Politics
Koko’s 7th death anniversary observed
The seventh death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and current chairperson Khaleda Zia, was observed on Monday.
BNP and its associate bodies observed the day with various programmes.
Dhaka north city unit BNP arranged a Qurankhawani and special prayer session on Koko’s grave premises at Banani graveyard in the morning.
Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies paid homage to Koko by placing wreaths at his grave.
Also read: Koko’s wife returns to London
BNP arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office at noon seeking the eternal peace of Koko’s departed soul.
Besides, Dhaka north city unit of BNP organised special doa mahfil at its 26 thana units and distributed cooked food among the destitute and orphans.
Another doa mahfil was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 5pm.
Different associate and professional bodies of BNP and its city and district units also observed the day through various programmes across the country.
Also read: Khaleda’s son Koko ‘killed through torture’: BNP
On January 24, 2015, Koko died of cardiac arrest at the age of 45 at a rented house in Malaysia.
His body was brought back home on January 27 and buried at Banani Graveyard.
New bill a plot to form another EC with loyal people: BNP
BNP on Monday alleged that the new bill on the formation of the Election Commission (EC) has been formulated to constitute another Commission with people loyal to the government.
“The Prime Minister’s will be reflected on the Election Commission bill to be passed by the government without having elected representatives,” said party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
He also said the government has prepared the draft of the Bill to constitute another Election Commission like Huda-Rakib ones. “People’s hopes and aspirations will not be reflected on the new Election Commission.”
Also read: Law on EC formation after dialogue just another ‘joke’: BNP
The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of party founder Ziaur Rahman and current chairperson Khaleda Zia, by placing a wreath at his Banani grave, marking his 7th death anniversary.
Referring to a provision of the draft Bill allowing convicted persons to be the EC members, Rizvi said it means those who have committed atrocities in the last 14 years can be the members of the Commission.
“In fact, the government wants to appoint people loyal it as the EC members. They don't want to appoint any gentlemen,” he observed.
Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
The BNP leader alleged that the government hastily placed the Bill in parliament as part of a plot to manipulate the next general election.
He said the government is conspiring to constitute the search committee with the people of its own pockets.
“People who wear Mujib Coats will be there in the search committee of the government. This search committee will also find out the people who wear Mujib Coats,” he observed.
Earlier on Sunday, Law Minister Anisul Haq placed the draft Bill, “Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022”, in parliament and it was sent to the scrutiny committee for further examination.
As per the proposed law, a search committee will be formed taking approval from the President over the constitution of the Election Commission.
The search committee will recommend the names of suitable candidates before the President to appoint the CEC and other election commissioners,” the Bill says.
Rizvi alleged that Arafat Rahman Koko died due to torture by the government.
He urged the country’s people to pray for the members of the Zia family.
About the health condition of Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment in the city’s Evercare Hospital, he said she is still suffering from bleeding. “She's now at the crossroads of life and death for lack of advanced treatment.
Law on EC formation after dialogue just another ‘joke’: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday described the government’s move to enact a law on the formation of the Election Commission (EC) after the President's dialogue with political parties as just another 'joke'.
”Those who rule the country by force will pass a law. Then, a search committee will be formed as per the law. In other words, the search committee will give the president a list that will be provided by the Prime Minister,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the president will just announce the names of the chief election commissioner and other commissioners from that list.
Also read: Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
"So, it's just another joke to confuse people. The government had made a joke first by holding a dialogue with the political parties through the president,” he observed.
Ziaur Rahman Foundation arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 86th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
The much-talked-about Bill, “Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners Bill-2022”, will be placed in parliament on (Sunday) as the government wants to have a law in this regard as per the Constitution.
On Monday last, the Cabinet meeting approved the draft Bill.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has a strict stance on not joining any election under the current ‘illegal’ and ‘fascist’ government.
“So, the drama the government is staging now is pointless. There’ll never be a neutral and acceptable election under this regime, and no Election Commission can function independently under this government. The two last Election Commissions have left evidence of that,” he observed.
The BNP leader said Bangladesh’s image has been seriously dented globally only for lack of an elected government. “The current regime is fully responsible for it as they have been committing various misdeeds to hang onto power by force.”
