Politics
PM: Padma Bridge is confidence-booster for Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the successful construction of Padma Bridge has boosted self-confidence that Bangladesh can implement even larger projects in future.
“The decision for the construction of Padma Bridge with our own fund brightened the country’s image and the whole world has started to show respect towards Bangladesh,” she said.
The prime minister said this during a general discussion on a motion placed in Parliament to greet and thank her for the construction of the 6.15-km Padma Bridge.
The motion was passed unanimously by a voice vote following over six hours-long marathon discussion.
Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury brought the motion in the House under section 147 of the Rules of Procedure.
Hasina said the people of Bangladesh have gained knowledge over technology (to build such mega bridge). “In future, we’ll be able to do more improved and bigger task,” she added.
Lambasting the role of Dr Muhammad Yunus in canceling the World Bank’s funding for Padma Bridge project, the PM questioned how a person can make such a big harm to the country just for the lust of a post of managing director of a bank.
She also alleged that an editor (of a newspaper) was also involved closely in this matter.
“Dr Yunus and that editor emailed the World Bank time and again so that funding would be stopped….. Hillary Clinton was engaged in the matter,” she added.
In this connection, she said, ”They thought we would surrender to them. But I am the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I didn’t and will not bow down to anything unjust .”
The PM said she, her government and her family members and Cabinet members faced tremendous pressure, humiliation and false cases regarding the baseless corruption allegation that ultimately declared false by a Canadian court.
Explaining the rise of project cost compared with the design taken by the caretaker government back in 2007, Hasina said there was no rail line, electricity and gas supply lines in the previous project design.
Besides, the cost against land acquisition in the new design went up three times and the amount of acquired land was increased several times.
She also mentioned strong river training and construction of 100 percent bridge with navigation clearance and rise of length of the main bridge as reasons behind the higher project cost.
In his motion, the Chief Whip said, “Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, should be cordially congratulated and thanked on behalf of the nation through special discussion in Parliament for her courageous and firm leadership, unconditional love for the people and providing the nation the gift of Padma Bridge.”
He said the Prime Minister will open Padma Bridge, the much desired largest infrastructure project in the history of Bangladesh, on June 25, 2022. “This day will always be remembered as a glorious day in our national life,” he said.
Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge on July 4, 2001 aiming to improve the living standards of more than three crore people of the country’s 21 southwestern districts.
“The 6.15-km bridge with four-lane highway and one lane railway is a reality today. It is a symbol of pride, self-confidence, ability and self-respect for Bengalis,” said Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury.
He said it is none other than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who deserves the credit for this achievement as she was uncompromising, steadfast and unwavering like her father in the construction of the Padma Bridge by ignoring hundreds of adversities, obstacles, baseless allegations and conspiracies of the World Bank.
“Sheikh Hasina did not bow her head to any pressure that day,” the chief whip added.
He said today Sheikh Hasina has opened the door to the immense potential of Bangladesh through the successful implementation of the Padma Bridge.
According to the economic survey, the implementation of the Padma Bridge project will increase the country's GDP by at least 1.23 percent per year, he added.
Awami League lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Obaidul Quader, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Shajahan Khan and Muhammad Faruk Khan; Jatiya Party lawmakers Kazi Firoz Rashid, Anisul Islam Mahmud and Fakhrul Imam; JaSod MP Hasanul Haq Inu; Workers Party MP Rashed Khan Menon; and BNP lawmakers Harunur Rashid and Rumeen Farhana, among others, participate in the discussion.
BNP blasts govt for inflicting ‘great misery’ on people
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Wednesday alleged that the government has inflicted ‘great misery’ on the country’s people by increasing the prices of all essential and food items.
"The prices of gas, power and daily essentials have gone up. The government has inflicted great misery on people by hiking in the prices of the commodities,” he said.
Also read:BNP denounces attack on Saki as scandalous
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader demanded the government take effective steps to lower the prices of daily necessities considering public sufferings.
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting soaring prices of daily essentials and issuing a death threat to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said the current government has got isolated from people and it will never be able to get elected with people’s votes.
He called upon their party leaders and activists to organise BNP followers and local people at the grassroots level to ensure the fall of the current regime through a movement.
