Politics
BNP is preparing for major attacks and sabotage: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader alleged that opposition BNP is preparing for major attacks and sabotage across the country.
"Militancy in the country seems inactive but BNP is active in disguise. Detectives have such information," he said.
He said this during an exchange of views with reporters after a meeting at Setu Bhaban in the capital on Thursday.
Read more: AL to stay on streets to prevent BNP’s anarchy: Quader
Quader said that BNP does not need to rescue democracy again as democracy has been freed long ago under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said that BNP should be banned for lying and conspiracy, not Awami League.
The AL leader said his party will remain on the streets to protect people's lives and property and continue their mass campaign and peace rally until election.
He said that Awami League does not call counter-programme as his party has no desire to clash with BNP.
Read more: If BNP comes to power 1971 spirit will vanish: Quader
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged Awami League to refrain from holding counter programmes on the days of BNP and other opposition parties’ programmes.
“Please do not hold any counter programmes and obstruct those. Awami League and the government have to take the responsibility if any untoward situation is created for this reason,” the BNP leader said.
Before this, the board meeting of Bangladesh Bridge Authority was held at Setu Bhaban. In the meeting, it was decided to exempt toll only to the President on all bridges including Padma Bridge.
Zia’s birth anniversary: BNP vows to make movement ‘to restore democracy’ a success
BNP has vowed to make the ongoing anti-government movement for ‘restoring democracy’ a success on the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.
BNP leaders and activists took the oath after placing wreaths at the grave of former president and the party founder Ziaur Rahman on his 87th birth anniversary at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city on Thursday.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the people of the country have woken up to thwart the plot of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule.
Read more: Zia’s 87th birth anniversary Thursday
“The entire nation has plunged into darkness. It has woken up to restore democracy and thwart conspiracy of Awami League to reestablish one-party rule,” he said while talking to reporters.
“We hope that we’ll be able to organise people with a new pledge and win the movement of restoring democracy, protecting the multi-party democracy, protecting Bangladesh and saving independence and sovereignty of the country,” he said.
The Liberation War started not only with the proclamation of independence by Ziaur Rahman, he also led the war against from the front side and after nine months the country became independent, said Fakhrul.
“Ziaur Rahman within a short span of time united the divided nation and brought us from the darkness of one-party rule to the light of multi-party democracy,” he said.
Read more: Zia's 87th birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
Earlier, around 11 am, BNP leaders including its senior leaders Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moin Khan, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, led by Mirza Fakhrul placed the wreaths at the grave of Zia and offered Munajat.
Later, Fakhrul also inaugurated a free medical camp and a blood donation programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office at noon.
BNP also published posters of Ziaur Rahman on the day. They also kept the national flag at half-mast.
Zia’s 87th birth anniversary Thursday
BNP will celebrate the 87th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Thursday.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman, founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
BNP on Saturday announced a 10-day programme to mark the birth anniversary of its founder with due respect.
Read more: Zia's 87th birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
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 Thursday.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
An art competition, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, was 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 Thursday.
Besides, a cultural programme will be held on January 20 arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas).
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Read more: BNP pays tribute to Zia on its founding anniversary
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia.
He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s development and restoration of ‘multiparty democracy’.
Fakhrul also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.
Govt lies about Donald Lu’s remarks during Dhaka visit: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday (January 18, 2023) said that the government has lied about the statement made by Donald Lu, US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, during his visit to Dhaka last week.
This government is using the media to force a message in front of the public that the United States has changed its position and will lift the sanction (on Rab), he told the reporters regarding Lu’s visit at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan.
The government wants to hold elections in a democratic way - such an idea they (the government) tried to convey the public using the media, he added.
Read more: US will condemn violence – from opposition or govt security forces in Bangladesh: Donald Lu
“But the statement made by an official of the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday (January 17, 2023) in this regard is enough to explain matter. It has been cleared in that statement of the embassy.”
“It is a shame that this lie was made as soon as US assistant secretary of state left Dhaka and the embassy immediately protested against it," Fakhrul said.
Regarding Lu’s visit, he said democracy can never be established depending on foreign power. Democracy has always been restored here on people’s power.
Read More: US will condemn violence – from opposition or govt security forces in Bangladesh: Donald Lu
“This time too you have noticed that the people are fuming against this government, the people are protesting in a peaceful manner, ignoring all obstacles.”
“So the US, China or Russia or India whatever they say, there is definitely a geo-political situation. But what we have noticed is that the US commitment to democracy has been expressed very strongly during the visit.”
They have made the commitments regarding a fair election, an acceptable election, a participatory election, he added.
