Politics
Sirajganj-5: BNP expels 5 leaders for taking part in election campaign of independent candidates
The BNP has expelled its five local leaders for campaigning in favour of two independent candidates for Sirajganj-5 constituency in the 12th parliamentary elections.
The punitive action was taken against the party leaders by issuing press releases, signed by BNP senior joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday.
Read: BNP’s leaflet distribution, mass contact extended till Thursday
The suspended leaders are: Abdur Razzak Mandal, former general secretary of Belkuchi upazila unit BNP, Jahangir Alam, former general secretary of Chauhali upazila unit BNP, former vice-president Babul Sarkar and member Yunus Shikder and Enayetpur thana unit BNP convener Md Nurul Islam Master.
According to the release, Razzak Mandol was suspended for participating in election campaign for independent candidate Abdul Latif Biswas's Eagle while four other leaders were expelled for doing electioneering in favor of independent candidate Major (retd) Abdullah Al Mamun’s Kanchi symbol.
Cast votes on January 7 to foil BNP-Jamaat arsonists: PM Hasina at Kalabagan rally
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the people to give a befitting reply to arson violence, BNP and Jamaat by casting their votes in the January-7 general election.
“Don’t only cast your vote, but also protect your vote. Give a befitting reply to arson violence, militant and terrorist BNP and Jamaat,” she said.
Also read: Changes are being made in curriculum to keep pace with world: PM Hasina
The AL chief said this while addressing an election rally, arranged jointly by AL Dhaka City South and North units at Kalabagan Krirachakro Field in the city’s Dhanmondi area.
She asked the people of Bangladesh to stay vigilant always against arsonists BNP and Jamaat as they want to destroy the country.
“BNP and Jamaat want to snatch your votes in the upcoming election by resorting to arson violence,” she said.
The PM urged the voters to go to polling stations and cast their votes in the morning on January 7 so that none can snatch away their voting rights and election.
Alleging that BNP is habituated to rig votes, she said the party is now boycotting the election as it can’t steal votes.
Also read: PM Hasina seeks votes from first-time voters to continue progress
“They don’t want to run in the election, rather want to spoil election…..But they don’t have so much courage to stop the election. They won’t be able to do so,” she went on.
She referred to the BNP’s poor performance in the 2008 election, Hasina said many people had earlier thought that BNP is a very strong party and would secure more seats or equal to Awami League’s in that election.
"But in reality, the people rejected them for their looting, militancy, terrorism and rise of Bangla Bhai and corruption,” she said.
The AL president said BNP boycotted the 2014 election and did poorly in the 2018 election due to its nomination business.
“We heard he (Tarique) makes money by playing casino that means gambling,” she said, alleging that he uses the money to create anarchy and arson violence again in Bangladesh.
Dhaka-19: 3 AL supporters arrested for vandalising election camp of independent candidate
Police on Sunday night arrested three supporters of AL candidate for Dhaka-19 (Savar-Ashulia) seat Dr Enamur Rahman in a case filed for attacking the supporters and vandalising election camps of Independent candidate Muhammad Saiful Islam.
The arrestees are Jahid Bhuiyan, 25, Russell Commander, 32, and Johnny Dewan, 30.
Read: Rajshahi-4: 15 injured as AL supporters attack independent candidate's procession
Police arrested them from the East Narsinghpur area of Ashulia around 10pm on Sunday, Investigation Officer Sub-inspector Sheikh Abul Hasan of Ashulia Police Station, confirmed.
The other accused of the case are UP member Jalil Uddin alias Rajon Bhuiyan, 33, his younger brother Rakib Bhuiyan, 28, Saiful Islam, 35, Palsar Masud, 34, Rony Dewan, 25, Emon, 35, Nizam, 32, Aman, 40, and 25/30 unidentified people.
They all are residents of East Narsinghpur of Ashulia Police Station and supporters of Enamur Rahman.
According to the case statement, Aminul Islam, a supporter of independent candidate Mohammad Saiful Islam, set up an election camp in the area.
Read: AL candidate for Cumilla-3 served show-cause notice for 'donating money'
Around 8:30 pm on December 31, supporters of AL nadidate led by Rajan Bhuiyan started to vandalize the camp with local weapons.
When local Sramik League leader Sanaullah Bhuiyan Sunny and some other supporters of the independent candidate went there and tried to stop them, AL men attacked them, leaving three people injured.
Later, the attackers also vandalized two more camps of Independent candidates (with electoral symbol truck).
Efforts are on to arrest the other attackers, added the police officer.
BNP’s leaflet distribution, mass contact extended till Thursday
The BNP on Monday further extended the ongoing mass contact and leaflet distribution programme for three more days until Thursday.
