Politics
‘AL won’t even get 10 seats if election held under caretaker govt’
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today claimed that Awami League is against the caretaker government system as the party knows it will not even get 10 seats if the next national election is held under such an administration.
Speaking at the rally in Khulna city, Fakhrul also claimed that the government is trying to hold another election as done in 2014 and 2018 — to cling to power without people’s votes.
“People won’t accept any other system except the caretaker government (to oversee the next polls). Why don’t you want to accept this? Because you know that you won’t have any existence and you won’t even get 10 seats if the election is held under a caretaker government,” Fakhrul said.
Also read: Thousands join as BNP’s Khulna rally starts earlier than scheduled
He said it was Awami League that enforced hartal for 173 days for the introduction of the caretaker government, but the party itself annulled the system after assuming office to cling to power.
BNP-Jamaat activists attack Khulna Railway station: AL
Bangladesh Awami League on Saturday claimed that BNP-Jamaat activists attacked Khulna railway station and vandalized it.
“Bangladesh Railway is our national asset. It is the responsibility of all to protect it,” AL said in a message from its verified Facebook page.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) began its divisional rally in Khulna around 1pm on Saturday.
The ruling party said BNP-Jamaat “terrorist forces” attacked that railway station and BNP is walking on the path of terror in the name of political rallies. “Their language and activities do not go with politics.”
Quoting station master of Khulna Railway station, the AL said that the activists of the BNP rally clashed due to a quarrel among themselves.
Read: Ahead of BNP rally, Khulna turns into a city of processions
At one point they broke the glasses of the station, said the AL, adding that when police were informed, they became more agitated.
The Facebook post also contains photos of the attack.
Thousands join as BNP’s Khulna rally starts earlier than scheduled
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies joined the party's divisional rally in Khulna city today (October 22, 2022), defying various obstacles and transport strike.
The rally, organised by Khulna city unit of BNP, formally began on the Sonali Bank premises around 11:30 am, two and half hours earlier than the scheduled time, with recitation from the Holy Quran.
Police and other security officials have been deployed around the rally venue and at different points in the city to prevent any untoward incident.
Read BNP vows to stage the biggest rally in recent memory in Khulna
The organisers said the rally was meant to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuel, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it.
Read BNP set to defy all obstacles as supporters start gathering for Khulna Rally
BNP senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and some standing committee members, are expected to address the rally.
Ganatantra Mancha rally in city adds to opposition's momentum
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna on Friday said that those who are in power in the country and running the state are 'vote -looters,' who came to power by "cheating the people and taking away their voting rights".
He made these remarks while speaking at a rally of Ganatantra Mancha (Platform for Democracy), an alliance of seven of the smaller opposition parties including Manna's Nagorik Oikya, in front of Sony Cinema Hall in the capital's Mirpur this afternoon.
Manna said that the BNP's rally in Khulna on Saturday will be the biggest public gathering and the government will not be able to stop it.
"They have stopped public transport in Khulna to stop huge gatherings. But people want to get back their rights. So, nothing can stop them from attending the rally," Manna said.
'Only way to oust government is through election'
Dhaka, Oct 21 (UNB) – Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said there is no scope to oust the government through any backdoor without the election.
“The election will be held on time as per the Constitution. Bangladesh Awami League has always accepted the verdict of the people. There is no scope to overthrow the government through any backdoor other than election. The election is the only way to change the government,” he said.
The AL leader in a statement made this remarks protesting the comment of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir who said if the government isn't removed, the nation would not exist.
Obaidul Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said BNP is saying many things to cover their political bankruptcy and failure. But the people do not listen to these words, he said.
He said the existence of the nation has been remaining for thousands of years and will remain so. “But today the question is whether the existence of the BNP will remain for imprudent politics,” he said.
The AL general secretary said the current government led by Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina took the charge of governing the country through ballot.
He said the existence of Bangladesh is established on a strong foundation under the leadership of the successful statesman Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh's position in all socio-economic and geo-political fields has become more consolidated than at any time in the past, he added.
In the name of opposition, BNP is rather involved in multifaceted conspiracies to endanger the existence of this country, said Quader, adding that BNP is the main barrier on the way of the country’s existence, progress and prosperity.
Noting that BNP is waging the movement for bringing Tarique Rahman back to the country, the AL leader questioned who is hindering them to bring him back to the country.
“Rather, we want a convicted accused to be brought back to the country and his sentence should be executed. If he has honest courage in his heart, he can return to the country. No movement is required for that,” he said.
Tarique Rahman, the BNP acting chairman also the eldest son of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been living in the United Kingdoms since 2008.
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Govt to be held responsible if anything bad happens with Khulna rally: Fakhrul
BNP Secretray General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday warned that the government will be held responsible if anything bad happens regardimg their party’s divisional rally in Khulna scheduled for Saturday.
