Politics
Khaleda returns home from Evercare Hospital after over 5 months
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia returned home from Evercare Hospital on Thursday after receiving treatment for her various health complications for over five months.
The BNP chief left the hospital at 5pm and reached her Gulshan residence around an hour later, around 6:50 pm said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Party standing committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Selima Rahman received Khaleda as she reached her house.
Also read: Khaleda Zia will return home from hospital Thursday
Khaleda’s personal physician and party vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief was taken back home as the medical board discharged her from the hospital.
Dr Zahid said the medical board will provide Khaleda with necessary treatment at her Gulshan's residence and all preparations have been made there in this regard.
On August 9 last year, she was admitted to the Evercare Hospital as she suddenly fell sick. The BNP Chief has been undergoing treatment there since then for various health complications.
The 78-year-old former prime minister has long been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
Also read: Unidentified youth attempted to enter Khaleda Zia’s hospital cabin, says Rizvi
On October 26, three US specialist doctors completed the hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS procedure) to stop water accretion in Khaleda Zia’s stomach and chest, and bleeding in her liver.
The US doctors--Hamid Rabb, Christos Georgiades, and James P. A. Hamilton from Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine--went to Bangladesh on October 25 and decided to complete the TIPS procedure after assessing Khaleda’s health condition and test reports.
TIPS is a procedure that involves inserting a stent (tube) to connect the portal veins to adjacent blood vessels that have lower pressure. This relieves the pressure of blood flowing through the diseased liver and can help stop bleeding and fluid backup. A TIPS also relieves the high blood pressure in the portal vein (called portal hypertension) that often occurs in the setting of liver cirrhosis.
Also read: Khaleda Zia moved back to cabin from CCU after 2 hours
Khaleda’s doctors have been recommending sending Khaleda abroad since she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in November 2021.
The BNP chief’s family also sought permission from the government on different occasions, but the Law Minister said Khaleda has no scope to go abroad for treatment as she was released on conditions suspending her sentence in corruption cases.
Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, the BNP chief has been receiving treatment at the hospital under a medical board headed by cardiologist Prof Shahabuddin Talukder.
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.
Also read: TIPS procedure on Khaleda successful: Fakhrul
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with the condition that she stay in her Gulshan house and not leave the country. That has since been extended multiple times to keep her out of jail.
BNP reopens Nayapaltan central office after 75 days
Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) central office in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan was reopened this morning, nearly two and a half months after closure following clashes with police during the party’s grand rally on October 28, 2023.
Some BNP leaders and activists, led by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, unlocked the collapsible gate of the office around 10:42 am.
They entered the office while shouting various slogans in the name of party founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“We entered BNP’s central office by breaking the lock. A massive rally was foiled through a brutal crackdown by the government’s subservient law-enforcement agencies on October 28…later police locked the office,” said Rizvi.
Read: BNP leader Fakhrul gets bail in 9 cases, 2 more cases pending
He said BNP’s standing committee members, led by Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, will hold a press conference — on the national election held on January 7 — at the office at 3 pm.
The BNP leader said they will now clean the office for holding the press meet.
After the party’s grand rally was foiled halfway through on October 28 at Nayapaltan amid clashes with police, the collapsible gate of the BNP's office was closed with the deployment of a huge number of law enforcers in the area.
Members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) marked the areas in front of the main gate of the BNP office with the crime scene tape inscribed with "Do not cross” to collect evidence for investigation into severe political violence.
Later, the CID's Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the site and later removed the crime scene tape.
Read: BNP to continue street agitation until demands are met: Rizvi
Following the clashes, law enforcers launched a crackdown on senior BNP leaders and activists, and arrested BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several other leaders, forcing most of them to go into hiding to avoid arrest.
Though thousands of BNP leaders and activists brought out a Victory Day rally on December 16 in Nayapaltan, they did not reopen their central office.
BNP finally reopened the office four days after the 12th parliamentary election that was boycotted by most opposition parties.
None can now disrupt Bangladesh’s progress: PM Hasina tells rally
Bangladesh Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday declared from now on none can hinder the advancement of the country as her party is resuming power again following its landslide victory in the January-7 general election.
