Politics
BNP's movement to continue with all-district march on Feb 25
After their latest coordinated programme in all cities and unions, main opposition BNP and like-minded parties will next march in all 64 districts on February 25 (next Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP senior leaders announced the fresh programme while launching today's march across 11 metropolitan cities.
The programme is meant for registering a protest against the rise in the prices of power and gas and essential items and mounting pressure on the government to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition and to accept the party’s 10-point demand.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas launched the march programme in Mymensingh, while others of the same committee led the marches elsewhere, including Gayeshwar Chandra Roy in Narayanganj, Nazrul Islam Khan in Sylhet, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in Chattogram, Selima Rahman in Barishal, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku in Rajshahi, vice-chairmen Barkat Ullah Bulu in Khulna, Mohammad Shahjahan in Cumilla, AZM Zahid Hossain in Gazipur, Shamsuzzaman Dudu in Faridpur and joint secretary general Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal in Rangpur and announced fresh programme.
Besides, the 12-party alliance that has sprung out of BNP's old 20-party coalition, also marched in the capital near Fakirapool Water Tank and announced a similar programme for February 25.
From December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement to bring down the government, or at least realise the all-important caretaker or non-party provision ahead of the next election.
Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.
The party also observed a march programme in all unions across the country on February 11 amid the allegations of attacks and obstruction by the ruling party activists and law enforcers.
BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units organised separate marches on Friday while a similar programme was observed in 11 other divisional cities today (Saturday).
BCL expels 2 over extortion
Bangladesh Chhatra League has expelled two leaders of the organisation for violating regulations.
The expelled leaders are Rajib Hossen Robin of Shahid Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall and Mohaimenul Islam Emon of Surja Sen hall and both are vice presidents of their respective hall units of Chhatra League.
An official notification signed by BCL President Saddam Hussein and GS Sheikh Wali Asif Inan confirmed the matter.
The two BCL leaders were caught red handed while “extorting money” from a group of visitors of Amar Ekushey Boi Mela around 9 pm on February 16.
Later, Shahbagh police arrested them and sent to the court on February 17.
Constitution must be amended to deliver people's aspirations: Fakhrul
The latest presidential election has proved the current constitution needs to be amended, as it is not conducive to resolving the country’s problems, according to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Fakhrul also described the Prime Minister’s assertion about credible polls under the Awami League government as laughable, and reiterated that BNP will not join any more polls under the current regime.
“The president-elect said in a television interview that he knew nothing about it (his nomination). We also didn’t know anything about it. This presidential election proves that the existing constitution can’t resolve the problems of the country. So, the constitution must be amended,” the BNP leader said.
In an address prior to launching the BNP Dhaka South City unit’s march programme, he said their party talked about amending the constitution in the 27-point memo it presented earlier for the reform of the state.
He said a balance should be ensured between the power of the Prime Minister and the President and a polls-time caretaker government system must be restored for ensuring a participatory credible election - all of which requires amending the constitution.
As part of BNP’s scheduled programme on Friday, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka South City unit marched from Motijheel to Nayabazar to press home the party’s 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
Mirza Fakhrul along with party standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and vice chairman Abdullah Al Noman launched the march around 4:05 pm at Gopibagh.
The programme was also meant for registering the party’s protest against the rise in the prices of power and gas and essential items, repression on the opposition and mounting pressure on the government to release party chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition.
Through the silent march, Fakhrul said they would send out a message to the city dwellers to wake up and resist the current government’s misrule and repression, besides the failure to run the country and check the growing prices of essential items.
“The government has turned the country into a failed state. They badly destroyed the country and its institutions. Like the previous year, the USA again did not invite Bangladesh to its Summit for Democracy. It’s a matter of sorrow,” the BNP leader said.
He said Awami League is basically a 'terrorist' party which always wants to cling to power by resorting to violence and spreading panic among people. “They usurped power in 2014 and 2018 by creating a reign of terror and intimidating people. They’re again trying to again grab power by force in the upcoming election. BNP and the country’s people will not go to any more polls under the Awami League government.
“The Prime Minister is saying to the foreigners who are coming to Bangladesh that there will be very good elections under the Awami League-led government and everyone will be able to vote freely. Even the horses started laughing after hearing such a remark,” Fakhrul said.
