Politics
BNP announces program to march in all unions February 11
As part of the party’s move to involve people at the grassroots in their ongoing anti-government movement, BNP has announced a program to march in all unions across the country on February 11 (next Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement while addressing a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Saturday.
“Our program this time will be at the union level. We’ll march at the union level across the country on February 11 (Saturday), as part of the simultaneous movement to protest against the increase in prices of daily necessities, including gas electricity, rice and lentils and for the restoration of democracy, the resignation of the government and implementation of our 10-point demand,” he said.
BNP’s Dhaka South and North city units arranged Saturday's rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office to reiterate their 10-point demand, topped by the resignation of the government and holding the next election under a non-party caretaker government, that materialised at the end of their earlier divisional rally programme last December 10.
The party also held rallies in all the other divisions of the country today to protest the hikes in power and gas tariffs and repression on the opposition leaders and activists.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka North and South city units observed the march program on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively to push for the 10-point demand.
Stating that their march program in Dhaka drew huge public attention, Fakhrul said they will gradually observe a similar program in upazilas, districts and metropolitan cities after the union level. “In this way, people will oust this regime and establish a government of people,” he said.
Fakhrul said they are moving forward with their peaceful movement slowly to defeat the current ‘fascist’ government together with the people.
Read: Govt initiates underground metro project for plundering public money: BNP
Earlier in the day, Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of seven political parties also committed to the present government's ouster as part of the 'simultaneous' movement, announced a march and mass campaign across the country on February 11 to press home their 14-point demand, including the resignation of the Awami League government.
Saiful Haque, general secretary of Bangladesh-er Biplobi Workers Party, announced the fresh program on behalf of the 7 parties, in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
Some other opposition parties and alliances, including Ganatantrik Bam Oikya, the 12-Party Alliance, Samamona Jote, LDP, Gonoforum, and People’s Party, also held rallies in different areas of the capital and announced similarly synced programs, signaling their participation in the movement.
It was the fifth program of the simultaneous movement after the mass processions on December 30, sit-in on January 11 and rallies, processions on January 16 and rallies on January 25.
Govt initiates underground metro project for plundering public money: BNP
BNP senior leader Barkatullah Bulu on Friday alleged that the government has begun the work on underground metro rail project amid economic crisis only for plundering public money.
"There is a crisis all over the country. Imports are being hampered due to dollar crisis. Amid this crisis, you (Prime Minister) have given a budget of Tk52,000 crore for 20 km subway. You’re implementing this project for plundering,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also questioned the justification of taking such a mega project when the country’s huge number of people remained unemployed. “What benefit will the state get from the Tk 52,000 crore subway?”
Bulu, a BNP vice-chairman, said the government can invest the money in the agriculture sector or can set up mills factories for generating job opportunities for unemployed people. “We know you won’t do that as it will not create scope for you to loot public money.”
Nagorik Odhikar Andolo (Civil Rights Movement), a pro-BNP platform, arranged the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club to demand the release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of Bangladesh’s first-ever underground metro rail, a month after the country rolled out its first metro rail system.
Bulu alleged that the government siphoned off Tk14,00,000 crore abroad from Bangladesh to different countries, including Canada, Dubai and America.
He also said an MP, who is also the Prime Minister’s special assistant, became the owner of 17 houses in the USA in four years. “It seems as if Aladdin’s magic lamp is in their hands."
Read more: BNP continues blind criticism of govt: Quader
In this way, Bulu said people belonging to the Awami League have got their named written in the list of world's rich abroad by indulging in looting a huge amount of money in the name of quick rental and rental power project.
“The power sector has been looted. There is no country in the world where no one can file a case against the corruption of any project. But the government passed the indemnity bill in parliament so that no one can file any case against the plundering in the name of quick rental power,” he observed.
The BNP leader said there is now no alternative to ousting the Awami League government to save the country from misrule and plundering.
“The next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government by ensuring the fall of current regime through the movement,” he said.
