Politics
AL govt obstacle to fair polls in Bangladesh: BNP's Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday said the current Awami League government is the obstacle to fair elections in Bangladesh.
“The USA has announced that those who obstruct the elections will not be given visas. We want to say from this rally that those who are obstructing fair elections, democracy or people's right to vote in Bangladesh are the current government,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also said the USA has rejected the current government by announcing its new visa policy for Bangladesh.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said the new visa policy of the USA is "very shameful” for the Awami League. “The Awami League has brought this shame to Bangladesh.
He said the government is giving the foreigners a false commitment that the next election will be held in a free and fair manner under them, but the country’s people as well as foreigners have seen that two previous elections held under it were not worth the name.
AL not embarrassed by results of Gazipur city election: Agri Minister Razzaque
Minister for Agriculture Dr Abdur Razzaque insisted on Saturday that ruling party Awami League (AL) is not embarrassed by the results of Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) elections held on Thursday.
“The GCC elections won’t have any impact on the national elections, many factors work behind the results of city corporation and municipality elections like local government ones,” he said.
Razzaque, also presidium member of the ruling party, came up with the remarks while addressing at the triennial conference of the AL’s youth wing Jubo League at Shaheed Sriti Pouro Uddyan in Sadar upazila of Tangail.
“A fair and accepted election was held in Gazipur, we wanted so and we again showed the nation that a fair and accepted election under the incumbent government is possible,” he said.
The minister said the valid government (AL) won’t be ousted through movement by the BNP and the next national elections will also not be barred. Urging the party men to remain vigilant, he like other party leaders reiterated that the next elections will be held in a free, fair and accepted way.
Regarding the new US visa policy, the AL presidium member said there is nothing to be worried or concerned over the matter.
“It is not sanctions by the US. We want a fair election on the basis of democratic values in the country—the US also wants to see this,” he said.
Recalling the political turmoil centering the 2014 and 2018 elections, the minister claimed that the US announced the new visa policy to ensure a congenial environment so that people can cast their votes smoothly at the polling centres.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, former State Minister Telecommunication Tarana Halim, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, among others spoke at the event.
Looking to seize power unconstitutionally is treason: SM Rezaul Karim
Seeking to come to power through unconstitutional means is an act of treason, said Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim.
"Those who want to come to power through unconstitutional means want to violate Article 7(a) of the Constitution. To violate this article is treason. There is no alternative to the constitution in the country. The constitution is the highest law in the country for elections," said the minister, while addressing the 11th biennial conference of Bangladesh Animal Husbandry Association and a seminar organized on the occasion at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh Auditorium in the capital's Farmgate.
Also read: Remote areas to get improved livestock breeds: Minister
"The constitution says how elections will be held. The Election Commission will conduct the election. The government will provide all the support needed by the Election Commission. There is no scope to go through any process against the constitution of the country," Rezaul said.
"If someone wants to come from the back alley by any other means, if they want to be obsessed with who says what from abroad, there is no point in doing so. The politics here will be decided in the context of Bangladesh," he added.
Without Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will 'again' go into darkness, Rezaul Karim warned.
“If we want a prosperous, secular Bangladesh, if we want to move forward by facing the challenges of the future world, then the best patriotic crisis manager and development magician Sheikh Hasina is needed again,” Rezaul also said.
Also read: Refrain from communal provocation: Rezaul Karim
The minister at the time also urged the members of Bangladesh Animal Husbandry Association to work for the development of the country.
Injured AL activists say Nipun Roy ‘led BNP men’ during attack in Keraniganj
AL activists injured in today’s clash in Keraniganj alleged that BNP activists were led by the party’s leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury, and that the attack was carried out in her presence.
According to M Mamun, a local AL leader who was injured in the attack, said, “BNP cadres swooped on our office, leaving over 20 activists injured.”
A 50 second CCTV footage shows some BNP cadres, throwing bricks targeting the local AL office, the injured AL activists said.
