Politics
Quader defends sudden fuel price hike as step to halt losses
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said that the government had no other alternative to raising the fuel price offset the losses amid global energy crunch.
The government will adjust the fuel price accordingly if the price decreases in the international market, said during a briefing at his residence.
Quader, who is also the minister of Road Transport and Bridges, said that owing to the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of fuel oil became unstable in the world market. This, in turn, has affected the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Bangladesh currency forcing the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to count losses.
Also read: Fuel price hike: Another blow to struggling Bhola fishermen
The minister said that due to the high price of fuel oil in neighbouring countries, there was a risk of smuggling from Bangladesh.
BPC, he said, incurred a loss of about Tk 9,000 crore from February 22 to July 22 because of the global fuel price hike.
The AL leader highlighted the current pricing of fuel oil in different countries and said that the price of diesel per litre in Myanmar is TK112.56 in India TK114. 49, in Sri Lanka TK 117.49 , in Arab Emirates TK122, in Nepal TK127.82, in Singapore TK189.78 and TK260.75 in Hong Kong.
He said the government had earlier adjusted the price on November 4, 2021 and before that on April 25, 2016, it had reduced the price of diesel after it fell in the international market. In the future too, if the price falls in the global market, the price will be adjusted by reducing the price in the domestic market.
Also read: Fuel price hike: Govt raises bus fares
Quader admitted that the fuel price increase will impact various sectors of the economy. The government is aware of the and it is trying to keep the negative affects at a low level.
He said that according to experts, the price of energy will start stabilizing in the world market soon, raising hope for Bangladesh.
He said the fuel price rise has led to the increase in the passenger fare in public buses.
The minister warned that legal action would be taken if any transport operator charges more than the coordinated fare.
He responded to BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's allegation that the government has turned into a monster.
In a counterattack he accused BNP of turning the country into a monster by killing people, destroying public property and burning people alive.
Quader stated that those who started politics with killings are the real monsters.
He also said that those who were champions of corruption find the corruption now in all government activities.
AL can't be allowed to cling to power anymore: Fakhrul
Stating that the unusual hike in fuel prices has left people in the lurch, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the Awami League government can no longer be allowed to cling to power.
“This regime has destroyed our politics, economy and our potential. So it can’t be allowed to remain in power anymore,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the government has brought a disaster to the country by hiking the fuel price abruptly on Friday night as it will push up the prices of all commodities, fertilizer and other farm inputs and transportation costs.
“It’ll have a very negative impact on our economy and our economic condition will worsen further, “ he warned.
Also read: Make public names of conspirators: Fakhrul to PM
Jatiyatabadi Krishak 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 on July 31.
Fakhrul said the government defended the increase in fuel prices saying state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is incurring losses.
“Why will it go into loss? The BPC made a huge profit of around Tk 39,000 in the previous years. At that time, the price of oil was low in the international market, but you didn’t reduce it. Even, the fuel prices have now started to decrease in the international market,” the BNP leader said.
He slammed the information minister for his comment that the fuel prices are comparatively lower in Bangladesh than in many other countries, saying the ruling party leaders give people wrong information and statistics to confuse them. “Their every information is incorrect. So, we urge people not to get confused by false information.”
“The oil price was $14 in the USA, but it has now dropped to $3 due to the price fall in the international market. It means the other countries lower the oil price when it falls in the international market. But when the price of oil declines in the international market, it increases in our country for plundering public money,” Fakhrul observed.
He said the fresh hike in fuel prices, especially diesel, has left the farmers, common people and bike riders in serious miseries. “But the government is least bothered about it. Because they need police, RAB, BGB and other forces, not people, to run the country. It won’t continue anymore. People of the country will no longer allow this regime to run the country in this way.”
Fakhrul said how will people survive since the government has raised the tariffs of all utility services alongside the fuel prices. “You (AL leaders) have a lot of ill-gotten money in your pockets. Our pockets are running out of money for our own survival.”
