Politics
BNP conspires to seize state power, says Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday accused opposition BNP of hatching conspiracy to take over state power instead of pursuing the politics of people’s welfare and win their votes.
In a statement the AL leader slammed BNP for misleading the friendly foreign countries with misinformation to gain petty political interests.
“BNP is also misleading the people through propaganda,” he said.
Qauder, also the Road Transport and Bridges minister, said BNP has become pariah party after being rejected repeatedly by the people. “The people never responded to the BNP's call. Even then, the BNP leaders are obsessed with daydreams,” he said.
The AL general secretary also protested and condemned BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for constantly making ‘’misleading and ill-motivated statements.”
He said BNP secretary general has recently given a statement to the media blaming Awami League for the murder of Jashore Jubo Dal leader. But BNP men were involved in the killing according the primary investigation and the case statement filed by the plaintiff, he added.
Qauder said BNP terrorists committed this murder due to their internal feuding to establish dominance in the party.
He denounced Fakhrul’s comment that the AL has established a fascist regime and politics in this country.
“The journey of fascism started in this country with military dictator Ziaur Rahman, who seized the state power in an illegal and unconstitutional way through assassinations, coups and conspiracies”, said Qauder.
He said Bangladesh Awami League is determined to establish the rule of law. The people are the only source of strength for the Awami League. “Today, the people of this country are united under the leadership of successful statesman Sheikh Hasina on the journey of development, progress and prosperity,” he added.
The AL leader called upon the BNP leaders to come to the path of welfare politics shunning the fascist mentality.
Bangladesh can become bankrupt due to debt liability: GM Quader
Jatiya Party chairman GM Quader on Friday feared that the debt burden can make Bangladesh bankrupt.
“The country's debt is 16 lakh crore. The situation of the country can be dire when this loan will have to be repaid with interest in the future,” he said.
GM Quader was addressing a public rally at Jurain Railway Gate in the capital organised by Jatiya Party’s Shyampur and Kadamatli thana unit’s marking the third death anniversary of party founder HM Ershad.
Stating that there are many similarities between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, he said Sri Lanka's tourism sector has been affected during the corona crisis.
“But Sri Lanka has not gone bankrupt after ten years of civil war. It has become bankrupt just because of debt burden. Again, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have the same political reality. That’s why Bangladesh can face a dire situation like Sri Lanka,” the Jatiya Party chief observed.
He alleged that there is no accountability anywhere in Bangladesh like in Sri Lanka.
“The Liberation War was waged not to see such a country. The heroic martyrs sacrificed their lives not to get a king in the country. The Liberation War was waged to get the representatives of the people. But unfortunately we have got the king of the people,” Quader viewed.
Pointing at the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23, he said it was a debt-dependent document. “There’s no allocation in the budget for working people and for reducing unemployment,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief also said the prices of essential items are increasing, but the government has no focus on the issue.
He urged the government to take steps for keeping the prices of the essentials at a tolerable level, even by giving subsidies.
The JP leader alleged that thousands of crores of taka are being siphoned off abroad from the country through mega projects.
“We don't want any more mega projects. We want people to eat and live and get good treatment easily at hospitals,” he said.
AL to observe Hasina's imprisonment anniversary on Saturday
Ruling party Awami League will observe the anniversary of its president, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, being imprisoned under the military-backed caretaker regime in 2007 on Saturday.
AL and its associate bodies observe the day as the 'Imprisonment Day of Sheikh Hasina'.
The Awami League president was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi in the city on July 16, 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.
Dhaka City North AL will organize a discussion at 11 am at the party's central office in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader will address the discussion virtually as the chief guest with Dhaka city south AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman in the chair.
General secretary of the North unit SM Mannan Kochi will conduct the session.
AL and its associate bodies have taken various programmes, including discussions and milad and doa mahfils, to observe the day, maintaining the health guidelines and social distancing.
Obaidul Quader in a statement called upon the countrymen to pray to Almighty Allah for healthy and long life of Sheikh Hasina, maintaining the health protocols.