No one from outside to save nation with sanctions unless we stand up: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the educated people and intellectuals to raise their voices for a change as no one from outside will come with sanctions to protect the nation from misrule.
Speaking at a discussion, he demanded the government immediately cancel the new textbooks of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) that contain errors, distortion of history, and misinformation.
The leader accused the government of developing low-quality and error-ridden textbooks for making a subservient and failed nation, and called upon the teachers of the country to raise their voices unitedly for the cancellation of the error-filled textbooks.
“The main thing now is that we must stand up. Otherwise, no one will protect you. No one from outside will come and protect you with sanctions. No one will create something new for you. As long as the educated people and the intellectuals won’t come up with resistance, we won’t get rid of (misrule), he said.
The BNP and the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) jointly arranged the discussion titled ‘Imprudent Curriculum and Poor-Quality Textbooks: Blueprint for Destruction of the Country's History, Tradition and Culture' at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.
Fakhrul alleged that the new textbooks are filled with errors, wrong history, and information. “These books are being taught to the new generation of children…This government is systematically working to create a submissive and failed nation.”
He also bemoaned that educated people are not strongly protesting against textbook errors. "Why am I not standing up today to protect my identity, my independence, my heritage, and my culture? We must raise our voices. The protests should be spread across the country.”
The BNP leader also slammed Education Minister Dipu Moni for her request not to make textbook errors an issue. "If you hit my roots hard, then why I won't make it an issue and I won't talk. When you want to change my whole character and change my identity, then why I won’t make it an issue. Of course, I will make it an issue. Of course, this is one of the biggest issues and it’s the issue of the existence of my nation."
Describing the teachers as the pride of the country, Fakhrul said people get the courage to take to the streets to reach their desired goal when the teachers raise their voices and stand by them.
Fakhrul said BNP’s ongoing movement is not only for the restoration of democracy but also for the existence of the nation. "If there is no democracy, our existence will be at stake. So, our now main task is to restore that democracy," he said.
Voter turnout not more than 5% in six by-polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday claimed that the actual average voter turnout in the by-elections to six parliamentary seats -- left vacant after their party MPs resigned-- was not more than 5%.
“The so-called Election Commission held by-polls yesterday (Wednesday). The voter turnout in these by-elections is nowhere more than 15 to 25% as per their (EC) calculations. As per our (BNP’s) calculations, it is not more than 5%,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Referring to newspaper reports, he said the by-polls were similar to the national election in 2014. “I saw it online (web portals) that dogs are lying there (polling stations) amid absence of voters. They’ve taken the country’s electoral system to this state.”
The by-polls to the six parliamentary seats were held amid some stray incidents on Wednesday.
After the voting, Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said the average voter turnout in the by-election in six parliamentary seats maybe 15% to 20%.
Fakhrul said people are going through serious ordeals due to unusual price hikes in all essential items caused by widespread corruption and plundering by the ruling party leaders.
“When corruption is rampant and plundering is the main target, there is no point in talking about a global recession. You (govt) are making people's lives miserable as the price of every commodity has increased due to corruption,” he said,
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders are increasing the prices of rice, salt, and oil and they are controlling the prices of the commodities,
“You have raised the power tariffs repeatedly. But if you stop the theft in the power sector, the price of electricity does not have to increase. Even, if you stop the theft in the gas sector, there is no need to increase its price,” Fakhrul observed.
He said the government has started digging roads now as part of a move to plunder public money in the name of development. “In this way, they’re plundering public money and siphoning it off abroad as they have no responsibility towards the people of the country. They’re indulging in widespread corruption.”
Before the press briefing, Fakhrul had a meeting with the leaders of BNP and its associate bodies to work out plans for making Saturday’s programme at the divisional level a success.
BNP will hold rallies in all divisional cities on Saturday to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government and registering their protest against the hikes in the prices of power and gas.