“Since Awami League can come to power again, none can disrupt the current progress of Bangladesh anymore,” she said while addressing a rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.
President invites Sheikh Hasina to form her cabinet
Bangladesh Awami League arranged the rally in observance of the historic homecoming day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the 1971 Liberation War.
Hasina, who presided over the programme, said many wanted to stop this election, but failed.
People’s welfare is your highest responsibility: Hasina told newly elected AL MPs
“The voter turnout is 41.8 percent in this election even after there were attempts to prevent the voters from casting their votes, which is a very big matter,” she said, adding that a particular party was trying to resist the election when AL and its like-minded parties joined it.
She said none can question the 12th parliamentary election as it was held in fair, free and neutral manners.
Foreign friends continue to send congratulations to PM Hasina on her election win
“None can say that the votes were cast at night instead of daytime in this election. None has the power to say anything that the votes were rigged because the election was held in very transparent, free and neutral manners,” she said.
The prime minister said her government never interfered into the Election Commission, rather assisted it.
She extended her sincere thanks to the administration and law enforcement agencies including the armed forces who assisted the EC wholeheartedly in holding a free, fair and neutral election.
Reiterating her vision to make a Smart Bangladesh by 2041, Hasina said none can play ducks and drakes anymore with the fate of the people of Bangladesh.
She said the power of the people of Bangladesh is a big power, which was proved once again.
Coming down heavily on the critics, the PM said they kept mum when the military dictators had come to power by rigging votes. “But now they question our democracy and election when we established democracy and the voting rights of the people.
“We’ve consolidated democracy,” she said, adding that the socioeconomic condition has improved, poverty rate declined and per capita income went up as the democratic trend has continued for a long time in the country.
The AL president expressed her gratitude to the people of Bangladesh as they voted for her party spontaneously.
Pointing at the BNP, she said they tried to prevent the voters from going to polling stations, but the government didn’t hinder their campaign.
“But the people of Bangladesh participated in this election, voted for Awami League and accepted this election overcoming hundreds of obstructions and fears…… the people cast votes spontaneously also in the rural areas,” she said.
Talking about Bangabandhu’s homecoming day, Hasina said his speech delivered on January 10, 1972 here in the erstwhile Race Course ground (Suhrawardy Udyan) is a historic document.
“The Father of the Nation in his speech gave all the guidelines over how an independent Bangladesh would run in future,” she said.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Qamrul Islam, among others, spoke at the rally.
Obaidul Quader on AL’s behalf greeted Sheikh Hasina with flowers as she is going to be the five-time prime minister through AL’s landslide victory in the January-7 general election.
On January 10, 1972 Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail during the country’s Liberation War.
BNP leader Fakhrul gets bail in 9 cases, 2 more cases pending
A Dhaka court on Wednesday granted bail to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in nine separate cases filed in the capital's Ramna and Paltan police stations.
Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sultan Sohagh Uddin passed the orders after hearing the petitions in the cases, Fakhrul’s lawyer Joynul Abedin confirmed.
People’s welfare is your highest responsibility: Hasina told newly elected AL MPs
Earlier, Fakhrul was shown arrested in nine separate cases filed with Paltan and Ramna police stations.
Lawyer Joynul Abedin said Fakhrul won’t be immediately released from the prison as he is yet to secure bail in the two more cases.
At least 11 cases were filed against Fakhrul in connection with the October 28 grand rally of BNP.
Of these, eight were filed with Paltan Police Station and three with Ramna Police Station.
Democracies have weaknesses, but they attain maturity only through practice: Foreign Ministry tells diplomats
On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice's residence during the BNP rally on October 28.
Apart from Fakhrul, 59 BNP leaders and activists, including standing committee member Mirza Abbas, were accused in the case.
Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then.
People won’t accept the Parliament elected amid voters’ boycott: Farroque
BNP Chairperson’s advisory council member Zainul Abdin Farroque on Wednesday described the newly elected 12th parliament as illegal since it was formed through an election without the participation of voters.
"We have said that people did not participate in this election. This election was neither fair nor acceptable. The world's largest democratic countries did not accept this election sans the participation of the voters. We think it is an illegal parliament of an illegal government,” he said.
