Politics
Hand over power ‘to people’: Fakhrul to govt
Describing the Awami League government as a puppet of hegemonic forces, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said this regime must go handing over power to the “people” of the country.
“Abrar killing is not an isolated incident as our more than 500 leaders and activists have been made disappeared, and over a thousand others have been killed. These incidents happened as part of a far-reaching plot of hegemonic forces,” he said.
Read:No more game over election to be allowed: Fakhrul -
Speaking at a discussion programme, he said the current government has been ‘serving’ the hegemonic forces as it has become their ‘puppet’.
“Awami League wants to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state by establishing a one-party Baksal rule under cover of democracy. We’ve to come out of this conspiracy through a united movement. I believe it’s not possible to defeat the people of Bangladesh who always struggled for their rights,” the BNP leader said.
The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the second death anniversary of Abrar Fahad, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet).
Abrar, 21, a second-year electrical and electronic engineering student of Buet, was beaten to death in the university’s Sher-e-Bangla Hall reportedly by a group of Chhatra League leaders and activists on October 7, 2019 following his a post on Facebook against Indian ‘aggression’ on Bangladesh.
Fakhrul said the entire nation, not only BNP, has been going through a crisis as the government obliterated democracy and snatched people’s rights.
“So, the entire nation must unite and fight against the government to overcome the crisis. All patriotic political forces and parties, individuals and social and professional organisations must get united putting aside all conflicts and confusions to establish a government and parliament of people through an uncontainable movement,” he said.
Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
Stating that Abrar sacrificed his life for the cause of the country, the BNP leader said, “Let's free the country from an autocratic regime and build a truly democratic state to value the sacrifice of Abrar Fahad.”
Fakhrul criticised the government for arresting Nusrat Shahrin Raka, the sister of Kanak Sarwar, a Bangladeshi journalist who is now abroad.
"Kanak Sarwar took shelter in the US to save his life being tortured by this government. He unveiled some facts on the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the USA through his channel. That’s why the government is repressing his sister out of vengeance,” he said.
Fakhrul said it is unimaginable that a housewife like Raka who has no involvement in politics was arrested and put on remand.
He said the government has exposed how much it has become ‘fascist’, ‘authoritarian’ and ‘oppressive’ by torturing such a woman.
“This is nothing new as we have seen many such incidents, including the repression on journalist Rozina Islam, earlier. The mothers and sisters of our many leaders and activists have been repressed and their houses have been demolished the same way,” Fakhrul alleged.
Forming EC through search committee a deception: BNP
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the process of constituting the Election Commission (EC) through a search committee is a deception with people.
“We’ve the experience that the Election Commission through a search committee is formed solely with their (govt’s) people. Secondly, it’s nothing but a deception with people as they (govt) say the Commission is formed not by us, but by a search committee,” he said.
Talking to reporters at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office about the Prime Minister’s different comments on the next election, EC and BNP, the BNP leader said the current government earlier formed the EC completely with the people of its own choice and used them during the elections.
Mentioning that the current EC, led by KM Nurul Huda, was also constituted through a search committee, Fakhrul said it absolutely played a ‘partisan role in favour of Awami League during the 11th parliamentary polls.
He said elections will never be free, fair and acceptable under any election commission unless an election-time neutral government is there to oversee the polls.
“So, an impartial election-time government is very urgent to hold a fair and credible election. The election won’t be fair even if it is held under the best Election Commission without the government’s cooperation. This is the main crisis,” Fakhrul observed.
On Monday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the new election commission will be constituted through a search committee to be formed by the President.
“The President will form a search committee and the election commission will be constituted through this search committee,” she said, replying to a question at a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban.
BNP is people’s ‘choice’
As his attention was drawn to the PM’s comment as to why people will vote for BNP, Fakhrul said people have got fed up with the government’s ‘misrule’. “So, people will vote for BNP to get rid of them (AL). They’ve created such a situation in the country that there’s no security of people’s lives and livelihoods. There’s nothing but fear and terror all around.”
He said Awami League had promised to give people rice at Tk 10 per kg, but it is now not positive to buy one kg rice at Tk 70. “They also assured the farmers of giving them free fertilizer, but the price of fertilizer is now skyrocketing. “People will vote for BNP because they want to cast their vote for those for whom they want to. They’ll also do it for the guarantee of getting jobs.”
The BNP leader said many mills and factories have been closed due to the government’s failure to protect those by giving incentive packages during the Covid pandemic.
“The informal sector has lost capital while employment in the sector has declined. Unfortunately, the government has taken the country to a place from where people now want to get back. They also want to be freed from the grasp of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina and this illegitimate government,” he observed.
