Politics
'Our peaceful movement bound to bring down govt': Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed his firm belief that the government will be brought down through a peaceful movement, no matter how repressive its tactics to survive become.
“We’re passing through a bad time when a barbaric and monstrous force is destroying all our achievements… around 40 lakh of our people have been implicated in false cases while six thousand leaders and activists were killed and several thousand leaders and activists have been staying in jail,” he said.
REad: Govt's power price hike an 'anti-people' decision: Fakhrul
Speaking at a programme at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office to provide assistance to the families of some BNP leaders who were killed in the recent movement, he also said their party rank and file remain upbeat and morally strong to continue the current anti-government movement despite widespread repressive acts.
“We’ll defeat this terrible monster (the govt) through a peaceful movement, defying any sort of repression and suppression. We’ll establish a truly democratic state here. We’ll surely win the struggle we’re carrying out,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul expressed his sympathy to the families of the slain BNP leaders and said their party will always remain beside them.
He said those who have sacrificed their lives have done it for an ideal and for achieving a goal: “That ideal and goal is to free our country from misrule and to establish the rights of all people for making Bangladesh a truly democratic state.”
REad: Under the shadow of BNP: Does a political alliance of a number game matter now?
He claimed that 15 BNP leaders and activists have so far been killed in the current movement since August 22 last year, in police firing or the torture of Awami League ‘cadres’.
“They (slain opposition activists) have embraced martyrdom but like heroes. None of them were killed while running away as they stood at the front and gave chests to take bullets. Their sacrifices imbued with patriotism will be written in golden letters in the democratic history of this country,” Fakhrul predicted.
This event was held providing financial support to the families of Nur Alam Tanu of Bagerhat, Maqbul Hossain of Dhaka and Abdur Rashid Arefin of Panchagarh, who all lost their lives during the ongoing BNP-led pro-democracy movement.
BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman attended the programme virtually from London and expressed his condolences to the slain family members.
Left Democratic Alliance's protest march followed by rally in Barisal
The Left Democratic Alliance's Barisal district committee held a protest march and rally today calling for the overthrow of the government, establishment of democracy, right to vote, an end to gas and electricity price hikes, and lower pricing of daily essentials.
Alliance leaders who spoke at the rally said that the current Awami League regime has strengthened their party's looters in the name of development.
“They made their second abode in Canada, known as Begum Para. This government has increased the price of electricity 11 times in the last 14 years. They will not be saved, no matter how much this illegitimate government talks about development,” said the speakers.
Also Read: Revoke power price hike or face street protests: BNP to govt
The district coordinator of the Left Democratic Alliance, Professor Dulal Chandra Majumdar presided while the district president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Professor Mizanur Rahman, the district general secretary of the Revolutionary Communist League, Professor Nripendra Nath Barai, and the district member secretary of BASAD, Dr. Manisha Chakraborty, spoke among others.
The program was held at 11am on Saturday in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall in the city.
A protest march was held in the city following the rally.
Zia's 87th birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
BNP on Saturday announced a 10-day programme to observe the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in the morning.
“In the current context, Ziaur Rahman is not only relevant but also an important. That’s why we on behalf of the party have taken various programmes to commemorate the day,” said Fakhrul.
“Let us remember the person with due respect who proclaimed independence and who showed us the way. We’ll celebrate the day to build a free and prosperous Bangladesh and build a safe abode for our next generation,” he said.
“We have to remember that we fought the Liberation War of Bangladesh--- they talk about the spirit of the Liberation War but they have totally forget it and destroyed it. The spirit was building a free society and a democratic state but they destroyed it,” said the BNP leader.
“People of the country have now waken up, already 15 leaders and activists of BNP died in police firing and by the torture carried out by the Awami League led criminals. More than 600 leaders of BNP have been made disappeared in the past 15 years while thousands of leaders and activists have been killed. False cases have been filed against 34-40 lakh people and still more than 1000 BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Abdus Salam, Khairul Kabir, Shimul Biswas are in jail,” he said.
