Politics
Huge amount of money being siphoned abroad from mega projects: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that thousands of crores of taka are being plundered from mega projects in the country and siphoned off abroad.
“Taral gas-e garal hisab (anomalies in LNG) is the headline in a newspaper today (Sunday). If you read the report, you will be shocked to learn how so many thousands of crores of taka are being taken out. Already Tk11,610 crores have gone from Maheshkhali’s floating LNG terminal,” he said.
Speaking at a cover unveiling ceremony of a reprinted book of Maulana Bhasani titled “Mao Zedong er Deshe” at the Jatiya Press Club, the BNP leader said there is now nothing in Bangladesh, except plundering and exploitation in every sector. “
“If you investigate all these (mega) projects, you’ll find that thousands of crores of taka are being taken away. Such a terrible situation is now there in the country," he observed.
Also read: Govt must be ousted to end enforced disappearance, repression: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the nation must find a way to get rid of the current dreadful situation in the country. “First of all, we have to establish our rights. As a liberal democratic party, we believe in elections. A free and fair and neutral election must be held in the country.”
"Dr Akbar Ali Khan does not do the politics of BNP. He yesterday (Saturday) said the election would not be fair without a caretaker government. It's not just his opinion as many people think like that,” he observed.
Fakhrul said it is now necessary to forge unity to create a mass upsurge for establishing all the lost rights and ensuring the fall of the current regime.
He said the people of Bangladesh are now going through immense suffering due to the misrule of the Awami League government. “People want to get rid of this pain.”
The BNP secretary general questioned why Awami League does not recognise the role of Maulana Bhasani in the country and the party. “Maulana Bhasani was the founding president of Awami League. But they (AL leaders) do not recognise him even once.”
Stating that Maulana Bhasani dedicated his entire life to the welfare of the poor, helpless and hardworking people of Bangladesh, he proposed setting up a Maulana Bhasani Foundation to commemorate the contributions of the great national leader.
Also read: BNP won’t join next polls on foreigners’ advice: Mosharraf
Fakhrul bemoaned that there is no other name, except one person, in the textbook for school children. “It means no one, except one person, has the contributions to the independence, the struggles and the changes in people’s lives in the country.“
Govt must be ousted to end enforced disappearance, repression: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the current Awami League government must be ousted through a mass movement to end enforced disappearances and repressive acts.
“It’s now a proven fact that they (missing BNP leaders and activists) were picked up by members of the law enforcement agencies. That's why the US has imposed sanctions on the RAB and its current and former officials,” he said.
Speaking at an iftar party, the BNP leader also said the existence of Bangladesh will be at stake if the current government is not overthrown from power.
“There’s no alternative to establishing a pro-people government by dislodging the current monstrous regime to get rid of repression and the incidents of killing and enforced disappearance. We have to do it through a mass movement,” he observed.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the programme at Dhaka Ladies Club in the capital’s Eskaton area. Fakhrul together with senior leaders of BNP, Krishak Dal and other political parties took iftar with the family members of the victims of enforced disappearance at the programme.
On behalf of the Krishak Dal, eid gifts were also given to 50 family members of the victims of enforced disappearances.
BNP won’t join next polls on foreigners’ advice: Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday said their party’s participation in the next general election will depend on people’s decision, not on the advice of foreigners.
"Our Foreign Minister has requested the US to bring BNP to polls. We think the election will be held in Bangladesh and people here will suggest whether BNP will go to the polls or not,” he said.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party will go to the polls only when people gain confidence that there will be a fair and neutral election in the country and they will be able to vote with their own hands, not through machines. “But we won’t join the polls on the advice of foreigners.”
He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the members of the newly formed committee of Sylhet district BNP.
Also read: Cell formed to convict BNP leaders ahead of next polls, alleges Fakhrul
The BNP leader said there has never been a fair election under the government, nor will there be in the future.
He said it is not possible to overcome the country’s political problems by seeking America’s favour for ensuring BNP’s participation in the election. “Resignation of the government and holding the election under a non-partisan government is the only way to get a solution. “
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen recently briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh’s “transparent and independent” election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
“Bring them (BNP) to the election process to follow the rules and procedures of the country,” he told Blinken during their bilateral meeting at the US Department of State.
