Politics
AL-govt set a new precedent in usurpation: BNP
BNP senior leader Selima Rahman on Saturday alleged that the government did not stop at humiliating Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, and it has now occupied his business institutions.
“People see their (govt’s) tyranny and how Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus' institutions are being encroached upon. They have humiliated him... Now, his telecom and other institutions have been completely usurped,” she said.
Speaking at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader also said the tyranny of the current Awami League government is all-pervasive since it has set a new precedent in usurpation.
Selima, a BNP standing committee member, also said the ruling party men are indulging in rape and crimes against humanity.
“You have heard about the (rape) incident at Jahangirnagar University. Newspapers are reporting how women are being oppressed and harassed every day,” she said.
Stating that the women sacrificed a lot during the country’s Liberation War, the BNP leader bemoaned that mothers are now being raped and harassed there in this country. “There is no remedy while irregularities are everywhere.”
Selima said the repressed women and oppressed people don’t get cooperation from people and justice from the judiciary due to the politicization of the state apparatus.
Bangladesh Nagorik Odhikar Andolon organised the rally demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, standing committee member Mirza Abbas and other jailed opposition leaders, and protesting the growing price hikes in daily essential commodities.
Selima said the country’s people are going through a tough time to cope with the skyrocketing prices of all commodities.
She also slammed the government for its inaction to lower the soaring prices of the commodities by controlling the business syndicate.
The BNP leader called upon the people from all walks of life to take to the streets to establish a pro-people government by ousting the current “fascist’ regime.
BNP Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu said Bangladesh's only Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus's building is being occupied by the pro-government people. “He (Muhammad Yunus) himself said he was not getting any cooperation from the police.
He also said the prices of essential items will not go down until the current government remains in power. “I can guarantee that the people of this country will be in danger because of the current fragile economic condition.
The BNP leader said the government is going to destroy the country's economy after ruining the country’s politics, election system and state machinery.
Obaidul Quader labels BNP ‘primary source of extremism’
Awami League General Secretary and Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, Obaidul Quader, criticized the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as the primary source of extremism in Bangladesh.
During a press conference held at the Awami League president's office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Quader today accused the BNP of fostering extremism and engaging in reckless political tactics.
Quader asserted, "Extremism in Bangladesh originated with the BNP. Unlike the BNP, the Awami League engages in responsible discourse, not baseless rhetoric." He likened BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to a "reckless driver," accusing the BNP of aiming to disrupt political stability, a pattern they have historically followed.
Read: Quader suggests BNP make preparations for next election instead of next movement
Highlighting the tragic assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, Quader blamed General Ziaur Rahman and Khandaker Mostak for initiating the politics of murder and conspiracy in Bangladesh. He criticized the BNP's attempts to shift the blame for such historical atrocities onto the Awami League.
Quader also commented on the BNP's current political strategy, suggesting that their repeated criticisms of the government stem from a lack of substantive issues and are an attempt to rally their base out of frustration and defeatism.
On the issue of the recent tensions along the Myanmar border, Quader emphasized the need for "intelligent diplomacy," noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively pursuing a peaceful resolution under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's guidance. He stressed the importance of monitoring all parties' movements and avoiding conflict.
Read: Awami League names reserved seat MPs
The press conference was attended by Awami League organizing secretaries Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan and Sujit Roy Nandi, office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, and other leaders from both the central and metropolitan units of the Awami League.
BNP activist allegedly beaten to death by AL men in Raozan
An activist of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was allegedly beaten to death by Awami League counterparts in Chattogram's Raozan upazila on Friday.
This incident took place in the Hajipara area of Raozan municipality on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Md Musa, 45, a resident of the area.
Eyewitness said when Musa went to a local mosque to offer Jumma prayers, 10 to 12 youths led by local AL leader Iqbal, attacked him and beat him mercilessly, leaving him unconscious.
Later, he was rescued by the locals and taken to the Upazila Health Complex where the doctor declared him dead.