Also read: Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
He called upon people from all walks of life and all political parties to get united to restore democracy in the country by ousting the current government. “Establishing a people’s government is the only way left for us. Let’s move forward to this end.”
The BNP leader also urged the government to hand over power to a neutral administration by dissolving the parliament, paving the way for holding an acceptable election.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has been illegally staying in power for 15 years by force using the state machinery, including police, RAB and BGB.
“You’ve already killed many people and made many others disappear only to stay in power. In continuation of that, you have killed our Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that Bhola Sadar Model Police Station's officer-in-charge (OC Investigation) Arman Hossain opened fire at the BNP rally on March 31, killing Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim on the spot and critically injuring JCD leader Noor-e-Alam who later died at a hospital in the capital.
“We want the government to arrest this police officer immediately and take proper action against him through a judicial investigation into the incident,” Fakhrul said.
Make public names of conspirators: Fakhrul to PM
Stating that an anti-government movement cannot be a plot, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make public the names of those conspiring against her.
“The Prime Minister said yesterday (Wednesday) that a new plot has begun to oust her and she knows the conspirators. I would like to urge her…. you please clearly make public their names. The nation wants to know who they are,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion programme, he categorically said any movement for toppling a government is not a conspiracy.
“We would like to clearly and openly declare that we want to establish a pro-people government by removing this fascist and authoritarian regime through a mass movement. There’s no question of any plot here,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
He said it is Awami League that came to power by resorting to conspiracy in 2008.
Fakhrul said a vested quarter in a planned way hatched a conspiracy to defeat BNP in 2008 and filled ballot boxes on the night before the voting day to ensure Awami League’s victory.
“The election was held in the same way in 2018...Even, the Jatiya Party secretary general said voting was held at night and they themselves did it,” the BNP leader observed.
The pro-BNP faction of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) arranged the programme at Jatiya Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Earlier on Thursday, PM Hasina said a fresh plot has begun to oust her from power as the country is heading towards another national election.
“Conspiracies were hatched before the national elections in 2014 and 2018. They are again hatching their conspiracies to remove me from power. I know all of them [conspirators]," she said.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League shut down many media outlets, repressed and killed many journalists, implicated many of them in different cases and enacted the Digital Security Act to gag the media. “It’s natural for Awami League as it’s their basic character. Awami League doesn’t believe in democracy. It’s also the party’s character to deceive people. This party does exactly the opposite of what it says”
Also read: BNP, Montu-led Gonoforum agree on simultaneous anti-govt movement
About the change in the superintendent of police (SP) in 40 out of 64 districts, he said those who genuinely belong to Awami League were made SPs through the fresh reshuffle in the police administration.
Besides, he said the government appointed 11 additional judges to the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. “If you investigate, you’ll find all of them are Awami cadres. Has this country been liberated only for Awami League?
He said Bangladesh is now under the worst form of authoritarian rule since there is no democracy and no press freedom. “So, there’s no point in talking about democracy and justice here. Ensuring the fall of this regime through a united movement of people is the only way left for us.”
Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Taking a vow to take revenge for the murder of Noor-e- Alam and Abdur Rahim who were killed in police firing in Bhola, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the party rank and file to take to movement instated of shedding tears to save the nation from the 'fascist' rule of Awami League.
"No more crying, we have to wake up now holding back tears as the nation must be saved from the oppression of this horrible authoritarian fascist government,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks in a brief address prior to a namaz-e-Janaza of Bhola District unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Noor-e-Alam in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Noor-e-Alam who sustained bullet wounds during a clash between police and BNP activists on Sunday in Bhola, died at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday, raising the death toll from the incident to two.
Earlier on Sunday, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim died as police fired bullets at a rally of BNP in Bhola.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists must continue their struggle by turning their grief into strength to restore democracy, free Khaleda Zia from jail and get rid of 35 lakh cases filed against them.