Read more: US did not impose new sanctions as human rights situation has improved: Law Minister
“Lu didn’t say anything about lifting the sanctions on Rab. How the ministers could say the sanction will be lifted.”
Fakhrul said, “This sanction should be imposed on the government. All these issues have been committed on the instruction of the government….This is not a matter whether the US imposes it or not. The people are imposing the sanction on the government now.”
Asked whether Lu had any programme to meet with BNP, he said, "No, he did not have any programme with us. This time, however, they did not have any meeting with any political party.”
Read More: We want fair, credible election: Momen tells Donald Lu
Fakhrul urges AL to refrain from programmes to counter BNP, other opposition parties
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday urged Awami League to refrain from holding counter programmes on the days of BNP and other opposition parties’ programmes.
“Please do not hold any counter programmes and obstruct those. Awami League and the government have to take the responsibility if any untoward situation is created for this reason,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with remarks at a press briefing held at its Gulshan office after a standing committee meeting of BNP on Wednesday.
Read more: BNP demands end to govt's repressive tactics
“Awami League is announcing counter programmes in an undemocratic way during the opposition parties peaceful programmes in a bid to create anarchy,” he said.
The provocative statements of the Awami League leaders especially its chief and general secretary threatening that they will break the legs and hands of the opposition party activists and burn their hands are just instigating the criminals of the ruling party and that’s why the criminal activities are on the rise, he said.
The BNP standing committee meeting also condemned the misdeeds of the Awami League, he said.
Awami League leaders and ministers are creating anarchic situation and are trying to thwart the anti-government movement, Fakhrul said adding, “The main motive of AL is to trap BNP through provocative words and create a conflicting situation.”
Talking about police raid in Chattogram, Fakhrul said, “Police are conducting raids on the houses of BNP leaders in Chattogram, arresting them and vandalizing their houses. It is clear that the government is making a blueprint to suppress the people’s movement by creating anarchic environment.”
Referring to the Digital Security Act (DSA), the BNP senior leader said a total of 1,209 cases have been filed under the DSA Act in the last four years and BNP believes that through the act, the rights of journalists, opposition leaders and activists is being hindered.
Read more: BNP must lead efforts towards strong united front to oust govt: Mosharraf
He also demanded cancellation of the act and release of those arrested under the act immediately.
Talking about the current situation of the country, Fakhrul said so far, 542 cases have been filed in districts and cities against the opposition activists while the number of ezhar-listed accused is 19,113, number of unidentified accused is 78,812 and 2,555 people have been arrested.
“We strongly condemn the false cases and arrests and hope that the all arrestees will be released soon,” he said.
EU keen to send observers for upcoming general election in Bangladesh: Envoy
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday said the European Union is very interested in sending polls observers to Bangladesh during the next general election.
He also appreciated the positive attitude by the Bangladesh authorities about welcoming foreign observers.
He was talking to reporter after a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal and other EC members at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
Read more: Foreign observers are welcome during next general election: PM Hasina tells British MPs
An 11-member EU delegation led by Whiteley had a wide ranging exchange of views with the CEC and his team on Bangladesh’s preparations for the parliamentary elections, including electoral observation. The general election is likely to be held in first week of January next year.
“Everybody wants a participatory, peaceful, and fair election and that is in everybody's interest,” he added.
Kazi Awal said it will be better if foreign observers monitor elections.
AL never considers what it gets in return of working for the people: PM Hasina
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today said AL never considers what it gets in return of working for the people.
“…Rather we consider what we can do for their welfare,” she said while inaugurating the newly-constructed Bashkhali Upazila Awami League office in Chattogram.
Read: AL always fulfills election pledges made to the nation: PM Hasina
She inaugurated the AL office virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban through video conference.
The PM said that her government has transformed Bangladesh and people’s fates in the last 14 years as “we always think of what we can do for the people.”
Sheikh Hasina said that the new AL office will help disseminate the policy and ideology of her party in the grassroots.
She termed AL as a “pro-people” party and said that Awami League will always stand beside the people.
Read: We need dedicated hospital for children in every division: PM Hasina
She said her government has worked tirelessly to reduce poverty and has ensured services, that include healthcare, for people over the last 14 years.
The PM thanked the countrymen who voted her party to power. “We want to ensure all types of services for the people.”
Local AL MP Mustafizur Rahaman Chowdhury also spoke at the programme.
BNP demands end to govt's repressive tactics
The BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government is creating barriers to their and other opposition parties' meetings and rallies. “BNP and other political parties have now been on a movement to realise the 10-point demand. Our leaders, activists, supporters, well-wishers and common people who join our programmes are facing obstacles by the government and police administration while observing or implementing the programmes of the movement,” said BNP acting office secretary Syed Imran Saleh Prince.