He unequivocally said BNP and the people of Bangladesh will not join any election under the Awami League government. “The people of Bangladesh will never accept any election in which they won’t be able to cast their votes.”
Fakhrul urged the government to quit immediately without wasting any more time. “You must step down, and dissolve the parliament after taking steps for holding the next election under a non-party caretaker government to be conducted by a new Election Commission. Otherwise, the country’s people won’t spare you.”
The BNP leader said the government has been using law enforcers to cling to power illegally by force. “The USA imposed sanctions on RAB as they indulged in extra-judicial killing at the behest of the government. They (govt) are now using police to kill the opposition leaders and activists and repress them.”
10 BNP activists killed by police since Aug
Referring to a report from rights body Ain O Salish Kendra, Fakhrul said 72 people were subjected to extrajudicial killing by police in the last 13 months.
He said police also unfairly obstructed the opposition’s political activities and gunned down 10 BNP leaders and activists during the ongoing anti-government movement that began in August last year.
The BNP leader also alleged that police arrested many leaders and activists unlawfully and raided their houses and repressed them.
He said the common people are gradually getting poorer while the ruling party men are getting richer by indulging in corruption and plundering. “They've indulged in plundering and theft in a way that now there’s no money in the bank and no dollar for opening LCs to import goods. They have exceeded all limits of theft.”
Earlier, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north city unit marched from Uttara’s Jasimuddin Road intersection to Abdullahpur.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain inaugurated the programme along with other party senior leaders, including Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Abdul Awal Mintoo around 3:35pm.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the two separate programmes, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed in the areas to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Apart from BNP, LPD, Gonoforum, People’s Party, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote also staged the march programme in different areas of the capital at different times on Friday as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.
BNP’s other metropolitan city units will hold a similar programme on Saturday.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1, respectively, to push for their 10-point demand.
All parties should assist to conduct a participatory election: Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has reminded everyone that a participatory election is not just the ruling party's responsibility.
"It is the duty of all political parties, including the BNP, to assist in conducting a participatory, inclusive and free election," the minister said while exchanging views with the journalists at his Chattogram residence on Friday.
"If any parties boycott the election or try to prevent it, it is their responsibility to make the election non-participatory or unacceptable," the minister added.
"We want the next government to be elected through a participatory free, fair and transparent election. In the meeting led by the general secretary of Awami League with various ambassadors of the European Union on Thursday, the issue of a free and participatory election got precedence. We have communicated that to the EU ambassadors. And others are being told the same thing. We also want all political parties including BNP to participate in the upcoming elections in the country."
Replying to a question from the reporters regarding the increased visits by foreign delegations a year before the elections, the minister said it is good to have more visitors in the country, they are showing interest in Bangladesh. "Since Bangladesh is an emerging economy, it is normal. As a result, our trade will be diversified and we will be able to sell more products," the minister added.
Regarding BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's demand for a caretaker government, Hasan Mahmud said ‘there is no caretaker government system anywhere in the world except in Pakistan. “BNP follows Pakistan, but our electoral process will be similar to that of Australia, India, the United States, and Japan. The election will be held as per the country’s constitution,” the minister said.
BNP, like-minded parties to march in capital Friday
BNP and other like-minded opposition parties and alliances are set to march in the capital on Friday as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.
The organisers said the programme is meant for registering a protest against the rise in the prices of power and gas and essential items and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
As per the party’s plan, BNP’s Dhaka south city will march from Gopibagh to Nayabazar. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alam will launch the programme around 2:30 pm.
Besides, BNP’s Dhaka north city will march from Uttara’s Jasimuddin Road intersection to Abdullahpur. BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will inaugurate the programme around 2:30 pm.
Talking to UNB, BNP’s Dhaka south city unit convener Abdus Salam said they have taken all-out preparations to make their programme a success. “We’ll hold the march programme peacefully.”
The party will also arrange a similar programme in all other divisional cities on Saturday.
Apart from BNP, LPD will also march in Karwanbazar while Gonoforum and People’s Party in Arambagh, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in Bijoynagar and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote in Puranapaltan in the capital at different times on Friday.
