Politics
AL conspiring to come to power by stealing votes again: Amir Khasru
This government is fascist, occupier and unelected. They are conspiring to come to power by stealing votes again, said BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday.
“The upcoming elections are being closely monitored by world leaders and the people of the country.Be very careful, apologise to the people or you won't find an escape route, " he said while addressing a rally at Wazir Ali School ground in Jhenaidah as the chief guest.
Also read: Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
“RAB, police and all the forces of the government are also trying to put Sheikh Hasina back in power to save them. There is no point in doing this. The more mass arrests and tortures you make, the more successful the BNP rallies will be. People will take to the streets in favour of democracy,” he said.
He warned the law enforcement agencies that their movements are being monitored at all times. “What you are doing will be accounted for.”
Jhenaidah district BNP organised the rally as part of the central programme to implement the 10-point demand including an end to arbitrary arrests and police harassment with false cases, rise in commodity prices, load shedding and looting of Awami League. On the night before the rally, BNP leaders were harassed. Seventeen activists were arrested. The venue was packed.
Also read: Mosharraf hints at intensifying anti-govt movement with tougher programmes
Presided over by Jhenaidah district BNP president MA Majid, the programme was addressed, among others, by BNP's Khulna divisional Organising Secretary Anindya Islam Amit, central leaders Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Asaduzzaman, among others.
Sylhet mayor Ariful won’t contest polls
Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation and BNP leader Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Saturday announced that he will not contest the upcoming election scheduled for June 21.
He made the announcement during a public gathering on the Sylhet Registry Ground in the city ending speculation about his candidacy amid the party’s decision to boycott the election.
Also read: 5 city corporation polls: AL to start distributing forms Apr 9
Addressing the crowd, Ariful Haque said, "I embarked on my political journey with the BNP, and I will never make any decision that undermines the integrity of this party."
He said that an appropriate environment for conducting fair elections does not exist.
He highlighted the lack of familiarity among the citizens of Sylhet regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), terming it a fraudulent tool used for vote rigging.
Ariful reiterated that his party, the BNP, would not participate in any election under the current government.
Also read: No challenges so far regarding city corporation polls: IGP in Sylhet
"I have accepted this decision and subsequently boycotted the election," he said.
Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said Sheikh Hasina's resignation is his party's only demand.
“Solution (to the political crisis) will come, on the streets. Bangladesh has to be returned, the Bangladesh we got after the Liberation War is a democratic Bangladesh,” he said at a rally organized by the district BNP at Lalmonirhat Collectorate ground on Saturday afternoon.
Also read: AL-BNP clash leaves 30, inclucing policemen, injured in Patuakhali
“We have said that there will be no election in this country without a neutral caretaker government. For this, the Sheikh Hasina government will have to resign first. The election commission should be formed by forming a neutral caretaker government. According to the new law, the Election Commission cannot cancel any election. We don't want such an Election Commission," said Fakhrul.
“Those who have taken away our voting rights and democracy cannot be in power anymore. It's time to oust them. Wake up, everyone. The only demand is the resignation of Sheikh Hasina,” he also said.
Also read: Mosharraf hints at intensifying anti-govt movement with tougher programmes
The BNP secretary general urged all to unite in the movement to topple the government.
“The government who came to power through vote-rigging could not feed rice at Tk 10 per kg, and increased the price of fertilizer several times, today people are unable to buy onions, eggs. By increasing the price of goods, The Awami League has destroyed the country's economy by looting the country's resources and smuggling it abroad,” he said.
“False cases have been filed against about 40 lakh leaders and workers of our party. Many leaders and activists , including former MPs, have been made disappeared. The Awami League government has killed our leaders and activists in the name of crossfire. Many children are waiting for their father, many wives for their husbands, many mothers are waiting for the arrival of their children. Sheikh Hasina's government has given us such a country,” he said further.