Also read: Zia’s 86th birth anniversary Wednesday
The programmes include placing of wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Banglanagar at 11 am and discussions at Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in memory of Zia at 3 pm on January 19.
Mohila Dal will hold a discussion on January 17, Sramik Dal on January 21, Muktijoddha Dal on January 22, Krishak Dal on January 23, Jubo Dal on January 24 and Swechchashebak Dal on January 26.
An art competition, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, will be held on January 18.A milad mahfil, organised by Ulama Dal will held on the same day.
Dhaka Metropolitan BNP (North-South) will distribute winter clothes on January 19.
Besides, a cultural programme will be held on January 20 arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas).
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina
Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina today (January 14, 2023) firmly reiterated that her party always fulfills pledges made to the nation ahead of national elections.
“Before every election, Awami League places its election pledges, and Awami League always fulfills its election pledges,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while delivering her introductory speech at the joint meeting of the AL Working Committee, National Committee and Advisory Council at her official residence Ganabhaban.
She said that the government is working for the country and its people as per its election pledges.
Also Read: Foreign observers are welcome during next general election: PM Hasina tells British MPs
“We work for the welfare of the nation and people are benefiting from the results,” she said.
Coming down heavily on a section who “always criticizes the government unnecessarily”, she said that the development of the country does not make them happy.
Regarding corruption, she referred to her recent speech at the Parliament — asking to give her specific information on where the corruption is happening.
“Give me information, and I will take action. This won’t just be lip service,” she said.
Also Read: AL is party of people, no force can dislodge it from power: PM Hasina
Sheikh Hasina said that the discussion on corruption is coming from those who are corrupt and turned Bangladesh into “a champion in corruption” during their regime.
“Or doing microcredit business to overburden people with high interests against their loans — forcing them to leave their houses or commit suicide,” she said.
She mentioned that through the ‘My House My Farm’, people won’t need to take loans from the microcredit lenders with high interest rates.
Briefly describing the development activities of the government, she said, “Through developing every sector of the country, we have been able to reduce the poverty rate and generate employment.”
Read More: Matia Chowdhury next Deputy Leader of the House
“Anyone can remain unemployed if that person wants to remain so, but there is no scope to remain unemployed as we have created so many opportunities,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned the freelancing opportunities across the country through which youths can earn money from their rural homes.
In the future, she said, the country’s exports will include food items and processed food, digital devices, and small mechanical items.
“We will be able to increase exports through the investments that are coming into our one hundred economic zones across the country,” she added.
Read More: AL invites BNP leaders to its 22nd national council Saturday
She also said that due to the pragmatic and timely steps of the government in the last 14 years, people are now enjoying a better life.
Govt's power price hike an 'anti-people' decision: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday described the government's decision to hike the electricity tariff as 'anti-people'.
In a statement, he demanded the immediate cancellation of the decision.
"The government has taken the unjustified decision to increase the power tariff in the extreme distress of the people since it is unelected. This is an imprudent and anti-people decision,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the government is raising the price of electricity step by step in the name of monthly price adjustment. “This is just a retail trick with the people."
Fakhrul called upon their party leaders and workers and the common people to participate in the rally and procession programme in all cities and upazilas on January 16 to protest the power price hike decision.
The government on Thursday hiked the retail price of electricity by 5 percent, effective from January.
The last time the electricity price was hiked at retail level was in February 2020.
Fakhrul voiced concern that the power price was increased at a time when people's lives are in a state of disarray due to the extreme increase in the prices of all commodities, including rice, pulses, oil and sugar, when people's living expenses are increasing uncontrollably and when people are losing their jobs. “So, the power hike move will only intensify the suffering of people.”
He also said the fresh hike in the price of electricity at the retail and earlier at bulk level will increase the cost of living and the price of everything, including irrigation and the production cost in mills and factories.
The BNP leader alleged that the people are actually paying the price for unlimited corruption and irregularities in the power sector.
He said the government is taking money from people’s pockets as the cost of power generation has increased due to corruption, wastage and mismanagement.
