Politics
Nothing to be worried about BNP’s Dec 10 rally, says Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said there is nothing to be worried about BNP's December 10 rally in Dhaka, noting that it is meaningless if there is no people’s support behind any initiative.
Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said there is a government in the country and the government has a responsibility and an obligation to maintain peace and stability.
Read more: BNP ready to hold rally in Dhaka on December 10 braving all obstacles
“And we will do that. We don’t think there will be something big. We are not worried about it at all,” he said when his attention was drawn about the travel advisory issued by the British government.
The British government has updated its travel advisory and said political rallies may result in violent clashes, including with law enforcement agencies.
Read more: December-10 rally: BNP delegation sits with IGP
“Political rallies are expected on 10 December 2022 in Dhaka, with potential disruption to transport, communication networks and movement around the city. An increased law enforcement presence in the days surrounding 10 December 2022 is likely. You are advised to avoid all large gatherings, including political rallies,” reads the advisory.
No confusion over Dec 10 rally in Dhaka, says Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said their party will undoubtedly hold a rally on December 10 in Dhaka to intensify the ongoing anti-government movement with fresh programmes.
“No one should have any confusion about the December 10 programme as we must hold the rally on that day in Dhaka,” he said.
Speaking at a seminar, the BNP leader also said the country’s people will dream afresh to get rid of misrule through this rally.
“People will take to the streets more intensively with new action programmes from this rally to defeat the current monstrous regime,” he said.
BNP arranged the seminar titled “Violence and Politics of Blaming” at a city hotel ahead of the party’s December 10 rally.
Dr Shakhawat Hossain Sayantha presented the keynote paper at the programme while a documentary on violence during the current government was screened.
Fakhrul said their party wants to establish a government of people by holding a credible national election under a non-party caretaker government.
Read more: Will make Dhaka rally a success at any cost: Fakhrul
The BNP leader also said the Awami League government must quit power and dissolve the parliament by handing over power to a caretaker government, paving the way for holding a locally and internationally accepted national election.
Govt plotting to carry out arson violence
Fakhrul said the Prime Minister staged a drama a few days back by holding a meeting with the victims of arson violence during the movement in 2014-15 and cried there to give people a wrong idea about the politics of blaming.
The BNP leader said the PM’s such efforts raised BNP’s suspicion about her government’s plot to stop the ongoing spontaneous movement of people by carrying out arson violence.
“We have got information from various sources that around 200 buses have been arranged to set on fire. We have also got some hints that some cadres of Chhatra League and Jubo League will be deployed at every ward and thana in the name of preventing violence. We’ve become alert about it,” he said.
The BNP leader said the government is working to indulge in its old game of carrying out violence and blame BNP for those incidents.
High time to resist govt
Fakhrul said it is a proper time to put up a strong resistance against the current regime since people of Bangladesh have woken up. “This is not an elected regime, and it lacks people’s mandate. This regime has been carrying out a steamroller of repression and injustice.”
He said over 600 BNP leaders and activists were the victims of enforced disappearance and over a thousand were killed while many others were maimed and repressed in various ways over the last 15 years.
Read more: BNP ready to hold rally in Dhaka on December 10 braving all obstacles
“People now want to get rid of the dreadful monstrous regime…we know it’s very tough for a democratic force to fight against a fascist regime. But we have to move forward with well-thought-out plans and strategy to carry out such a fight,” the BNP leader observed.
He said around 40 lakh opposition leaders and activists up to the village level have been facing ‘false’ political cases.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has siphoned off huge money abroad from the country very consciously, depleting the banks and indulging in looting from mega projects.
He said though the country’s economy is suffering, the government is saying there is no economic crisis only to mislead people and thus prolong its power.
Fakhrul said they are carrying out the movement together with people to restore democracy and the voting rights of people by ousting the current regime.
He called upon people of all walks of life to come forward to protect the county and made it liveable one through necessary reforms after a credible election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP's Dec 10 rally: Obaidul Quader optimistic about a wayout for venue
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Tuesday that the dispute over allocating space for BNP’s rally on December 10 will be resolved soon.
“A problem surfaced over the venue for BNP’s December 10 rally and there is no solution yet,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma at the Secretariat.
Replying to a question, the minister said “I am always optimistic, and I am optimistic over it. Whatever the situation is, a solution will come out.”
