Politics
Quader asks party to be careful with words during crisis
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday called upon the leaders, activists and followers to be careful with their speech during the current crisis.
Obaidul Quader said these things in a discussion meeting at the central office of Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday in a programme organised by Mahila Sramik League on the occasion of Mourning Day.
"I will tell our leaders and workers that everyone should play responsible role in their speech and behavior. At this time, it is not appropriate to speak irresponsibly and show power. You have to stand by people with a cool head. We have to work for people, this is our biggest message today,' he said.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, commented that the cost of living has increased as the government was helpless.
"The whole world is in crisis. A negative impact is facing Bangladesh today. We know many people are suffering. As the cost of living has gone up, it is right that people are suffering. But there was no way in front of us," he added.
Highlighting the situation of the comparative price increase in different countries of the world, the general secretary of Awami Lespeecht said the river Rhine is drying up today, ships cannot move there. Most of Italy's 15 lakes have dried up. Fires are still burning in southwestern France.
Mentioning the sincere trial of Sheikh Hasina to overcome this crisis, Obaidul Quader also said, Price increase in America. Apart from UK, Germany, France, our neighboring country Sri Lanka, Pakistan, nobody is comfortable today. The people of Bangladesh are suffering. The bes efforts were taken to tackle the situation.
Claiming that BNP is plotting to overthrow the government without standing by the people, he said that many countries of the world are plagued with problems today. And based on this, the French opposition did not overthrow the government. Opposition parties in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan did not hold protests.
He said, "We wanted co-operation. All countries in this world have extended their hands to help in the crisis. And in Bangladesh they (BNP) are plotting to overthrow the government.
Warning BNP,Obaidul Quader said that none of us are trying to stop the peaceful movement.
"But if you want to come down and deal with fire-terrorism, then I will say...the people's resistance will turn into a tsunami and a befitting reply will be given,' he explained.
Read: Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
Regarding Bangabandhu's murder, Obaidul Quader said, 'How did these murderers escape? Who sent to Thailand? General Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman rewarded the murderers. Later take power."
Mahila Sramik League President Suraiya Akhter presided over the programme.
Corruption, plundering, suicidal deals behind energy crisis: BNP
The BNP on Saturday blamed the government's "pervasive corruption, suicidal deals and imprudent plans" for the current crisis in the power and energy sector.
At a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also presented a 12-point step, including scrapping all black laws and rules relating to the power and energy sector, cancelling the deals on quick rental power plants and exploring gas and petroleum and other minerals from the Bay of Bengal, to be taken by their party if it returns to power.
"The common people have to now pay the prices for the unbridled corruption and rampant plundering by the government. Loadshedding for two-three hours in the city and five-six hours in the rural areas has made public life miserable,” he said.
When the soaring prices of all essential items hit people very hard, Fakhrul said the loadshedding is just rubbing salt into their wounds. ”People have got bewildered as their backs are extremely pushed against the wall.”
Under the current circumstances of the country, he called upon the government to step down shouldering the responsibility for its failure to deliver on all fronts and tackle the power and fuel crisis and price hike of the commodities.
Read: 10 hurt in Chattogram as ‘BCL activists’ attack Student Union’s human chain
Otherwise, he warned that their party will wage a fierce movement together with people to force the government to quit.
Capacity charges unethical
Fakhrul said 19 rental and quick rental power plants are still in operation unnecessarily though those were supposed to be shut down after 2/3 years of operation.
He said several rental power plants are getting huge sums of money in capacity charges even though they are not producing any power.
“The government has to pay Tk 90,000 crores so far to the power plants in capacity charges without any power production. Capacity charges are irrational, unethical and against the public interest. It’s also a crime,” the BNP leader observed.
He said only 43% of the total power plants in the country are now being used. “The remaining 57% idle power plants are getting money as rent without power generation.”
Fakhrul said more new power plants are getting ready for power generation amid additional generating capacity that will only increase the cost for idle power plants further.
He alleged that the current government has deliberately kept about 60 percent idle power plants and paying huge money in capacity charges as it has no accountability to people. "This money is public money. The power sector is going bankrupt by paying the capacity charges.”
Importing costly power from India irrational
Fakhrul said the capacity charges are being paid to import electricity from India. “Currently, 1,160 MW of electricity is imported from India. For this, about Tk 5,800 crores were paid in capacity charges in the last three financial years.”
He said the Indian Adani Group is expected to export 1,496 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. “Importing coal-based electricity from India at a time when Bangladesh has about 60 percent overcapacity is completely unreasonable.”