Speaking at a virtual press briefing, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the fresh programme, which is meant to drum up public support in favour of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election and not cooperate with the Awami League government.
Read: BNP extends mass contact, leaflet distribution by 2 days till Monday
"Our mass contact and leaflet distribution programme is going on across the country. The BNP and like-minded parties will again observe the mass contact and leaflet distribution programme from Tuesday to Thursday,” the BNP leader said.
Rizvi called upon the opposition leaders and workers to make the programme a success with their spontaneous support.
Earlier on Saturday, the party extended the mass contact and leaflet distribution programme until Monday.
On December 24, the party announced a three-day mass contact and leaflet distribution programme beginning on December 26. Later, the programme was extended twice until January 1.
The BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.
Read: BNP leaders Altaf, Hafizuddin jailed in sabotage case
Its movement lost its momentum following clashes with law enforcers centring the party’s grand rally on October 28 as many senior leaders, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers.
However, the BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days in four spells since October 29.
Finally, the opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.
BNP hopes democracy will be 'restored' peacefully in 2024
BNP Standing Committee Member on Monday Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan expressed hope that democracy would be 'restored' in Bangladesh in a 'peaceful process' in 2024.
Talking to reporters on the premises of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, he also said that the BNP would be stronger with the support of the people in the days to come.
A neighbouring country meddling into Bangladesh national polls: Rizvi
"We turned down the farce that is being staged for a fake and bogus election. We, together with the people, also rejected this one-party government,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the current government has been in power using the power of bullets and state machinery, not by the power of the people.
“We’ll bring back democracy in Bangladesh not using the power of bullets, not by the power of police batons, not by the power of tear gas, not by the power of sound grenades. We’ll do it in a peaceful process by the power of people. That's what we hope for in the new year," the BNP leader said.
Dr Moyeen together with some leaders and workers of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) paid homage to Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave, marking the 45th founding anniversary of the BNP’s student body. Ziaur Rahman founded the JCD on January 1, 1979.
He said the leaders and activists of the JCD and the BNP would remain on the streets until democracy is restored in Bangladesh.
The BNP leader said the government and the Election Commission would hold a fake election on January 7.
“You have seen that the government has already messed up everything with its efforts to hold polls. Even, the candidates from their own alliance and pet opposition party are criticising this election. So, we don't need to say anything about it," he said.
BNP urges people to foil ‘farcical game’ in the name of polls
Dr Moyeen said the government has already held the election by determining who would be the MPs in 300 seats.
“So this is a fake election... no public representative will be the MPs as it will be a selection. The Election Commission will announce the predetermined results on January 7. The voting on January 7 has now become meaningless,” he observed.
Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the Awami League government has already killed democracy. “They now want to bury democracy by holding a dummy election on January 7.”
He made the remarks while distributing leaflets in the capital’s Kafrul area.
The BNP leader said the government’s dream of hanging onto power by holding another farcical election would not be materialised this time.
“The majority of the people of the country rejected this dummy election. None of the voters will go to the polling stations on January 7,” he said.
Don't be part of dummy election meant to extend AL's illegal power: BNP
As part of their countrywide programme, Rizvi along with leaders and workers of the BNP and its associate bodies distributed the leaflets, containing the party’s call for boycotting the upcoming polls.
Many other Leaders of the BNP and like-minded opposition parties also distributed leaflets in different areas of the capital calling upon people to boycott the election.
END/UNB/ARJ/JA
PM Hasina to address election rally in Faridpur Tuesday
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will address an election rally in Faridpur town on Tuesday.
Local administration has taken all necessary preparations as the AL chief is scheduled to address the rally on Government Rajendra College premises in Faridpur district town at 3 pm.
A temporary podium was made at the east side of the Government Rajendra College field.
HC orders IGP to inform whereabouts of 2 BNP leaders missing in Bogura
A festive mood has been prevailing among the leaders and activists of Awami League ahead of the party chief’s visit, said Shah Md Ishtiaque Arif, general secretary of Faridpur district unit AL.
Security has been beefed up in the town centering the rally.
Separate sitting arrangements were made for male and female supporters while a cleanness drive was conducted in the district town, said the AL leader.
Besides, roadside trees and the rally venue have been painted.
There will be a gathering of around one lakh people, Ishtiaque hopes.
President of district unit AL and also boat candidate for Faridpur-3 constituency Shamim Haque will preside over the rally.
Govt is not harassing anyone on political grounds: Momen
The AL-backed candidate from three other constituencies in Faridpur will also be present there.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Faridpur on March 29, 2017 and addressed a public rally at the same venue.
Local AL leader arrested with firearm in Chattogram
Detective Branch (DB) of police arrested a local Awami League leader with a firearm from Maghdhara area in Chattogram’s Sandwip upazila early Sunday.