Read more: BNP to avoid AL's trap over December-10 rally: Gayeshwar
“There is no reason for the people to panic. On behalf of my party, I want to say that we are in power, why would we want to create any unrest? Why will we do something that could create panic? We don’t need that,” he said.
“Now, if anybody attacks us, if there is any instigation, if they jump on us, will we sit idle? We hope the opposition will hold their rally peacefully,” he said.
Referring to the visit of the Indian High Commissioner, Quader said “There are many projects under road communication , and we have discussed the progress of the projects. We also discussed the Teesta issue. In reply to the Teesta issue, he said he will try his best (to resolve it).”
On September 27, BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will conclude the divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
Police in Dhaka have asked BNP to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, but BNP is determined to dol its rally in front of its party headquarters at Naya Paltan in Dhaka.
Read more: December-10 rally: BNP delegation sits with IGP
The BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government--a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not contain any such provision.
Strong vigilance everywhere from tomorrow to thwart BNP’s sabotage plan: Quader
The government will ensure strong vigilance everywhere in the country from tomorrow to prevent sabotage plan of BNP, said Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.
"Get ready for the month of victory. Vigilance will be ensured in all allies, districts, cities, wards, unions, upazilas, thanas from tomorrow," he said.
Read more: People are afraid of BNP’s Dec 10 rally: Obaidul Quader
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was speaking at the 30th National Council of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League, at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, inaugurated the council around 11:30am.
Quader said, “We must save Sheikh Hasina. The lives and property of the country must be protected. So stay careful.”
"Two days ago, the foundation stone of Dhaka-Sylhet road was blown up at midnight. Who did this? They are the sponsors of militancy; they are the source of communalism. Who are they, they are Bangladesh ‘Nalish’ Party (BNP)," he said.
“BNP calls a mass rally, but it turns into a rally. And the Awami League calls a rally, in reality it becomes a mass assembly.”
Read more: 'Smart Bangladesh': Quader reveals AL's slogan for next election
Regarding the country’s shrinking forex reserve, Quader said reserves are increasing again, export earnings are on the rise too and the amount of remittance is increasing day by day.
Quader urged the BCL leaders and activists to bring the old glory of BCL back.
BCL president Al-Nahean Khan Joy presided over the opening session conducted by its general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee. The last BCL national council was held in May, 2018.
‘Just mention BNP-Jamaat’s misdeeds under their propaganda posts on social media’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (December 06, 2022) asked Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) leaders and activists to counter anti-government propaganda on social media, and point out the misdeeds of BNP-Jamaat.
“We have created ‘Digital Bangladesh’. But today, social media is flooded with propaganda against us. I would like to ask our Chhatra League leaders and activists to give fitting replies to these,” she said.
The premier was addressing the 30th National Council of BCL, the student wing of Bangladesh Awami League, at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka.
Read: PM opens Japanese Economic Zone: Expected to draw $1.5bn investment, create over 1 lakh jobs
“When they write something against us, you don’t even need to give a reply. If only their misdeeds can be mentioned in the comments (under propaganda posts on social media), they will stop,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, inaugurated the council at around 11:30 am.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader spoke on this occasion.
Read: BCL’s 30th National Council begins at Suhrawardy Udyan
BCL president Al-Nahean Khan Joy presided over the opening session conducted by its general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee. The last BCL national council was held in May 2018.
Gaibandha-5 by-election on January 4: EC secretary
By-election to Gaibandha-5 constituency will be held on January 4, said Election Commission Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Tuesday.
Elections will be monitored through CCTV cameras as before while voting will be held through electronic voting machines(EVMs) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, he told reporters after a meeting held at the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city.
He also said that Dhaka regional election officer Faridul Islam has been appointed as the returning officer.
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022. Accordingly it was scheduled for October 12.
But the EC cancelled the election because of "widespread malpractices" on the election day due to rampant irregularities.
Later, a three-member committee was formed to look into the irregularities.
Following the recommendations of the committee, the Election Commission took punitive actions against 133 officials including an additional deputy commissioner, five sub-inspectors and returning officer of the election.
The candidates of the Gaibandha-5 by-election are-Awami League candidate Mahmud Hasan Ripon, Jatiya Party candidate AHM Golam Shaheed Ranju, Bikalpa Dhara candidate Advocate Jahangir Alam, independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad and Syed Mahbubur Rahman.
The constituency consists of Saghata and Phulchhari upazila and 339,743 people will exercise their franchise in the polls.
