Politics
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.
Khaleda undergoes medical tests at Evercare Hospital
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia underwent some medical tests in the city’s Evercare Hospital on Wednesday.
She arrived at the hospital from her Gulshan residence around 5pm and stayed there for an hour, said her media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Also read: Khaleda Zia to go to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups today
He said the BNP chairperson underwent several tests at the hospital and then returned to her residence around 6:45pm.
Talking to reporters, the BNP chief’s medical board member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain 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.”
BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held in Dhaka
A prominent BNP politician wanted in connection with an arson attack in 2020 has been arrested.
Enamul Haque Mithu, additional deputy commissioner (Motijheel zone) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said that Ishraque Hossain was nabbed from Shapla Chattar in the Motijheel area at 11.30am Wednesday.
Read: Mismanagement behind submersion of haor areas’ crops: BNP
An arrest warrant was issued against the BNP leader in connection with the case filed over the arson attack some two years ago.
Khaleda Zia to go to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups today
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will visit Evercare Hospital in the capital this (Wednesday) afternoon for health check-ups.
"Madam [Khaleda] is scheduled to go to Evercare Hospital around 3pm today (Wednesday) for health check-ups as per the advice of her medical board,” Sayrul Kabir Khan, the BNP chief’s media wing member, told UNB.
Read: Public suffering reaches extreme stage: BNP
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.
Read: Govt doesn't interfere in judiciary: Quader
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.
Mismanagement behind submersion of haor areas’ crops: BNP
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday blamed the government's mismanagement and incompetence for the submersion of crops before harvest in unseasonal early flash floods caused by onrush of waters from upstream.
“Vast haor areas of Sunamganj, Kishoreganj and Netrokona in the country went underwater due to the onrush of upstream water. Boro crops are being damaged the most by the early flash flood,” he said.
Rizvi made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
“Hundreds of crores of taka were allocated for the construction of dams in the haor region. The ruling party leaders and relatives of the government high-ups have been given the responsibility for the construction of the dams. As they did not build dams in time, the people in the haor region are now being subjected to huge losses,” he said.
The BNP leader also said people in the haor areas are going through serious ordeals due to the flash flood as their houses too have become submerged.
Stating that different countries are facing a food crisis due to the ongoing Ukraine War and other global problems, Rizvi said this crisis may intensify in Bangladesh as a huge swathe of land with crops has been inundated by the flash flood.
READ: Public suffering reaches extreme stage: BNP
“Huge areas with crops are being submerged by untimely floods due to the incompetence and mismanagement of the government. Ordinary people's houses and crops are being damaged,” he observed.
He said the current government is least bothered about public suffering as it is indulging in anti-mass activities.
Rizvi called upon BNP leaders and activists to stand beside the affected people in the haor area with the necessary support to ease their sufferings.
Public suffering reaches extreme stage: BNP
Observing that people’s lives have become miserable in the country, BNP standing committee members have demanded the government step down immediately for its failure to control price hikes of the essentials.
At a virtual meeting, they also urged the government to repeal its decision to increase the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), said a press release signed by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday.
He said the BNP policymakers strongly criticised the government for its utter failure to control the market since the prices of daily necessities continued to rise unabated even during the holy month of Ramadan.
Also read: Govt using courts to subdue opponents: BNP
“The meeting felt that the prices of essential items are rising by leaps and bounds due to market manipulation by the government-backed various syndicates and extortion by police and the ruling party on the roads and highways,” he said.
Besides, Fakhrul said their policymakers viewed that the rise in transportation costs due to repeated hikes in the prices of fuel oil and gas also contributed to pushing up the prices of commodities.
“The suffering of the people has reached an extreme stage,” the BNP standing committee members told the meeting held on Monday.
Fakhrul said the meeting also observed that farmers, workers, lower-income people and small traders have been left in the lurch as the prices of all commodities, including rice, pulses, oil, salt, sugar, vegetables, fish and meat and gas, fuel oil and water because of greed and corruption of the government-backed traders.”
He said the meeting expressed deep concern over the recent suicide of two farmers of the Santal community in Rajshahi’s Godagari upazila due to the non-availability of an irrigation system in Barind region of the country that has been facing an acute shortage of water.
Stating that farmers also took their own lives on the same ground in the past, the BNP policymakers alleged that the government is failing to provide farmers with agricultural inputs, irrigation, fertilizers and seeds due to corruption and politicisation.
Also read: BNP hosts iftar for orphans, Islamic scholars
Fakhrul said their meeting strongly condemned and protested the government’s move to increase the prices o LPG. “The meeting felt that the price hike was made in an unreasonable manner to create business and profit opportunities for ministers and (the PM’s) advisor.”
The meeting demanded that the government immediately brings the prices of LPG to a tolerable level.
Govt doesn't interfere in judiciary: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said the government does not interfere in judiciary.
He made the remarks at a briefing at his residence this morning.
Also read: Padma Bridge opens for traffic in next June: Quader
"BNP leaders and activists will create terror, destroy people's wealth and peace, set fire to buses, fight on their own, and if the government takes action in the public interest, they will say they are being arrested in fake cases," he said.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina does not consider the political identity of culprits.
The government does not intervene even if the offenders are Al supporters, Quader said.
He said many leaders of her party had been arrested in the cleansing campaign.
Whenever the law enforcers arrest a criminal on a specific charge, the BNP makes false allegations, Quader said.
He further said that BNP always nurture criminal and corrupt elements as part of its politucal culture.
Also read: AL rebels in recent UP elections will face the music: Quader
The general secretary of the Awami League said that criminals or miscreants never work for any party's interest.
The BNP leaders are trying to hide their incompetence by blaming the government, he added.