Politics
10-point Demand: BNP marches from Badda to Malibagh
As part of BNP’s four-day programme, its leaders and activists on Saturday marched from Badda to Malibagh in the capital 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 formally inaugurated the programme arranged by the party’s Dhaka North City unit around 2:30 pm in front of Badda’s Suvastu Nazar Valley market.
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.
They peacefully concluded the programme around 4pm at Malibagh after parading over a four-kilometre stretch of the road.
In a brief address before the start of the programme, Fakhrul asked the party leaders and activists to march peacefully without responding to any provocation. "We've so far held our all programmes peacefully and we'll ensure their (govt's) fall through the peaceful agitations."
Sating their march programme as a silent protest against the government, he said they will force the government to quit together with the people.
The leaders and workers of BNP and its different associate bodies were seen thronging different areas of Badda since noon to join the programme.
Also Read: Quit now to avoid a shocking ouster, Fakhrul asks govt
BNP’s Dhaka north city unit convener Amanullah Aman and member secretary Aminul Haque repeatedly asked the party workers to keep the traffic normal. But the procession caused serious traffic jams on the one of the busiest roads of the capital, causing public suffering.
Many commuters were seen walking to their destinations due to long tailbacks.
A huge number of law enforcers were deployed from Badda to Malibagh areas to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
Earlier on Thursday, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
Dhaka North City unit BNP will also march from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
Quit now to avoid a shocking ouster, Fakhrul asks govt
Terming their march programme a new form of anti-government movement, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday called upon the government to quit power immediately to avert a shocking ouster.
“We started a new movement today (Saturday) through this silent protest in Dhaka city. Through the silent march together with people we’ll force this terrible, monstrous government to quit power,” he said.
In a brief address prior to launching the march programme in the city’s Badda area, the BNP leader also said they want to send out a message to the government through the fresh programme to hand over power to a caretaker government with immediate resignation and empower the people to exercise their right to vote under a new Election Commission.
“Otherwise you will have to face a very shocking ouster and you won’t find a way to escape,” he warned.
As part of the party’s four-day programme, BNP leaders and activists marched towards the capital's Abul Hotel area in Malibagh from Badda’s Suvastu Nazar Valley market to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
Fakhrul formally inaugurated the programme around 2:30 pm which ended peacefully around 4pm after parading over a four-kilometre stretch of the road.
Read more: BNP’s march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh begins
He asked the party leaders and activists to hold the programme peacefully without responding to any provocation. "We've so far held our all programmes peacefully and we'll ensure their (govt's) fall through the peaceful agitations."
Accusing the government of snatching people's voting rights, the BNP leader said they will restore the voting rights of people by ousting the Awami League government.
"No fair election will be held as long as Awami League is in power. So, the Awami League government must hand over power to a caretaker government by quitting power and dissolving parliament so that people can cast their votes under a new Election Commission," he said.
Fakhrul said people will elect their representatives and the government with their votes through a credible election under a non-party administration. “That elected government will run the country.”
He bemoaned that people are struggling to get by as the prices of all essential commodities, including rice, oil, salt and eggs, have gone up unusually.
The BNP leader alleged that people now cannot raise their voices against the government due to repressive acts. “The opposition leaders and activists are being arrested and sent to jail by implicating them in false cases and fictitious cases. They (govt) have turned entire Bangladesh into a prison.”
Read more: Publish the list of Money launderers, BNP asks govt
Claiming that their party’s around 35 lakh people have been facing political cases, he said all these cases must be withdrawn and all the arrested leaders and activists will have to be released for a fair and inclusive election in the country.
Earlier on Thursday, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
Dhaka North City unit BNP will also march from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
Caretaker govt system only exists in Pakistan: Information Minister
BNP has realized that they cannot win in the next national election, and that is why they are making excuses for not participating in it, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said today.