He said their party will wage a strong movement in a peaceful manner by organising and uniting the entire nation to oust the current government. ”We will take revenge for the killing of our sons, our brothers Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim by creating a mass movement.”
In an emotion-choked voice, the BNP leader said there is no greater pain than bearing the dead body of a son on the shoulder of a father.
“We are seeing in front of us the body of our son Bhola Chhatra Dal President Nur-e-Alam as he was shot dead by the police forces of this fascist Awami League government. Our Bhola District Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim was also shot dead while 19 more people are fighting for lives at hospitals in Dhaka and Barisal,” he said.
Read:BNP withdraws daylong general strike after 6 hrs in Bhola
Fakhrul said the killing of BNP leaders and activists by the current regime is nothing new. “The Awami League government has killed over a thousand leaders and activists of ours and made around 600 others disappear over the last 15 years to cement a one-party rule.”
Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies started taking positions on the road in front of the BNP central office in the morning as the slain JCD leader’s janaza was scheduled to be held at 11am, halting traffic on the busy thoroughfare.
The body of Noor-e-Alam was brought to Nayapaltan central office from the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 12:45pm after conducting an autopsy. Many JCD leaders and activists were seen crying as the body arrived there.
Fakhrul along with party senior leaders paid homage to Noor-e-Alam by placing wreaths on his coffin and draping it with the party flag.
Later, his namaz-e-Janaza was held in front of the BNP office and then the body was sent to Bhola for burial.
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the ongoing load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on Sunday last.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11:30 am, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim dead and some other leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies, including Noor-e-Alam, injured.
There day mourning
Mirza Fakhrul announced a three-day mourning beginning from Friday in memory of Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim.
During the mourning, he said, black flags will be hoisted and the party flag will be kept at half-mast atop all BNP offices across the country. Doa mahfil will be arranged seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the two slain leaders.
Besides, he said JCD, Krishak Dal and Jubo Dal will stage rallies on August 6, 7 and 8 respectively in protest against their killing.
BNP, Montu-led Gonoforum agree on simultaneous anti-govt movement
BNP and a faction of Gonoforum, led by Mostafa Mohsin Montu, on Tuesday sat in talks and agreed to wage a simultaneous movement to oust the government
The dialogue was held at Gonoforum’s Arambagh office in the capital.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Gonoforum president Mostafa Mohsin Montu led their respective delegation at the meeting.
Talking to reporters after the parley, Fakhrul said they talked with the Gonoforum leaders as part of their ongoing dialogue with political parties to forge national unity to restore democracy and establish a pro-people government.
Read:AL leaders even won’t get time to carry hurricane lamps, flee through back door: Fakhrul
“We’ve reached a consensus to carry out a simultaneous movement with all other political parties to oust the current monstrous regime which is destroying our all achievements,” he observed.
At the meeting, the BNP secretary general said they talked about establishing an election-time caretaker government and constituting a new election commission based on the opinion of all parties to hold an acceptable election.
After that election, he said their party has a plan to form a national government with representatives of the participants of the movement to reform the state and rebuild the ruined institutions.
Montu said they want to defeat the current regime by creating national unity for establishing a government of people and thus restoring people’s ownership of the country.
Stating that the last two national elections were not acceptable, he said they believe no election under the current government can be held in a fair and credible manner. “So, we want the next general election to be held under a non-party neutral government."
On May 24, BNP formally began the dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
The party also had talks with Labour Party, Ganosanghati Andolon, Bangladesher Biplobi Workers Party, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), National Democratic Party (JAGPA), Nap (Bhasani), Muslim League, Islami Oikya Jote and Jamiat Ulama-e Islam, Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal and Democratic League (DL),Bangladesh People's League, Bangladesh NAP and Jatiya Dal,
AL leaders even won’t get time to carry hurricane lamps, flee through back door: Fakhrul
Calling upon his party colleagues to roar on the streets protesting the killing of a Swechchasebak Dal leader in police firing, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday warned that the Awami League leaders will not even get time to flee through the back door.