Mosharraf hints at intensifying anti-govt movement with tougher programmes
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday hinted at announcing tougher action programmes in the days to come to remove the current Awami League government from power, and asked the party leaders and activists to take all-out preparations to make the movement a success.
Speaking at a rally in the capital, he also warned the law enforcers not to open fire on people and obstruct peaceful programmes if they want to eschew action by the future government after Awami League.
“We call upon all to get ready to take part in the greater movement and execute our tougher programmes in unison in the days to come to oust this autocratic government,” the BNP leader said.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said the people of the country no longer want to see the current regime in power as their backs are pushed against the wall by ‘misrule’, plundering and repression.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka South City unit arranged the rally on Pir Jongi Mazar Road in the city’s Kamalapur area to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists in 'false cases'.
BNP also organised rallies in 20 other cities and districts also for registering the party’s protest against the filing of 'fictitious' cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts and the ‘all-pervasive’ corruption by the Awami League government.
Mosharraf alleged that police attacked BNP’s peaceful rallies and opened fire on the party leaders and activists in Khulna on Friday and in Lalmonirhat, Rajbari and Patuakhali on Saturday.
“We would like to remind those in the administration and different law enforcement forces that are the servants of the republic…you’re supposed to serve the people. But you’re now firing on the country’s people taking a stance against them,” the BNP leader said.
He called upon the law enforcers not to carry out the unlawful orders of the Awami League government taking a stance in favour of the people.
"Many of you (law enforcers) are afraid that you’ll have to face a lot of trouble if this Awami League government is not in power. We ask that you mend yourselves now. Those of you who stand for the people from now on will be forgiven by the government that comes in the future,” Mosharraf said.
He, however, said the country’s people and their government will not forgive those law enforcers who will go against the people and fire on them and obstruct the peaceful programmes.
The BNP leader alleged the current government has snatched the people’s rights to vote by obliterating democracy to hang onto power.
He said the government has ruined the country’s economy by indulging in widespread plundering and corruption. “Awami League has put the country’s people in serious trouble by hiking the prices of essentials through its business syndicate.”
Mosharraf said there is no rule of law in the country as the government has destroyed the judiciary through politicisation.
AL-BNP clash leaves 30, inclucing policemen, injured in Patuakhali
At least 30 people, including activists of Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and police personnel, were injured in clash between the two parties over holding rally in Sadar upazila of Patuakhali today.
Police used teargas to disperse the fighting groups while an additional number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to avert any untoward incident.
Local BNP leaders said there was a scheduled rally to press home their 10-point demand, including resignation of the incumbent government and holding the next parliamentary election under a neutral government, in front of the party office in Patuakhali's town's Banani intersection area at 10 am.
BNP activists and leaders from different parts of the district started gathering with processions since early morning, they said, adding that they were barred by the ruling party activists on their way to the rally venue.
A clash broke out between the activists of the parties when an AL procession was passing by, witnesses said.
Brickbats were thrown targeting each other, while BNP’s district office was also vandalised. The rival groups chased each other several times in the area, causing panic among the commuters and locals.
BNP Central leader ABM Mosharraf Hossain said at least 25 BNP activists were injured in the attack by AL men.
Md Saidul Islam, superintendent of police (SP), said, the situation is now under control and an additional number of policemen have been deployed in front of the BNP office in the town.
The SP said they used teargas to bring the situation under control but instantly could not inform how many rounds were used.
Additional Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mainul Hassan said several policemen were injured in the clash.
Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge, Md Moniruzzaman, said a process was underway to file cases against those who attacked law enforcers and tried to deteriorate the law and order situation.
The district unit of BNP held an emergency press conference in favour of their 10-point demand and protested the "attack" on their rally at a hotel this afternoon.
At the press conference, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo said the next national polls won’t be free and fair without a caretaker government.
Meanwhile, local AL leaders and activists held a peace rally in the morning.
