organised by Bangladeshis living in Italy on Monday night.
“BNP does not want elections to take place in the country unless their demands are met. Elections will be conducted on time in accordance with the constitution under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership,” he said.
BNP preparing in secret to take part in next elections: Salman F Rahman
He also said that the development of Bangladesh should continue under Sheikh Hasina's leadership, and emphasized the importance of uniting AL leaders and activists to ensure that the government's development initiatives reach the people effectively.
“During Prime Minister Hasina's visit to Italy, several Italian ministers and the Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) acknowledged Bangladesh as a role model and sought insights into the nation's development journey,” he said.
US delegation attends dinner hosted by Salman F Rahman
Salman F Rahman also shared that Bangladeshis living in Italy are making noteworthy contributions to their host country with a strong sense of dedication. He relayed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's call for the establishment of Italian language educational institutions in Bangladesh, allowing for learning the language in the country.
Moreover, the Bangladesh government is investing in new aircraft, raising expectations for the launch of Dhaka-Rome direct flights in the future, he added.
No dialogue with BNP on scrapped caretaker govt system: Salman
Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.”
“We will not leave the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends. The country, democracy, development—nothing is safe with them,” he said.
The road, transport, and bridges minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this morning.
Read: No possibility of conflict from AL side on July 27 but govt will ensure safety of lives and property: Quader
He also urged party leaders and activists to fight for the country.
“We are going to start a campaign in September—with the aim to win the election, taking all the pro-liberation war forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Quader added.
He said that Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. "But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said.
Read: Nothing will be gained through conspiracy: Home Minister to BNP
“As Ziaur Rahman did not come to power with public support, BNP too does not have confidence in the people. They (BNP) also know what the election results will be like,” the AL leader said.
Urging party activists to remain alert, Quader said that BNP wants conflict.
Among others, Awami League presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Kamrul Islam and Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin; joint general secretaries Dr. Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nashim; leaders of all associate bodies of the party were also present at the meeting.