“They (govt) have talked about giving hurricane lamps in the hands of BNP leaders. But the time has come for you to hold the hurricane lamps in your hands. Even, you won’t get time to hold the hurricane lamps and flee through the back door,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka could not flee the country while its president Gotabaya Rajapaksa escaped to the Maldives. “The dictators want to flee but people don’t let them do so. You should keep it in mind.”
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the killing of Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim in police firing in Bhola.
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina slammed BNP for staging protests carrying the hurricane lamp against the government's power-saving measures.
"BNP leaders are holding demonstrations with hurricane lamps. Let's give them hurricane lamps to carry, and show them the door," she said.
Fakhrul alleged that the Awami League government has turned Bangladesh into a cremation ground over the last 15 years through its ‘repression’ and ‘misrule’.
Read:BNP holds talks with People's League, Jatiya Dal to wage greater movement
“You have also turned Bangladesh into a fascist and failed state. Where’s your success? Showing Metrorail and the Padma Bridge they highlight their all success. But 42%of people have gone below the poverty line. Many of our people now can’t eat two meals a day,” he observed.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has ruined the educational institutions, the health sector and the economy. “So, we can’t give them (AL) more time to hang onto power. The fall of Hasina's government is now our one-point demand.”
He called upon the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for realising their one-point demand and establish a pro-people government through a credible election under a neutral government.
Fakhrul said their party’s all associate bodies will start staging demonstrations gradually from Thursday in protest against the killing of Abdur Rahim.
Later, he said their party will work out their next course of action at a meeting led by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
As the party activists were demanding a harsher programme like hartal, Fakhrul advised them to first establish their control on the streets.
“Are you all ready to take to the streets? Nothing will happen if we can’t take a position on the streets. So, get ready to take to the streets to establish a government of people by ousting the fascist and authoritarian regime,” he said pointing at his party colleagues.
Fakhrul said police attacked a rally of BNP in Bhola without any provocation and sprayed bullets on the party leaders and activists, killing Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and injuring many others.
Fakhrul said critically injured Bhola Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Noor Alam has been fighting for life in an ICU of a hospital as he sustained a bullet in his head.
“We the people of Bangladesh can’t sit idle when Awami forces--worse than the Pakistani occupation forces--use the state machinery and resort to killings, enforced disappearances and repressive acts. We must roar again recalling our old tradition and history and we have to establish control on the streets to topple the usurper regime,” he said.
Police fired at Bhola rally to silence dissent: BNP
BNP Vice-Chairman Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Monday alleged that police attacked their party’s rally in Bhola and opened fire killing a Swechchasebak Dal leader to silence the dissenting voices.
“Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim was shot dead by police forces in my district Bhola yesterday (Sunday) without any provocation. It amounts to homicide,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader alleged that police beat their party leaders and activists mercilessly and sprayed bullets on them when they were bringing out a procession after a meeting at their party office there.
Also read: BNP holds talks with People's League, Jatiya Dal to wage greater movement
“The attack was made to silence the dissenting voices. Such a killing has been carried out also to prevent the fearless people who are taking to the streets for the restoration of democracy and to create terror in their minds,” he observed.
Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Garment Sramik Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on Sunday morning.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11:30 am, triggering a clash. Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left Abdur Rahim dead and many other leaders and activists of the party injured.
Also read: ‘Mega’ corruption, plundering by govt behind loadshedding: BNP
Hafiz warned that no government can stay in power long by resorting to repression and firing bullets at common people.
He alleged that the Awami League government is only busy making money and securing its power. “They are least bothered about suffering, life and death of people. That’s why they want to cling to power by firing on innocent people.”
The BNP leader said there is now no alternative to holding a credible election in the country under a non-party neutral government to overcome the political crisis.
Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that police opened fire at their rally in Bhola at the behest of the government.