Read: Dozens injured in AL-BNP clash in Keraniganj
Another video shows local AL leaders and activists, who sustained injuries on heads, legs and hands, receiving treatment at the hospital.
Earlier, sharing images of wounded party men, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid came down heavily on BNP cadres who “attacked AL party office in his constituency and left several activists injured.”
Read: Nasrul Hamid slams BNP cadres for attack on AL office in Keraniganj
In a tweet, he wrote: “Nipun Roy & her political goons unleashed a brutal assault on Jinjira #AwamiLeague supporters in broad daylight! Our members left wounded! BNP & its central command have a sickening history of violence! Let's unite, protest this atrocity, and defend democracy! #NoMoreBNPTerror”
Nasrul Hamid slams BNP cadres for attack on AL office in Keraniganj
Sharing images of wounded party men in a brutal assault on Friday, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid came down heavily on BNP cadres who attacked AL party office in his constituency and left several activists injured.
In a tweet he shared images where activists were seen bleeding.
Read more: Dozens injured in AL-BNP clash in Keraniganj
Holding BNP leader Nipun Roy Chowdhury responsible for the attack, the tweet reads "Nipun Roy & her political goons unleashed a brutal assault on Jinjira #AwamiLeague supporters in broad daylight!"
"Our members left wounded," said the tweet.
BNP & its central command have a sickening history of violence! Let's unite, protest this atrocity, and defend democracy!
The tweet ended with hashtag
#NoMoreBNPTerror
Gazipur polls expose country’s real voting scenario: Khosru
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said the real picture of the country’s voting has been exposed as the government tried to show fairness in the Gazipur city polls.
“You have seen that an election was held in Gazipur...they tried to show a fair election and we‘ve seen the results of that effort. This is the real scenario of Bangladesh,” he said.
Khosru, a BNP standing committee member made the comments while addressing a programme, marking the 28th foundation anniversary of Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Suspended mayor Zahangir Alam’s mother and independent candidate, Zayeda Khatun, was elected Gazipur City Corporation mayor by defeating Awami League candidate Md Azmat Ullah Khan in the polls held on Thursday.
Khosru said it is now imperative to restore people’s right to franchise to ensure their democratic and human rights through a united movement.
He said their party along with people, including politicians, journalists and other professionals, have been on a movement to ensure people's right to vote. “If the democratic atmosphere cannot be restored in the country, human rights and democracy can’t be restored.”
After the Digital Security Act, the BNP leader said the government is enacting another law 'Essential Services Act' which can be imposed on any organisation. “More laws will be enacted to carry out more repressions.”
“If we can’t bring back democracy, establish the elected government and parliament through exercising our voting rights, then we won’t get any government accountable to the people in the coming days. That's why everyone must come forward,” he observed.
Khosru said the next election must be under a neutral government. “There’s no alternative to it. “If we can’t bring a change in the current situation in Bangladesh and restore democratic rights, electoral environment, constitutional rights and ensure a level-playing field, fair a election will not be possible."
He also said discussing about elections before ensuring the level-playing field and and restoring the democratic is a futile exercise.
“Those who talk about elections and try to take people to the voting without a level-playing field and democratic order are working for this government,” the BNP leader said.
He slammed the government for not ensuring the trial of the murder of journalist couple Sagar-Runi and for creating pressure on journalists in various ways.
5 BNP men injured in clash with AL members in Khagrachhari
At least 5 BNP men, including Khagrachhari chapter vice president Khetro Mohon Royaza, were injured in an attack on a motorcade allegedly by ruling Awami League men in Sadar upazila of Khagrachhari on Friday.
Wadud Bhuiyan, president of district chapter BNP, said their five men including Royaza sustained injuries after being attacked by the AL men without any provocation.
Suddenly, a group of the AL men equipped with sticks and brickbats carried out the attack on the motorcade heading towards their party office in the Sadar upazila around 11:15am, he said.
