Politics
Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the government's logic behind the increase in diesel and kerosene prices is ‘unacceptable’.
"How much irresponsible and isolated from people the current government is as it has taken such an inhumane decision (of increasing fuel prices). When the prices of diesel and kerosene were hiked in Bangladesh, neighbouring India has reduced their prices by Tk 5,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said increasing fuel prices on the international market is the reason the government showed behind its decision of raising the prices of diesel and kerosene.
“Why did you take the price of fuel higher when its price went down on the international market? You didn’t reduce the fuel price at that time as you stole that money. You’re again trying to make your pockets heavier by cutting the pockets of our people,” the BNP leader said.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units jointly arranged the programme at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the second death anniversary of undivided Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.
Read: Fuel price hike to benefit “looters”: BNP
Fakhrul said the prices of diesel and kerosene were increased by Tk15 overnight. “This is the sign of misrule of the current government.”
He said the LPG price has also been increased while the power tariffs have been repeatedly hiked in a year. “The price of electricity has jumped three to four times in a year. If you go to a kitchen market you will find it difficult to buy any commodity as the price of everything has gone up. ”
Referring to the transport strike in protest against the fuel price hike, the BNP leader said the bus fares and truck charges will now be enhanced by the transport owners which will ultimately push up the prices of all essential commodities like rice, pulses and sugar, in the kitchen market.
“The government is destroying the economy of Bangladesh in a planned way. It has already destroyed the politics of Bangladesh and the future of people,” he observed.
Fakhrul said though BNP has not been there in the Union Parishad polls, around 87 people have so far died due to violence unleased by the ruling party leaders and activists. “The election system has been completely destroyed.”
Read: Fuel price hike ‘illogical’: GM Quader
He recalled Sadeque Hossain Khoka’s outstanding contributions to the country and BNP. “He was a patriotic politician from head to toe.”
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of the price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Meanwhile, the price of private operators' liquified petroleum gas (LPG) was also increased to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (4 November) at the retail level.
Fuel price hike ‘illogical’: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Thursday alleged that the government has enhanced the fuel price ‘illogically’ as it will increase the costs of living further.
“Fuel prices have been hiked irrationally. If the fuel prices go up, the costs of production and transportation of goods will increase,” he said.
GM Quader, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, said people’s lives have already become unbearable due to the rise in commodity prices. “As the prices of fuel rise, people's lives will now become more miserable.”
Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, he also said the sufferings of people will only be mounted if the government runs the country with a business attitude.
GM Quader called upon the government to govern the country with the mentality of serving people instead of doing business.
He said the fuel prices have been increased with an excuse of rising oil prices in the international market. “Fuel prices were much lower on the international market during the corona period, but the fuel prices were not reduced at that time.”
Read: Private operators’ LPG: Price goes up again
The Jatiya Party chairman wanted to know where the money has gone that was earned during the low fuel prices in the international market.
He said fuel prices should be kept tolerable even by giving subsidies.
GM Quader also said Bangladesh ranks 124th out of 139 countries in the rule of law index. “We’re lagging behind in various international indexes. This is very unfortunate.”
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry and Prime Movers Owners and Workers Coordination Council called an indefinite nationwide strike from Friday in protest against the fuel price hike.
Leaders of the organization said the government raised the toll of Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge from 257 percent to 300 percent “illogically” on November 2 and then it raised the prices of fuel, said a press release.
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level.
Read: Fuel price hike: transporters to go on indefinite strike from Friday
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Meanwhile, the price of private operators’ liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has been raised to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (Nov 4) at the retail level.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price at a press briefing.
BNP extends support to transport strike
BNP on Thursday extended its support to nationwide transport strike called in protest against the fuel price hike.
“We extend our full support to transport strike as the government has raised the fuel prices amid the growing price hike of essentials,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Talking to reporters at his residence in the district town, he also said the current ‘unelected’ government has long been taking many anti-people decisions as per its whim since it has no accountability to people and parliament.
Also Read: BNP has no interest in EC formation under AL govt
“It (govt) is increasing the prices of all essentials and fuels to make the pockets of ruling party men heavier,” the BNP leader said.
He said the fuel prices have been increased to give the Awami League-backed oil and LPG importers a scope for making a quick buck.