People’s welfare is your highest responsibility: Hasina told newly elected AL MPs
Talking to reporters in front of the Jatiya Press Club while conducting mass contact, Farroque, also the opposition chief whip of the 9th parliament, said people will not accept the MPs of the new parliament as they did not elect them by their votes.
Earlier in the day, lawmakers elected in Sunday's polls, boycotted by BNP and other opposition parties, took oath as members of the 12th parliament. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered the oath to MPs-elect.
The Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, secured 222 seats, the Jatiya Party 11 seats, and the Workers Party, Jasad and the Bangladesh Kalyan Party bagged one seat each while the independent candidates took 62 constituencies.
A gazette notification was issued on Tuesday on the results of the 12th National Elections with details of 298 newly elected members of Parliament.
Farroque together with the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Matshajibi Dal distributed leaflets among the pedestrians and greeted them with flowers for boycotting the election.
"People boycotted the illegal elections. We’re thanking the people by giving them roses for not participating in the lopsided voting,” Farroque said.
Democracies have weaknesses, but they attain maturity only through practice: Foreign Ministry tells diplomats
He said the Awami League government carried out a shameful incident in the politics of Bangladesh on January 7 by showing over 40 percent voter turnout by its subservient Election Commission.
The BNP leader said the media reports and different documents suggest the actual voter turnout was not more than 4 percent. "The swearing-in ceremony of MPs of that election took place today. We completely reject it.”
He said the government that will be formed in this ‘illegal’ parliament will never be accepted by the people.
"We would like to tell the government that you have conducted a fake election without voters. (HM) Ershad also held elections in 1986 and 1988, but the people did not participate in those polls. You were in power by force. You won’t be able to run the government which was formed without the mandate of voters,” the BNP leader said.
He said the people of Bangladesh have woken up amid the violation of human rights in Bangladesh. “The BNP and like-minded parties are on the streets to establish democracy. Inshallah, we will be there on the streets and we’ll surely ensure the victory of democracy.”
People’s welfare is your highest responsibility: Hasina told newly elected AL MPs
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told her party’s newly elected MPs that their highest priority should be the welfare of the people.
“Therefore, every MPs will have to work for the people in their respective constituencies. You [MPs] will have to ensure that balanced development is done in their areas,” she said.
Myanmar says overwhelming support for AL reflects people’s trust in PM Hasina, her leadership
Hasina was addressing at the maiden meeting of Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) of the 12th Parliament at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. She spoke soon after she was elected the leader of the ALPP.
The meeting started at around 12:00pm and continued for around one hour.
“In her speech Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said democracy and people have won in the January 7 national election,” AL MP Tanvir Shakil Joy quoted Hasina as saying at the meeting.
She, however, didn’t say anything about who is going to be the opposition party in Parliament, Joy told reporters emerging from the ALPP meeting.
Canada-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group congratulates PM Hasina on election victory
In the ALPP meeting, AL MP Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was nominated as Speaker of the House, AL MP Matia Chowdhury was nominated as deputy leader of the House while Noor E Alam Chowdhury Liton was nominated as chief whip of parliament, Joy told reporters.
Jatiya Party wants to sit on the Opposition bench in Parliament: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman and newly elected Member of Parliament from Rangpur-3 Golam Mohammad Quader on Wednesday said he was in the opposition party and wants to stay the same.
“The feeling of coming to Parliament is always good. In that sense, it is a matter of pleasure to come to Parliament again,” he said.
Jatiya Party MPs will take oath later, as most of those elected still out of Dhaka
Just after he took oath as the MP, GM Quader was about the opposition party in the newly elected Parliament.
He replied, "I don't know exactly what the rule is. But we were in opposition, and want to be in opposition. We are public welfare oriented and we want to do what is good for the people.”
Referring to the protests in the party office over the alleged failure of leadership he said, these are pre-planned things.
“Some people are trying to tarnish our party's image. What had been done was done in consultation with everyone,” he said.
Responding to a question about the party getting fewer seats this time he said that things don’t remain the same all the time.
“This election was not the right election. In some cases it was good. But in most cases, our activists have been harassed in various ways and polling booths were captured,” he said.