Though BNP’s central Vice President Abdullah Al Noman was also in the motorcade, he remained unhurt, he said, adding that the injured received treatment from several hospitals later.
Defying the allegations of the attack, district Jubo League General Secretary KM Ismail Hossain claimed that the BNP men swooped on them when they were taking preparation for a party programme in front of their office in Narikelbagan area.
The AL men just resisted them (BNP men) when the attack was made, he said.
Arifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Khagrachhari police station, said no major incidents occurred in the city and the situation is now under their control.
Dozens injured in AL-BNP clash in Keraniganj
Clashes between the activists of BNP and Awami League on Friday left dozens of people injured with the two groups blaming each other for the violence.
The local BNP leaders said at least 15 of the party’s leaders and activists including Nipun Roy Chowdhury were injured in the clash with Awami League men during the opposition party’s rally in Keraniganj of Dhaka.
Also read: BNP factional clash leaves 20 injured in N’ganj
The programme was organized to press home the party’s 10-point demand, including the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government before the next general election.
A group of 25 to 30 people, led by Awami League leader Azhar Bangali attacked the BNP office in Zinjira area of Keraniganj on Friday afternoon, while the rally was going on, claimed Nipun, a member of the BNP’s Executive Committee.
Among the injured are Sazzad Hossain, president of Keraniganj Jubo Dal, Zahirul Islam Mamun, south Keraniganj Swechasebak Dal joint secretary, Mojazzed Hossain, Dhaka district BNP organizing secretary.
Also read: Police, BNP clash in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi; One vehicle torched
Azhar Bangali claimed that while he was passing the area BNP men attacked him.
Local AL leaders also accused BNP activists of vandalising the AL office in South Keraniganj, leaving at least 25 people injured. Some of the injured were taken to hospital, they said.
According to eyewitnesses, men from both parties attacked each other with bamboo sticks.
Barisal city polls: 7 mayoral candidates get symbols
Symbols have been allocated among the seven mayoral candidates in Barishal City Corporation election.
Returning Officer Humayun Kabir distributed the symbols at the regional election officer's office at Nathullabad in the city on Friday morning.
The mayoral candidates have started campaigning with their allocated symbols.
Thel candidates and their symbols are: Awami League's Abul Khair Abdullah (boat), Jatiya Party's Iqbal Hossain Taposh (plough), Islami Andolan Bangladesh's Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim (hand fan), Zaker Party's Mizanur Rahman Bachchu (rose flower), independent candidate Kamrul Ahsan (clock), Asaduzzaman (elephant) and Ali Hossain (deer).
In the case of councillor candidates, symbols were allotted through lottery.
Another JCD man injured in Narsingdi factional clash dies
Another Chhatra Dal activist who was shot and injured during a factional clash between two groups in Narsingdi’s Sadar upazila , has died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
The deceased was identified as Ashraful Islam, 22. Doctors declared him dead at 9:30 a.m. Friday, said police.
Also read: 1 JCD man dies, another hurt after rivals open fire in Narsingdi
Earlier, Sadekur Rahman Sadek, 32, the former joint convenor of district unit JCD, died after he suffered injuries in his forehead on Thursday.
Confirming the matter, Inspector Md Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH Police Outpost, said the bodies of the deceased have been kept at DMCH morgue for autopsy. The matter has been reported to the local police station.
A 71-member committee of the JCD district unit was announced around four months back. Several clashes occurred between the office bearers of the newly formed committee and those who were deprived in the committee.
The deprived JCD men brought out a procession, in favour of a district BNP programme scheduled to be held on May 27 near the house of the BNP’s Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokan in Chinishpur area of Sadar upazila around 3:45pm on Thursday.
Suddenly, a group of the JCD opened fire on the procession, said Mayeen Uddin, a former joint convenor and post-deprived member in the new committee.
Sadek suffered bullet injuries in his forehead while Ashraful in his thigh, he said, adding that they were first rushed to Sadar Hospital and later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital due to critical condition.