Nur defends top aide Tarek’s “offensive remarks” on Hindu religious scripture
Without offering any apology for the “obscene language” used by his top aide Tarek Rahman to describe Hindu religious scripture, Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has rather defended the former’s remarks — taking a dig at reports in Indian media on the incident.
“It was an earlier statement by him (Tarek)… why do they need to report it now? This is intentional… you should not report on old things,” Nur said in a video of a press conference.
“It's up to an individual if it hurts them. This is not a collective issue,” Nur went on to say, having Tarek sitting next to him.
Nur did not express any regret to the country’s Hindu community for the obscene and offensive remark made on record by his top aide.
A day before, Nur came down heavily on the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government for arresting Jamaat and BNP leaders.
Read: Video of Nur’s top aide Tarek threatening to “arm Rohingyas” draws criticism on social media
Calling the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman — arrested over assisting a militant group — as a “humanitarian” individual, Nur demanded his immediate release.
Nur also lambasted an organisation called Muktijuddho Moncho — a platform for descendants of freedom fighters — that held protest against Nur for his threats to “overthrow the government”.
“Why is this organisation so selective in holding protests? Why did they hold protest against China?” — Nur asked.
Nur’s top aide Tarek recently also made news for threatening to “arm the Rohingyas” in a video that has drawn criticism on social media.
Read: Nur calls Jamaat’s ameer “humanitarian”
“We will train them and arm them” — Tarek is heard saying in the video.
Just two days after this statement, two Rohingya community leaders were killed in the camps that have been hosting around a million Rohingyas.
Under the shadow of BNP: Does a political alliance of a number game matter now?
Although BNP has launched a simultaneous movement with more than four dozen parties and organisations to realise their 10-point demand, political analysts are skeptical about the ability of most of the parties to contribute to street programmes due to the lack of their organisational strength and popular public support.
They said making alliances with many small parties is just a number game in the politics of Bangladesh, but only three to four parties have the organisational capacity and popularity to show their strength on the streets.
The analysts, however, said some small parties now on the simultaneous movement with BNP have few leaders, including LDP president Oli Ahmed, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal president ASM Abdur Rob, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Biplabi Workers Party general secretary Saiful Haque, Ganasanghati Andolon’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, Gana Adhikar Parishads convener Reza Kibria, member secretary, Nurul Haque Nur, Kalyan Party chairman Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, and Gonoforum leaders Mostafa Mohsin Montu, Dr Abu Sayeed and Subrata Chowdhury, who have a face value and can play a role in shaping public opinion.
They also said Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami still has a base across the country, and it can play a role in the movement. But they say that the success of the simultaneous movement will mainly depend on BNP while the other parties will work as a morale booster for it and justify its demands.
After two rounds of talks with political parties, BNP on December 10 last year announced to launch the simultaneous movement with a 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current government and holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government.
Earlier on August 8, seven opposition organisations Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob), Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Gonosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bhasani Onusari Parishad and Rastra Sangskar Andolon floated Ganatantra Mancha, a new political platform and announced to join the movement with BNP.
Read more: 12-party alliance formed to support BNP’s movement
On December 22, 12 political partners of the 20-party alliance--Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, NDP, Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party (LDP-Selim), Bangladesh Muslim League, Jamiat- Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Islami Oikya Jote, Jagpa (Tasmia Prodhan), Islamic Party, and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal-- formed a new alliance dissolving the 20-party to carry out a movement alongside the BNP and realise the 10-point demand.
Another new political platform, “Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote”, comprising 11 parties was launched on December 28 to strengthen the simultaneous movement. The parties in the new 11-party alliance are National People's Party-NPP, Jagpa (Khandkar Lutfur), Democratic League (DL), Bangladesh NAP, Bikalpa Dhara (Nurul Amin), Samyabadi Dal, Gano Dal, NAP-Bhasani, Islami Oikya Jote, People's League and Bangladesh Minority Janata Party. Islami Oikyajot and Samyabadi Dal are there in the two new alliances.
On January 3, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya, a leftist political platform of four parties— Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist, Social Democratic Party, Samajtantrik Majdur Party and Progressive Democratic Party—also announced to join the movement with BNP.