Feni-3 JaPa candidate Masud served showcause notice for violating polls code
GM Quader also said that the election did not really reflect his party’s popularity or its base with the people.
Jatiya Party secured only 11 seats this time compared to 23 bagged in the 2018 election.
Sheikh Hasina re-elected Awami League Parliamentary Party leader for 4th time in a row
Sheikh Hasina was on Wednesday elected the leader of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) for the fourth time in a row.
The election means she will be the prime minister for the fourth consecutive time after she led her Awami League party to an absolute victory in the January 7 parliamentary polls.
Eradicating arson terrorism, ushering in the era of Smart Bangladesh new govt’s priorities: Info Minister
The newly elected lawmakers of the Awami League, under the leadership of party president Hasina, held a meeting at the Jatiya Sangshad and unanimously elected her as the leader of the ALPP on Wednesday soon after the oath-taking ceremony.
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader proposed the name of Hasina as the leader of the House which was seconded by Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, sources at the meeting said.
Will join parliament after taking oath to fulfill people’s expectations: GM Quader
Besides, Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury was re-elected the deputy leader of the ALPP while Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was chosen as the Speaker of the Parliament again.
The meeting also decided to nominate Shamsul Haque Tuku as deputy speaker of the parliament again.
'Citizens rejected the call to boycott elections': Hasan Mahmud
Meanwhile, Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton will retain the post of the chief whip of 12th Parliament, the meeting decided.
Eradicating arson terrorism, ushering in the era of Smart Bangladesh new govt’s priorities: Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today (January 10, 2024) outlined the primary challenges for Bangladesh’s new government. Key among these challenges are the eradication of arson terrorism and the advancement of the nation into a technologically sophisticated era.
Speaking after paying homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his historic Homecoming Day, Dr. Mahmud addressed the objectives of the new administration. “With the formation of the new government, our principal focus will be to root out arson terrorism and pave the way for a Smart Bangladesh,” he stated.
Read more: 'Citizens rejected the call to boycott elections': Hasan Mahmud
The information minister emphasized the pivotal role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “Our victory in the Liberation War on December 16 marked a significant milestone, but our independence was incomplete until January 10, 1972. This was the day when Bangabandhu, the Father of the Nation, returned to an independent Bangladesh,” he remarked.
Dr. Mahmud paid deep respect to Bangabandhu, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the martyrs, and the four national leaders, acknowledging their sacrifices in shaping the nation.
The minister also commented on the recent national election, noting the positive feedback from international observers. “Observers from the United States, the European Union, and various countries noted the smooth and fair conduct of the elections, marking a notable improvement from previous years,” he said. He also highlighted the international support received, with official statements from the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom expressing their willingness to work with the Bangladesh government. He mentioned congratulations extended by over 31 countries, including Japan, and personal well-wishes from leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Read more: Sheikh Hasina re-elected Awami League Parliamentary Party leader for 4th time in a row
Will join parliament after taking oath to fulfill people’s expectations: GM Quader
GM Quader, chairman of the Jatiya Party, expressed his commitment to fulfill the aspirations of the people and announced his intention to take oath and join the parliament at his residence in Senpara, Rangpur division on Tuesday.During a meeting with various MP candidates from Rangpur division on Tuesday evening, Quader stated, "Since we have participated in the elections, we will not step back from taking the oath at this moment. We will go to the parliament to speak for the people and work towards fulfilling their expectations."
Controlled election by govt won't be acceptable: GM QuaderHighlighting the integrity of the government in the current election, GM Wuader mentioned, "Where the government aimed to conduct a fair and impartial election, they have succeeded. However, in places where they aimed to win over the people, they have resorted to force and defeated our people."Regarding the meeting's agenda, the JP chairman said, "Many of the candidates of the Jatiya Party in Rangpur division were disheartened by the election results. Therefore, I sat with everyone, listened to their concerns, and collected written statements. These pieces of information will be used for future follow-ups."
GM Quader's wife stumbles in election racePresent at the meeting were JAPA Co-Chairman and Rangpur Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, JAPA Metropolitan General Secretary and Presidium member SM Yasir, and JAPA District General Secretary Haji Abdul Rajjak, among other leaders.
Jatiya Party being used as sacrificial lamb in polls : GM Quader