Mosharraf criticised the foreign minister for what he said tarnishing the country’s image by currying favour with the USA. “The foreign minister played a subservient role in the USA. He even belittled himself by saying that America gave him shelter when he had no place to stay and eat. ”
He said the Foreign Minister’s statements during a bilateral meeting with Blinken have exposed how weak the government has become.
Also read: Govt starts new game of subduing opposition: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the country is now grappling with so many problems, including widespread corruption, extortion, enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killings, and repression and soaring prices of essential items, as there is no democracy and people’s voting and other rights. “The autocratic government has failed to solve all these problems.”
Govt starts new game of subduing opposition: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government has started a 'new game' of subduing its political opponents ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
"As the election draws near, the government has started resorting to a new game with false cases. They're trying to play a game in the name of election. They want to overcome the electoral hurdle by holding a lopsided election after arresting the opposition leaders and activists in false cases,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a rally organized by Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the soaring prices of daily essentials.
Read: No need to appease any one to stay in power: Quader
Fakhrul denounced the arrest of their party leader Ishraque Hossain from the city’s Motijheel area in a ‘false’ case while distributing leaflets against the price hikes in commodities.
He said the prices of essential items have skyrocketed due to the government’s failure to monitor the market.
"The price of every commodity has gone up while corruption is rampant in every economic sector. This is completely a failed regime and it is badly harming the country,” he observed.
The BNP leader slammed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for advising people to use pumpkin as an alternative to eggplant for making ‘Beguni’. "We can't afford to buy a cucumber and an eggplant during this month. It’s regrettable when the Prime Minister gives us a new recipe for making ‘Beguni’ with pumpkin."
He said the ruling party leaders are making undamaged comments having failed to ensure affordable prices of rice, pulses, eggplant, cucumber and other items. "The government is using the whole state system to make a handful of people rich."
About the current outbreak of diarrhoea in Dhaka city, the BNP secretary general said, the country is now witnessing the worst diarrhoea outbreak in 62 years. “Why’re so many patients now. Because, every tap water (supplied by Wasa) of Dhaka city is polluted. The water in the (Wasa’s) line smells bad and carries bacteria. That’s why 1400-1500 diarrhoea cases are being recorded every day.”
Read: Govt hobnobs with foreigners to get rid of own misdeeds: BNP
Fakhrul described Dhaka Wasa MD Taksim A Khan, who has been there in the same post for over 10 years, as the highest-paid government official. “Attempts were made to remove him several times, but he could not be removed as he is the favourite person of the head of the government.”
He said the government has kept incompetent persons in important posts of different institutions.
No need to appease any one to stay in power: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Friday said the AL government doesn’t need to curry favour with anyone to stay in power.
“The (next general) election will be held on time in accordance with the country's constitution. It is not the responsibility of the government to bring anyone in the election,” he said.
Also read:Govt doesn't interfere in judiciary: Quader
The AL general secretary said this in a statement issued to condemn and protest the ‘baseless’ and ‘fabricated’ remarks of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Fakhrul on Thursday alleged that the government is hobnobbing with foreigners to save itself from its own ‘misdeeds.’
He said Bangladesh Awami League believes that people are the source of all power. And AL is an invincible force of emotion and undivided feeling in the heart of the people of this country, which is historically proven.
“The Awami League government does not need to curry favour with anyone to stay in power. Bangladesh Awami League knows that people's love and support is needed to do politics,” said Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister.
But the power-crazy, BNP, was established through killings, coups and conspiracies and it has done nothing for the welfare of the people since its inception, said the AL leader.
"We would like to say firmly that Bangladesh Awami League or Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has no lord abroad," he said adding that the AL government guides the foreign policy in line with the cornerstone of Bangabandhu’s foreign policy.
He said the interest of the people of Bangladesh is the main consideration. Bangabandhu’s daughter has repeatedly been the victim of conspiracies due to her uncompromising attitude to protect the welfare of the people or the interest of the country, he added.
On the other hand, their leader is living a lavish life by siphoning money off the country and fleeing abroad. “By selling the interests of the country and appointing lobbyists abroad, they want to seize power by any means in the connivance of local and foreign circles,” said Quader.
Also read:Padma Bridge opens for traffic in next June: Quader
About the polls, the AL leader said the entire responsibility of conducting elections lies with the Election Commission as per the law.
“We expect that all the political parties, who believe in the democratic spirit, will participate in the elections and the BNP will avoid the path of conspiracy and engage itself in the politics of public welfare,” he said.