“We want to compete with and defeat BNP. However, they will not get the opportunity to cause mayhem as they did in 2014. If they try, the countrymen will throw them into the sea,” he said.
He made the remarks at a press conference held at the AL party office in Rajshahi.
Awami League wants every political party to participate in the elections, he said, adding that the caretaker government system only exists in Pakistan.
Also Read: BNP’s march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh begins
“BNP wants to follow 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.
The AL leader also said that BNP attempted to destroy democracy during the 2014 national election.
“They burnt down 500 voting centers and killed several election officers,” he added.
The information minister also stated that due to the country's current economic situation, using EVMs (electronic voting machines) in all seats is not possible.
“The Election Commission proposed an approximately one million dollar project to purchase EVMs. However, given the global economic situation, we decided not to proceed with the project,” he said.
Also Read: BNP unveils 4-day march programme in Dhaka from Jan 28
He also said that because elections are held under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, the government cannot transfer any OC, UNO, or constable after the election date is announced.
Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation and AL presidium member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton and MP Md. Ayen Uddin were also present, among others, at the press conference.
BNP’s march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh begins
As part of BNP’s four-day programme, its Dhaka North City unit has started a march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh in the capital 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 formally inaugurated the programme in front of Shahjadpur’s Hossain Market around 2:30 pm.
In a brief address prior to launching the programme, Fakhrul asked the party leaders and activists to hold the programme peacefully without responding to any provocation. "We've so far held our all programmes peacefully and we'll ensure their (govt's) fall through the peaceful agitations."
Sating their march programme as a silent protest against the government, he said they will force the government to quit together with the people.
Accusing the government of snatching people's voting rights, the BNP leader said they will restore the voting rights of people by ousting the Awami League government.
"No fair election will be held as long as Awami League is in power. So, the Awami League government must hand over power to a caretaker government by quitting power and dissolving parliament so that people can cast their votes under a new election commission," Fakhrul said.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme, carrying banners, festoons and portraits of the party's top leaders.
They are also chanting various slogans demanding the resignation of the government and the release of the party leaders and activists.
A huge number of law enforcers have been deployed to maintain law and order and fend off any untoward incidents.
The BNP leaders and workers were seen thronging in and around the Hossain Market area since 1pm while the senior party leaders were repeatedly asking them to keep the traffic normal.
Earlier on Thursday, BNP announced the four-day march programme in the capital for January 28, 30, 31 and February 1.
Dhaka North City unit BNP will also march from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
'Fascist' regime trying to foil united movement for democracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government and its agents are trying to foil the ongoing united movement for the restoration of democracy by resorting to various 'evil' strategies and creating fabricated stories about a rift among the opposition alliances.
Talking to reporters at a press briefing after a meeting between the liaison committees of BNP and Ganatantra Mancha, he also said the unity among the opposition parties who are on a movement against the government remains intact and they are moving forward to unseat the 'fascist' regime.
“There’s no problem among us (opposition alliances)…naturally, the government and its agents are resorting to various evil tactics and creating various cooked-up stories by using the media to suppress and foil the united movement initiated by the opposition parties,” Fakhrul said.
He also said they are least bothered about the government’s efforts to ruin the unity of the opposition parties. “Our main focus is now on uniting people more and increasing their involvement in our movement to oust the fascist and autocratic regime.”
The meeting between the liaison committees of BNP and Ganatantra Mancha began at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office around 4pm and continued for over two hours.
In their meeting, Fakhrul said they decided to intensify the ongoing simultaneous movement further.
“In our meeting, we reviewed the previous programmes of the simultaneous movement taken by BNP and Ganatantra Mancha. We also discussed our next course of action to make our movement a success,” he said.
The BNP leader said they have agreed to create greater unity to achieve their goal of restoring democracy and the rights of the people.
He said they will also hold similar meetings with other parties and alliances that are involved with the simultaneous movement.
Mahmudur Rahman Manna, the coordinator of Ganatantra Mancha, said they discussed the strategies and policies to gradually take the movement towards victory.