He said it is now urgent to oust the current Awami League government from power to restore the country’s image by establishing a democratic government through a credible election under a non-party neutral administration.
Also read: Dialogue before EC formation just a mockery, says BNP
Big Warning
Mosharraf said the 12 international Human Rights (HR) organisations’ letter to the United Nations to ban Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from deploying the peacekeeping missions and the US stations on the elite force and its former and current officials are a big warning to the Awami League government.
Referring to the media reports, he said the UN has taken the rights bodies’ letter into its cognizance. “They (UN) will investigate the matter and take action.”
He said the government is failing to understand how it is being warned internationally only because of the arrogance of power.
Filing ‘fictitious’ cases now a regular matter: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the filing of ‘fictitious’ cases against their party leaders and activists and arresting them by the government has now become an order of the day.
“It seems to have become a routine exercise of the current government to file politically motivated fake and fictitious cases and arrest opposition leaders and activists, including those of BNP and its associate bodies, in a bid to remove them from politics,” he said.
In a statement, the BNP leader warned that aggrieved people can rush to the streets at any time to overthrow the present government.
The statement was issued protesting the arrest of two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila on Sunday night.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
Fakhrul said the current ‘authoritarian’ Awami League government, which ‘usurped’ power shamelessly through vote-rigging the night before the December-30 election, has now begun to rule the country in a completely fascist manner.
He alleged that the government has snatched the voting and democratic rights of millions of people by force to cling to power.
Fakhrul said BNP leaders and activists are being imprisoned with ‘false’ charges without any reason to turn Bangladesh into a country without any opposition party.
He said the arrest of two JCD leaders in Noakhali’s Senbagh Upazila is part of the government’s evil activities.
The BNP secretary general said the government has become ‘crazy’ to arrest and imprison the leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies in ‘fabricated’ cases to hush up its unprecedented failure to deliver on all fronts.
Also read: AL conspiring to rig votes again, alleges BNP
He said public resentment is now escalating as they want to eliminate all the misdeeds and misrule of the government.
The BNP leader demanded the government unconditionally release the arrested JCD leaders and withdraw the case filed against them immediately.
Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out elaborate programmes
BNP on Monday announced a two-day programme to observe the 86th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on January 19.
Party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a doa mahfil on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal’s Dhaka north city unit arranged the programme seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Gecretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife and the ailing leaders of the organisation, including its President Hasan Jafir Tuhin and General Secretary Shohidul Islam Babul.
The programmes include placing wreaths at Zia's grave, holding discussions and arranging free medical camps.
Also read: Families of disappearance victims being ‘forced to sign false statements’: BNP
As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19.
Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am.
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia.
Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office the same day.
BNP will also arrange a free medical camp at the same venue on January 20.
The party has taken steps for publishing special articles in national newspapers on the occasion.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions, a photo exhibition, and an essay competition as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
Also read: Covid surge: BNP rescheduled 32 rallies
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's 7th president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
3 more parties attend president’s EC dialogue
President Abdul Hamid held discussions with three political parties - Zaker Party, Bangladesh Kalyan Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) at Bangabhaban on the formation of an acceptable Election Commission (EC),
President's Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
Zaker party participated in the dialogue with the President at 6pm while a six-member delegation led by party chairman Mostafa Amir Faisal placed four-point proposals, including the enactment of electoral laws and forming a search committee comprising representatives of registered political parties to give the EC a neutral and acceptable manner.
They also proposed for using modern technology-block-chain system and e-voting system for ensuring a free, a fair and credible election.
Read: UP chairman takes oath on parole in Feni
At 7pm, Bangladesh Kallyan Party took part in the dialogue with the President with six-member delegation led by its Secretary General Abdul Awal Mamun.
They proposed to form an EC by issuing an ordinance if it is not possible to enact new law immediately.
The leaders also sought all-out cooperation of the Executives in EC activities and to ensure accountability of the Election Commission and the government in line with the Article 126 of the Constitution.
Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman joined the talks at 8pm.
They placed four proposals, including enacting timely law, forming EC in accordance with the Constitution and involving armed forces as a collaborating force in the electoral process.