He simultaneously urged all to extend cooperation to the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being imbued with the spirit of Liberation War and democratic values by lighting up the flame of patriotism in the minds of Bangalees and creating a shield to overcome the crisis.
AL President Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) Building on June 11 in 2008 after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
AL least bothered by BNP’s threat against the government: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that his party is ready to thwart any ill attempt to bring down the government.
At a media briefing at his official residence Quader denounced BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s allegation that the AL is trying to cling to power through bloodshed.
He once again said that the governing party believes in democracy and change in government through popular vote. “Nothing else and no conspiracy can change the government.”
He said Awami League is the only party which has a history of peaceful hand over of power, while the BNP founder Ziaur Rahman seized power illegally after assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Quader once again blamed Zia for indemnifying the killers of Bangabandhu from any trial.
"The successor of the dictator Begum Khaleda Zia also followed the same way in 1996 and 2006 by killing hundreds of Awami leaders and activists," he added. “Bangladesh was turned into a land of killings during BNP rule,” he alleged.
The AL leader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina completed the trial of Bangabandhu’s killers following the proper legal process.
On the other hand, he said, BNP tried to protect the killers and in some some cases promoted them and provided jobs in Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad.
AL least bothered by BNP’s threat against the government : Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that his party is ready to thwart any ill attempt to bring down the government.
At a media briefing at his official residence Quader denounced BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam’s allegation that the AL is trying to cling to power through bloodshed.
He once again said that the governing party believes in democracy and change in government through popular vote. “Nothing else and no conspiracy can change the government.”
He said Awami League is the only party which has a history of peaceful hand over of power, while the BNP founder Ziaur Rahman seized power illegally after assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Read:No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader
Quader once again blamed Zia for indemnifying the killers of Bangabandhu from any trial.
"The successor of the dictator Begum Khaleda Zia also followed the same way in 1996 and 2006 by killing hundreds of Awami leaders and activists," he added. “Bangladesh was turned into a land of killings during BNP rule,” he alleged.
The AL leader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina completed the trial of Bangabandhu’s killers following the proper legal process.
On the other hand, he said, BNP tried to protect the killers and in some some cases promoted them and provided jobs in Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad.
BNP pays tribute to Abe signing condolence book
The BNP on Wednesday paid tribute to former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot dead last week while campaigning for a parliamentary election.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a BNP standing committee member, visited the Japanese Embassy in Dhaka in the afternoon and signed a condolence book.
Abe was a close friend of Bangladesh, and he made significant contributions to the strengthening of Bangladesh-Japan ties, Khosru told the media.
He also recalled that Abe sincerely worked with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia when she was in power to develop Bangladesh and cement the bilateral ties.
Japan had played an outstanding role in carrying out various development activities in Bangladesh during BNP's rule, Khosru noted.
Even, he said, the East Asian country was ready to finance the construction of the Padma Bridge during the BNP government, but later it was cancelled.
"We signed the condolence book for him today. We hope that the Japan-Bangladesh relationship will remain intact," the BNP leader said.
Read:BNP denounces Abe's dastardly assassination
Abe was a very competent person as an international leader, and he was active in politics for a long time with the love of the people of Japan, Khosru added. "We're deeply saddened, and the people of Bangladesh are also shocked by his death."
On July 9, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed his deep shock over Abe's death.
The 67-year-old, the longest-serving prime minister in Japanese history, died after being shot while delivering a campaign speech in Nara, near Kyoto on July 8.
He immediately collapsed and was seen bleeding before being taken to hospital.
The attack on Abe and his subsequent death sent shock waves throughout the world.
To show deep respect to the former Japanese prime minister, Bangladesh observed a day of mourning on July 9 and flags flew at half-staff.
Not foreigners, go to the people: Hasan to BNP
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday advised the opposition BNP to work for winning people’s support to come to power instead of lobbying with the foreigners.
