Politics
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
Fuel Price Hike: BNP gears up for ‘massive showdown’ at Nayapaltan Thursday
BNP has planned a ‘massive showdown' through a public rally in the capital on Thursday in protest against the fresh fuel price hike and power crisis.
The party’s Dhaka south and north units have already taken necessary preparations to ensure a huge turnout of people at the rally from all wards of the capital to send out a message to the ruling party about its strength in carrying out a strong movement, top party leaders told UNB on Wednesday.
The rally is scheduled to begin at 2 pm in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office where senior leaders, including secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will speak on the country’s current situation.
Talking to UNB, Dhaka South city unit BNP convenor Abdus Salam said they are expecting a huge gathering in the rally to protest the government’s unjustified decision to increase the fuel price while people are struggling to cope with skyrocketing prices of all essential commodities.
“Our party leaders and workers at all levels from every ward and thana of Dhaka city will join this rally,” he said.
Read:BNP sees Ganatantra Mancha in line with its call for united opposition
Salam said they hope that city dwellers who are not directly involved in politics will also participate in the rally.
He said they are working to make the rally a huge success with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life.
Asked whether they have got permission from the police for the rally, Salam said they informed the police authorities about it.
Dhaka north city unit BNP convener Aman Ullah Aman said Nayapaltan will witness a human sea on Thursday. “It’ll be a memorable rally as we have made all the necessary preparations for it.”
He said leaders and workers of BNP and its associate bodies together with common people will take part in the rally.
Stating that they will hold the rally in a peaceful and democratic manner, the BNP leader said, ‘We’ll send out a message to the current regime about our strength through the rally and urge it to immediately step down and hand over power to a non-partisan neutral government.”
Earlier on Monday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced a two-day programme, including Thursday’s protest rally, against the latest hike in fuel prices, transport fares and soaring prices of all essential commodities.
The programmes are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the ongoing load shedding and the killing of two leaders of its associate bodies by police in Bhola.
Besides, the party’s all metropolitan city and district units will arrange protest rallies across the country on Friday.
In an abrupt move, the government increased the prices of diesel, octane and petrol by 42.5 per cent, 51.7 per cent and 51 per cent respectively on Friday night. Currently, diesel is being sold at Tk 114 per litre, octane at Tk 135 per litre and petrol at Tk 130 per litre.
Hasan Mahmud dismisses Ganatantra Mancha as out-of-touch, insignificant
The newly formed 'Ganatantra Mancha', a new political alliance of seven isolated parties has no importance in the political field or in polls, said Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday.
Each member of the alliance is detached from the people and abandoned in politics, he said while replying to the reporter over the alliance of seven parties at his official residence in the capital.
"Since they themselves are insignificant, they are only trying to increase their importance significance by forming an alliance, nothing else," he added.
Read:BNP sees Ganatantra Mancha in line with its call for united opposition
Earlier in the morning, the minister visited the family of Taslima Begum Renu, who was lynched over a toxic rumour of child trafficking ring somehow related to Padma Bridge, outside a school in Mohakhali, where she had gone to seek her own child's admission.
Hasan handed over financial assistance on behalf of Awami League.
Hasan said victim Renu went to a school to talk about her child's admission, but she was brutally killed in a mob beating in 2019 following BNP-Jamaat's rumour that blood and human sacrifice would be needed for Padma Bridge construction.
”This is not acceptable by any means," he said, adding that many persons were killed because of the rumour.
He assured the victim's family of providing support to the trial of the murder case.
Hasan also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave a directive to stand by such victims.
BNP sees Ganatantra Mancha in line with its call for united opposition
Welcoming the new political platform bringing together 7 political parties, BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Tuesday said the emergence of an opposition alliance is a success for their party’s move to wage a united movement against the current government.
“We welcome the launch of Ganatantra Mancha. We have long been making the demands those they (new alliance) have mentioned,” he said.
Talking to reporters before a doa mahfil-cum discussion, the BNP leader said their party have been saying this regime has to resign and no election can be held under it, the parliament must be dissolved, the next polls must be arranged under a non-party neutral government and the Election Commission must be reconstituted.
“We have seen they (new alliance) are also making the same demands. So, we think this is a success of our efforts to initiate a united movement. We think this is a step forward for the future united movement,” he observed.