BCL’s 30th National Council begins at Suhrawardy Udyan
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the 30th National Council of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
She inaugurated the council by at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka at 11:30am.
Centering the council, a festive mood is prevailing among leaders and activists of Chhatra League.
BCL leaders and activists from all levels joined Suhrawardy Udyan in a procession – turning the venue into a sea of people.
In total, 254 people have submitted their candidature forms for the posts of president and general secretary of BCL, said Shams-e-Noman, election commissioner of the council.
Bangladesh needs Sheikh Hasina's govt again and again for continued development: Dipu Moni
Mentioning that average income and life expectancy of people in Bangladesh were up during the Awami League government, Education Minister and Joint General Secretary of AL, Dr Dipu Moni, said the country needs Sheikh Hasina's government again and again for continued development.
She was speaking as chief guest at the tri-annual conference of Sadar upazila and Municipality Awami League at Chandpur Stadium on Monday afternoon.
As Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina works for the countrymen, living standards have improved significantly, she said.
Read: Sheikh Hasina must come back to save Bangladesh, says Obaidul Quader
"Due to the Russia-Ukraine war, many countries in the world are experiencing an adverse situation. Even in such conditions, we are in a better position than many," she said.
People did not forget the terrible days of arson attacks unleashed by BNP-Jamaat, she said. During their tenure, they could not give anything to the people of the country, rather they snatched away people's wealth, Dipu Moni said. They mercilessly tortured, killed and oppressed people, she added.
The minister said that it's BNP-Jamaat's nature to start conspiracies ahead of national elections. "We have to unite to make all elections successful, including national election," she said.
The minister reiterated that the national election will be held on time and it won't wait for anyone. Some political parties oppose elections without reasonable grounds, she said.
Read: People will talk but Bangladesh is benefitting from AL govt's dev work: PM
Chaired by Chandpur Sadar Upazila Awami League President Nurul Islam Nazim Dewan, District Awami League President Nashir Uddin Ahmed inaugurated the conference.
Jatiya Sangsad whip and acting organizational secretary of Awami League Chattogram Division Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, general secretary of district Awami League Abu Naeem Patwari Dulal were also present there.
Arrest warrants issued against BNP's Rizvi, Ishraque
Two separate courts in Dhaka have issued arrest warrants against BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and BNP executive committee member Ishraque Hossain.
A Dhaka court issued an arrest warrant against Rizvi Ahmed in a case filed over vandalising a garbage truck of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) in the Tejgaon area in December 2012.
The court of Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate passed the order on Thursday last.
Read: BNP leader Ishraque comes under attack by BCL in city
The two other accused were known as Khandker Enamul Haque and Kazi Rezaul Haque, said Atiqur Rahman, bench assistant of the court on Monday (December 5).
Meanwhile, the court also fixed March 29 of 2023 for the next hearing in the case.
Meanwhile, a Dhaka court on Monday issued an arrest warrant against thirteen people including BNP leader Ishraque Hossain in a case filed with Motijheel Police in 2020.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury issued the warrant after rejecting the time petition, said sub-inspector Shaha Alam of the general registrar branch of the court under Motijheel Police Station.
Read: 75 sued over crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
Of the 45 accused, 13 accused of the case filed a time petition before the court without appearing for it.
According to the case statement, the accused in collusion with each other set fire on a vehicle in Motijheel area opposite to the Bangladesh Bank, in a bid to foil the Dhaka-18 constituency election on June 24, 2020.
Ataur Rahman Bhuiya, the then sub-inspector of Motijheel Police Station filed the case against 42 people at Motijheel Police Station.
'No way' BNP can topple govt through movement: Agriculture Minister
BNP will not be able to topple the government through unconstitutional methods like movement and threat, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque said on Monday.
“There is no way to bring down the current government through unconstitutional way and the government will be changed through election as the next election will be free, fair and neutral. The government will provide all assistance to the Election commission. So if BNP wants to bring down the government they have to participate in the election, he said.
The minister revealed this information while talking to reporters after attending a programme, marking World Soil Day, in the city’s Khamarbari area.
Read: Don’t trust people who mislead, spread rumours: PM
“BNP can’t do anything by holding their December 10 rally and if they do any excess they will be cleaned like Hefazat. Country’s stability will be maintained at any cost,” he said.
Referring to the soil of the country, the minister urged the scientists to play a strong role in sustainable soil management.
He also urged the authorities concerned of the universities to take the students to the field and teach them practically.