“The SP in Bhola would have been suspended while those who sprayed bullets would have been closed by the time had the government not instructed them to carry out the incident,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club arranged by the Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal protesting the killing of its leader Abdur Rahim in police firing.
He warned that their party will not sit idle if the government continues its repressive acts. “We’ll be more organised and take to the streets unitedly.”
Stating that police have no right to prevent people from exercising their constitutional rights to hold rallies and bring out processions, Gayeshwar said those who fired at the rally in Bhola would have to be accountable one day.
Vested group spreads propaganda over electricity-energy: Obaidul Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said an identified group is carrying out propaganda and spreading confusion purposefully saying that the electricity and energy crisis will prolong in the country.
He urged the people not to be misled by the motivated propaganda which are being carried out by those who want to see failures of the country, not its development and who are patrons of communal ill-forces.
The minister made the call while briefing reporters at his ministry’s office, said a PID handout.
He said the world's energy supply chain has become unstable due to the Russia-Ukraine war during the global economic recovery from coronavirus pandemic, which led to an abnormal rise in fuel prices in the international market.
Quader, also the general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, said more than 90 per cent of the countries across the world depend on imports for primary energy. As an energy importer, this situation has had a negative impact on Bangladesh as well, he said.
Now almost all countries of the world including Europe and America are facing the energy crisis and they have drastically reduced the consumption of electricity and fuel in a bid to tackle the situation, he said.
The minister said the government of Bangladesh has taken various preemptive measures to face the negative impacts caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, resultant economic sanctions, as well as price hike of fuel, gas and fertilizers in the international market.
He said the high inflation rate in the developed world indicates the severity of the global economic crisis.
June last year, the inflation rate was 9.1pc in the United States, while 9.4pc in the United Kingdom, 8.9pc in Germany, 15.9pc in Russia, 78.6pc in Turkey, 9.4pc in the Netherlands, 39.9pc in Sri Lanka and 21.3pc in Pakistan, he noted.
But the inflation rate was 7.56pc in Bangladesh in June, said the minister, adding that many quarters are trying to mislead people by talking about only Bangladesh inflation.
“In Bangladesh, the situation remains relatively tolerable due to the precautionary measures taken by the Sheikh Hasina’s government,” he added.
BNP holds talks with People's League, Jatiya Dal to wage greater movement
BNP On Sunday sat with Bangladesh People's League and Jatiya Dal to forge national unity to wage a greater movement to oust the government and ensure that the next national election is held under a neutral administration.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan had separate meetings with the parties, components of the 20-party alliance, at BNP Chairperson's Gulshan office.
Rail crossings become death traps: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday urged the government to take steps to make the coiuntry's railways safe as the level crossings have become death traps.
“As if the railway crossings of the country have become death traps. Although travel through railways is considered safe across the world, it is becoming a matter of worry in Bangladesh,” he said.
In a statement, the Jatiya Party chief also bemoaned that the railways in Bangladesh have not been safe even after 50 years of its independence.
Also read: Establishing people’s voting rights crucial for democracy: GM Quader
Referring to media reports, he said about 82 per cent of the railway crossings in the country are unprotected. “All these unprotected level crossings have no guards and barriers.”
Besides, the Jatiya Party chairman said there is no end to negligence even though there are guards and barriers at 18 railway crossings.
“So, accidents happen every day and many people die every year. There is no one to see the negligence and mismanagement of the railways,” he observed.
Also read: EC praising merits of EVMs with ‘ulterior motive’: GM Quader
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said though an investigation committee is formed after every accident, the people of the country cannot know the probe report. “No one can even know what measures the government is taking to prevent accidents.”
He said such deaths on the railways cannot be accepted. “Railway accidents in modern times expose how far behind we are. It has become necessary to take prroper measures now to secure the railways of the country.”
Earlier on Friday, 11 people were killed and six others injured when a speeding express train rammed into the microbus carrying students on an excursion at a level crossing in Mirsharai upazila on Friday.