“We have to do what is necessary to oust the government… The struggle of the people never goes in vain and never fails. People all around, regardless of party affiliation, are seeking the resignation of this regime,” the BNP leader said.
Gayeshwar also urged the BNP central leaders to concentrate on strengthening the party instead of only chanting various slogans to make the party men ready for a movement. “We have to take control over all the highways and roads of Bangladesh and all alleys of Dhaka city.”
Also read: BNP blames govt’s negligence for Sitakunda depot fire
He said the ruling party has been staying in power by destroying democracy, killing people and resorting to deception and plundering.
The BNP leader said they will now wage movement with only a demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “There is no other way but the removal of this government. You have to be ready for a street movement.”
Reign of terror to prevail if offenders go unpunished: GM Quader
Denouncing the attack on Ganosanghati Andolan Coordinator Zonayed Saki, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Wednesday warned that a reign of terror will get hold in the country if the offenders are spared on political considerations.
“Legal action must be taken against the attackers based on an investigation. If the terrorists are spared on political considerations, a reign of terror will be established in the country,” he said.
Also read: BNP denounces attack on Saki as scandalous
In a statement, the Jatiya Party Chief bemoaned that Saki was subjected to a terror attack during his visit to Chattogram Medical College Hospital to see the injured from the deadly fire at Sitakunda depot.
BNP blames govt’s negligence for Sitakunda depot fire
BNP standing committee has blamed the government’s negligence and incapability for the deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda.
“Our meeting thinks the government's negligence, lack of coordination and incompetence are responsible for the horrific accident at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday.
Also read: BNP demands cancellation of gas price hike, announces three-day protest
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office on the outcomes of a virtual meeting of BNP standing committee members held on Monday night, he also said all-pervasive corruption, lack of accountability and incapability of the government have resulted in so many deaths and colossal damage.
The BNP leader said there are some rules and regulations and monitoring authorities to prevent such incidents and accidents. “Unfortunately, no one monitors these. Those who have the responsibility to ensure coordination and take the official concerned to the task are not properly discharging their duties. That is why these accidents are happening."
Since the government has no accountability to people and the parliament, he said the government-backed officials and the different authorities concerned are working as per their wish without being accountable to the government.
"The state is not functioning and its various institutions are not working. I often say that it has become a failed state. Because the state is not functioning, the machinery is not functioning and no one is accountable for what they are doing. That is why this situation has now been created.”
He said a government having accountability to people is now necessary to get Bangladesh back on the right track.
Fakhrul said the BNP standing committee meeting demanded the immediate formation of an investigation committee comprising neutral experts from the relevant field to unearth the main reasons behind the fire incident and identify those responsible for it.
He also called upon the government to bring the culprits to be identified by the investigation to justice and ensure adequate compensation for the family members of those killed and injured.
Referring to the report on the non-renewal of the BM Container Depot license, the BNP leader said the murder charges should be brought against its owners.
Fakhrul said the standing committee entrusted its member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury with the responsibility to stand by the families of the victims and the injured in the blaze.
Also read:BNP demands neutral probe into Sitakunda fire
Restoration of Odhikar’s registration
He said the standing committee strongly condemned and protested the cancellation of the registration of rights body 'Odhikar' by the NGO Affairs Bureau of the Prime Minister’s Office.
"The meeting believes that such move by the government will hamper the efforts of non-governmental organisations to protect human rights. The government's tendency to violate human rights will also increase and the incidents of enforced disappearances, illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, violence against women and children, and human rights violations against religious minorities will also rise,” the BNP leader said.
He demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision to cancel the registration of Odhikar.
False campaign against Zia, Tarique
Fakhrul alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed Joy spread lies by giving a post on social media with a ‘fabricated’ quote from former president Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem's book titled ‘At Bangabhaban: Last Phase’.
He also slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Qauder for his comment that BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is a foreign national for allegedly taking foreign citizenship.
“Tarique Rahman is a Bangladeshi citizen by birth and has not applied for citizenship of any other country…Mr Quader's statement is completely baseless, fabricated and motivated with low political purposes,” Fakhrul said.
He said Quader should withdraw his false statement and apolozise to the nation.