Recalling their party’s many successes in running the country and boosting economic progress, he said people will vote for BNP for peace and development.
“The government used to say it has carried out huge development activities and made a lot of progress. If they’ve developed the country so much, then why are they not holding a fair election and sitting with political parties to solve the political crisis? I would like to ask them to hold a fair election under a caretaker government and then they will see whether people vote for them,” Fakhrul said.
He said neither the nation nor the international community has confidence in the country’s current electoral system.
No ‘alternative’ to movement
Fakhrul warned their party together with people will surely take to the streets to realise their demand for holding the next polls under a caretaker government.
"The people of this country must wage a movement. People had joined a movement for a caretaker government in the past and they’ll do it again,” he said.
The BNP leader said their party has now only one demand for the restoration of a polls-time neutral government. “We want nothing else.”
No more polls under AL
He said their party will neither accept nor participate in the polls like 2014 and 2018 ones. “We would like to clearly say there would be no more elections under the Awami League government.”
Fakhrul said the government should sit with the political parties to reach a consensus over the formation of a polls-time neutral government and an acceptable election commission for holding a meaningful election. “Otherwise, the election will become a farce. “
Dhaka south BNP to form all committees: Salam
As part of the party’s move to get ready for a fresh anti-government movement, BNP’s Dhaka south city unit on Tuesday announced to form all its thana and ward committees through holding councils.
"BNP is a democratic organisation. We want to build our organisation democratically. We’ll form all thana and ward committees through holding councils. We’ll also hold meetings at every ward for the councils,” said Dhaka south city unit BNP convener Abdus Salam.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting with journalists at a community centre at Nayapaltan, he also said they have already started working to overhaul BNP’s 24 than and 75 ward units under the Dhaka south city.
Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
Salam said they distributed a form among their nearly 25,000 leaders and activists to collect information about them. “We’ll get back all the forms within a couple of days, and then we’ll hold workers’ meeting at every ward and thana.”
He sought cooperation from the law enforcers in peacefully holding their meetings and councils at every ward and thana.
"We would like to request the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure that the police won’t obstruct our meetings. We’re trying to meet him to talk over this issue,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that they now cannot hold any meeting anywhere, except at their party’s central and city offices and at the home of BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas.
"Those who’re still talking about holding the national election under this government, I would like to tell them to first allow us to hold our meetings and councils, and ensure that our offices are not attacked,” Salam said.
Also read: BNP won’t join election with AL in power: Abbas
He also presented Dhaka south city BNP’s a 23-point demand, including unveiling a year-long plan to eradicate dengue mosquitoes in the capital, setting up adequate ICUs at the hospitals under the Dhaka South city for corona treatment, waiving holding tax, taking immediate action to control the hike in commodity prices, taking effective steps to resolve traffic jam and waterlogging problems in the capital, withdrawing all cases filed against party leaders and workers, including its chairperson Khaleda Zia, acting chairman Tarique Rahman and releasing all political prisoners.
On August 2 last, BNP formed fresh convening committees for its Dhaka south and north units by dissolving the existing ones.
Party chairperson’s adviser and freedom fighter Abdus Salam was made convener of a 49-member convening committee of Dhaka south city unit BNP while Jubo Dal leader Rafiqul Alam Mojnu as its member secretary.
Take to streets with “bamboo sticks”: Gayeshwar
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday asked their party leaders and activists to prepare for taking to the streets with ‘bamboo sticks’ to ensure the fall of the Awami League government.
"We’ve to be there on the streets with unclean bamboo as cleaned bamboo is probably not enough to intensify the movement,” he told a discussion meeting.
Zia Mancha arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 29th founding anniversary.
Also read: BNP trying to make next general election controversial: Hasina
The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists must move ahead with a one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instead of thinking of the strength of the current government.
"I hope Sheikh Hasina won’t mind. Because on March 7, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urged all to take to the streets with sticks and whatever they had, even with brooms. “If our female leader Bilkis comes up with a broom, this is enough. I don't think much more things are needed,” he said.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said there is no alternative to a united movement to oust the current government.
“Everyone now needs to get united to restore democracy and get rid of fascism. If democracy is not protected, then individual’s freedom, freedom of writing and freedom of speech remain at stake. When the freedom of expression is obstructed, then something else comes (to power) which people do not like,” he observed.
Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
Stating that all the state institutions of the country have been politicised, the BNP leader said the government is even ‘controlling’ the judiciary like administrative rulers. “The current administration does not want to understand that the government and state are two different words.”