“We have a divisional rally in Khulna tomorrow (Saturday).The government has already established a reign of terror in Khulna centring the rally. They’re arresting our leaders and workers and the common people on different roads along Khulna,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul urged the government not to obstruct their programmes.
Read: BNP vows to stage the biggest rally in recent memory in Khulna
“If any problem is created, the government will have to shoulder all the responsibilities and It’ll prove that this government does not really believe in democracy and they don’t want to allow us to hold our meetings,” he said.
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP is going ahead with a rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city on Saturday amid Khulna bus-minibus owners association and motor workers’ union’s decision to keep bus services suspended on October 21 and 22.
The BNP leader alleged that police on Thursday night raided the house where BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was staying in Khulna city and and arrested 19 people from there.
He said they got information that orders have been given to arrest whoever would be found on the streets in Khulna city.
Fakhrul alleged that the ruling party cadres staged a show-down with sharp weapons and sticks riding bikes on Thursday, spreading panic. “I strongly condemn, protest against the arrest and the attempt to create a reign of terror in Khulna.”
He demanded immediate release of the arrested BNP leaders and activists.
Read: Police detain BNP activists ahead of protest rally in Khulna
The BNP leader alleged that the government is behind the public transport strike in Khulna on Friday and Saturday to foil the rally. “They‘ve stopped all public transports. They’re also stopping the train and launch services, disrupting public movement.”
He said it has now proved that the government does not want people to express their opinions in a democratic way. “They’re trying to push the country towards a conflict. We strongly condemn it. We call upon the government to create a democratic environment.”
Fakhrul said the government is resorting to such suppressive acts as it has been suffering from the disease of public fear. “They get scared when they see the mass wave of people. They want to run the state by excluding the country’s people.”
He observed that the country witnessed a man-made famine in 1974 due to mismanagement, corruption, incompetence of the then Awami League government. “The same thing is happening now in Bangladesh. We now hear the footsteps of famine in advance.”
BNP vows to stage the biggest rally in recent memory in Khulna
Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said that the party’s divisional rally in Khulna on Saturday will be the biggest public gathering that people have seen in recent years.
Dudu, coordinator of the party's Programme Implementation Committee, said this at a press briefing held at the BNP's Khulna office on Friday.
Read:Police detain BNP activists ahead of protest rally in Khulna
In the briefing, the BNP leader requested the police and the local administration to behave responsibly instead of instigating violence.
“An atmosphere of fear has been created in the entire Khulna division to foil the rally through the suspension of public transports. Will our activists from the adjoining districts reach Khulna by foot? Why will such a situation prevail in a country where people have sacrificed blood for independence and democracy?” said Dudu.
The BNP leader added that by arresting 13 BNP leaders and activists who were accompanying senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, the government has insulted a valiant freedom fighter.
“I thank the Khulna administration for allowing us to hold the rally without delay. But they along with Awami League activists have created a fearful environment by suspending public transports and threatening the local people against joining our program. I urge them to let us carry out our activities peacefully,” Dudu added.
Starting at 2:00pm the rally will continue till 5:00pm. According to Dudu, the rally is for reestablishing democracy in the country.
Read:Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
“This rally is being organized demanding the release of our leader Khaleda Zia and bringing back his son Tarique Rahman to the country. This rally is also for the people, for reducing the prices of daily essentials including fuel,” Dudu said.
Several BNP leaders and activists, including Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Information Secretary Azizul Bari Helal, were present during the briefing.
Police detain BNP activists ahead of protest rally in Khulna
Police have detained 13 BNP activists from Bosupara area of Khulna city when they came to meet the party’s senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy ahead of a planned public rally here, leaders alleged on Friday.
Khulna Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin said Gayeshwar, chief advisor of Khulna public rally coordination committee, came to Khulna on Thursday afternoon to join the party’s Khulna divisional rally. It is planned for Saturday.
Read: AL is not obstructing BNP rally, says Obaidul Quader
He is staying at the residence of a former Vice President of Bagerhat District BNP Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon in Basupara.
In a drive through the area police held the 13 activists who came to meet Gayeshwar at night.
"Some people entered the house with sticks in their hands and pistols on their waists and created havoc. There was no way to understand whether they were police or not. They detained 13 people who came to see me,” alleged Gayeshwar.
Momtazul Haque, office-in-charge (OC) of Sonadanga police station, said they raided various places on Thursday night to detain people wanted in various cases.
“I can inform you in the morning who has been nabbed from which area, " he said on Thursday night.
Read: Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
Meanwhile, Khulna metropolitan BNP convenor Shafiqul Alam Mona alleged that the police conducted drives at various houses and hotels in the city on Thursday night to detain their activists who arrived to join the rally.
Earlier on September 28, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 10 divisional cities in protest against the killings and filing of cases against the party leaders and activists, price hikes of fuel and daily essentials and demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh while the third one will be held in Khulna on Saturday.
