Politics
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.”
BNP to stage marches on May 23, 28 in all cities sans Dhaka
After observing a similar programme in Dhaka, BNP on Thursday announced to stage marches in 10 other metropolitan cities on May 23 and 28 to press home its 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said the programme was also meant for registering the party’s protest against the filing of ‘ghost’ cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts and the all-pervasive corruption by the Awami League government.
“We staged marches in Dhaka city’s north and south areas on Wednesday. Our programme was successful. A similar programme will be observed by BNP in all metropolitan cities, except Dhaka south and north cities, on May 23 and 28,” Rizvi said.
The 10 cities where the programme will be observed include Narayanganj, Gazipur, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Cumilla, Sylhet and Chattogram.
Earlier on Wednesday, BNP’s Dhaka South and North City units staged spate marches towards Malibagh from Basabo and Shahjadpur areas in the capital respectively to realise the same demands.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the marches, carrying banners, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
Before the Eid-ul-Fitr, BNP observed the march programme across the country including the capital in several phases to press home their 10-point demand.
Rizvi said the ruling party leaders are making reckless comments as they know they will not get a chance this time to go to power by rigging votes like in 2014 and 2018.
“No trickery will work this time. The days of the current government are numbered. So, they’re indulging in the arrest of opposition leaders and activists in ghost cases,” he alleged.
Rizvi slammed the government for the arrest of the leaders of BNP and its associate bodies in different parts of the country, including in Dhaka, Bogura and Cumilla and demanded their immediate release.
The BNP leader said the government has been hatching various plots to hold a unilateral election to cling to power.
“The government becomes nervous when it hears about fair elections. A free and fair election is the biggest enemy of this government,” he observed.
BCC polls: nomination papers of 4 mayoral candidates, 14 for councillor posts cancelled
Nomination papers of four mayoral candidates and 14 candidates for the posts of general and reserved for councillor were cancelled on different grounds including incomplete affidavit during the primary scrutiny in the upcoming Barishal City Corporation (BCC) elections slated for June 12.
Returning Officer Humayun Kabir confirmed the matter saying that their nomination papers had been scrapped due to incomplete affidavit, inconsistency of information and signatures of their supporters.
He said nomination papers of four mayoral candidates, 12 for the posts of general councillor and two for reserved councillor were rejected.
However, the candidates will get a chance to appeal against the decision from May 19 to 21 and their appeals will be settled from May 22 to 24, the returning officer said, adding that the last date for withdrawing nomination papers is May 25.
Although the nomination papers of four candidates were rejected, those of six mayoral candidates, including the Awami League, Jatiya Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, and Zaker Party, have been declared valid, he said.
The independent candidates whose nominations were declared invalid are: Lutful Kabir, Syed Ishaq Mohammad Abul Khair, Asaduzzaman and Nesaruddin.
The candidates whose nominations are valid are: Abul Khair Abdullah of Awami League, Iqbal Hossain Taposh of Jatiya Party, Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Mizanur Rahman Bachchu of Zaker Party, and independent candidates Kamrul Ahsan and Ali Hossain.
Two out of the four cancelled mayoral candidates said they would appeal against the cancellation soon.
Govt becomes unnerved losing support at home, abroad: BNP
Stating that the government has got unnerved by losing its support both at home and abroad, BNP senior leaders said on Wednesday when they threatened to continue their movement until the fall of the Awami League-led government.
Speaking at separate rallies before starting marches in the city’s Shahjadpur and Basabo areas in the capital, the BNP leaders also urged the people from all walks of life to get ready for creating a mass uprising to oust the current government.
BNP’s Dhaka North City unit marched toward Malibagh’s Abul Hotel from Shahjadpur while the South City unit toward Malibagh Community Centre from Basabo area to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
The programme was also meant for registering the party’s protest against the filing of ‘ghost’ cases against opposition leaders and activists, soaring prices of essentials, frequent power cuts and the “all-pervasive corruption” by the Awami League government.
The city dwellers faced huge tailbacks due to the separate programmes by BNP’s two Dhaka city units.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain inaugurated the programme in front of Shahjadpur’s Suvastu Nazar Valley around 3:30pm after a brief rally there.
In a brief address prior to launching the programme, Mosharraf slammed the government for cancelling the additional security escorts for the envoys of different countries, including the USA, the UK and India.
“This kind of incident did not happen in Bangladesh in the last 51 years. It means that this government has failed miserably in diplomacy and it has now become unnerved. This government has no support both at home and abroad," he said.
Mosharraf said their party will force the current government to quit and hold the next election under a non-party caretaker government.
The BNP leader said corruption is now everywhere in Bangladesh from the highest level to the lowest level.
“The country's resources have been depleted through siphoning off a huge amount of money abroad. The people of the country can’t afford food twice a day. Even, the middle class is now getting poorer as the government has increased the prices of daily necessities whimsically,” he said.
Mosharraf said people now do not go to polling stations as they cannot cast their votes in the election under the current government. “No one wants to vote under this government. People won’t allow anymore elections while Sheikh Hasina is in power. People won’t let that happen.”
The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life to get ready for creating a mass uprising to unseat the current ‘autocratic’ regime.
“Ershad was removed through a mass upsurge in 1990 led by Khaleda Zia and then DUCSU VP Amanullah Aman. The people of this country also ousted an autocratic ruler like Ayub Khan through a mass movement during Pakistan's rule. So, there is no alternative to a mass upsurge to topple this fascist Sheikh Hasina,” he said,
The BNP leader said they want to defeat the ruling party on the streets to resolve the political crisis in the country. “We will ensure the fall of this regime through a democratic movement by uniting the country’s people.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP’s Dhaka north city unit convenor Amanullah Aman said the next election will not be held under this government in any way. “People won’t let the government arrange the voting.”
Separately, BNP standing committee member Miza Abbas launched the Dhaka South City unit’s march from Bashabo Balur Math to Malibagh Community Centre.
Speaking at the programme, he said Awami League has usurped power by holding the day’s voting at night. “They’ve indulged in unbridled plundering. They’ve now started playing the game with the map of Bangladesh. People will never let this happen.”
Mentioning that Bangladesh was liberated by sacrificing huge blood and many lives, he said the country’s people will no longer tolerate any foul play with them.
“We’ve started our march again from today (Wednesday). Our march will end after overthrowing this fascist government,” Abbas said.
He said the government increased the gas and fuel prices just a few days back. “They’re again going to hike the gas tariffs. “It seems everyone in this government has dementia as they forget everything. They have forgotten how looting is happening in the country. They also forgot that they came to power by stealing votes at midnight. They forget everything, they have dementia.”
BNP Dhaka south city unit convenor Abdus Salam said the days of the current government are coming to an end as it has got isolated from the country’s people as well as from foreign friends.
He urged the government to quit immediately by handing over power to a non-party caretaker government for holding a credible national election.