The arrestee was named as Rabiul Alam Samir, 38, general secretary of Magdhara union Awami League unit of the upazila .
Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Sandwip Police Station said, police conducted a drive around 2am and arrested Rabiul Alam from his house.
Rabiul Alam was an accused in a case filed over the attack on police on December 24, added the OC.
At that time, police also recovered a local shutter gun and three rounds of bullets from his possession.
A case was filed against him under the Arms Control Act, said the OC adding that he was sent to court.
Efforts are on to arrest the other accused in the case, he added.
On December 24, during the election campaign in Chattogram-3 (Sandwip), some unidentified people attacked the police.
Later, Sub-Inspector of Sandwip Police Station MD.Zainul filed a case against 19 named and 65 unnamed supporters of 'Boat' and 'Eagle' symbols.
No information over sabotage plan on voting day: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said there is no information about any sabotage plan on the voting day of the 12th parliamentary election on January 7.
However, the intelligence agencies will stay alert to prevent secret killings, the minister told reporters during a press briefing at the secretariat without elaborating it any further.
"The BNP is always committing sabotage. They were born with violence, so they will keep doing it. Our security forces are aware of this. Our intelligence agencies are also working,” said Asaduzzaman Kamal.
The home minister said the BNP has failed to make any impact with their sabotage activities as the country’s intelligence agencies are working properly.
“I think the people of this country will resist them no matter what they do, the people of this country will not give them any scope. People don't want to go back to darkness,” said the minister.
About Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader's comment that BNP may carry out secret killings, the minister said, "The Road Transport minister and our party general secretary definitely have more information. He said it based on information. Our point is that our intelligence agencies are alert. We are trying to deal with any such incident before it happens. ”'
Terming the anti-election campaign of BNP and like-minded parties as tantamount to sedition, the Home Minister said law enforcement agencies, and intelligence agencies are monitoring their campaign very closely.
“Election Commission is also looking into this. If these types of activities cross the limit, then surely a directive will come from the Election Commission. And then action will be taken according to the law.”
BNP leaders hired bomb-makers to unleash violence and intimidate voters, Sajeeb Wazed says
Sajeeb Wazed, known for his role in developing Bangladesh’s digital landscape and chairperson of Center for Research and Information (CRI), has said that BNP-Jamaat are trying to undermine the pre-election climate.
Posting a video on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, Sajeeb Wazed wrote: “This video includes some evidences published in several #Bangladeshi #media, the accused Mukit spilled the bins over who hired him, exposing another denial drama by #BNP leadership.”
Read: Sajeeb Wazed questions US stance on BNP's involvement in violence before polls
He went on to say that at the directives of BNP leadership, the accused Mukit “made bombs used with the intent of inflicting causality.”
BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and others are still “staging denial drama every day to fool the world,” he wrote.
Sajeeb Wazed asked whether the US embassy in Dhaka and US State Department officials would consider these “acts of terror” detrimental to the climate of a free, fair election and wondered what the yardsticks are to judge the credibility of BNP leaders who are “making all-out efforts to defend the mass murderers every day.”
Read: BNP-Jamaat's call to ‘stand for human rights’ a farce: Sajeeb Wazed
Previously, referring to two Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP’s student front) activists arrested with a “huge cache of explosives” in Dhaka, Sajeeb Wazed raised a question over the stance of the US embassy in Dhaka, and asked when the US State Department will “sanction BNP”.
Awami League launches Telegram channel for election campaign info
In a move to further digitalize its communication and campaign efforts, Bangladesh's ruling party, the Awami League, has launched a dedicated Telegram channel to disseminate information related to its election campaign for the upcoming 12th National Parliamentary Election.
The party's sources have indicated that all information regarding the nationwide election campaign will be regularly updated on this channel. This initiative is a part of the Awami League's broader strategy to integrate technology into its governance and party activities, aligning with its vision of a 'Digital Bangladesh' and moving towards the promise of a 'Smart Bangladesh'.
Also read: Supporting working mothers: In ‘Let’s Talk’ PM highlights govt initiatives to introduce daycare facilities across country
The link to the Telegram channel https://t.me/albd1949 has been shared across the party's other social media platforms, encouraging supporters and the public to subscribe for updates.
In recent years, the Awami League has shown a commitment to technological advancement in government affairs, and this ethos is now being mirrored within the party's operations.
The party maintains an active presence across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. The addition of Telegram to their communication channels signifies an embrace of popular messaging applications in their public outreach, especially in the context of the forthcoming elections.
This digital outreach is part of the Awami League's ongoing efforts to connect with a wider audience, particularly the tech-savvy younger generation, and to provide real-time, accessible information about their political activities and electoral promises.
Also read: Sajeeb Wazed discusses Smart Bangladesh vision with Gen Z