BNP, Jamaat will create unrest before polls, Tarikat chairman tells JS
Tarikat Federation chairman Syed Najibul Bashar Maizbhandari on Wednesday said that BNP and Jamaat would do subversive activities later this year to destabilise the country ahead of next general elections.
Bashar said that while the country is moving forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina there is a conspiracy to destabilise the country by the BNP and its alliance Jamaat.
He said that he has information that BNP and Jamaat will start killing again from next August.
“They want to take the country towards another direction in August, September, October and November. Killing, militancy will increase, I am asking the government to be aware of this.”
“No matter what conspiracies they do, the next election will be held as per the constitution,” he said.
He made the statement while participating in the discussion on the thanksgiving motion on President’s speech in Parliament.
Bashar said that Hasina will return to power through next national elections.
He said that he will also be elected as MP in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
“In the next election, the prime minister will be the prime minister again. I will also be an MP from the Tarikat Federation, there is no (chance of any) mistake,” he said.
Mentioning that the national election will be held in the first week of January next year, he said, "whether BNP comes or not, it does not matter at all.”
He said that the election will be held under the leadership of the 14-party alliance leader Sheikh Hasina.
He called on all the pro-liberation forces to unite under the leadership of Hasina.
Ruling party MP Kujendra Lal Tripura said that 50 to 60 percent of Khagrachari area has come under electrification.
“Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board through the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs is trying to light up the area with Tk 217 crore solar panels. We want electricity in the areas where it is possible to reach.”
Jatiya Party MP Pir Fazlur Rahman said that earlier Begum Para was in Canada.
“Now Begum para is being established in many countries of the world. Not only politicians, but also government officials are buying houses abroad.”
Pir Fazlur said that many are buying 10-20 houses in Canada, Dubai.
“No action is taken against money laundering from the country.”
He also raised questions about how the central bank monitors.
He said that the defaulted loan in the bank is Tk 1.5 lakh crore.
“If you do the actual calculations, it will exceed Tk four lakh crore. The owner of one bank is taking loan from another bank. Actions should be taken against them.”
The Jatiya Party MP said that everyone talks about development.
“But some leaders do not see development. They visit their area occasionally. They are leaders of Awami League, but want to be elected in the future.”
Criticising the sluggish implementation of development projects and the increase in project cost, Pir Fazlur said that if the duration of the project increases, the cost also increases.
“Corruption is inextricably linked with it.”
People can no longer bear burden of increased power tariff: BNP
Strongly protesting the fresh hike in power tariffs, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said people are repeatedly paying the prices of the government's limitless irregularities and plundering in the power sector.
In a statement, he urged the government to revoke its unjustified decision of hiking the power prices, saying people will no longer be able to bear the burden of the increased power tariffs.
“People are already going through ordeals due to the government’s failure, corruption, looting, mismanagement, and wrong policies. Amid such a situation, frequently increasing the prices of power is an anti-people, strange and unjustified decision of the government,” Fakhrul said.
Just 19 days ago, he said the price of power at the retail level was increased by the government.
Also Read: Power tariff further raised at both bulk and retail levels, effective from tomorrow
“The hike in the prices of power further at the retail and wholesale levels just after 19 days is a manifestation of the anti-people character of the government,” he said.
The BNP leader feared that the prices of all essential items will go up further with the fresh hike in power tariffs. “People can no longer bear this burden.”
He said the current government has been frequently increasing the prices of electricity, gas, fuel, edible oil, fertilizers, and other daily necessities as it was not elected by the people. “The government has no regrets about this. Rather it’s telling lies shamelessly in favour of these imprudent moves.”
Fakhrul said the Awami League government has increased electricity prices 11 times in the last 14 years.
He also termed the government’s move as a subtle trick to take the authority of hiking the tariffs of power and fuel from the hands of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has been taking away money from people’s pockets by raising power tariffs only because of plundering and corruption of the government and its followers. “People have now woken up against the government.”
Fakhrul said their party will hold rallies in all divisional cities on February 4 (Saturday) to mount pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand and lower the prices of power, gas, and daily essentials.