Fakhrul voiced concern that the prices of all essentials will increase further with the increase in fuel prices.
“People are now going through serious sufferings to cope with the soaring prices of essentials. Their lives will become more miserable with the further hike in necessary goods,” he said.
The BNP leader also said the fresh fuel price hike will create huge pressure on the economy and many commodities will go beyond people’s buying capacity.
He alleged that the government is least bothered about public sufferings as it is not elected by their votes.
Also Read: AL-backed syndicates behind price hike, alleges BNP
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Truck-Covered Van, Tank Lorry and Prime Movers Owners and Workers Coordination Council called an indefinite nationwide strike from Friday in protest against the fuel price hike.
Leaders of the organization said the government raised the toll of Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge from 257 percent to 300 percent “illogically” on November 2 and then it raised the prices of fuel, said a press release.
On Wednesday, the government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene at the retail level.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) said the petroleum prices have been readjusted against the backdrop of price hike of petroleum on the international market.
Meanwhile, the price of private operators’ liquified petroleum gas (LPG) has been raised to Tk 1,313 per 12-kg container from Tk 1259 with effect from Thursday (Nov 4) at the retail level.
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new price at a press briefing.
BNP’s two-day programme marking ‘Nov 7’
BNP on Wednesday chalked out a two-day programme to observe what it calls “National Revolution and Solidarity Day” marking “civil-military uprising” on November 7, 1975’.
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office.
Read: BNP rules out possibility of any talks with govt
As part of the programme, he said, their party flag will be hoisted atop all the BNP offices across the country on the morning of November 7 while BNP leaders and activists will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late President and party founder Ziaur Rahman at 11 am.
The party will also arrange a discussion at Mohanagar Natya Mancha on November 6 to mark the day.
Besides, BNP’s associate bodies and all units across the country will hold various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, photo exhibition and publishing supplements in newspapers.
Read: None of those involved in Cumilla incident to be spared: Obaidul Quader
Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975 jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the path for Zia to come to power.
While BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the “National Revolution and Solidarity Day”, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of “civil-military revolution”.
Files not missing but concealed, alleges BNP
BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that 17 files have been concealed from the health ministry at the behest of the minister concerned to hush up the evidence of corruption.
“There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t understand as to why 17 files have gone missing. It seems to me that the Awami League leaders and ministers are trying to flee the country. So, 17 files have been concealed to remove documents (of corruption),” he said.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader also said the files have been removed as per the instruction of the health minister so that no one can know under any circumstances about how much money has been spent on “providing percentage”.
Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the soaring prices of daily essentials.
Also read: Harassment started ahead of election, alleges BNP
According to media reports, 17 files have recently gone missing from the Health Ministry's Medical Education and Family Welfare Division and a general diary has been filed with Shahbagh Police Station in this connection.
Rizvi alleged that the handloom and weaving industry is on the verge of destruction during the tenure of this government for lack of patronage.
The BNP leader said huge money has been misappropriated from the Labour Welfare Fund. “We demand from this human chain that a white paper be published on the embezzlement of money from the fund.”
He also criticised the government for what he said its failure to control the skyrocketing prices of the daily essentials.
Also read: Dhaka now a poisonous-gas chamber: BNP
“There’s no reason for increasing the prices of commodities. But Awami League leaders need a percentage from every place. To ensure this percentage, their syndicate, their looters have spread everywhere to make their pockets heavier,” the BNP leader said.
He said the ruling party leaders and activists are indulging in violence and bloodletting over the lopsided Union Parishad polls with an aim to plunder public money after becoming chairmen.
Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia is very sick, Rizvi urged the government to allow her to go abroad for advanced treatment.
BNP rules out possibility of any talks with govt
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said their party will not join any talks with the current government and not even any election under it.
“BNP won’t participate in any election under this administration. Even, our party won’t go for any discussion with it because we had joined talks and elections earlier, and the people of Bangladesh know the outcomes,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party will take part in the national election if it is held under a neutral caretaker government and discussions can be held only under it. “Before the formation of a neutral government, there’s no scope for any discussion.”
Also read: Dhaka now a poisonous-gas chamber: BNP
‘Antare Moma Shaheed Zia’, a platform of BNP arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club on communal harmony in the country.
Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said there is no government now in Bangladesh as no political party is now running the country with people’s mandates.
“Some corrupt politicians, businessmen and government officials have created a regime with their combined efforts and they snatched the rights of people of Bangladesh,” he alleged.
The BNP leader said the current regime even ‘snatched’ people’s rights to practice their religions after ‘taking away’ the voting rights, freedom of expression, press freedom, and the rule of law.
“They (AL) do the exact opposite of what they say. They talk about communal harmony, but they ruined the puja festival of the Hindu community, creating confusion and mistrust in society. Their activities have tarnished the country’s image and made our heads bow to the world,” he said.
The BNP leader said the constitution of Bangladesh has enshrined all citizens’ right to practise the rituals of their own religions. “We won’t allow communal harmony to be ruined in Bangladesh.”
Also read: Harassment started ahead of election, alleges BNP
He alleged that the government is not willing to punish those involved in the recent communal violence in the country. “Rather, they’re trying to oppress the opposition leader and activists by implicating them in the incidents.”
Khorsu said over 3,000 people of the Hindu community have been subjected to attacks and repression over the last nine years, but no trial of any of the incidents was held.
AL to observe Jail Killing Day Wednesday
Awami League and its associate bodies will pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four national leaders marking the Jail Killing Day on Wednesday.
A press release said the Awami League leaders and workers will pay homage by laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 on a limited scale following Covid-19 health guidelines.
Tributes will also be paid to the four national leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Capt. Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman. They all were gunned down inside Dhaka Central Jail, on November 3 in a second heinous attack three months after the gruesome killings of Bangabandhu and most members of his family on August 15, 1975.
Also read: Aug 15, jail killings prove conspiracy against independence, people: PM
It also said the party leaders and workers will place wreaths at the graves of August 15 martyrs and national leaders at the Banani graveyard.
As the grave of AHM Qamruzzaman among the four national leaders is in Kadirganj of Rajshahi, the ruling party also will also pay homage there, it added.
It also added that fateha , milad mahfil and special prayers, seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of martyred Bangabandhu, his family members and the four national leaders, will be arranged as part of the programme.
A similar programme will also be arranged at the grave of AHM Qamruzzaman in Kadirganj of Rajshahi.
Also read: Jail Killing Day observed
Besides, Dhaka north and south city unit Awami League, Mohila Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Cultural Alliance, and various political parties and social organizations will pay homage to the four national leaders by placing wreaths at their graves.
The party will arrange a discussion at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city at 11 am.
Khaleda’s biopsy report sent abroad for review: Dr Zahid
The biopsy report of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city, has been sent abroad for a review, said her personal doctor AZM Zahid Hossain.
“We’ve received madam’s (Khaleda’s) biopsy report and it has been sent aboard for a review,” Zahid told UNB on Monday.
He said the BNP chief is being treated in line with the biopsy report.
Zahid, however, declined to give further details about the results of the report. “We shouldn’t make any comment on the results now without having the review report.”
Also read: Khaleda doing well, says Fakhrul
He said Khaleda’s condition is a bit better now with normal temperature.
A senior BNP leader, wishing anonymity, said Khaleda’s biopsy report was sent to both the USA and the UK for a review to remove some confusion about the results.
On October 25, the BNP chief underwent a surgery and biopsy test at Evercare Hospital as she has a small lump in one part of her body.
Dr Zahid said the medical board at the Evercare Hospital gave the opinion that 76-year-old Khaleda needs treatment at a dedicated advanced centre abroad as she has been suffering from various health complications.
On October 12, Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital for the second time with fever and some other health complications.
Also read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but ‘out of danger’: Fakhrul
The BNP chief has been undergoing treatment under a medical board formed earlier. Her doctors said she has been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, ophthalmological and dental complications.
Her family applied to the government twice in May and August this year seeking permission to take her abroad for better treatment, but the government turned it down saying there is no scope for a convicted person to avail of such a scope.
On April 27, Khaleda was admitted to Evercare Hospital with Covid infections. She received treatment there until June 19 for post-Covid complications and some other underlying health problems.
Dhaka now a poisonous-gas chamber: BNP
BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday bemoaned that the major cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka, have become poisonous-gas chambers due to widespread pollution.