He said this when journalists sought his comments on the opposition party’s recent meeting with the UN Resident Coordinator and European Union Ambassador.
Talking to journalists at Bangladesh Secretariat the minister further said that foreigners must not interfere in the country’s internal matters.
Hasan said BNP continues to insult the country by frequently going to the foreigners to raise the country’s domestic issues.
Read: BNP's statements outlandish, insane: Hasan Mahmud
He said the people of Bangladesh do not like a political party to seek help from outsiders.
“The people will cast their ballots, not foreigners,” he said pointing to BNP.
Earlier, Hasan unveiled the cover of a book titled "Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100".
Information secretary Mokbul Hossain was also present at the event.
EU envoy meets Fakhrul
European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday.
The one-and-a-half-hour meeting was held at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and organising secretary Shama Obayed were also present at the meeting.
Read: Travel misery robs holidaymakers of joy of Eid: BNP
After the closed-door meeting, Khasru said they discussed in detail all the relevant issues involving bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the EU.
He, however, declined to elaborate when asked about the relevant issues.
Earlier on Tuesday, newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis met the BNP Secretary General.
No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader
No conspiracy can stop Sheikh Hasina's trend of development and prosperity, said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday.
"No matter how much BNP tries and conspires along with its domestic and foreign allies, this country can never be suppressed," he said at a press briefing at his official residence.
Before talking about the indemnity in the power sector, did BNP forget - they gave indemnity to protect Bangabandhu's killers, the Awami League general secretary said, adding that Khaleda Zia also gave indemnity during Operation Clean Heart.
Read:Fakhrul’s demand to restore democracy frightens people: Quader
He said the BNP's indemnity was to protect the killers and the Sheikh Hasina government had given indemnity in the interest of continuing development and for the welfare of people.
Terming BNP as a party of money looters and plunderers, he said, "BNP is a terrorist group which has been proved by foreign courts. They want this country to become a failed state, but the people of this country will not allow it to happen."
Quader said that the BNP leaders have revealed their hateful nature by expressing anger against the government on the holy day of Eid.
Their comments made people upset who are passing their Eid holidays with loved ones in a festive mood, he added.
Obaidul Quader claimed that the BNP had plunged the country into darkness and the Sheikh Hasina government has enlightened the country.
Travel misery robs holidaymakers of joy of Eid: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged the holidaymakers’ joy of Eid was marred by travel misery for lack of government monitoring.
"There’s no authority to look after the transportation system, especially the train service. We see how accidents are happening on roads. Passengers have suffered long delays due to a collapse in train schedules,” he said.
The BNP leader also said in fact the government has no authority anywhere, causing public suffering. “People have no joy of Eid amid misery.”
He also said the government has failed to ensure good governance. “Their only goal is to indulge in corruption. They’re turning the country into a failed state.”
Fakhrul made the comments while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave.
The BNP secretary general along with party standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan and other party leaders paid homage to Zia by placing wreaths at his grave on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
They also offered fateha there and took part in a special prayer seeking the salvation of the departed soul of the BNP founder.
About power outages, Fakhrul said the government use to brag that they had surplus power production capacity. “They have to now conduct load-shedding for three-four hours every day. The main reason behind it is corruption.”
He said quick-rental power plants have been set up by spending excessive money. “No international tender has been called for the establishment of these plants and a law has been enacted so that no question can be raised in this regard. No case can be filed over any allegation. It means an indemnity has been granted.”
The BNP leader also said the government had no plan to run the power plants by exploring gas in the country.
He said the government did not take any step for gas exploration only to import LNG and thus ensure the benefit of one or two companies.
“They’re doing all these things because of corruption. They make every plan to loot Bangladesh. In fact, this is a government of plunderers and Awami League has become a party of plundering,” Fakhrul said.
He alleged that the government has created a myth of development to make their pockets heavier through corruption, and to misled people.
"There has been no real development in the country as the poverty rate has increased. Around 42% people of the country are living below the poverty line,” he observed.