Govt removing officials in fear of losing power, says Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government is removing the government officials from their jobs out of anxiety.
"They (govt) have become very nervous. The government of (Sheikh) Hasina is so anxious that now they have started removing the officials …out of fear of losing power,” he said
In the context of sending some of the officials to forced retirement, the BNP Secretary General made the remarks while addressing a rally in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units organised the rally to protest against the police attacks on party leaders and activists, their arrests and harassment in ‘false’ cases.
The protest was also meant for registering the party’s anger over police raids on the houses of opposition leaders and workers, sending them to jail in other cases despite obtaining bail from courts.
Referring to a newspaper report, Fakhrul said the government is now unable to repay the loans it borrowed from abroad and different lending agencies. “So, what will happen now? All foreign lending agencies will stop giving loans while the reserves are falling.”
He categorically said the current regime has now no right to rule the country anymore. “You have turned the country into a failed state through corruption and misrule. You please quit power with dignity. If you don't step down, the country’s people know how to unseat you.''
The BNP leader renewed their party’s demands for the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament, handing over power to a non-party neutral government and formation of a fresh election commission to conduct a credible national election and establish a government and parliament of people.
At the same time, he said BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia must be released and all the ‘false’ cases against the opposition leaders and activists have to be withdrawn.
Khulna rally to see a mass wave
Fakhrul alleged that the government is creating obstacles in their party’s ongoing democratic movement in various ways. “You know, transport services were stopped during our divisional rally in Mymensingh. Similarly, they are stopping public transport in Khulna two days ahead of the rally.”
He said such a move of the government will not help prevent people from joining the rally. “People will participate in the rally… Lacs of people will attend the rally.”
Fakhrul issued a stern warning against the oppression by the government and asked the law enforcers to stop filing false cases, repressive acts and killing opposition leaders and activists.
Otherwise, he said the people of this country did not forgive any oppressor in the past. “You won’t be forgiven either.”
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP will organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city on Saturday amid suspension of the bus services for two days.
Govt must go: Mirza Fakhrul
Accusing the government of trying to suppress the movement of opposition parties, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday questioned what the government can achieve by preventing BNP from holding big rallies.
"You all know how much injustice and repression are going on. The government has been working terribly…to suppress our movement. They talk about democracy by obstructing the opposition’s rallies. They stopped the transport service using the bus owners so that we can’t hold massive rallies,” he said.
Speaking at a programme of unveiling a booklet, he also criticised the government's ‘undemocratic’ attitude of blocking democratic protests. "They’ll be able to say BNP’s rally is not big. But can they erase the pent-up anger from people’s hearts? They won’t be able to do that. Every person now hates you as you’re hanging onto power based on lies.”
Read:Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
Earlier on Wednesday, Khulna bus-minibus owners association and motor workers’ union decided to keep bus services suspended on October 21 and 22 due to the BNP’s divisional rally on Saturday (October 22).
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP is expected to organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city in protest against the price hikes in fuel and daily essentials and the killing of five BNP leaders and activists in the recent movement and demanding unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh. BNP leaders alleged that many BNP leaders and activists were attacked, arrested and implicated in ‘false’ cases in Chattogram and Mymensingh over holding the rally.
Zia Parishad, a pro-BNP platform, has published the 'booklet' in memory of four leaders of the party’s associate bodies who were killed in police firing in the party’s recent anti-government movement.
Mirza Fakhrul unveiled the cover of the booklet titled “Bangladesh Running toward Deathtrap” at a programme at the chairperson's Gulshan office.
BNP arranged rallies and demonstrations at the district and upazila level since August last protesting the hikes in the prices of fuel and essential commodities. During these programmes, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Chhatra Dal leader Nur-e-Alam were gunned down in Bhola, while Jubo Dal leaders Raja Ahmed Shaon Shahidul Islam Shaon were shot dead in Narayanganj and Munshiganj respectively reportedly by police.
On Behalf of Zia Parishad, Mirza Fakhrul handed over financial assistance to the family members of slain Abdur Rahim, Nure-Alam, Raja Ahmed Shaon and Shahidul Islam Shaon.
He also paid respect to the memories of those killed in the ongoing movement and urged the party leaders and workers to be vocal against the government’s misrule by turning the sacrifices of the slain party leaders into strength.
Read:Nothing now under govt’s control: Fakhrul
He said it is high time to wake up the country's people to oust the Awami League government through a mass uprising.
The BNP leader urged the Zia Parishad to intensify its efforts to mobilise public support and encourage people to take to the streets against the current regime.
"We must take to the streets and say loudly that we don't want them (govt), and people don't want them (to stay in power). People don't want to see them in power those who kill people, resort to enforced disappearance, floundering and siphoning off money abroad. If we can't remove this government, the existence of the country and the nation will be at stake," Fakhrul said.