"The Prime Minister has gone to Glasgow. Wow! Dhaka has the highest rate of air pollution in South Asia. Dhaka, Chattogram and other cities of Bangladesh are now toxic-gas chambers. In fact, Bangladesh is a poisonous-gas chamber,” he said.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader also said the Prime Minister went to the Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, after destroying the trees, fish and water of Bangladesh. “How self-contradictory it can be!”
Also read: Harassment started ahead of election, alleges BNP
The Dhaka district unit of BNP arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the soaring prices of daily essentials.
Rizvi said all the opposition parties, environmentalists and civil society organisations opposed coal-fired power station at Rampal Upazila of Bagerhat near the Sundarbans, but the government has given permission to set up it.
He said the Prime Minister who is constructing the Rampal power plant to destroy the Sundarbans has gone to the world climate conference in Glasgow. “It’s like that an old woman wants to dance, but she doesn't know there’s no rhythm in her performance.”
On Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to Scotland as she embarked on a two-week visit to the United Kingdom and France to attend the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and other events.
Also read: Now ‘extreme anarchy’ everywhere: Fakhrul
‘Looters’ hiking prices
Speaking at the same progarmme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy alleged that the prices daily essentials are pushing up by the ruling party-backed plunderers despite having the adequate supply of goods.
"The prices of goods usually go up when there’s a scarcity or low production and low supply to the market. There’s now no shortage of goods and all items are there in the market, but their prices are high. When the supply of goods is sufficient, the prices of essentials are being hiked only in the interest of the Awami-looters syndicate,“ he said.
The BNP leader said common people are going through serious suffering due to the growing price hike of the daily essentials.
He alleged that people of no religion and community is now safe in the country as there is no democracy. “But the corrupt, bribe-takers and those who go to TVs and tell lies in favour of government are safe.”
Harassment started ahead of election, alleges BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the government has started arresting BNP leaders and activists and filing cases against them by creating different issues ahead of the next national election.
“As another national election looms, they (govt) have started filing cases against BNP leaders and activists, arresting them and extremely harassing them by creating different issues,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks at an emergency press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Also read: BNP ridicules AL's fair election desire
He claimed that police arrested their party’s around 20 leaders and activists from the house of a victim of enforced disappearance in the city’s Tejgaon area as part of the government’s plan to eliminate its opponents.
Fakhrul said a milad mahfil was arranged in the city’s Tejgaon area in the afternoon seeking ailing BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery where Dhaka north city unit BNP leaders and the family members of some victims of enforced disappearance were present.
After the programme, he said Dhaka north city unit BNP leaders, including its convenor Amanullah Aman and member secretary Aminul Haque, went to the house of enforced disappearance victim Sajedul Islam Sumon to see his ailing mother in Shaheenbagh area.
”But police suddenly encircled the house and swopped on BNP leaders and activists. They arrested around our 20 leaders and activists,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government has been repeatedly filing cases against opposition leaders and activists, arresting and killing them. “It can never be called a democratic system. It’s a terrible fascist system.”
“The same incidents are reported from across the country and BNP leaders and activists are being barred from holding political programmes in the name of permission,” the BNP leader said.
He said the government wants to create a situation where no opponent will remain during the next national election. “They’re also doing it to resist those who’re doing politics actively and capable of running the election or joining the movement for the restoration of the caretaker government.”
Fakhrul said the government is not willing to allow BNP to join the national election under any circumstance. “We’ve already said we won’t go to the election if the current political situation continues. BNP won’t join the polls without a polls-time caretaker or neutral government.”
The BNP leader said Awami League has squeezed democratic space since it revoked the caretaker government system in 2012 and initiated a process of depoliticisation in a planned way. “Especially they’re moving ahead with a blueprint to eliminate BNP.”
Also read: Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
He said police attacked BNP leaders and activists on September 1 near their party founder Ziaur Raman’s grave without any provocation and filed cases against many leaders and activists of their party.
Fakhrul said the government also filed cases against around 10,000 people over the recent ‘planned’ communal violence. “They’re inciting violence, but filing cases against BNP leaders and activists.”
He demanded the government release the arrested BNP leaders and activists and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against them.