He said they also talked about the ways to strengthen the unity among the opposition parties. “We must remain alert so that no one can create any rift in our unity by creating any confusion.”
Manna said they also talked about how to enhance the activities of the opposition alliances in the capital Dhaka.
He said BNP has announced some programmes independently in Dhaka. “We feel that the programmes can be effective. We also extended our support to the programmes. Through such programmes, we will try to create a mass uprising. We are optimistic that we’ll turn victorious as we're getting huge public support."
Selim’s comment on Khaleda 'baseless'
Asked to comment on Awami League leader Sheikh Selim’s statement in Parliament that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was freed from jail by giving a bond that she would not do politics, Fakhrul said it is a cooked-up story.
“He (Selim) suddenly made up this story. It’s a completely baseless, motivated, and fabricated comment,” he added.
Fakhrul lashes out at Somoy TV for report on conviction of Khaleda, Tarique
Amidst several recent media reports quoting Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman as saying that keeping Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman – sentenced by the court – in BNP’s top leadership “contradicts” the party’s 27-point outline for state reform, which includes stance against corruption, and is a sign of “moral decay”, BNP’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has lashed out at Somoy TV for “running a story” on the issue.
Featuring the BNP leader’s statement, Somoy TV today again relayed the earlier story — defending its position and justification behind the report which also included references to the testimony of a US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent in a money-laundering case against Tarique Rahman.
“That report on our leaders — Tarique Rahman and Begum Zia — is like back-stabbing our democratic movement against the government. As we continue our movement to restore democracy, they should abstain from airing such reports,” Fakhrul said about Somoy TV at a press conference.
While coming down hard on the TV channel, Fakhrul also admitted that “the channel is a mainstream news outlet and is accepted by people of the country as credible.”
Though the BNP leader claimed that no other news outlet except Somoy TV carried such report, a number of media houses, including Shomoyer Alo, UNB and Desh TV, featured the TIB executive director’s remarks on the party.
This development comes after a Somoy TV journalist filed a complaint against BNP activists for “assaulting” him when he was covering the party’s rally held in Nayapaltan, Dhaka on January 16, 2023.
Read more: Media being regulated with various laws: Fakhrul
The Somoy TV report that has seemingly drawn the ire of the BNP leader highlights that both Tarique Rahman and Khaleda Zia were sentenced by courts. A Dhaka court recently asked the police to confiscate all assets of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The report also makes reference to the law on whether those convicted of corruption can participate in elections.
It also features the TIB executive director observing that BNP is talking about taking a bold position against corruption and at the same time running the party with convicts in top leadership.
The report mostly dwells on the fate of the party under the circumstances.
Referring to BNP’s 27 points, the TIB executive director had earlier wondered whether the party had the capacity to implement them.
“Considering BNP’s history and its experience with people of the country, it can be said that political parties make manifestos. When they come to power, the picture is different, however. In that sense, this is a wish list. Although, many of the issues mentioned are important for Bangladesh,” he said.
In November, 2011, an FBI agent testified in the Tk 20.41 crore money-laundering case filed against BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tarique Rahman and his business partner Giasuddin Al Mamun. This was the first time that a US FBI agent testified before a court in Bangladesh.
Debra Laprevotte, a supervisory special agent of the FBI, narrated before a Dhaka court how she had tracked down the money allegedly laundered by Tarique Rahman and Mamun to a bank account in Singapore.
Khaleda Zia was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by a special court in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. She was convicted in a second corruption case later.
Read more: Mirza Fakhrul isn't the type to balk at reporters' questions. Except this one.
Amid the pandemic, the government suspended her jail term for six months through an executive order on March 25, 2020. The government extended her conditional release in the two corruption cases several times.
Mirza Fakhrul steps into 76
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stepped into 76 on Thursday with birthday wishes pouring in for him.
