United News of Bangladesh

Stating that various plots are afoot against the country, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque on Wednesday warned the interim government not to take any steps that could lead the people of the country to turn it down. “We’ve given you (govt) our support, and it will continue until the election is held. But don’t follow a path or take any step that will lead the people to reject you,” he said. The BNP leader issued this warning while addressing the introductory meeting organised by the Dhaka North City unit of Ulema Dal at Bhasani Bhaban in the city’s Nayapaltan area. Farroque, also a former opposition chief whip in parliament, said their party wants the reforms and the election roadmap to proceed together. He said the government must implement the electoral system reforms to ensure a credible election. “But you should carry out reforms that are supposed to be undertaken by the people's representatives.” The BNP leader also said their party demands the government to announce a specific date for the election, make preparations for the polls, and reconstitute the Election Commission. “We want both the reforms and the election. But you (govt) must remain alert to ensure that the election is not delayed by falling into the trap of controversial individuals,” he said. Farroque said their party’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has already categorically said BNP wants a free, fair and credible election where people can freely exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives. “Our leader Tarique Rahman also told us to be patient, and we have that patience. But if the result of that patience is that controversial people take over the administration and the Awami League’s ghost’s continues to run the ministries, that can’t happen. You must clarify and address that,” he said. Farroque said they are receiving indications of a plot to put the interim government in a difficult position and embarrass it. “When Donald Trump was elected president in America, the next day, she (Sheikh Hasina) asked (her followers) to take to the streets with Trump's photo. These are conspiracies. We must stand against these plots.” He also said many people sacrificed their lives, and many others sustained injuries in the student-led mass movement to free the country from the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina. “The conspiracy has not stopped. We must remain vigilant. No more dictatorship will be allowed in this country. We’ll build a democratic country together.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the country's most urgent need is now a free, fair and acceptable election, as various conspiracies and campaigns are being orchestrated against the nation. Talking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon district town, the BNP leader said that the proportional representation electoral system is not feasible in the context of Bangladesh. “We’re not concerned about Awami League’s participation in the upcoming election. Our worry is about when the next election will be held, as the current interim government has not yet presented any roadmap for the polls,” he said. Those who may create controversies shouldn’t be given charge: Fakhrul Fakhrul also said the government has formed a committee to reform the electoral system, which has already sent the BNP a letter. “We’re working on it and will provide our feedback very soon. What we have emphasised is that, in the current context, what is most needed in Bangladesh is a free, fair and acceptable election.” He said they have repeatedly talked about the need to make the electoral system suitable for elections and create a level playing field.  “An elected government and an elected parliament are crucial to addressing the country's political and economic crises. This is the point we have been stressing again and again." The BNP leader said India, which has provided shelter to Sheikh Hasina, the main architect of fascism, is carrying out various harmful campaigns against Bangladesh. "We should be cautious about this, or else, as a nation, we will face great danger.” Fakhrul said the number of advisers to the interim government has reached 21, as there are no specific rules regarding the number of advisers. “They can be appointed as needed to run the country,” he explained. The BNP leader said the decision on who will be appointed as an adviser, or who will not, is entirely the responsibility of the Chief Adviser, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. “However, I would like to request him to be careful in ensuring that controversial people are not inducted into the advisory council,” Fakhrul said. Stating that the fascist Awami League government has successfully divided the nation, the BNP leader said, "We want to eliminate this division and create a united nation. In a democratic society, there will be different opinions. But on the fundamental issues of Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, democracy, and people's rights, there must be unity.” He also said the interim government must be given time, as it is not possible to clear 17 years of mess in 17 days or 17 months. "For this, those of you who are in the government have less responsibility. When a democratic government comes, that parliament will carry out those tasks.” The BNP leader also said the interim government should not focus on all reforms, but rather only on those necessary for the election. "The rest of the reforms should be carried out by the elected parliament. That’s why we’ve been saying that the election must be held within a reasonable time frame, and the government must present a roadmap for it." He explained that the main responsibility of this government is to create a level playing field for the election, ensuring that everyone can cast their vote and participate in the process. “The issue of vote rigging must be eradicated, and measures should be taken to ensure that. At the same time, impartial people should be appointed to oversee the election process, the judiciary must be made independent, and the administration must be neutral,” Fakhrul observed. He also pointed out that it is a very difficult situation for ordinary people to cope with the rising prices of daily essentials. "The current government should give more attention to this issue. We hope that there are highly capable individuals within the government. I expect the government to take all the necessary steps to bring the market back to normal," he added.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the government to refrain from appointing those whose actions may provoke controversies. “We must remember that the opportunity created through the recent student-led mass movement towards reforming the state must not be missed. Missing this opportunity would endanger our identity as a nation,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks at the inauguration of the Shaheed Zia Memorial Football Tournament, organised by the Lalmonirhat District BNP at Borobari College on Tuesday. Rizvi apologises for remarks on removal of Mujib's portrait "By Allah’s grace, on August 5, 2024, we achieved a second victory over fascist forces through this movement. We have taken an oath to stand against imperialism, together with people," he asserted. He called for a strong movement if necessary, noting that the current government, which came to power during a crucial phase of the student-led movement, is not like previous caretaker administrations. Fakhrul stressed the importance of both elections and reforms across various sectors. “The government should be given time, and we must demonstrate patience while cooperating with them,” he added. BNP’s organising secretary and former Deputy Minister Asadul Habib Dulu presided over the event. Bangladesh Football Federation President Tabith Awal, former national football team captain Aminul Islam, BNP’s Assistant Organisational Secretary Abdul Khaleq, and Rural Development Affairs Secretary Farhad Hossain Azad were, among others, present.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said the Awami League should be through the democratic process of voting, not through any other means. Speaking at a roundtable discussion, he also said Bangladesh will get back on the right track only if democracy is restored and the people’s ownership of the country is reestablished through a credible national election. “If we want to remove the Awami League by any other means, it will not be sustainable. The fascists must be decisively defeated through the power of the vote. Any attempt to do so through other ways will yield no benefit,” the BNP leader said. Voice of Democracy and Voter Rights organised the programnme titled 'Take Back Bangladesh: Citizen Thoughts” at the Jatiya Press Club. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the people of the country will not accept any new narrative on state reforms put forth by the unelected government. “An unelected government has no right to carry out reforms based solely on its own thinking and philosophy. They can only implement reforms that are agreed upon by all parties. Our BNP has no objection to this. They can carry out those few reforms that will help quickly restore a democratic order based on national consensus,” he said. The senior BNP leader also said political parties will present their own reform proposals to the people during the election. “People will decide and pass them in the next parliament. But the narrative being created without involving the people will not be acceptable to the nation.” He said that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, autocratic ruler Ershad, and fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina all created different narratives in the past, but those were ultimately rejected by people. “We now hope that we won’t have to hear any new narratives. The only narrative is to return the people’s ownership of the country through a free and fair election. The people of Bangladesh will decide the future direction of the country,” Khosru stated. The BNP leader said their party envisioned building a new Bangladesh through reforms upholding the spirit of pluralistic democracy even long before the fall of Sheikh Hasina, “Now many are talking about reforms as if it’s a new idea. But for BNP, reforms are nothing new.” He said BNP Chairperson, Khaleda Zia had presented a reform proposal through Vision 2030 in 2016, while Tarique Rahman had also proposed a 31-point reform plan based on the consensus of all the parties involved in the simultaneous movement over a year ago. “The BNP not only presented the 31-point reform proposal based on unity, but also stated that it will be implemented by forming a national government, if the people support the party through the election,” Khosru said. He said the state reforms must be carried out based on national consensus, with the full support and confidence of the people. “This can only be achieved by an elected government.” The BNP leader assured that they are committed to implementing the 31-point reforms. “We will implement them together with everyone. He said their party has long been leading the street movement to restore democracy, human rights and voting rights. “Our journey on the streets is not over yet. We must swiftly establish an elected parliament and government that will be accountable to people.” Khosru also said their party will not allow the interim government to fail, as they will continue to support and extend full cooperation to it for the quick democratic transition. “We brought down Sheikh Hasina's government together. Now, we will work together to rebuild Bangladesh based on national unity. We will steer the country back on the right track, building a free, democratic and humane Bangladesh,” he asserted.