Quader said the AL is committed to upholding the democratic spirit under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina by any means and is ready to give strong response to any conspiracy.
Cell formed to convict BNP leaders ahead of next polls, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government has formed a cell to promptly convict their front-ranking leaders across the country in 'false' cases ahead of the next general election.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said the government is trying to wipe out BNP by using, the police, judiciary, and the state machinery to hold a lopsided election as it did in 2014.
“Seven of our leaders and activists were sentenced to two years in jail each in a false and fictitious case filed with Mugda Police Station in 2013. It’s happening all over the country,” the BNP leader said.
Read: Govt hobnobs with foreigners to get rid of own misdeeds: BNP
He said they have heard that the government has made a list of BNP’s important leaders in different districts. “A cell has been formed to quickly dispose of the cases against those front-ranking leaders.”
Fakhrul said the conviction of seven BNP leaders in a ‘fabricated’ case of Mugda Police Station has proved that the judiciary cannot work independently.
He alleged that the government has again started following its old style to eliminate BNP leaders and activists by arresting, harassing, and intimidating them with false cases ahead of the next general election. “This is a crime against humanity and also a crime against democracy. “
The BNP leader said the government is also trying to suppress other opposition parties like the left ones by filing cases against them and letting loose police as they came up with political programmes against price hikes in essentials.
“They (govt) are trying to make the election field empty as they did it before the national election in 2018 and 2014,” he said.
Fakhrul condemned the arrest of their party leader Ishraque Hossain from the city’s Motijheel area in a ‘false’ case while distributing leaflets against the price hike of essentials.
He said police tortured BNP leaders and activists, lobbed teargas shells and opened fire on them while arresting Ishraque and taking him to a Dhaka court. “But police now filed a case against 88 main leaders of Dhaka south city unit BNP with the same intention to subdue the government’s opponents.”
Read: BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held in Dhaka
The BNP leader said the ruling party leaders used to talk about democracy and a fair election while the government is trying to eradicate the opposition leaders and activists.
He said the new Chief Election Commissioner has been holding talks with different sections of people and making various statements about a credible election. “These all are dramas as part of the ruling party’s move to hold another election and manipulate its results like in the past”
Fakhrul said the ruling party will come up with a new strategy to manipulate the next polls. “The next election may not be held the night before the voting like the last polls. It may be held seven days before the voting this time.”
He criticised the Inspector General of Police and the DMP commissioner for making political statements against BNP and its leaders. “The way the servants of the republic talk it gives us an impression that we’re not living in a civilized country.”
Govt hobnobs with foreigners to get rid of own misdeeds: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government is currying favour with foreigners to save itself from its own "misdeeds"
"Awami League has been there in power by committing all misdeeds and now it’s trying to appease the foreigners for survival," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government has got unnerved as its various misdeeds are getting exposed to the global community while the US imposed sanctions on the Rab and its some current and former officials.
Read: FM’s comment on election proves AL seeks foreigners’ favour
“That’s why they’re now currying favours with foreigners in this way,” he observed.
BNP arranged the programme at a city hotel marking the World Health Day that is being observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe.
Referring to the Bangladesh Foreign Minister's recent meeting with the US Secretary of State, Fakhrul said the government is now running after the US as the national election is nearing.
“They’re going to the US and telling their Secretary of State to help them to bring BNP to the polls…but these people used to say whether we seek favour from foreigners and work with their help.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh’s “transparent and independent” election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
“Bring them (BNP) to the election process to follow the rules and procedures of the country,” he told Blinken during their bilateral meeting at the US Department of State.
Fakhrul said it is regrettable that the basic rights of the country’s people are not ensured even after 50 years of independence.
Read: BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held in Dhaka
He said the country’s health sector has been completely destroyed due to widespread corruption by the government.
“This government has no accountability to the people since it is not elected by people. Whenever Awami came to power it betrayed people, “the BNP leader said.
He said the main goal of the current government is to make money by indulging in corruption.
“They’ve made money in the name of corona tests and treatment at different hospitals and clinics. We saw that vaccines were brought from India at three-four times higher prices to benefit a person. The entire health system has been ruined only to benefit government-backed people,” Fakhrul alleged.
BNP seeks explanation as 'Shawkat Mahmud holds rally ignoring party decision'
The BNP on Wednesday sought an explanation from its vice-chairman and journalist leader Shawkat Mahmud for holding a rally in the city ignoring the party's decision.