On January 8, another new anti-government platform, “Samamona Ganatantrik Jote” (Like-minded Democratic Alliance) comprising 15 organisations was launched to join the simultaneous movement.
The members of the newly formed alliance include Youth Forum, Zia Nagorik Sangsad, Democratic Movement, Shaheed Zia Ainjibi Parishad, Jatiyatabadi Nagorik Dal, Bangladesh Justice Party, Constitution Preservation Parishad, Ganatantra Raksha Mancha, Chalak Dal, Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha '71, Ghure Dharo Bangladesh, Movement for Democracy, Bangladesh Democratic Council, Desh Raksha Manush Bachao Andolan and Bangladesh Jubo Oikya Parishad.
Besides, Jamaat, LDP (Oli) and Gonoforum (Montu) also announced joint simultaneous movement.
Of all these parties, only LDP (Oli) JSD-Rob, Biplobi Workers Party, Kalyan Party and Bangladesh Muslim League are registered with the Election Commission (EC).
Read more: New anti-govt platform 'Samamona Ganatantrik Jote' launched
Two programmes --mass rally and mass sit-in--of the simultaneous movement have so far been observed on December, 24, 30 and January 11 respectively, but the presence of leaders and workers of these parties and alliances was very poor.
It’s a meaningless number game
Shusashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Secretary and political analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar said it is the reality in Bangladesh that most of the political parties, except for three-four ones, are name-only organisations run by some individuals who have a face value.
“It’s also our tradition to increase the size of alliances with such small parties. You can call it a meaningless number game. But only a few parties, especially Awami League and BNP are the key players in the politics of Bangladesh,” he said.
Majumdar said BNP may feel good that many parties are with them, no matter what their organisational capacities are. “But only a few of them can play some sort of role in the movement.”
He also said the success of the simultaneous movement mainly depends on how much strength BNP can demonstrate and how effective strategy the party can adopt.
Number matters in politics
Prof Mahbubullah, a pro-BNP intellectual and a former teacher at the Dhaka University, said the unity of the political parties--small and bigger ones--is now crucial to overcoming the current situation of the country and restoring people’s voting rights.
“The size of the alliance matters in politics. Unite the many to defeat the few is an effective political philosophy to make political gains. So, one should not ignore the number of the political parties that have got united to realise public demands,” he observed.
Read more: New political alliance “Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote” launched
The political analyst said there are many parties with BNP that may have not that much popularity and organisational strength, but some of their leaders have acceptability and face value. “They also have an influence among the people and they can help create public opinion.”
“These parties don’t have huge supporters like the major ones, but they are also democratic forces. You may see their very thin presence on the streets, but their collective efforts can strengthen the movement for realising popular public demands,” he viewed.
Unity among many parties has a value
Prof Dilara Chowdhury, a former teacher of the Department of Government and Politics at Jahangirnagar University, said there are many parties with BNP’s simultaneous movement which do not have big workforces, but there are many national figures in those parties who matter in politics.
“If these parties take to the streets simultaneously, it can boost up BNP’s moral strength. So, you can’t ignore the value of unity among so many political parties,” she observed.
Besides, the political analysts said around 50 parties and organisations are now taking to the streets with BNP demanding the next election be held under a non-party caretaker government. “So, the number matters here when it comes to who is against the polls under a partisan government.”
Read more: Quader to BNP: Ditch caretaker dream, prepare for election
Prof Dilara said many common people are increasingly taking part in BNP’s current political rallies and programmes. “I am observing that BNP is seriously making efforts to turn around. The way BNP’s grassroots have been demonstrating strengths despite being subjected to various repressive acts is a very positive sign.”
Revoke power price hike or face street protests: BNP to govt
BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu on Friday warned that their party will take to the streets together with people if the government does not cancel its decision to hike power price.
“The price of electricity has been increased again. It’s an anti-people decision of the government. We’ll protest against this on January 16 in cities and upazilas across the country,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader said the decision to raise the power prices must be withdrawn immediately. “Otherwise we’ll wage a movement together with people against the government. We’ll not pay electricity bills in the coming days and people will stop paying the electricity bills.”