Hours after criticising the government for removing Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait from Bangabhaban, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday apologised for his unwarranted remark. “I had thought Sheikh Mujib's photo was taken down from the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, where all the presidents' portraits are displayed. In fact, the photo (of Mujib) was removed from another office room in Bangabhaban,” he said. In a statement, the BNP leader said Sheikh Hasina's fascist regime had made it mandatory, through legislation, to display the portraits of Sheikh Mujib. Such fascist laws would have no effect after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's regime, he said. "Everywhere, from offices to courts, there should be no symbols of misrule. I apologise for that unwarranted statement," the BNP leader said. Earlier in the day, Rizvi criticised the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait from the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, describing it as an inappropriate action. “After August 15, 1975, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad had removed the portrait of Sheikh Mujib from Bangabhaban, but Ziaur Rahman later reinstated it," he said. Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a free medical camp and blood donation programme at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The event was organised by the party to commemorate National Revolution and Solidarity Day, which marks the civil-military uprising of November 7, 1975. Rizvi referred to a statement by Mahfuj Alam, an advisor to the interim government, who announced that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait had been removed from Bangabhaban. “You may have done it, but time does not always pass in the same way. Everyone’s contributions should be properly acknowledged. So, I believe his (Mujib’s) photo should not have been taken down,” he said. Rizvi also said that history would ultimately judge the contributions of individuals to national life, and it should be the responsibility of the people to assess and weigh the contributions and misdeeds of anybody. “As we are not as narrow-minded as the Awami League, we believe Sheikh Mujib's portrait should not have been removed from Bangabhaban,” the BNP leader stated. In a Facebook post on Monday, Mahfuj Alam, an advisor to the interim government, wrote: “The photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—Post '71 Fascist—has been removed from the Darbar Hall. It is a shame that we couldn't remove his pictures from Bangabhaban after the 5th of August.”