Read more: Revoke power price hike or face street protests: BNP to govt He made the allegation at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The BNP leader also alleged that their party leaders and activists were attacked, tortured and obstructed in different parts of the country on Monday by the police administration while observing peaceful programmes of rallies and processions to press home their 10-point demands and to protest the hikes in power tariffs. Besides, he said the local administration created pressure on the BNP leaders and activists in most divisional cities and upazila headquarters not to observe the programme. On behalf of BNP, Prince thanked the leaders and workers for observing the programme together with people, defying all obstacles. He said police and the ruling party cadres attacked the BNP activists and tried to foil their programmes in Chittagong city, Sitakunda, Gouripur of Mymensingh, Muktagachha, Dhamrai of Dhaka, Palash of Narsingdi, Gwainghat of Sylhet, Ullapara of Sirajganj, Kuliarchar, Bhairab of Kishoreganj, Kushtia, Madaripur and some other areas.
Read more: BNP must lead efforts towards strong united front to oust govt: Mosharraf Prince said many BNP leaders and activists were arrested and false cases were filed against them. “We strongly condemned and protested the incidents.” He also demanded the immediate release of those arrested and the withdrawal of the cases. He called upon the government to stop the repression and open the normal path to politics.
Fakhrul returns home after health checkup at hospital
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has returned home from hospital after receiving treatment.
He returned to his Uttara residence after discharge from hospital on Monday night.
He was admitted to Dhaka's Evercare Hospital for a health checkup on Sunday morning under the supervision of Cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder.
Read more: Mirza Fakhrul hospitalised
Fakhrul said, "I returned home and feeling much better now. The doctors asked to take the medicines timely and take proper rest."
“But there is no such thing like rest for politicians.”
Fakhrul has been suffering from various health complications, including cardiac problems which intensified during his recent imprisonment.
In 2015, he was admitted to a Singapore Hospital when he was diagnosed with a block in the internal carotid artery in his neck while in prison. Since there is no treatment for this disease in Bangladesh, he has to go to Singapore every year.
Read more: 'Our peaceful movement bound to bring down govt': Fakhrul
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is still undergoing treatment at the hospital. He will have to stay there for a few more days, said BNP’s Health Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam.
Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on January 9 after the bail order reached the jail authorities.
On January 8, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court order granting bail to Fakhrul and Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.
On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked them up from their homes in separate raids in the capital, a day before the party’s much-talked about rally in the capital.
BNP must lead efforts towards strong united front to oust govt: Mosharraf
BNP must take the responsibility to forge a ‘steely unity’ to oust the government, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said on Monday.
Speaking at a rally, held at BNP’s Nayapaltan Central office, the BNP leaders also urged all to take preparation for it.
“BNP and its associate bodies should take the responsibility to unite all the people of the country and forge a ‘steel-like strong mass unity’ and to enforce a movement to oust the government in the days to come,” he said.
Read: BNP announces countrywide rally on Jan 25
He also expressed hope to remove the government by holding movements peacefully, democratically and in a systematic way in future until the removal of the government.
Referring to the recent power price hike, the BNP leader said “The government recently hiked the retail price of electricity by 5 percent without following any rules and regulations and it is clear that they will increase the price of electricity in future.”
“People across the country have been suffering a lot to pay the increased power bill. During the tenure of the Khaleda Zia-led government in 2006, per unit electricity cost was Tk 2.60 paisa but now it is over Tk 11. They (govt) have established rental or quick rental power in the country and passed an indemnity order from the parliament through which they can loot and they have been involved in looting by raising the power price for the past 14 years,” he said.
He also alleged that many quick rental power stations do not generate any electricity but huge amount of money has been smuggled in abroad from the power sector through capacity charges.
Read: Running party with convicts contradicts BNP’s 27 points for state reform: Dr Iftekharuzzaman
Earlier in the day, as part of scheduled programme, BNP held a rally, procession at Nayapaltan and announced a fresh countrywide programme for January 25 to press home their 10-point demand, including polls under a caretaker government.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain came up with the announcement from their party’s rally at Nayapaltan in the capital.
The programme will be held in all metropolitan cities and district headquarters, he said.
A procession was brought out from Kakrail after the rally and it ended at Nayapaltan after parading Nightingale Intersection and Fakirapool intersection in the afternoon.
It is the third programme of the simultaneous movement after the mass procession by the 33 opposition parties on December 30.
On January 11, BNP and its associate bodies observed a mass-sit in programme at Nayapaltan.
Additional police forces have been deployed at Nayapaltan to maintain the law and order situation.