As in previous years, the BNP leader had a low-profile birthday celebration with only family members and party leaders and activists wishing him on the occasion.
Fakhrul woke up in the morning with his elder daughter Mirza Shamaruh wising him ‘happy birthday’ over the phone from Australia followed by his younger daughter Mirza Safaruh and wife Rahat Ara Begum.
Read more: US sanctions on RAB made BNP fearless in anti-government protests: Fakhrul
Talking to UNB, the BNP leader said there was no formal programme to celebrate his birthday, but BNP leaders and activists, his relatives, and friends from home and abroad wished him on the occasion.
Fakhrul said he took breakfast with his wife in the morning at their Uttara residence and then set out for BNP's Nayapaltan central office. “On the way to the office, I received phone calls from my many party colleagues who wished me happy birthday.”
As he reached the BNP office, many leaders and activists present there received him and exchanged birthday greetings.
About his feelings on the birthday, Fakhrul said, “Birthday means I’m losing another year from my life and getting older.”
He said he has no good feelings on the birthday when people are going through a very difficult time and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia passing through a serious ordeal staying under house arrest. “What to say about the birthday in such a situation? I’ve just stepped into 76 and my time is coming to an end.”
Fakhrul was born on January 26, 1948 in Thakurgaon. His father late Mirza Ruhul Amin was a Muslim League leader and a minister of the Pakistan government.
Read more: BNP unveils 4-day march programme in Dhaka from Jan 28
Fakhrul, who had involvement with left politics during his student life, completed his graduation and post-graduation from Dhaka University’s Economics department.
Later, he took up teaching as his profession through the BCS examination. Fakhrul quit teaching during the 80s and joined politics formally.
He was elected MP from Thakurgaon-1 with BNP’s ticket in 2001 and then made a state minister. He was also elected MP from the Bogura-6 seat in the 11th parliamentary election. But he did not take oath as BNP rejected the election results.
Fakhrul was made acting secretary general of BNP after the death of the party’s then secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain in 2011. He was given full charge of the party’s secretary general five years later in 2016.
BNP unveils 4-day march programme in Dhaka from Jan 28
BNP on Thursday announced a four-day march programme in the capital 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 came up with the announcement of the fresh programme for Dhaka at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said the leaders and activists of their party’s Dhaka north and south city units will observe the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively also to demand the 'restoration’ of democracy in the country.
Read more: BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
As per the party’s plan, Dhaka North City unit BNP will march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh’s Abul Hotel on January 28 and from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
Fakhrul hoped that their march programmes will be held peacefully with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life.
“We’ll hold the march programmes demanding our 10 points and the restoration of democracy. Our programmes will be completely peaceful,” he said.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said BNP’s two units in Dhaka city will organise march programmes. “But the like-minded parties also can join the programme simultaneously if they want.”
'Misleading media reporting amounts to stabbing the movement'
Read More: HC grants anticipatory bail to 102 BNP men over clashes in Ctg
Fakhrul alleged that a particular television channel has aired a feature or documentary maligning BNP top leaders which in no way goes with objective and neutral journalism. “It’s like stabbing the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy by completely taking a position in favour of a party (AL).”
He said when the country’s television channels and national newspapers are covering the ongoing movement and presenting people’s voices and speaking in favour of people, a television channel’s such false campaign is undoubtedly unwarranted.
“I hope that the channel authorities will stop airing this report or documentary and they will be careful so that such hateful propaganda is not spread by them in the future,” Fakhrul said.
Govt's days are numbered: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the days of current Awami League government are numbered as people will no longer let it stage any more drama in the name of election.
“The days of this government are really numbered…They must go this time,” he told a rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
The BNP leader also said those who destroyed democracy, killed opposition leaders and activists and repressed them in many ways in the democratic movement must quit power to repay that debt.
He alleged that the current government has snatched people’s all rights in a planned way by establishing a one-party Baksal rule in disguise. “So, they want to stage a drama and mockery further in the name of an election…that election won’t be held in this country anymore as people are now ready to get back their voting rights.”