Welcoming the delegations in the talks, the president said elections are an important process in a democratic manner and the role of the Election Commission is very important to ensure a free, fair and acceptable poll.
Read: Another Qwwali programme held at TSC to protest attack
The valuable opinions as well as recommendations of the political parties with regarding the formation of election commission would play a fruitful role, the Head of the State hoped.
Hamid sought a very proactive role of the country's political parties to create conducive environment in politics and motivate the voters to ensure fair and credible polls.
Ruling party Bangladesh Awami League will hold a dialogue with the President on January 17 at 4 pm, as the last party in the list.
The current EC's five-year tenure is set to expire on February 14.
Dialogue before EC formation just a mockery, says BNP
BNP on Monday alleged that the ongoing dialogue at Bangabhaban is nothing but a mockery before the formation of the Election Commission (EC) as per the political will of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“We used to see in the past hawkers telling lots of funny stories to attract people’s attention and sell different pills on trains and buses. The President is that type of hawker. He’s doing the same thing in the name of dialogue,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he also said the Prime Minister is staging a mockery through the President’s talks on the EC reconstitution only to mislead people and dodge them.
“Ultimately, the Election Commission will be formed reflecting the political will of the Prime Minister. Before that, they’re now just joking, making up a fascinating story like a hawker,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: DSA being used against opposition, dissidents: BNP
A faction of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of journalists jointly organised the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the immediate release of journalist leader Ruhul Amin Gazi.
On October 21, 2020, police arrested Ruhul Amin Gazi under the Digital Security Act.
Rizvi said the government has been doing whatever is necessary to perpetuate its power. “But it won’t work this time as the true colour of this regime is now being gradually exposed before the people of the world.”
He urged the Prime Minister to quit and release Khaleda Zia, Ruhul Amin Gazi and other political prisoners before time runs out fast. "Or else, you won’t be able to cover your face when everything of your government will be exposed.”
Former BFUJ president Shawkat Mahmud said journalists have been on a movement for nearly a year demanding the release of Ruhul Amin Gazi. “He has been kept in jail after arresting him in a false case.”
He said the current ‘unelected’ government has been repressing journalists as it does not believe in freedom of expression.
“We came to know that the government is going to enact a black law in the name of Journalist Protection Act, abolishing many rights of journalists. We would like to clearly say that the government can’t snatch journalists’ rights in the name of any law.”
Also read: Dialogue's focus on election 'manipulation', alleges BNP
Appointment of SC judges
Rizvi alleged that seniority has been ignored in elevating four High Court judges to the Appellate Division recently.
“Even a judge has been elevated to the Appellate Division superseding 19 judges. Because, they (govt) need their loyal people in the Appellate Division to reflect the political will of the Prime Minister. That’s why such illegal acts have been committed.”
On Sunday, President Abdul Hamid elevated the four High Court judges to the Appellate Division.
NCC election: Taimur removed from BNP chief’s advisory council
BNP on Monday pulled out Taimur Alam Khandaker from its chairperson’s advisory council as he is contesting the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election as an independent mayoral candidate defying the party decision.
Taimur was informed of the party’s action through a letter signed by party senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the afternoon without assigning any reason for removing him from the post.
On December 26 last, Taimur was also relieved from the post of convener of Narayanganj district unit BNP. He is, however, still the party’s primary member.
Contacted, Rizvi said Taimur’s name was withdrawn from the BNP chairperson’s advisory council as per the decision of party high command.
Also read: Govt faces collapse under weight of ‘misdeeds’: BNP
He declined to elaborate the reason behind the party’s punitive action.
A senior BNP leader, wishing anonymity, said their party has a decision not to join any polls under the Awami League government. “That’s why our party has long been boycotting local body polls. But Taimur Alam Khandaker didn’t comply with the party's decision.”
As Taimur has been there in the Narayanganj city polls race as an independent candidate, he said, their party has decided to withdraw him from an important post of party chairperson’s adviser.
Sought his comment on the party’s action, Taimur said, “I have the respect for the decision of the party…I welcome it. I earlier quit the election race in 2011 as per the party’s directives. I heard that a move was there in favour of the ruling party candidate. I think the action was taken against me this time as well for the same reason.”