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday criticised the removal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait from the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban, describing it as an inappropriate action. “After August 15, 1975, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad had removed the portrait of Sheikh Mujib from Bangabhaban, but Ziaur Rahman later reinstated it," he said. Rizvi made the remarks while inaugurating a free medical camp and blood donation programme at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The event was organised by the party to commemorate National Revolution and Solidarity Day, which marks the civil-military uprising of November 7, 1975. Rizvi referred to a statement by Mahfuj Alam, an advisor to the interim government, who announced that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s portrait had been removed from Bangabhaban. “You may have done it, but time does not always pass in the same way. Everyone’s contributions should be properly acknowledged. So, I believe his (Mujib’s) photo should not have been taken down,” he said. Rizvi also said that history would ultimately judge the contributions of individuals to national life, and it should be the responsibility of the people to assess and weigh the contributions and misdeeds of anybody. “As we are not as narrow-minded as the Awami League, we believe Sheikh Mujib's portrait should not have been removed from Bangabhaban,” the BNP leader stated. In a Facebook post on Monday, Mahfuj Alam, an advisor to the interim government, wrote: “The photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—Post '71 Fascist—has been removed from the Darbar Hall. It is a shame that we couldn't remove his pictures from Bangabhaban after the 5th of August.”

The BNP has decided not to hold any events to celebrate the 60th birthday of the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman on November 20. The decision has already been communicated to party leaders and activists across the country. In a press release issued to the media on Monday evening, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the announcement. The media release says that Tarique Rahman’s birthday falls on Wednesday, November 20. “The leaders and activists of all BNP units, as well as its associate and affiliated organisations across the country, are hereby informed that no events will be held to celebrate Mr Tarique Rahman’s birthday on that day,” it reads. The party also warned that organisational action will be taken against anyone who defies this directive. Tarique was born on November 20, 1965 in Bogura. On September 11, 2008, he went to London for treatment, and he has been living with his family there since then. He has been working as acting chairman of BNP since his mother and party chairperson Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case on February 8, 2018. On September 11, 2008, eight days after his release from jail on bail, Tarique Rahman left for London for treatment during the military-backed caretaker government. Tarique, arrested on March 7, 2007, was freed from jail on bail on September 3, 2008.