Read more: Now BNP announces march in divisional cities on Feb 18
On Sunday last, BNP Standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain announced that their party leaders and activists will march in all metropolitan cities, including the capital, on February 18 (Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament and holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
Later on Tuesday, the party moved up its road march in the capital city by a day, deciding to organise the programme on February 17 instead of February 18 ‘due to unavoidable reasons’.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1, respectively, to push for their 10-point demand.
The party also organised a march programme in all unions across the country on Saturday last amid the allegations of attacks and obstruction by the ruling party activists and law enforcers.
AL syndicate looting money by controlling goods market, supply chain: BNP
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that the ruling-party-backed syndicate is hiking the prices of imported goods unusually by establishing its control on the market and supply chain.
“Those who are looting the market every day and increasing the prices of goods are the people of the Awami League syndicate. Only those who belong to Awami League can now open LCs for the import of goods,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said dollars are now being given to the ruling party-supported importers to open LCs and import goods.
“But ordinary importers are not able to import the goods as they’re not given dollars. So, those who are importing goods by opening LC are selling the imported goods in the market at high prices. As the supply chain is in the hands of people belonging to the ruling party, they are controlling the market and hiking the prices of the imported goods,” he observed.
Jatiyatabadi Sanskritik Dal, the BNP's cultural front, arranged the programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity protesting the price hikes in oil gas and all essential goods and a recent attack on BNP joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon in Narsingdi.
Khosru, a BNP standing committee member and a former commerce minister, said the main reason behind the increase in commodity prices is the Awami economy model. “They (AL) have created that model for plundering, but the common people of Bangladesh are paying a heavy price for it…the lines behind the trucks of TCB are getting longer day by day, exposing people’s real condition.”
According to the current economic model of Awami League, he said the government will extract money from the people's pockets by increasing VAT, taxes, and the prices of gas, electricity, oil, and daily essentials, including imported goods. “Later, the ruling party people will loot the money and siphon off it abroad.
Read more: BNP finds “govt syndicate” behind price hike
The BNP leader bemoaned that the resources and money of the country are being accumulated in the hands of less than one percent today, destroying the lives of common people. “This wealth is not only being accumulated in Bangladesh as they (AL leaders) are taking it abroad and making assets in Canada, Dubai, USA, UK, Malaysia, and Turkey by siphoning off money abroad. “People belonging to Awami League are accumulating wealth all over the world.”
He called upon people from all walks of life to get united to protect the country and establish a pro-people government through a fierce movement.
Referring to the meetings of US State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet with the PM, Foreign Minister, and senior journalists, Khosru said the US senior official has given a clear message that the relation and cooperation of America will decline with a country where democracy erodes.
"It’s a very strong warning and he issued it sitting on the soil of Bangladesh, and said there is no compromise on the issue of human rights, democracy, and press freedom. The democratic countries that believe in human rights, the rule of law, public security, and freedom of speech are now saying these words,” he observed.
Fakhrul returns from Singapore
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir returned home on Thursday from Singapore after receiving medical treatment there for a week.
The BNP secretary general along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines around 6:30pm, said BNP chairperson's media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
On February 10, Fakhrul and his wife went to Singapore for a follow-up health checkup and treatment.
The 76-year-old BNP secretary general received treatment at Singapore National University Hospital.
In 2015, while incarcerated, Fakhrul was diagnosed with a block in the internal carotid artery of his neck.After his release, he went to Singapore for treatment. Since then, he needs to go to Singapore every year for follow-up treatment.
BNP goes to embassies covertly, AL held meeting after being invited: Quader meets EU heads of missions
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that both the European Union (EU) and his party want an inclusive election that will be free and fair.
“The European Union wants to see a participatory national election. Awami League also wants a good, fair election that will be free of issues. However, BNP is trying to use tactics out of fear of losing the election,” Quader said at a briefing after a meeting with heads of missions of European countries in Dhaka this morning.
The EU diplomats met the Awami League general secretary as part of EU’s engagement with political parties ahead of the parliamentary election.
Saying that BNP is attempting to come to power “relying on arson attacks, terrorism and through destabilizing the country,” Quader added, “BNP does not believe in dialogue. They did not participate in dialogues with the president and the Election Commission.”