AL's district unit President and freedom fighter Kazi Alamgir and Vice President Sultan Ahmad Mridha, among others, spoke at the rally.
The district AL president said they will file a case against BNP men for "attacking" their rally.
1,300 sued, 13 arrested over BNP-police clash in Khulna
A case was filed on Friday night against some 1,300 unnamed individuals and 48 BNP leaders and activists ones in connection with a clash between BNP activists and police in Khulna city during the party’s rally on Friday.
Sub-Inspector Khalid Uddin of Khulna Sadar police station filed the case.
Thirteen accused have already been arrested in the case.
Also Read: BNP claims at least 15 leaders, activists shot by police at rally in Khulna
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Hasan Al Mamun of Khulna Sadar Police Station said BNP information secretary Azizul Bari Helal and 47 others were named among 1,300 individuals.
The arrestees are – Sohail Rana, 20, Gazi Salauddin, 42, Md Ataur Rahman, 48, Md Sekandar Sheikh, 60, Md Shaikhul Molla, 34, Md Wahid Sheikh, 32, Md Russell, 24, Rabbi Chowdhury, 29, Mahbub Gazi, 26, Moniruzzaman Mamun, 42, Md Raju Sheikh, 41, Md Alif Milan, 31, and Md Russell, 27.
The clash broke out on Friday afternoon, when BNP organized a protest march on the premises of Khulna Press Club as part of their countrywide programme to press home their ten-point demand including the government's resignation and holding the next national election under a neutral government.
During the rally, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Divisional Organizing Secretary Anindya Islam Amit, and Information Affairs Secretary Azizul Bari Helal arrived at the spot in a private vehicle.
As the BNP supporters began chanting slogans, the situation escalated around 4:30 pm, leading to a clash between the activists and the police.
BNP activists allegedly hurled brickbats towards police while the police responded with baton charges, tear gas, and rubber bullets.
20 BNP leaders reportedly sustained injuries during the clash.
Khulna Metropolitan BNP convener SM Shafiqul Alam Mana said they were attacked during the rally and were not allowed to speak.
“On the contrary, a case has been filed against our activists," he said.
He further added that the assault and legal proceedings would not suppress the determination of BNP activists.
'Your time is up': Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said time is up for the Awami League government, no matter how many countries Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits and what she says.
Speaking at a rally in the capital, he called upon the law enforcers to play a neutral role as the country’s people and the democratic world want a credible national election in Bangladesh under a caretaker government.
“The time of this regime is over, no matter how much its Prime Minister shouts. Whether you (PM) go to Japan, the USA, the UK, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China, you can't make any gains. Your time is up and that’s the reality,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul urged the government to take steps before time runs out fast for freeing people from 'misrule' and accept their demand for holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka North City unit arranged the rally in Shyamoli Club Field in the capital to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists in 'false cases'.
The party also organised rallies in 27 other cities and districts also for registering the party's protest against the filing of 'fictitious' cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts and the ‘all-pervasive’ corruption by the Awami League government.
Fakhrul alleged that people are going through suffering due to the crisis of power, gas, and water though the government has been repeatedly hiking the tariffs of the utility services.
He said people are struggling to survive as the prices of all the daily necessities including rice, oil, eggs, salt, sugar, onion, garlic and ginger have increased two to three-fold.
“But the ministers and the ruling party leaders who live in air-conditioned rooms in luxury say everything is fine and the people of Bangladesh are in very good condition. The ruling party leaders often mock people by saying that they are better off than those in Singapore,” the BNP leader said.
He also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders cannot understand the pulse of people as they got isolated from them. “Stand before people without any state protocol to read their eye and body language.”
The BNP leader said people have got fed up with the ‘misrule’ of the current regime. “They’re finding it difficult to survive. “Those who stay in power against the will of people can’t respect people. Those who stay in power depending on the law enforcement agencies and different forces can’t read the mind of people until their fall.”