BNP demands cancellation of gas price hike, announces three-day protest
BNP on Tuesday announced a three-day demonstration programme in protest against the fresh hike in gas prices.
The party also demanded the government to immediately revoke its decision of raising the gas prices and take steps to lower the prices of daily essentials.
As part of the programmes, BNP’s all metropolitan city units, including Dhaka one, will stage demonstrations on June 9 while all district units will also observe the similar programme on June 11.
Besides, all upazila units of the party will hold protest rallies on June 13.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Read: BNP demands neutral probe into Sitakunda fire
He said their party’s all associate bodies will also stage demonstrations to mount pressure on the government to withdraw the gas price hike decision and control the prices of essential commodities.
Fakhrul said prices of all essentials will now go up further as an impact of the fresh gas price hike.
BNP demands neutral probe into Sitakunda fire
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday demanded that the government forms a neutral investigation commission to identify those responsible for the deadly fire at BM container depot in Sitakunda.
“I think an independent probe commission should be formed immediately to look into the incident and find out those who are responsible for this,” he said.
Fakhrul was speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He also demanded the government to provide the families of those killed in the fire incident with adequate compensation and ensure proper treatment of the injured.
At the same time, the BNP leader urged the government to introduce a 'surveillance system' in all container depots of the country.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said we want a free and neutral investigation.
Questioning the role of the government, the BNP secretary general said “This government neither does anything for the welfare of the people nor thinks about their safety and security.”
He alleged that the main goal of the Awami League government is to “make their pockets heavier and indulge in corruption in the name of building so-called infrastructures.”
Responding to a question about the impact on the garment sector and economy of the country following the Chattogram fire, the BNP leader said “Of course there would be a negative impact on it.”
READ: BNP, Biplobi Workers Party agree to oust govt thru movement: Fakhrul
After the Tazreen factory fire and Rana Plaza collapse the garments sector of the country was not in a good position. Though the situation has improved in recent years following the continuous effort of buyers and garment producers and owners, the issue of security remained neglected, he said.
Fakhrul also blamed the government for it.
“After the massive inferno at Chattogram, the government should announce ‘National Mourning Day’,” he said.
The Awami League is now involved in looting, corruption and money laundering. They are just ruining the hope of the people and there is nothing but the Padma Bridge, he added.
The death toll from the devastating fire reached 50 with the recovery of another body from a container of the depot in the morning, according to Fire Service authorities.
The huge fire also left more than and 200 people were injured, some of them in critical condition.
BNP lies about Padma Bridge foundation stone: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader has accused BNP leaders of resorting to Goebbels style lies in their imaginary claim that Begum Khaleda Zia laid the foundation of Padma Bridge.
"BNP leaders including Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have been daydreaming a lot lately,” Obaidul said on Monday at his official residence.
His retort came in response to Fakhrul’s statement that Khaleda first laid the foundation of a bridge over Padma River.
Also read: BNP can't accept Padma Bridge: Anisul Huq
“This statement of Fakhrul regarding the foundation stone of Padma Bridge was the best discovery of the year,” the AL leader said in ridiculing his BNP counterpart.
Obaidul challenged Fakhrul to show the evidence of Khaleda’s laying the foundation.
“Where and when she laid the foundation stone? I would like to see the photo of this discovery,” he asked adding, telling lies has long been a habit of BNP leaders.
Obaidul Quader said that in fact Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of Padma Bridge on July 4, 2001, which is a part of history.
The news was published in the media at that time and pictures of the foundation stone of this bridge were also published in newspapers, which are still in collection, said the general secretary of Awami League, also the road transport and bridges minister.
He said that the job of the BNP is only to misrepresent the truth by repeatedly uttering solid lies in Goebbels style.
Also read: BNP, other political parties to be invited to Padma Bridge inaugural function: Quader
He said BNP is now feeling jealous after having failed in its conspiracy against the building of the Padma Bridge.
He alleged that BNP is upset with the development of the country because of its failure to do it in the past.
Sitakunda Fire: GM Quader demands judicial probe
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday demanded a judicial investigation into the massive fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda to uncover the reason behind it.
In a statement, he said, “The nation has become shocked and stunned by such a terrible fire incident. Bangladesh's image in world trade has also been severely damaged.”