Awami League does not follow anyone’s orders; rather it only goes by the constitution, the minister asserted.
“BNP goes to embassies covertly, without informing anyone, but Awami League has come after being invited,” he said, adding that meaningful discussions were held on various issues including election and international trade.
Read more: BNP is the master of vindictive politics: Obaidul Quader
Quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Quader said, “The upcoming election will be credible, fair and free. The Election Commission will play an independent and authoritative role. Sheikh Hasina’s government will provide all kinds of support to the Election Commission.”
Representatives from seven European Union countries were present at the meeting.
BNP maintains silence on President-elect Shahabuddin
BNP has remained silent about the newly elected President, Md Shahabuddin, even after a meeting of its standing committee, maintaining the party’s ‘no-comment stance’ on the issue.
“You asked about this issue (presidential election) in the last press briefing. I will answer the same today (Wednesday). We have no comment on this,” BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain told reporters.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he said their party has no interest in the presidential election. “So, we don’t want to talk about the issue.”
Two other BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahaman who were present at the programme were also tight-lipped on the issue.
The press meet was arranged to inform the media about the outcome of a virtual meeting of the BNP standing committee held on Monday.
Awami League on Sunday submitted the papers to the Election Commission (EC) nominating Mohammed Shahabuddin, a retired district judge, a former commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and a member of the AL Advisory Council, as its presidential candidate.
On Monday, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal announced that ruling party nominee Shahabuddin was elected unopposed. Later, the EC issued a gazette notification declaring Md Shahabuddin the 22nd president-elect of the country.
Musharraf said the country’s people are actively participating in the programmes of BNP as they no longer want to see the current 'failed' regime in power. “People have continued their struggle for a victory braving all repressive acts.”
Also read: BNP reschedules its road march in capital to Feb 17
He alleged that the ruling party is increasingly trying to incite violence by announcing counter programmes on days of the opposition’s scheduled programmes.
“As the opposition parties are not consciously falling into this trap and not responding to the provocation, the ministers and ruling party leaders are making unguarded comments about the ongoing peaceful movement out of frustration,” he observed.
The BNP leader claimed that their party leaders and activists in all unions took to the streets on Saturday last for observing their road march programme.
He said Awami League announced a counter programme the same day in the name of a ‘peace rally’ in all unions, but they failed to hold the programmes in most unions. Mosharraf said Awami League is only exposing its organizational weakness by announcing counter programmes.
BNP reschedules its road march in capital to Feb 17
The BNP has moved up its road march in the capital city by a day, deciding to organise the programme on February 17 instead of February 18 ‘due to unavoidable reasons’.
BNP acting office secretary Syed Imran Saleh announced the decision of the party at a press conference at its Nayapaltan central office on Tuesday.
He, however, said the date for staging a similar programme in all other metropolitan cities—Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Cumilla, Faridpur,
Narayanganj and Gazipur-- remains February 18 as per the previous announcement of the party.“Our party earlier announced to organise marches in all metropolitan cities on February 18 (Saturday). The date of the programme in the capital has been rescheduled for some unavoidable reasons,” Prince said.
As per the changed schedule, he said BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units will march on February 17 (Friday) separately at 2:30 pm.
Also read: Now BNP announces march in divisional cities on Feb 18
Prince called upon the leaders, activists and supporters of BNP and its associate bodies in all thanas and wards under the metropolitan cities to take full preparation for making their march programme a success with their spontaneous participation and thus intensify the movement for realsing the party’s 10-point demand and protesting the public suffering.
Earlier on Sunday last, BNP Standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain announced that their party leaders and activists will march in all metropolitan cities, including the capital, on February 18 (Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament and holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
He made the announcement while launching BNP Dhaka north city unit’s road march towards the capital's Bosila from Shyamoli.
The fresh programme is also meant for registering the party’s protest against the unbridled price hikes in power and gas, and all daily essentials, including rice, lentils, oil, flour and salt and the government’s repressive acts.
BNP’s like-minded parties and alliances that have been carrying out the simultaneous movement will observe a similar programme in all cities as per the changed date.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1, respectively, to push for their 10-point demand.
The party also organised a march programme in all unions across the country on Saturday last amid the allegations of attacks and obstruction by the ruling party activists and law enforcers.