Read more: Govt desperate to suppress opposition: Fakhrul
Democracy Forum, a pro-opposition platform arranged the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting a court order to confiscate movable and immovable property of BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman in a corruption case.
The government on Thursday hiked the retail price of electricity by 5 percent effective from January.
The the electricity price was hiked at retail level last time in February 2020.
Bulu alleged that the court passed the order to confiscate the property of Tarique and his wife at the behest of the government to divert people’s attention to a different direction. “This regime has been suffering from the fear of Tariq Rahman.”
He said the people no longer want to see the Awami League government in power due to its misrule.
“The BNP and other political parties have started a simultaneous movement to establish a government of people ousting the current autocratic one, he said.
Read more: Wake up more to restore voting rights, Fakhrul urges people
Bulu also warned that those who looted millions of taka from banks and in the name of quick rental and rental power plants and mega projects, and siphoned off huge money abroad will be tried in public court in the coming days."
Govt desperate to suppress opposition: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government has become "desperate" to suppress the opposition leaders and activists being afraid of the ongoing pro-democracy movement.
“You (AL leaders) used to say a few days back that we didn’t have the ability to stand on the streets and our backs were broken. But now you have become so restive that you are oppressing people by using all might to stop our movement,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, condemning the attacks on BNP’s sit-in programme in Faridpur and Mymensingh and some other areas in the country by police and ruling party activists on Wednesday.
Read more: Wake up more to restore voting rights, Fakhrul urges people
He said the government has lost the ground beneath its feet. “The government has become so scared that they are carrying out attacks on our peaceful programmes.”
The BNP leader also said the ruling party leaders are making various unguarded comments about the ongoing movement sensing their fall.
He alleged that the armed ‘cadres’ of the ruling party attacked BNP’s programme in Faridpur and Mymensingh in presence of law enforcers.” The police not only played the role of a silent spectator there but also attacked the leaders and workers of BNP, lobbed teargas shells and charged batons on them.”
The BNP leader claimed that the law enforcers also arrested over 100 BNP leaders and activists from the two divisions while over 250 others were injured during the attacks.
Besides, he said police filed a case against BNP leaders and activists in Faridpur in connection with the clash.
Sought his comments on Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark on the outcome of the simultaneous movement with small parties, Fakhrul said people do not care about what the ruling party leader says. “Like me, people all over the country don't give any importance to his remarks.”
Read more: BNP, like-minded parties announce countrywide rally, procession on Jan 16
No programme at district level on January 16:
Fakhrul said their party will hold a rally and procession programme on January 16 in all cities and upazila headquarters to press home their 10-point demand and protest the government’s power price hike decision.
“Yesterday (Wednesday) I said the programme will also be observed in all districts. But the programme will be observed only in all metropolitan cities and upazilas, not in districts.”
AL to stay on streets to prevent BNP’s anarchy: Quader
Awami League will remain cautious about BNP’s movement and stay on streets to protect people’s lives and property, said Awami Leaque general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday.
“We will be cautious about BNP’s movement as they can’t create any anarchic situation and we won’t change our stance. We are on streets and won’t leave those as we’ll perform our duty to protect the lives and property of people,” he said.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, came up remarks while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on the current issues.
Replying to a question about BNP’s leadership, Quader said, “Awami League will join the next election under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina but who is BNP’s leader? In the past election they took part in the election under the leadership of Kamal Hossain”.
Referring to the Wednesday’s sit-in programme of BNP, the Awami League leader said there was no violence centering the programme but BNP activists hurled brickbats at police in Faridpur and it didn’t turn violent.
If they held rally then Awami Leauge will bring out peace procession, he said.
Replying to a question about possibility of banning Jamaat-e-Islami, the AL leader said it is the matter of court and no decision has been taken yet from the party to proceed with it.
“Without Jammat BNP is powerless as BNP and Jamaat are the two sides of a coin. If it difficult for BNP to move without Jamaat and if they want more people in their programmes they have to depend on Jamaat,” he said.