Also read: GM Quader expresses doubt about fair polls under ‘despotic’ govt
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said that it should be examined whether there is any negligence in the maintenance or the storage of the containers.
“Exemplary punishment should be ensured against those responsible for the blaze. A judicial inquiry committee should be formed to find out the real reasons behind the fire incident,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chairman suggested enhancing Bangladesh's capacity to prevent fire incidents.
He expressed deep shock and sorrow over the huge casualties in the fire.
GM Quader prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of the victims and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved families.
He wished speedy recovery to the injured and urged the authorities concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
Also read: Bangladesh has become a paradise for money launderers: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief also called upon the government to provide families of the injured and the dead with judicious compensation.
A deadly fire that broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday night killed at least 49 people and injured more than 300 others.
Sitakunda fire exposes fragile state system
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the deadly fire at BM Container Depot in Sitakunda has exposed a very fragile state system in Bangladesh.
“No security measures were taken there. I am terrified to think a country that has been said to be a modern one like Singapore, has no minimum security of human life. This government is only making money indulging in stealing in the name of development,” he said.
Also read: Price Hike: BNP asks AL to learn from 1974 famine
The BNP leader was talking to reporters at the local press club in the district.
He said there were insufficient security measures in the container depot. “There’re no safety measures to prevent fire or any other accidents.”
Fakhrul also said the government has even failed to ensure proper treatment for the injured. “The Awami League government has completely failed to build a modern container depot which is really needed for the development of the country.”
A devastating fire that broke out at BM Container Depot in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday night killed at least 43 people and injured more than 300 others.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued from BNP’s central office in the capital, Fakhrul expressed deep shock and sorrow over the huge loss of lives in the fire.
He said disasters like fires and different accidents are increasing day by day due to the limitless failure of the ‘illegitimate’ government.
“This government has no accountability to people. So no matter how many accidents happen, no matter how many fatalities occur, they keep their eyes closed. People’s lives have no value to them,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the ruling party men are involved in every tragic incident in one way or another. “Had the government properly investigated the incidents and put the offenders under trial from the beginning, such incidents would not have happened again and again.”
The BNP leader lamented that so many people were killed in the blast and fire while many other people are fighting for life following the Sitakunda blaze. The government is responsible for this incident. It has also proved once again how failed this government is.”
Also read:BNP holds talks with Kalyan Party to wage greater movement
He also said though the present government talks about development, it has failed to provide security to the people. “So, Awami League can no longer be kept in power. Democracy and the country will be in danger if it can’t be removed from power.”
Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the victims and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved families and demanded immediate medical treatment for the injured.
I meant spirit of Nov. 7 civil-military uprising: JSSD leader Jewel
Amid the uproar centering his “let the weapons of 1975 roar again” comment, Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal (JSSD) General Secretary Abdul Quader Bhuiyan Jewel on Sunday said it was just to evoke the civil-military uprising” on November 7, 1975’.
In a statement, Jewel also said he tried to invigorate their party leaders and activists to intensify their current movement for the restoration of democracy and unconditional release of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia by reminding them of the spirit of November 7, 1975.
Also read: BNP, other political parties to be invited to Padma Bridge inaugural function: Quader
“BNP believes in the spirit of November 7, 1975 as on that day martyred President Ziaur Rahman was released from captivity through the civil-military uprising,” Jewel said.
He also said an unprecedented example of solidarity was created in the politics of Bangladesh on November 7, 1975. “So, we consider that day of '75' as our political weapons.
“The main purpose of my comment on roaring the weapons of 1975 again, was to remind that political weapons or revolutionary spirit of November 7 for intensifying the movement for restoration of democracy and for the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia,” Jewel explained.
Also read:Getting rousing response to forge greater unity: Mosharraf
He bemoaned that a vested quarter has been trying to misinterpret his remark by involving it with the tragic assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on August 15, 1975 with an ulterior motive. “It’s very sad. It’s nothing but making an effort to create a ground for political revenge.”
Jewel hoped that his explanation will help remove the confusion created by the vested quarter.
At a rally in the city on May 24, Jewel reportedly said they are ready to roar again as weapons of 1975 in the interest of democracy.