Wishing anonymity to avoid the wrath of the ruling party, an upazila BNP leader said Musa was an active worker of BNP. For the past 15 years, he was out of the area due to threats from Awami League cadres.
“We have come to know that the ruling party is trying to cover up the incident by managing the doctors and the administration to pass off a heart attack as the cause of his death,” he added.
Quoting doctors, Raozan Police Station OC Abdullah Al Haroon said Musa suffered a heart attack during an altercation with his opposition group.
“As we received a complaint from the victim's family, we will look into the matter,” he added.
Quader suggests BNP make preparations for next election instead of next movement
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday advised BNP to prepare for the next general election instead of thinking about the next movement.
He made the suggestion at a joint meeting of the party held at the Awami League central office in the capital this morning.
BNP stuck in quicksand of wrong politics: Quader
Regarding BNP's movement until victory, Quader said Mirza Fakhrul has become overwhelmed with daydreams after getting out of jail.
At the time, the AL leader stated that, “BNP should recognise that the issue of issue-based movement in the country cannot be found while the people's administration is in power.”
Quader anxious to restore party unity ahead of important AL meeting
In his introductory speech at the joint meeting, Quader said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has brought great honour to the country by participating in the Security Conference in Germany. Today, the democratic world has unhesitatingly accepted the importance of Bangladesh.”
"The geopolitical position of Bangladesh is fertile ground for many of our enemies. Many falcons have eyes on the Bay of Bengal and St. Martin. However, Sheikh Hasina's government has led to the success of balanced diplomacy", he added.
Bangladesh strengthens its position along Myanmar border: Obaidul Quader
At this time, Quader said that the party president instructed the divisional in-charge to resolve the internal disputes of the party, including the formation of the expired committee.
Newly elected MP Shahiduzzaman Sarker takes oath
Md Shahiduzzaman Sarker (Naogaon-2), a newly elected member of parliament (MP) from the parliamentary constituency-47 (Naogaon-2), took oath on Thursday.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath at a ceremony in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Deputy Speaker Md Shamsul Haque Tuku, whips Iqbalur Rahim and Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon were present at the oath-taking ceremony conducted by Secretary (Sr.) of Parliament Secretariat KM Abdus Salam.
The election to the Naogaon-2 constituency was held on February 12 last.
Earlier, the Election Commission postponed the Naogaon-2 polls following the death of a candidate there before the 12th parliamentary election.
Movement will continue to restore democracy, says Fakhrul after release from jail
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the people of Bangladesh will continue their peaceful movement for the restoration of democracy and the right to vote until the victory.
"We will continue our peaceful movement until we achieve victory for the people,” he told reporters soon after walking out of jail.
The BNP leader claimed that the government was affected by holding a lopsided election on January 7. “Neither has BNP suffered any loss nor has the movement. We will continue the movement to restore the right to vote,” he said.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh have always struggled and fought for democracy and for their right to vote. “Inshallah they (people) will win this struggle.”
Earlier, Fakhrul Islam and the party’s Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury were freed from jail on bail after nearly three and a half months of their arrest before the 12th parliamentary election.
They walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj around 3:35 pm after the bail order reached the jail authorities, said media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
BNP leaders and activists and the relatives of the two top leaders of the party received the duo at the jail gate.
Both Fakhrul and Khasru exchanged greetings with the party leaders and workers at the jail gate by waving their hands.
Amir Khasru said the ruling Awami League has usurped power using the state machinery, but the people of Bangladesh have rejected them. “They have been morally defeated by the people in the election.”
He said the movement for the restoration of democracy will continue. “This will continue until we get back democracy and a government elected by people.”
The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh have given a verdict in favour of democracy by boycotting the 12th parliamentary election.
Accusing the government of jailing BNP leaders and activists ahead of the election, he claimed that the morale of all pro-democratic parties, including BNP, is strong enough to carry out the anti-government movement on the streets.
Earlier on Thursday, a Dhaka court granted bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the chief justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court's acting judge, Faisal Atiq Bin Quader, approved the bail upon reviewing their petitions.