BNP arranged the programme at its Nayapaltan central office marking the Holy Ashura.
Read: Hasan Mahmud dismisses Ganatantra Mancha as out-of-touch, insignificant
Earlier on Monday, "Ganatantra Mancha”, (Democracy Forum) a new platform of seven opposition parties, was launched with the objective to oust the current government through a united movement.
The components of the alliance are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob), Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Gonosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bhasani Onusari Parishad and Rastra Sangskar Andolon.
Asked about the progress in their move to float a greater platform with the opposition parties for a simultaneous movement, Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member said, they are still working on it very carefully so that no one can foil their efforts.
As his attention was drawn to BNP standing committee members’ comments that this government cannot be ousted without harsher programmes like hartal and blockade, he said their party had been on a movement with harsher progrmames in 2014 and 2015.
“There are many ministers who also say, we cannot wage a movement…movement means people's protest and resistance in an organised way. It can be through hartal or through various other ways. It's not like we can’t enforce a hartal or a blockade. But why should we do it randomly at an inappropriate time?” Nazrul said.
Stating that political parties are getting organised against the government’s incompetence and failure to run the state, he said people will participate in their parogrammes tremendously in the days to come out of their growing anger.
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders are making unguarded remarks about BNP and its movement out of fear to face a fall. “There is reason to be confused with their remarks. They are in great danger."
Next election will be held on time: Quader
Awami League (AL) general secretary Obaidul Quader Tuesday asserted that nothing could disrupt the next national election "which will be held on time as per the constitution".
"Statements issued by the BNP like the government is afraid of their movement (over rising fuel prices) are hilarious. BNP's threats to bring down the government or stall the election are empty. In fact, we all are aware of their capabilities," he told reporters at his residence this morning.
On the energy crisis, the Minister of Road Transport and Bridges said that "this is no more country-centric but the entire world is facing the same". "The BNP and its allies are blaming the Bangladesh government without realising this reality."
Read: An EC under partisan govt can’t hold credible election: BNP
On corruption, Quader urged the BNP leaders to cite specific instances. "We have a zero tolerance policy on corruption."
On the fare hike in view of rising fuel prices, the Minister said that transport owners and workers should respect the decision taken by the government and not charge excess fare from the public. "Else we will be forced to take legal action."
He also vowed to crack down on perpetrators of heinous crimes like rape on public transport vehicles.
Days are numbered for AL govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the days of the current government are numbered as the youth have started waking up against its misrule and repressive acts.
“They (govt) have now no other alternative to resorting to repressive acts and killing, extrajudicial killing and false cases to cling to power….but this massive gathering of the youth has manifested that their days are numbered. They won’t be able to stay in power anymore," he said.
Speaking at a rally, he said the government killed many people and repressed and harassed thousands of opposition leaders and activists over the last 15 years. “The youth in Bangladesh have started waking up. We believe that we would be able to free the country from misrule through the sacrifices and fierce movement by the youth.”
Also read: BNP announces two-day programme to protest fuel price hike
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the ‘unprecedented’ fuel price hike and the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Bhola district unit president Noor-e-Alam and local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim in police firing.
Fakhrul said the country has now been facing crisis in energy, economy and power only because of extreme corruption and plundering by the government. “We have seen how they have looted thousands of crore of taka in the name of quick rental power plants.”
Referring to the statistics of the Export Promotion Bureau, he said US$270.81 billion have been exported from Bangladesh in the last seven years. But the Bangladesh Bank is showing a figure of US$239.96 billion. Where did the remaining $30.40 billion go? The nation wants to know this.”
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders depleted the country’s resources through widespread plundering.
Speaking at the rally, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said Awami League will no longer be able to remain in power. ‘Their fall is now a matter of time.”
He, however, said BNP will not able to oust the current regime only by holding rallies at Nayaplatan and in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
"We have to come out on the streets with processions and tough programmes like hartal and blockade to ensure the fall of the government. Otherwise, this regime won’t go,” he said.
Also read: AL can't be allowed to cling to power anymore: Fakhrul
Echoing Abbas, another party standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, “If we don't take a hardline and harsher programmes and show our strength, then the government will stay in power as usual. Rather, we’ll only face many fresh cases for holding public rallies. But we won't be able to topple the government."