He alleged that the government has destroyed every sector of the country. “They steal Tk 78,000 crore every year only from the power sector through quick rental…they also destroyed the education system. There’s no academic atmosphere anywhere, including in colleges, schools, and universities. The Chhatra League cadres have occupied every educational institution. People with third-class degrees are becoming university teachers.”
The BNP leader also said the government has also ruined the health sector by indulging in widespread corruption and plundering.
He said the government is now using the “false and ghost’ cases against the opposition leaders and activists as a last resort to clinging to power at the fag-end of its rule.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists have been subjected to repressions, imprisonment, and killing as they have been on a movement to restore democracy and people’s rights.
“Our 17 brothers have sacrificed their lives in the current movement. We have heard police opened fire on our leaders and activists in Khulna today (Friday). It won’t be possible to stop this movement of people by firing," he said.
Fakhrul slammed the ruling party leaders for their comments that the caretaker government system has already gone to its grave.
“We want to make it clear that the people of this country will not accept any election without a caretaker government to ensure fair polls, vote by themselves and get fair results,” he said.
The BNP leader also said no election will be held in a free and fair manner under the Awami League government. “We saw the election in 2018 and in 2014…..there is no reason to trust them anymore. There can be no question of going to the elections under you (Sheikh Hasina).
He said the government must quit, dissolve parliament, free Khaleda Zia and withdraw the false cases against 40 lakh people.
Fakhrul also questioned the capability of the Election Commission for holding a credible election as it is going to enact a law curbing its power to cancel the election of any constituency. “So where is the independence of the Election Commission? Do you think all the people of Bangladesh are fools? How long will you cheat people? You won’t be able to do it anymore."
He asked the law enforcers not to play any biased role as the current government has lost support both at home and abroad. “The people of the country and the democratic world want a fair, credible and participatory election and they know that it will not be possible without a caretaker government. So please don't create a situation where you (law enforcers) will be identified (for your biased role)."
BNP will also arrange rallies in Dhaka south city, 21 organisational districts and other metropolitan cities on Saturday.
BNP claims at least 15 leaders, activists shot by police at rally in Khulna
At least 15 BNP leaders and activists including general secretary of Khulna chapter Jubo Dal sustained bullet injuries, in police firing during a clash with BNP over holding a pre-scheduled rally of the party in front of Khulna Press Club in the city on Friday afternoon, claimed BNP.
Twenty more people were also injured in the attacks by the police, claimed Shafiqul Islam Tuhin, member secretary of Khulna Metropolitan Unit BNP.
“At least 15 party men received bullet injuries as police fired on them without any instigation,” he claimed.
The bullet-hit included district Jubo Dal General Secretary Ebaidul Hoque Rubayed, Chhatra Dal’ former Convenor Ashiqur Rahman Oni, City College Member Secretary Arif Mollah Turjo, Sadar Thana member Shahil, Chhatra Dal’s former Joint Convenor Abdullah Kimiah Sadat, Jubo Dal leader Jahidur Rahman and a ward-level leader Mujibur Rahman from Senhati union of Dighlia upazila, among others.
Images of injuries suffered by the BNP men suggest police used rubber bullets, not live ammunition.
Moreover, 10 people were detained from the rally venue, he said, adding that the bullet-hit and injured were admitted to several hospitals of the city.
The BNP leader alleged that police opened fire on them, charged batons and used teargas to spoil the rally without any provocation.
Echoing Tuhin, Khulna Metropolitan unit BNP Member Mizanur Rahman Milton said police suddenly attacked them without any provocation.
Some 25 to 30 party men including its Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, central leader Azizul Bari Helal and Annidra Islam Amit were stranded inside the press club during the police attack, he said.
Md Tajul Islam, deputy commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP), said, “We were forced to use teargas when the BNP men threw brickbats targeting us without any pretext.”
He said they detained 10 BNP men from the spot and some cops were injured in the incident.