He said any minimum attempt to interfere or control the judiciary is a punishable offence. “Morally they can’t do it under any law.”
The BNP leader alleged that ministers used to talk about any subjudice matters and their remarks are reflected in the verdict of different cases. “It’s forbidden to talk about any subjudice matter. But they’re constantly doing it.”
Gayeshwar alleged that the government is repressing the opposition leaders and activists by ‘influencing’ law enforcers and courts.
GM Quader recalls Bablu’s contributions to JaPa
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday recalled Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu’s contributions to the party, saying he was a competent organiser.
“As a politician, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu got immense love from the masses. There cannot be a greater success than this. He was a leader of the masses,” he said.
GM Quader also said Bablu’s contributions towards strengthening Jatiya Party as an efficient organiser is undeniable.
He made the remarks at a condolence-meeting-cum doa mahful arranged by Jatiya Party at its Kakrail Central office in memory of party secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu who died on Saturday.
GM Quader said Bablu was a true worker-friendly leader who struggled all his life for the welfare of people.
Read: Jatiya Party leader Ziauddin Bablu dies
“He (Bablu) was vocal against injustice, and misrule. Ziauddin Bablu will ever remain alive through his generous work,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said the void created in the politics of Bangladesh with the death of Bablu will not be filled soon.
He urged people to pray for the salvation of the departed soul of Jatiya Party’s late secretary general.
Jatiya Party senior leaders, including co-chairmen, presidium members and MPs joined the programme.
READ: Veteran journalist Hamiduzzaman Robi no more
Jatiya Party secretary-general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu died on Saturday while undergoing treatment for Covid-19 infection at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital at the age of 66.
Bablu was laid to eternal rest at Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in the capital’s Mirpur area.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party announced a three-day mourning period beginning from Saturday in memory of Bablu.
People’s confidence in EC now at 'zero' level: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said people's confidence in the Election Commission (EC) has now reached the zero level.
“Those who were in state power used the Election Commission for their party’s interests. Political parties are now finding it difficult to survive as depoliticisation is going on in the country,” he said.
Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, GM Quader also said people will show no interest in politics and they will refrain from going to polling stations to cast their votes if the depoliticisation continues.
“There’ll prevail a handful of parties and leaders in the country as per the government’s direction, but those parties and leaders won’t have any spontaneous organisation and public support if it (depoliticisation) continues,” he observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy leader of opposition in parliament, said the current governing system can be called a democratic one in any way as a dictatorship has been established in the country ‘constitutionally’.
According to the constitution, he said, about 90 percent of the country's executive, legislature and judiciary branches are in the hands of one person through the President.
At the programme, Palli Bidyut Samity’s former senior general manager Wahidul Islam Tarun joined Jatiya Party presenting a bouquet to GM Quader.
GM Quader said those who came to power after 1991 have not been able to materialise the dreams they had shown to the people of the country. “In most cases, the situation has deteriorated and the level of deterioration has gradually increased.”
He said people now want to see Jatiya Party in power again to fulfill their hopes and aspirations. “That’s why every day prominent people are joining Jatiya Party.”
BNP sitting out polls for 'fear of losing': Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has chastised the BNP for turning their back on elections, putting it down to a 'fear of losing' on the part of the opposition.
He made the remarks while delivering a speech Saturday to his party activists from his official residence.
Mentioning that the Election Commission is committed to free and fair voting, the General Secretary of the Awami League said that the government will extend all kinds of cooperation to the Election Commission to ensure fair voting.
Quader also called upon all registered political parties including BNP to participate in the elections.
READ: Don’t resort to arson again in name of movement, Quader warns BNP
Quader again warned the Awami League leaders and workers and party-nominated people's representatives at all levels to shun any rebel candidates in the election.
Alongside, he also called upon all to work together for the party's nominee.
The AL started selling nomination forms for the interested candidates for the party nomination in the elections of different levels from October 2, which will continue till October 6 from 10.30 am to 5 pm.
The party also informed that interested candidates will have to collect and submit an application form for party nomination from the political office of the Awami League president in Dhanmondi.
READ: Padma Bridge to open before June next year: Quader
At the time of collecting the application form, all the candidates must bring a photocopy of the national identity card and submit the nomination form by 5 pm on October 6, 2021.
The general secretary of the Awami League said that the candidates have to comply with the proper health protection rules without any kind of public meeting while the candidate can collect and submit the application form himself or through a representative of the candidate.
Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not accept the upcoming national election unless it is held under a" neutral government".