He said BNP has the strength to wage a fierce street movement with tough democratic and lawful programmes. “We must now work out such programmes to scare the government.”
BNP announces two-day programme to protest fuel price hike
BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme in protest against the latest ‘unjustified’ hike in fuel prices, transport fares and the soaring prices of all essential commodities.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement at a public rally in front of the Party’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said their programmes are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the ongoing load shedding and the killing of two leaders of its associate bodies by police in Bhola.
As part of the programmes, Fakhrul said, the party will stage a protest rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office at 2pm on Thursday.
Read: An EC under partisan govt can’t hold credible election: BNP
Besides, the party’s all metropolitan city and district units will arrange protest rallies across the country on Friday, he said.
The BNP leader said their party will come up with greater programmes in the days to come to intensify their movement for ensuring the fall of the current regime they call as monstrous.
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the ‘unprecedented’ fuel price hike and the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Bhola district unit president Noor-e-Alam and local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abur Rahim in police firing.
Speaking at the rally, Fakhrul slammed the government for the police raid on some leftist student organisations on Sunday during a protest against increased fuel prices at the city’s Shahbagh.
Read: Power Outages: BNP announces 3-day protest programme
He said Awami has now no other alternative to resorting to repressive acts and killing to hang onto power as it has got isolated from people. “But their days are numbered. They will be ousted through a fierce movement.”
In an abrupt move, the government increased the prices of diesel, octane and petrol by 42.5 per cent, 51.7 per cent and 51 per cent respectively on Friday night. Currently, diesel is being sold at Tk 114 per litre, octane at Tk 135 per litre and petrol at Tk 130 per litre.
New opposition alliance ‘Ganatantra Mancha’ launched
Ganatantra Mancha”, a new platform of seven opposition parties, was launched on Monday with the objective to oust the government through a united movement.
The components of the alliance are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob), Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Gonosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Bhasani Onusari Parishad and Rastra Sangskar Andolon.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) President ASM Abdur Rob made a formal announcement about the platform at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Also read: Fuel Price Hike: Jatiya Party announces two-day protest programme
He said they floated the alliance due to the unavoidable necessity of history for building Bangladesh based on the spirit of the liberation war and the aspirations of people.
“This platform has been formed with an aim to oust the dictatorial government, changing the state’s governance system, ensuring the constitutional reform and repairing the state,” Rob said.
He urged people from all walks of life, including journalists, lawyers, professionals, workers, students, teachers, engineers, doctors, intellectuals and the youth to join the platform for carrying out a struggle for rebuilding the nation.
The JSD president alleged that the current government has got isolated from people as it has usurped power by rigging votes. “We make an open declaration that you must go and you must quit power. This government will be overthrown through a mass upsurge.”
He said their alliance will wage a movement for the restoration of democracy. “We call upon people to join the movement. Everyone must take to the streets for democracy.”
Also read: Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna presented the framework of the 'Ganotantra Manch' at the press conference.
He said the country’s people want a greater united movement on the streets with specific goals for bringing a change in the government. “That’s why we consider it an urgent duty to take to the streets by forging a greater unity of political parties, people of all strata, all organisations and social forces as per the aspirations of people."
Manna said their platform thinks it will not be possible to restore people’s voting rights, and democratic system, and establish a polls-time interim government for a fair and credible election without removing the current ‘fascist’ regime.
He said the objective of their alliance is to force the government to step down, dissolve parliament and hand over power to an interim government based on a political consensus.
“This interim government will reconstitute the Election Commission, make necessary administrative reforms, make appropriate reforms in the Political Party Registration Act, RPO and the electoral laws to ensure a citizen's right to vote, and abolish the EVM system,” Manna said.
He said Ganatantra Mancha will stage a demonstration in the capital on Aug 11 in protest against repressions, attacks and brutality by police, the increase in prices of goods, fuel and the government’s indifference to public suffering.
Before the 2018 election, JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Gonoforum together with BNP had formed a political platform, Jatiya Oikyafront. But the platform gradually became inactive after the election.
Meanwhile, BNP initiated talks with the opposition political parties on May 24 last to work out the outline for launching a united movement against the government.
Amid BNP’s ongoing talks with the political parties, Ganatantra Mancha started its journey on Monday.