An additional number of the law enforcing agencies were deployed to avert any unexpected incident, he said, adding that the situation was now under their control.
Denying the allegations, Khulna Sadar police station’s Officer-in-Charge Hasan Al Mamun said the BNP men were trying to hold a rally without permission and carried out an attack on them.
Asked about the firing on BNP men, he avoided making a comment on this issue.
BNP insiders said there was a scheduled rally in front of the Press Club on Friday afternoon to press home their 10-point demand including resignation of the government, stoppage of fake cases and mass arrest and protest of the government’s corruption among others.
The party men from different areas of the district and city started gathering at the venue at noon. A clash broke out when police obstructed a procession heading towards the rally venue, they said.
BNP set to hold rallies in 28 cities, districts on Friday
The BNP is set to hold rallies in 28 cities and districts, including in the capital, on Friday to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government and to protest against the arrest and harassment of party leaders and activists in 'false cases'.
The rallies are also meant for registering the party's protest against the filing of 'fictitious' cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts, and the ‘all-pervasive’ corruption by the Awami League government.
In the capital, BNP’s Dhaka North city unit will arrange the rally in the Shyamoli Club Field.
Dhaka North City unit BNP convenor Amanullah Aman said the rally is scheduled to begin at 3pm and party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest.
The rallies will also be held on Friday in Rangpur city and district, Rajshahi city and district, Chittagong city’s north and south areas, Sylhet city and district, Khulna city and district, Faridpur city and district, Cumilla’s north, south city areas, Narayanganj city and district and Kurigram, Naogaon, Feni, Rangamati, Tangail, Meherpur, Magura, Sherpur and Bhola districts.
On Saturday, Mirza Fakhrul announced countrywide rallies for May 19, 20, 26 and 27.
As part of the programmes, BNP will also arrange rallies in Dhaka south city, 21 organisational districts and other metropolitan cities on May 20.
Besides, they will organise rallies in Dhaka north city, 19 organisational districts and metropolitan cities on May 26 while in Dhaka south city and 15 organisational districts on May 27.
On Wednesday, BNP’s Dhaka South and North City units staged separate marches towards Malibagh from Basabo and Shahjadpur areas in the capital respectively to realise the same demands.
The party also announced today (Thursday) to stage road marches in 10 other metropolitan cities on May 23 and 28 to press home its 10-point demand.
People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday alleged that the people have no confidence in the country’s electoral system.
“We have come to know from various sources that a mayoral candidate of Awami League has announced with how many percent of votes he will be elected. He is also telling how many votes the other candidates will get,” he said.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the Jatiya Party’s presidium remembers and the MPs at the party Chairman’s Banani office, GM Quader said their candidates will fight till the end in the upcoming city corporation elections.
“We’ll remain there in the election race to turn victorious. Our candidates will get good results if the polls are held in a free, fair and credible manner,” he hoped.
The elections to five city polls will begin with voting in Gazipur City Corporation on May 25.
As per the schedules announced by the Election Commission, the voting will be held in Khulna and Barishal on June 12 and in Rajshahi and Sylhet on June 21.
About the cancellation of additional security escorts for the envoys of different countries, the Jatiya Party chief said the security of diplomats should be ensured. “We want assurance of the safety of diplomats according to international standards so that they can work safely in our country.”
He feared that the political situation in the country may become chaotic in the days to come. “None of us know what happens in the field of politics. In such a reality, both the government and the opposition are at risk. So, we have to make the right decision in politics.”
GM Quader also warned if any party fails to make the right decision will be in danger. “A wrong decision in politics will have dire consequences.”
He said they want to clarify their party’s political stance before the people. “We are not the B-team of any party.”
The Jatiya Party Chairman urged the party leaders to work for strengthening its organisational capacity ahead of the elections. “We have to do tight politics to gain people's trust. We will be united in the election field. No one has the power to destroy the unity of the Jatiya Party.”