Also read: Khulna’s Manju relieved from BNP position
He said he is now a candidate of the people of Narayanganj city. "Now I’ve no guardian. I’m guardian of myself and my people. I’ll remain there in the election race till the end.”
Taimur was made a member of the BNP chairperson’s advisory council after the party’s sixth national council held in March, 2016.
The Narayanganj City Corporation polls are scheduled to be held on January 16. Taimur is vying for the post of the mayor with the election symbol ‘Elephant’’.
Incumbent mayor Selina Hayat Ivy is contesting the polls with Awami League’s election symbol “Boat’.
Taimur was also there in the Narayanganj City Corporation polls in 2011 but he stayed away from the voting as per party decision at that time.
Govt faces collapse under weight of ‘misdeeds’: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Monday said the Awami League government is on the verge of collapse under the weight of its own misdeeds.
Speaking at a discussion, he also said a healthy atmosphere for holding credible elections will not be restored in the country as long as the current government remains in power.
"After being in government for so long, this government is now on the brink of collapse under the weight of its own misdeeds. They’re also under tremendous pressure internationally. Now it’s time for us to give it a push together with people,” he said.
The BNP leader called upon the people of all walks of life to create solid unity to establish a pro-people government by ensuring the fall of the current regime through a mass movement.
Also read: Dialogue on EC reconstitution nothing but a farce: BNP
Bangladesh South Asian Youth Research Center arranged the programme titled 'Human Rights Issues and the Image of Bangladesh' at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, voiced concern over the violence centring the 4th phase of Union Parishad elections. "You’ve seen the widespread violence, terrorist acts and clashes in the elections, resulting in losses of lives.”
He accused the current government of completely destroying the electoral system of the country. “It’s clear that democracy a fair electoral system won’t come back under this government.”
The BNP leader said there is no alternative to bringing a change in power to get rid of misrule of the current appalling situation of the country.
He bemoaned that Bangladesh is now being identified as a country of the worst dictator. “This is very unfortunate. The aspiration of the liberation war was a democratic Bangladesh. But now democracy has vanished. This regime has ruined democracy to cling to power as they did the same thing in the past.”
Also read: V Day: BNP criticizes govt for not remembering Osmani, Tajuddin, Zia
Mosharraf said human rights remain absent where there is no democracy in a country.
Reoffering to the recent US sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and its seven current and former top officials of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), he said it is a matter of shame that the sanctions were imposed on a law enforcement agency of the state for violating the human rights.
The BNP leader said the US sanctions have globally branded Bangladesh as a country without human rights.
He alleged that the government is violating the human rights of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia by not allowing her to receive treatment abroad.
Khulna’s Manju relieved from BNP position
BNP’s Khulna divisional organising secretary Nazrul Islam Manju has been relieved from the post for reportedly violating the party discipline.
Party’s assistant organising secretary Aninda Islam Amit has been made acting organising secretary of the division, said a letter issued by BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday.
A party leader said Monju held a press conference on December 14 and criticised the party senior leaders over the formation of a new committee of Khulna city unit BNP.
He said the party sent a show-cause letter to him two days later, but his reply was not satisfactory.
On December 9, BNP announced a partial committee of Khulna city unit making Shafiqul Islam Mona and Shafiqul Alam Tuhin convener and member secretary of it respectively, dissolving the Manju-led committee.
Manju was the president and Moniruzzaman Moni was general secretary of the previous committee.
At the press conference, Manju urged the party top leaders to reconsider the decision as he said many dedicated leaders were ignored in the new committee.
Contacted, Manju said a show-cause notice was served on him for violating the party discipline and he gave a reply to it. “I’ve been informed that the party high-ups were not happy with my reply to the notice. I think I’ve been treated unfairly and it’s an injustice to me. BNP has been given a 'reward' to keep it afloat for 44 years of my politics.”
He said a new committee of the party’s Khulna city unit was announced suddenly without consultation with those who have long been involved with the politics in the area.
“I neither protested nor challenged the party decision at my press conference. I just demanded the revaluation of the new committee,” he said.
He, however, said he will remain with the party till the last day of his life.