"Our stance is very clear there would be no more game in the name of an election. The election must be held under a neutral government and to be conducted by a neutral election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said, “We won’t accept any election if there’s no polls-time neutral government and an impartial election commission."
BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
Stating that the days of the current government are numbered, Fakhrul urged Awami League to try to read public minds and understand the writings on the walls. “That means quit power after making the provision of the polls-time caretaker government and let people exercise their right to vote.”
He called upon BNP leaders and activists to be organised and get ready for a street movement instead of creating chaos for having party posts.
“This is the only way left for us. It won’t be possible to remove the current monstrous regime without a mass movement and mass uprising. So, we’ve to unite all our people, unite all the political forces to take place a mass uprising,” the BNP leader said, pointing at the party rank and file.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
He said Awami League has become politically bankrupt losing public support for its ”misdeeds and repressive acts. They (AL) know they won’t even get 30 seats if any election is held in a free and fair manner. That’s why they have politicised all the state institutions.”
Fakhrul also alleged that the government has established its control over the judiciary, administration, law enforcement agencies and the media. “So, the entire nation is unable to speak up and exercise their freedom of expression.”
BNP won’t join election with AL in power: Abbas
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Thursday categorically said their party will not join the 12th parliamentary election keeping Awami League in power.
“Our stance is clear that the election won’t be held under this government. We saw elections under this government in the past. How can we go to the polls under a government that steals votes the day before the election and thus sits in power?” he said.
Abbas said their party wants the next general election to be held under a polls-time caretaker government. “They (AL) leaders are saying there is no scope (to restore it). Let Awami League resign first. Then the country will run as usual (like in the past). But we can’t join the polls if Awami League stays in power.”
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to journalists after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal, marking its 42nd founding anniversary.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
He recalled that it was Jamaat-e-Islam which first came up with the demand for a caretaker government in 1996 and then Awami League pushed for it.
Abbas said they amended the constitution for introducing the caretaker government system showing respect for democracy.
Sought his reaction to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda’s comment that the Election Commission should be reconstituted on the basis of consensus among the political parties, the BNP leader said the current CEC is a fake man and their party does not value his words.
“The fact is that no fair and impartial Election Commission can be formed under this government. We would like to clearly say we won’t allow any election under the current regime,” he observed.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Abbas said their party will force the government to meet their demand for the caretaker government. “It’s now a matter of time.”
He alleged that the government has continued repressing alem-ulema alongside opposition leaders and activists. “Mufti Kazi Ibrahim was arrested a few days back. I don’t understand whom this government is trying to appease by arresting the learned Islamic scholars and alem-ulema of this country.”
He criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said regularly making different remarks about BNP. “Awami League should not think of our party. They should oil their own machine and think about how to stay in power. ”
BNP waking up through overhaul: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the government has become terrified as their party is waking up with a fresh vigour thorough overhauling its all units.
“Police are now raiding the houses of our leaders and activists and harassing and attacking them as BNP is waking up,” he said while addressing a programme of BNP’s Dhaka South unit at the Jatiya Press Club.
The BNP leader said their party has been revamped with new committees under the supervision of their acting chairman Tarique Rahman, generating a new wave and fresh vigour in the party. "That’s why they (govt) have got frightened and unnerved, and they’re now attacking the BNP.”
Fakhrul warned that no dictator and fascist ruler has ever survived in the world as all were defeated by the fury of the people.
“You (govt) please read the writings on the walls and understand people’s feelings and their eye language. There’s still time for you to resign immediately if you want to avoid the consequences of the crimes you committed by violating the constitution, depriving people of their right to vote and stealing votes the night before the voting,” he said.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
The BNP leader urged the government to take steps so that people can elect their representatives through a credible national election under a non-party neutral administration.
"This’s the high time to put up a resistance against the government and clearly tell it that we do not want to see you in power anymore,” he said, pointing a finger at BNP leaders and activists.One person cult
Fakhrul said the government first brought changes in the constitution as per its wish to establish one-party rule. “They then brought the judiciary, administration and law enforcement agencies under their control through politicisation. They’re now trying to regulate our media.”
He said the cult of one person was there in the country when one-party Baksal rule was established in 1975.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
“Now again the cult of one person has begun in the country. If you look at Tuesday’s newspapers, you’ll get an idea how the media are being controlled.”
The BNP leader said people liberated the country in 1971 to establish a democratic state. “But the current government has turned Bangladesh into a dysfunctional country by destroying the democratic institutions and all the achievements of the nation.”
Later, Fakhrul inaugurated Dhaka South unit BNP’s Covid and Dengue help centre at the programme.