He called upon people from all walks of life to register their protest against the government’s anti-people decisions by making their programme a success with their spontaneous participation.
The government on Tuesday increased the retail power price by 5% and the bulk price by over 8% just 19 days after it had hiked the retail price on January 12 this year.
END/UNB/
Calling voters using loudspeakers by police a great joke: Abbas says about by-polls
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday said it was a great joke that law enforcers were calling voters to cast their votes as dogs were sleeping at the voting centres during by-polls to Brahmanbaria-2 seat.
“By-elections are being held (Wednesday) in various seats, including Brahmanbaria-2. There has been no voters in the polling station since morning. The media are saying three/four dogs are sleeping at a centre in Brahmanbaria,” he said.
In a brief address prior to inaugurating their party’s fourth march programme, the BNP leader said, “Allah saves us as the dogs have no right to vote…I have just got the news that the police are urging voters to come to the polling station using loudspeakers. I have never heard such a great joke in my life.”
The by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant after BNP MPs resigned —were held amid some stray incidents on Wednesday.
The six constituencies are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2. Advocate Abdus Sattar who resigned from the Brahmanbaria-2 seat contested the by-polls. BNP leaders alleged that the government was playing various tricks to ensure the victory of Sattar, who was expelled from the party.”
Leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka South City unit marched towards the capital's Malibagh from Kamalapur Stadium, ending the party’s 4-day programme to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
Mirza Abbas formally inaugurated the programme in front of Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur around 3:25 pm. The march ended at Malibgah Bazar after parading over nearly a five-kilometre stretch of the road via Mugda and Khilgaon.
Read more: Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas picked up by detectives: BNP
This was the fourth and last such programme of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday and North City unit marched from Gabtoli to Mirpur on Tuesday.
Abbas urged the government to quit power for holding a credible election under a carter government.
He said the caretaker government was the main demand of the Awami League and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in 1996. “The Prime Minister at that time wanted the caretaker government for life. But they can’t keep their words,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government has become scared of losing power even seeing a silent march of the BNP. “The fall of this regime is impending and their days are numbered.”
He also said their march is an advanced funeral procession of the current government.
Abbas slammed the government for increasing the power tariff just 19 days after the previous hike.
He said the current ‘fascist and monstrous’ regime must be removed from power to ensure the welfare of the people and protect the country from misrule.
Thousands join as BNP marches from Kamalapur to Malibagh
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP's Dhaka South City unit marched towards the capital's Malibagh from Kamalapur Stadium, ending the party’s 4-day programme to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas formally inaugurated the programme in front of Bir Shrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur around 3:25 pm Wednesday.
The march ended at Malibgah Bazar after parading nearly a five-kilometre stretch of the road via Mugda and Khilgaon.
This was the fourth and last such padajatra (street march) of BNP, as the party's Dhaka north city unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka south city unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurain on Monday and North City unit marched from Gabtoli to Mirpur on Tuesday.
In a brief address prior to launching the march, Abbas said the government has become scared of losing power even seeing a silent march of BNP. “The fall of this regime is impending and their days are numbered.”
“When we shout, Awami League becomes afraid, if we remain silent, Awami League also gets sacred. We said we’ll march silently. As the road is shaking during the BNP's march, they’re getting scared of it,” he said.
Also Read: This is to bid farewell to AL regime: says Mosharraf about BNP's street march
The BNP leader also said their march is an advanced funeral procession of the current government.
Abbas slammed the government for increasing the power tariff just 19 days after the previous hike.
He said the current ‘fascist and monstrous’ regime must be removed from power to ensure the welfare of the people and protect the country from misrule.
The BNP leader said people have taken to the streets and they will not return home until the Awami League government is unseated. “We must oust this regime together with people.”
Abbas asked the party leaders and activists to hold the programme in a peaceful and disciplined manner without responding to any provocation.