A letter, signed by the party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, asked Shawkat to give an explanation for his action within five days.
On March 27 last, a rally was held in front of the National Press Club under the banner of "Professional Society," demanding that the government check the surge in prices of essential items, restore democracy and release BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies joined the programme under the leadership of Shawkat.
READ: Mismanagement behind submersion of haor areas’ crops: BNP
A recent meeting of BNP's standing committee decided to take organisational action against Shawkat for arranging such a programme without the party's permission.
A senior BNP leader told UNB that Shawkat can be expelled by the party high command if he fails to come up with a satisfactory explanation.
Earlier in December last year, the party issued a show-cause notice to Shawkat Mahmud for violating the party discipline by staging a sudden demonstration in the city by "misguiding" party leaders and activists.
FM’s comment on election proves AL seeks foreigners’ favour
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the foreign minister’s request to the US secretary of state for bringing BNP to the next polls has exposed that it is Awami League, not BNP, seeks foreigners' favour.
“It’s unfortunate that our foreign minister during a meeting with the US secretary of state has sought America’s favour to bring BNP to the election for the sake of democracy in Bangladesh,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader used to accuse BNP of lodging complaints to foreigners. “But now their minister has sought US’s favour in public sitting in America. “So, it’s now become clear that it’s Awami League which go to foreigners for getting favour and blessings.”
Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh’s “transparent and independent” election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
READ: People left in the lurch even during Ramadan: Fakhrul
“Bring them (BNP) to the election process to follow the rules and procedures of the country,” he told Blinken during their bilateral meeting at the US Department of State.
Fakhrul urged the ruling party to free Khaleda Zia, withdraw political cases against their party leaders and activists and hand power to a neutral government for a credible election with BNP’s participation instead of seeking the US’s favour.
He slammed Obaidul Quader for his failure to ensure discipline and security on the roads. “He holds press conferences in very fine language every day. But his ministry has failed miserably to provide road safety across the country, including in Dhaka.”
Fakhrul also criticised the government for arresting BNP leader Ishraque Hossain in a ‘false’ case.
“The government is removing those who are fighting for democracy in the field. They’re being sent to jail on false charges so that they cannot register their protest,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government has started making all arrangements for holding the next election without opposition parties like 2014’s ones.
He alleged that the people of Bangladesh are going through a critical juncture as the government has snatched their all rights.
Fakhrul called upon people of all walks of life to get united to get rid of the current situation of the country and establish a pro-people government ousting the Awami League regime.
Ailing Khaleda Zia seeks prayer for recovery: Dr Zahid
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia urged the country’s people to pray for her as she is still sick, her medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said on Wednesday.
“The reality is that she (Khaleda) is ill. She underwent several tests. Please, you all pray for her recovery. She herself urged people to pray for her,” he said.
Talking to reporters in front of Khaleda’s Gulshan residence in the evening, Zahid bemoaned that some people make fun of the BNP chief's illness. “The Almighty Allah can only give them the ability to understand the fact. If she hadn't been sick now, why would she have needed medical checkups? "
He said the person who went to Alia Madrasa ground walking on foot, has now become wheelchair-bound. “How well is she when she has to now move in a wheelchair? ”
READ: Khaleda undergoes medical tests at Evercare Hospital
Dr Zahid said Khaleda Zia was taken to the hospital for some tests as per the advice of the medical board. “The medical board will decide on the next course of her treatment after reviewing the test reports.”
He said the medical board formed in the Evercare Hospital for the treatment of the BNP chief feels she needs to go abroad for advanced treatment. “But the government is not allowing her to go there.”
Earlier, Khaleda arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 5pm and stayed there for an hour, said her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
He said the BNP chairperson underwent several tests of her kidney, heart and liver at the hospital and then returned to her residence around 6:45pm.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung and eye problems.
She was last admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 13 last year where she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On February 1, she returned home after an 81-day stay in the hospital as she was suffering from internal bleeding caused by the liver cirrhosis problem.
Khaleda was sent to the Old Dhaka Central Jail as a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case on February 8, 2018. Later, she was found guilty in another corruption case the same year.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government temporarily freed Khaleda Zia from jail through an executive order suspending her sentence on March 25, 2020, with conditions that she will stay in her Gulshan house and will not leave the country.