The BNP leader said around 40% of this electricity import goes to pay capacity charges. “Bangladesh will have to pay the Adani Group more than Tk 1,00,000 crore in capacity charges over the 25 years, which is enough to build three Padma Bridges, nine Karnaphuli Tunnels or two Metrorails.”
He said the Adani group has been given a total rent of 53, 885 crores in three years. “The total cost of the construction of Padma Bridge, including corruption, is 30,293 crores.”
Fakhrul accused the government of imposing a huge burden on people unfairly by generating electricity through IPP without increasing gas exploration capacity.
“The government has not used the potential of off-shore gas exploration in the last ten years delibartely,” he alleged.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said their party, if returns to power, will solve the power and energy crisis. “We will repeal all black laws, including the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act and all contracts with quick rental companies. Construction of power plants and other works will be done through international tenders based on transparent competition.”
He said their party will also take steps to ensure punishment of those involved in corruption and irregularities in the power and energy sector.
Besides, the BNP leader said medium and long-term plans will be adopted to set up power plants as per the demand.
“Necessary power transmission and distribution lines in line with power production demand will be installed urgently,” he observed.
Fakhrul said they will also take proper steps to explore local gas and minerals through Bapxe and other government institutions.
BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah were present at the press conference.
Read: It's a joke with people, says BNP about Momen's comment on living in heaven
GM Quader calls for white paper on corruption in the energy sector
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday demanded that a white paper on corruption in the energy sector be published.
“The people of the country want to know how many thousands of crores of takas of corruption have been committed in the energy sector every year. Who are involved in the corruption?” he said.
Speaking at the council Jatiya Party’s Mirpur and Shahali Thana units at the Eidgah Ground on National Zoo Road in the capital's Mirpur area, GM Quader also said a list of those involved in the corruption should be published to bring them to justice.
He said they also want to know the list of those who are siphoning off thousands of crores of takas abroad every year. The money launderers should be brought to justice.”
The Jatiya Party chief alleged that Tk4 lakh crores were deposited from Bangladesh to Swiss banks last year. “The government is putting itself under questions by not disclosing the money launderers’ information.”
Read:Govt hardly cares about public sufferings: GM Quader
He accused the government of favouring the offenders by not taking action against the corrupt and money launderers.
“The common people think that the current government is not disclosing the information of corruption to save the influential persons and the ruling party leaders,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
He said that some ruling party leaders look for conspiracy even if Jatiya Party talks about the interests of the country.
“As we said, the country is going to be a failed state like Sri Lanka, we’re called fools. But why is the entire country now facing loadshedding? Why has the price of the dollar increased so much? Why has the price of fuel increased so much?” GM Quader said.
AL-BNP clash leaves 20 injured in Feni
At least 20 people were injured on Monday in a sporadic clash between activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition BNP during a protest rally of BNP in the trunk road area of the town on Friday.
The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, said Nizam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station.
According to the locals, BNP leaders and activists hold a procession in the town protesting the price hike of daily commodities including oil, gas, fertilizers and the murder of Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Chhatra Dal president Noor-e Alam in Bhola. When the procession reached the trunk road of the town, Chhatra League and Juba League activists attacked.
Read: AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
The clash ensued around 3:30 pm when BNP activists counterattacked.
Several chases and counter chases took place between the parties that left at least 20 people injured, added the OC.
Police fired 15 rounds of gunshots and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud Friday said BNP is trying to set the stage for another "August 15," when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated in 1975.
"Also, they want to brand Bangladesh as a terrorist country in the world. But the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will never let these things happen," he added.
Read: Hasan Mahmud dismisses Ganatantra Mancha as out-of-touch, insignificant
Hasan, also AL joint general secretary, was addressing a meeting in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi.
Thursday, at a meeting in Rajshahi city, the AL leader said the ruling party will take control of the streets in September and keep it occupied until the national polls.
"At a public rally in Dhaka's Nayapaltan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Thursday) said they will have to take control of the streets," the minister said.
"In reply, I would tell my party leaders and activists: August is a month of mourning, which we are observing through different programmes. When the mourning ends, we will occupy the streets in September," he added.
Govt to be swept away by people’s tsunami: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday warned the Awami League government will be washed away by a tsunami of public anger over what he called its ‘fascist’ rule.
“Their (govt’s) fall is inevitable as people have woken up. People will take over the streets with a mass wave, triggering a tsunami. This terribly fascist and monstrous Awami League regime will be washed away by the tsunami,” he said.
The BNP leader was addressing a rally arranged by Bangladesh Sammilita Peshajibi Parishad in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the fuel price hike, rising prices of daily essentials, power crisis, killing of political leaders in police firing and demanding the unconditional release of Begum Khaleda Zia.