BNP senior leader Major (retired) Hafizuddin Ahmed on Monday expressed doubt that the interim government may have an intention to prolong power, as there is no visible progress in its reform efforts. Speaking at a discussion at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU), he also alleged that several individuals with pro-Awami League affiliations have been appointed to the advisory council of the interim government. “An interim government has been put in place under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Yunus. We know that the main function of this government is to hand over power to elected representatives after holding a fair election. But they want to stay in power for 20 years,” the BNP leader said. He urged the government to arrange the national election by completing the electoral reforms in a very short period of time. “The rest of the reforms will be done by the elected government. I don’t see any reform happening anywhere. It has already been seen that many pro-Awami League individuals have been included in the advisory council,” said Hafiz. The programme was organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal to commemorate National Revolution and Solidarity Day, marking the civil-military uprising of November 7, 1975. Hafiz, a BNP standing committee member, said the Awami League’s fascist government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina has destroyed all the country’s institutions, including the police. “They turned the police into a killer force.” He said Sheikh Hasina’s government enacted a dangerous law like the Digital Security Act to suppress the voice of the people and dissent. The BNP leader said the throne of the government was shaken in the face of a strong movement by the BNP and other political parties. "At the final stage, students and their parents joined the movement, forcing Sheikh Hasina to flee the country in just one outfit. She couldn’t even take a second sari… yet she shows no regret," he observed. Hafiz said the people of Bangladesh will never accept Hasina, as she fled the country after causing deaths to many people. "If you have the courage, come back to the country and apologise to people with folded hands for your mistakes, the injustice, the destruction of democracy, and the killing of innocent lives. But don’t make baseless claims, like saying the fall of this government will be ensured by December," he said. The BNP leader also said they consider the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement as their own children. "But their actions give the impression that they alone freed the country, as if no one else had any role in it.” He also questioned who would account for the several thousand of leaders and activists from the BNP and other opposition parties who sacrificed their lives and were wounded during the movement against Sheikh Hasina’s government. Hafiz slammed Sarjis Alam, a leader of the anti-discrimination student movement, for his remark that "two thousand people did not give their lives just for an election. "Is voting really that simple? The vote is a symbol of democracy. It was for the vote that we fought the liberation war in '71," he said. The BNP leader said the mass movement in July and August was for democracy, freedom of speech, and the fundamental rights of the people, with the first step being a fair election. "An election is the core element of democracy. Yet they claim the country was not freed for an election. Then what were the struggle and all those sacrifices for? Is voting such a trivial matter? It manifests that they (the student leaders) do not believe in building a democratic society. Perhaps they think that a few rallies will solve the country’s problems,” he observed. Hafiz, a valiant freedom fighter, said the transformation of Bangladesh into a democratic state is not possible without elections and the right to vote of the people. “We support Dr Yunus’s government and will continue to do so. But you shouldn’t try to hold onto power forever. Don’t think about staying in power for 10 or 20 years. The prices of all essential goods have already risen, and discipline in the police and other forces has yet to be restored," the BNP leader warned the government. He also said those who were the masterminds behind the Awami League and had benefited from privileges over the past 16 years still hold their positions. "They should be removed. This is not only the responsibility of the interim government, but also of the political parties.”

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday urged students and the mass people to put up a strong resistance to prevent the resurgence of the Awami League and its associates. "The fascist face of the Awami League that has been exposed must remain unveiled and its cohorts must be prevented from gaining control over the government or rising again. To thwart this, the freedom-loving students and the masses must remain vigilant, united, and resolute in resisting any such attempts." Dr Moyeen made the remarks while inaugurating a financial support and rehabilitation programme for the students injured during the July-August revolution at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka. BNP leaders accuse AL of using Trump’s image for political comeback He said the BNP and other parties played a crucial role through a long movement in creating a ground for the ousting of the Awami League's autocratic regime. "Subsequently, students and the masses joined the movement, and in the face of this popular uprising, the Awami regime was not only defeated but also fled the country like cowards," the BNP leader said. He said the fall of the Awami League regime had proven that truth and justice ultimately triumph over injustice, repression, and suppression. Dr Moyeen, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the first phase of the student-led mass movement was the formation of the interim government and their swearing in. "The second phase is securing a fair election, which we have yet to achieve. BNP firmly believes in a fair and impartial election. Once that is held, and a truly people’s representatives take charge of the country through the people's vote, the success of this movement will be realised," he added. Later, Dr Moyeen visited patients who had sustained various injuries during the movement at the hospital and provided financial assistance to 51 of them.  

After nearly two and a half months, the BNP has lifted the suspension on the posts of its leader Shama Obaed and Krishak Dal's Shahidul Islam Babul. The party conveyed its decision on Sunday by issuing a press release, signed by its Assistant Office Secretary Munir Hossain. Shama was the Organising Secretary of BNP’s Faridpur Division unit, and Shahidul Islam Babul was the General Secretary of Krishak Dal. On August 21, BNP suspended the posts of Shama Obaed and Shahidul Islam Babul at all levels after a clash between their supporters in Faridpur’s Nagarkanda that left one person dead. In separate letters to the two leaders on Saturday, the party stated that the suspension of all their posts had been revoked in accordance with the directive of the high command. However, they were strictly warned to ensure that no violent incident like the one in Nagarkanda occurs again. The party expressed hope that the two leaders would remain dedicated to the policies, discipline, and responsibilities of the party from now on.