The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru.
In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to the violence during the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan. After a long legal battle, they secured bail from the court in all the cases filed against them, paving the way for their release.
Fakhrul, Khasru freed from jail on bail
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury were freed from jail on bail after nearly three and a half months of their arrest before the 12th parliamentary election.
They walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj around 3:35 pm after the bail order reached the jail authorities, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
He said BNP leaders and activists and the relatives of the two top leaders of the party received the duo at the jail gate.
Read: Fakhrul, Khasru may walk out of jail this afternoon
Getting released from jail, they are going straight to their respective residences with their relatives, said Sayrul.
Earlier on Thursday, a Dhaka court granted bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the chief justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court's acting judge, Faisal Atiq Bin Quader, approved the bail upon reviewing their petitions.
The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru.
Read: BNP leader Moyeen Khan meets Peter Haas
In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to the violence during the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan.
Fakhrul, Khasru may walk out of jail this afternoon
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury are anticipated to be released from Keraniganj Central Jail following their lawyers' efforts to withdraw the production warrants against them in all cases.
Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon and Advocate Masud Ahmed Talukdar, representing the BNP leaders, have initiated the legal process for the withdrawal of the production warrants. This comes after both leaders obtained bail in all cases, as confirmed by Sairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP chairperson's media wing, to UNB.
“The necessary legal steps are being taken following the provision that allows for the withdrawal of production warrants issued for the leaders to be presented in court while incarcerated,” the lawyers stated.
Read: Fakhrul, Khasru secure bail; no bar to walk out of jail
Work on withdrawing the production warrants has already begun, with expectations that if completed by noon today, the BNP leaders could be released. The documentation related to the withdrawal is hoped to be finalized by Thursday evening.
Advocate Masud mentioned that 13 production warrants had been issued against Fakhrul, highlighting the legal hurdles faced. However, Advocate Syed Joynal Abedin assured that there are no obstacles to their release as bail has been secured in all cases.
The context for the anticipated release follows a Dhaka court's decision on Wednesday to grant bail to both Fakhrul and Khasru in connection with a case filed over the vandalism of the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28 last year. The Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court's acting judge, Faisal Atiq Bin Quader, approved the bail upon reviewing their petition.
Read: Usurping power AL govt showing arrogance: Rizvi
The case was filed by the police on October 29, accusing 59 BNP leaders and activists, including Fakhrul and Khasru, of vandalism and assault during the rally. In total, 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul and 10 against Khasru related to violence surrounding the rally. Fakhrul was detained on October 29, and Khasru on November 3, both from their residences in Gulshan.
Awami League names reserved seat MPs
The ruling Awami League announced the names of the nominated candidates for the reserved women's seats in the 12th Parliament.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader announced the names of 48 candidates after the Parliamentary Nomination Board meeting held in Ganabhaban on Wednesday afternoon.
BNP to remain dysfunctional without change in leadership: Hasan Mahmud
The nominees are Rezia Islam-Panchgarh, Droupadi Devi Agarwar-Thakurgaon, Ashika Sultana-Nilphamari, Rokeya Sultana-Joypurhat, Kohli Quddus-Natore, Zebin Mahbub-Chapainawabganj, Runu Reza-Khulna, Farida Akhtar-Bagerhat, Farzana Sumi-Barguna, Khaleda Bahan-Bhola , Nazneen Nahar-Patuakhali, Farida Yasmin-Narsingdi, Umme Farzana-Mymensingh, Nadia Binte Amin-Netrokona, Mahfuza Sultana Molly-Joypurhat, Parveen Zaman Kalpana-Jhenaidah, Aroma Dutta- Cumilla, Laila Parveen-Satkhira, Begum Mannizaman Sufian-Khulna, Badhura Ahmed Salam-Gopalganj, Shabnam Jahan-Dhaka, Parul Akhtar-Dhaka, Sabera Begum-Dhaka, Shammi Ahmed-Barishal, Nahid Izhar-Dhaka, Jharna Hassan-Faridpur, Fazilatunnessa-Munshiganj, Sahida Tarikh Dipti-Dhaka, Anima Mukti Gomez -Dhaka, Sheikh Anarkali-Dhaka, Masuda Siddique Rozi-Narsingdi, Tarana Halim-Tangail, Begum Shamsunnahar-Tangail, Meher Afroz Chumki-Gazipur, Aparajita-Tangail, Hasina Bari Chowdhury-Dhaka, Najma Akhtar-Gopalganj, Aruna Chakraborty-Sylhet, Faridur Nahar Laili-Laxmipur, Ashrafun Nessa-Laxmipur, Kanan Ara Begum-Noakhali, Shamima Haroon Lubna-Chattogram, Farida Khanam-Noakhali, Delara Yusuf-Chattogram, Wasika Ayesha-Chattogram, Darthi-Rangamati, Sanjida Khanam-Dhaka, Nasima Zaman- Rangpur.
BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister
There are 50 reserved seats for women in Parliament, allocated in a manner where each political party receives one reserved seat for every six general seats won.
According to the provision, the AL secured 48 seats based on its own and its independents' support.
The sale of application forms for the reserved seats began on 6 February at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office.
Quader anxious to restore party unity ahead of important AL meeting
The AL sold 1,553 nomination forms for its 48 reserved women's seats.
Obaidul Quader said that they will submit the nomination to the Returning Commissioner of the Election Commission on February 18.
AL indulging in internal bloodshed to get share of looted money: BNP
BNP on Wednesday alleged that social anarchy has now reached an extreme level across the country, saying the members of the ruling party are now indulging in “internal bloodshed to secure a share of looted money”.
Speaking at a leaflet distribution programme, party Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also accused Awami League of establishing feudalism throughout Bangladesh after the January 7 election.
Pahela Falgun celebration brings colour, joy in life
“The country has plunged into a deep darkness. A terrible anarchy is going on in the economic and social arena. What is now happening in the social sphere? Universities have turned into dens of sexual harassment,” he said.
“The BNP leader alleged that the cadres of the Chhatra League hacked a youth into 10 pieces in Kushtia. “Sajeeb of Chhatra League himself confessed to their involvement in the murder…they’re now not just attacking BNP (followers) as they’re killing each other to stake their claim on plundered money.”
He voiced concern that the country is now heading towards a dangerous dire consequence as a result of the escalating social anarchy.
Rizvi along with some party leaders and activists distributed leaflets in the city’s Gulshan area among the pedestrians, shop owners, transport workers and rickshaw pullers in the area as part of their countrywide programme, demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliamentary polls and a fresh election under a non-partisan government.
The leaflet titled 'Save the country, save the people' demanded the cancellation of the January 7 one-sided by-election, the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the establishment of an impartial election commission under a caretaker government the release of jailed BNP leaders and activists, including its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
The leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies also distributed leaflets for the second consecutive day in different areas of Dhaka and all metropolitan cities also to mount pressure on the government to reduce the prices of essential commodities.
330 BGP members, others to be handed over to Myanmar authorities Thursday: BGB
He alleged that the ruling party leaders are showing arrogance after usurping power through the ‘lopsided’ 12th parliamentary election.
“The usurper regime is thinking that they have become the owner of Bangladesh after the January 7 dummy election. Our fight against such feudalism will not stop. The power of the people has been taken away. The power of the people must be returned to the people,” Rizvi said.
He claimed BNP and like-minded parties are in a street movement to bring back democracy and restore people’s power as the owners of the country. “It (movement) is not to bring BNP to power. This is a struggle to return power to the people.”
The BNP leader alleged that Bangladesh’s sovereignty has been weakened due to the government’s inaction and subservient policy. “Bangladeshis are being shot like birds on the India-Bangladesh border… gunfire is being exchanged regularly near the Teknaf-Ukhia border. Bangladeshi farmers are unable to work and they are spending their days in fear, but our government is silent. This situation cannot continue."