He urged the leaders and activists of different professional bodies to organise the people from their respective positions to save the country from ruination.
"The nation is now at stake as they (govt) have destroyed the democratic soul of Bangladesh. We all have to unite and carry out a movement to restore that soul. There’s no alternative to a movement. We must take over the streets to remove this regime,” Fakhrul observed.
He said people are now seriously struggling to run their families due to the soaring prices of the commodities caused by the fresh hike in fuel prices. “There is now no need to tell what the condition of the country is. Ask the bus passengers on the streets about how much fare has been increased. All people, including the rickshaw pullers, farmers and teachers are going through immense miseries."
Read:We must take control of streets as victory is inevitable: Fakhrul
The BNP leader also observed that the middle-class people, who neither can express their miseries nor can afford the exorbitant prices of commodities, are the worst victims of the fuel price hike.
He said the government is now allowing BNP and other opposition parties and platforms to hold rallies and political programmes without much hassle due to pressure from different countries ahead of the election. “They’re now pretending to be a democratic and modest party. This is nothing but trickery. Deception is embedded in their character.”
The BNP leader alleged that the government is destroying the country's economy in a planned way. “The banks are getting depleted due to widespread plundering. Bangladesh Bank was also looted.”
He said the government was dreaming of turning Bangladesh into Singapore and Malaysia a few days back, but it is now asking for loans as the dollar reserves are decreasing. “They stole and robbed our assets and siphoned off huge money abroad. According to an international organisation, up to $827 million are being laundered from Bangladesh every year.”
Under the current situation of the country, Fakhrul urged the government to quit, dissolve the parliament, hand over power to a neutral administration paving the way for holding a credible election and establishing a people’s government.
He alleged that Awami League is seeking the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the next polls to cling to power by manipulating the results. “EVM is a tool of deception. Awami League has no other alternative to EVM to hang onto power. If you vote for the sheaf of paddy through the EVMs, it’ll be counted for the boat. That’s why they want the use of EVM.”
Quader slams BNP for occupy-the-street threat
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said that BNP seeks to turn the country into a failed state through planned apolitical approach.
Quader said this during a briefing at his residence this morning.
Regarding opposition BNP leaders order to their workers to occupy the streets, the Awami League leader said that roads are not the ancestral property of anyone and the streets belong to the people. So like in the past, if chaos is created again in the name of occupying the roads, the people will give a befitting reply.
Stating that the Awami League will soon be seen on the streets, Quader said that BNP's shouting is just a tactic of hiding their failures.
He said that BNP wants to return to power to create opportunity for looting public wealth again and to block the immense potential of the country by creating Hawa Bhaban. The people will never give them that opportunity again, he said.
Read:Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
The Awami League leader said that as the most failed opposition party in the history of this country, BNP itself wants to turn the country into a failed state.
As a political party BNP has no trust in the people, claimed the general secretary of Awami League. He said BNP's political backbone is very fragile.
He said BNP wants to come to power but is afraid to go to elections.
BNP secretary general after being electef as an MP did not go to the Parliament. Instead he sent others from the party to the House, Quader said.
The AL general secretary advised the BNP leaders to forget about caretaker government, which he said is a settled issue and there is no chance for restoration of the system.
Quader mentioned that preparations for the upcoming national elections will be a wise move for BNP.
He said that there is no use in daydreaming about resignation of the government and dissolution of parliament.
Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
Awami League is not worried about the protests by allies against the recent fuel price hike, said the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday.
He said this in response to queries from journalists after an emergency meeting of the party at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.
Quader said the partners in the AL-led 14-party alliance have the right to organize their own programmes.
Also read: Next election will be held on time: Quader
“If they want to do it, they will do it. It doesn't matter,” he said when asked about the protest programmes by some alliance partners against the sudden increase in the fuel price amid high inflation.
"Our alliance is an election alliance, it is a strategic alliance. There is no ideal issue here. So why did we have an alliance with the Jatya Party ? You have to think about these things," he said.
Asked whether there was any discussion in the party before the increase in the price of fuel oil, the general secretary said it is up to the government.
Also read: Quader defends sudden fuel price hike as step to halt losses
These party meetings do not discuss such matters. Officially it is decided by the government and here the head of the Ministry of Power and Energy is the prime minister, he noted.
"This has been done considering the whole global situation,” he said reiterating that the government had to raise the price as it had no other option.
The government does not intend to hurt the people, he said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the price will be reduced as soon as the price of oil falls in the world market," he also said.
Quader said that the AL government had reduced the price of electricity four times in the past.