Fakhrul said the current ‘unelected’ government has no relation with the people and their main target is to plunder public money as they consider Bangladesh as their paternal property and the country’s people as their subjects.
Read more: BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement against the current government, BNP arranged the rally. Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associated bodies joined the parogramme.
The organisers said the programme was meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by the Awami League on January 25, 1975, the rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
Fakhrul said Awami will not quit power voluntarily unless they are ousted through a strong movement. “We’re uniting people and the political parties to remove this regime from power.”
The BNP leader also said their ongoing movement will continue as long as the Awami League does not step down and as long as the arrested BNP leaders are not released from jail.
Fakhrul said the nation liberated the country through a bloody war with a dream of establishing a democratic society and state. “This Awami League on this day (January 25) in 1975 annihilated democracy by dashing people’s all hopes and aspirations."
The BNP leaders questioned why Awami League forgets that they first destroyed democracy in the country by establishing Baksal and banning all parties and newspapers.
“The fact is that Awami League never believes in democracy and it can’t tolerate different opinions. Awami League is a terrorist party from the beginning. Their history is the history of terrorism and they always want to cling to power by force and resorting to terrorism.”
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: BNP rally begins at Dhaka’s Nayapaltan
Stating that 17 BNP leaders and activists were killed in the current movement, Fakhrul said Awami League took so many lives only to satisfy its nasty desire to hang onto power illegally.
He bemoaned that people are going through a very tough time as the prices of all essentials and utility services, including power and gas, are going up unusually.
The BNP leader said the government will not reduce the tariffs of power and gas and essential items. “So, this regime must be ousted to establish a government of people.”
President can’t work neutrally
About the presidential election, he said a schedule was announced for the election of the President who has currently no power.
“We respect the chair of the President very much, no matter who the person is and whichever party he/she belongs to. The President is the head of the state,” Fakhrul said.
He, however, said the President now cannot discharge his duty neutrally and cannot do anything against the will of the Prime Minister. “That is why we have made it clear in our 27-point proposal that there should be a balance between the power of the President and the Prime Minister.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Awami League destroyed the spirit of the Liberation War on January 25, 1975, by establishing one-party Baksal rule by banning all political parties and snatching people’s all rights. “It’s our party founder Ziaur Rahman who restored democracy and the spirit of the Liberation War,” he said.
The BNP leader also said Awami League which was banned during the Baksal rule revived as Zia introduced the multi-party democracy, giving the party fresh chance to do politics in Bangladesh. “So, Awami League is a killer of democracy while BNP is a savior of Democracy.”
BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
BNP will hold rallies in all divisional cities across the country on February 4 (Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programme at a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital.
Fakhrul said the rallies will be held in all divisional cities also demanding the unconditional release of the party leaders and activists, and the reduction of prices of electricity and daily commodities.
He said their ongoing movement will continue until Awami League leaves power and the arrested BNP leaders are released from jail.
As part of the simultaneous movement against the current government, BNP arranged the rally. Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associated bodies joined the parogramme.
The organisers said the programme was meant for registering a protest against the introduction of one-party Baksal rule by the Awami League on this day in 1975, the rise in the prices of power and gas and mounting pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party caretaker government.
Read more: Simultaneous Movement: BNP forms liaison committee
Apart from BNP, other like-minded opposition parties, alliances and organisations also observed a similar programme in Dhaka and other divisional cities and district towns as part of the simultaneous movement to oust the current government.
In the capital, Ganatantra Mancha, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya and Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote held separate rallies in front of the Jatiya Press Club while the 12-Party Alliance near Bijoy Nagar Water Tank and LDP at FDC Crossing. They also announced to hold rallies and stage demonstrations in cities on February 4.
It was the fourth programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession on December 30, a sit-in on January 11 and a rally and procession on January 16.