BNP South City unit convener Abdus Salam said the people are facing a serious ordeal due to the price hikes in all daily essentials. “When people are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, the government has been raising the prices of power and other utility services only to loot public money.”
He urged the country’s people to join their ongoing movement to ensure the fall of the current Awami League government to restore democracy and all the lost rights of people.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
Huge tailbacks were created on Kamalapur, Mugda and Khilgaon roads due to the marches, causing serious suffering to commuters.
A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Earlier on January 26 last, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
By-polls to 6 JS seats underway amid stray incidents
Voting in the by-polls to the six parliamentary seats — left vacant after BNP MPs resigned —is going on amid some stray incidents today.
Voting began at 8:30 am and will continue till 4:30 pm, said SM Asaduzzaman, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission.
The six constituencies are: Thakurgaon-3, Bogura-4 and 6, Chapainawabganj-2, 3 and Brahmanbaria-2.
Electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used in the by-elections. However, no CCTV cameras have been installed in the polling centers, he added.
Forty aspirants are vying in the 6 constituencies for MP post.
This is to bid farewell to AL regime: says Mosharraf about BNP's street march
Stating that the time of the Awami League government is running out fast, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday said their party’s programme of street march is meant for saying goodbye to the Awami League’s repressive rule.
“Even after so much repression by the government, BNP did not sit at home, nor did the people of this country. Rather, they have come to the streets to ensure your downfall,” he said in remarks directed at the AL government.
The BNP leader also said their party together with the people is carrying out a peaceful movement on the streets. “Awami League is criticizing our march programme under various names out of fear. We would like to tell you, your time is up.”
Read more: BNP’s 3rd march from Gabtoli to Mirpur begins
Calling upon the government to get ready to quit, he said “We’re doing this (march) as an advance procession of your farewell. Whatever you think of our march, this is our peaceful procession to bid you farewell.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member came up with the remarks while inaugurating their party’s third march towards the Mirpur-10 intersection from Gabtoli.
He said the way the people are taking to the streets, they will be able to bring down the current regime in a very short time. “So, we must forge a strong unity among us.”
The BNP leader said while people are struggling to cope with the growing price hikes of daily essentials, the government has been repeatedly increasing the tariffs of power, gas and water only to plunder public money.
He said the government is now unable to import food from abroad and even unload the goods from vessels for lack of money.
The BNP leader said the government has ruined the country’s economy by indulging in widespread plundering and siphoning off huge money abroad, creating a famine-like situation in the country.
Referring to Transparency International’s latest report he said Bangladesh’s position in the corruption perception index has slid one step lower to 12 from the bottom among 180 countries as the ruling party-backed syndicates are indulging in widespread corruption.’
“As we say, it is also seen internationally that corruption is increasing in Bangladesh. Awami League-backed syndicates are indulging in corruption. So, it is not possible to curb their corruption. That is why the people of the country want the resignation of this government as soon as possible." “The sooner this regime goes the better for the country.”
Read more: People know who fled the country after 1/11: Fakhrul
Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said people are going through a very tough time due to unusual hikes in prices of all essential items.
He said the government is also raising the prices of utility services as it has taken a stance against the people. “There’s no alternative to ousting this regime to save the country, and its people and restore democracy and people’s rights.”
The BNP leader said Awami League’s history is killing democracy or supporting those who obstructed democracy while BNP repeatedly restored democracy. “We need to restore it once again together with people through a movement.”
Khandaker Mosharraf formally inaugurated the march programme at Gabtoli Bus Stand around 3:20 pm. It ended at the Mirpor-10 intersection after parading around a five-kilometre stretch of the road.
It was the third such programme of BNP as the party’s Dhaka North City unit marched from Badda to Malibagh on Saturday and the Dhaka South City unit marched from Jatrabari to Jurine on Monday.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme, carrying banners, national and party flags, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
There was a heavy deployment of law enforcers w in the area to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Earlier on Thursday last, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
The programme will be concluded with the Dhaka South City unit’s march from Mugda to Malibagh on Wednesday.