"There is no such example with BNP. It only talks tall. There was no electricity during their time. There were only pillars, but no electricity. People at that time suffered 13-14 hours of load shedding. Can BN deny it? Today they talk about electricity. We have provided 100% electricity. This situation (crisis) is due to the world situation today. We will go back on our promise when the normal time comes."
We must take control of streets as victory is inevitable: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the people, especially the youth, to get ready to intensify the movement against the current ‘fascist regime’ by taking control of the streets as their victory is inevitable.
“I would like to say drawing attention of students and the youth that when we’re young we waged a war and liberated the country…the youth have to now wake up once again to liberate the country afresh for ensuring our future safety, prosperity, justice, parity, social esteem and building a new Bangladesh,” he said.
Speaking at a huge public rally in the city’s Nayapaltan central office, he said their party has initiated a movement to save the 18 crore people of Bangladesh and protect the country from misrule.
Also read: AL can't be allowed to cling to power anymore: Fakhrul
“We all must get into this movement. We’ll have to take to the streets with fresh vigour and take their control to establish a government of people in the true sense by ousting the present fascist and monstrous regime. Our victory is inevitable,”
He also urged the government to step down immediately handing over power to a non-party neutral administration shouldering its failure to resolve people’s problems. “The parliament must be dissolved and the Election Commission has to be reconstituted for forming a new government and parliament of people through a credible election.”
Fakhrul said their party will spread their anti-government movement across the country’s villages and upazilas with programmes like rallies and demonstrations from August 22. “We’ll force this government to quit and arrange a fresh election under a non-party government through our movement by uniting people.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally protesting the latest hike in fuel prices and the power crisis.
Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies started to gather in the area since 10 am blocking both sides of the road stretching from Bijoynagar crossing to Fakirerpool, causing immense sufferings to commuters.
The rally was also meant for registering the party’s protest against the soaring prices of all essential commodities, ongoing load shedding and the killing of two leaders of its associate bodies by police in Bhola.
Also read: Fuel price hike: BNP’s huge protest rally underway at Nayapaltan
Besides, the party’s all metropolitan city and district units will arrange protest rallies across the country on Friday.
Fakhrul said people are going through a tough time as prices of all essentials, including rice, pulses and oil are going up. “On the other hand, the power crisis is deepening. “The common people are the worst affected by the fuel price hike as the prices of all essentials are increasing further.
The BNP leader said the government has not taken any step to explore gas in the country only to plunder public money in the name of importing LNG and LPG from abroad. “The power tariffs have been increased repeatedly because of the import of gas with their own people.”
Besides, Fakhrul said the government has been spending Tk28,000 crore on the quick rental power plants. “Already Tk78,000 crore have been siphoned off abroad from the country.”
Referring to the statistics of the Export Promotion Bureau, he said US$270 billion have been exported from Bangladesh in the last seven years. But the Bangladesh Bank is showing a figure of US$249 billion. Where did the remaining $30.40 billion go? The nation wants to know this.”
The BNP secretary general alleged that their many leaders and workers of the party were arrested and obstructed at different places on their way to Nayapaltan rally. “They (govt) fear even our peaceful rally as they have usurped power by force. As they have no legitimacy they are always afraid of facing a fall.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain alleged that the government has increased the fuel prices only to plunder public money. “The Prime Minister earlier said we don’t import octane and petrol. So, why did the government increase the prices of fuel?
He also alleged that the government has been giving people the wrong information about the country’s foreign currency reserves in a bid to mislead them. “The businessmen are facing difficulties to open LC to import food and other goods for shortage of dollars in the country. If the country has adequate reserves, then why the government resorts to load shedding and increases fuel prices.”
Referring to the remarks of Ambassador of Switzerland to Bangladesh Nathalie Chuard that the government did not seek information on the deposits of Bangladeshi money in the Swiss banks, Mosharraf said this government knows very well that their party leaders are involved in money laundering. “That’s why they did not seek information about it.”
He said there is now no alternative to waging a united movement to protect the country’s people from the hands of the current ‘despotic’, ‘looter’ and ‘fascist’ regime.
BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, vice chairmen Abdullah Al Noman and Abdul Awal Mintoo, among others, addressed the rally.
Fuel price hike: BNP’s huge protest rally underway at Nayapaltan
A huge rally of BNP protesting the latest hike in fuel prices and power crisis is underway in front of its Nayapaltan central office in the capital.
The rally, organised by BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units, formally began with the recitation from the Holy Quran around 1:50pm.
Thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies started to gather in the area since morning blocking one side of the road.
Vehicles were moving on the other side of the road, stretching from Bijoynagar crossing to Fakirerpool, causing immense suffering to commuters.
BNP senior leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members, will address the rally.
Read: BNP works out long-term protest against fuel price hike