Politics
BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
BNP policymakers sat in another closed-door meeting with the top leaders of the party's associate bodies on Thursday as part of their planned series of meetings with central leaders to work out their next course of action.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with the standing committee members began the meeting at 4pm at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has virtually joined the meeting from London.
Party sources said 92 leaders of Jubo Dal, Sewchchasebak Dal, Chhatra Dal, Mohila Dal and other associate bodies of the party have taken part in the meeting.
The party policymakers started the series of meetings with the party's rank and file on Tuesday to take their opinions about the party's next course of action ahead of the next general election.
The BNP top leaders had also similar meetings with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members on Tuesday and with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries on Wednesday.
On Wednesday night, Mirza Fakhrul said they can also hold similar meetings with other leaders of the party in the days to come.
He said their party has also a plan to hold dialogues with different political parties.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.
BNP’s mid-ranking leaders prefer movement seeking polls-time govt
BNP’s mid-ranking leaders on Wednesday urged the party policymakers to wage a movement to force the government to hold the next polls under a neutral government.
In a closed-door meeting, they also told the party top leaders that it will be pointless for BNP to join the next national election if it is held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a party joint secretary general, who was present at the meeting, told UNB.
He said some leaders wanted to know from the party high command about what BNP gained by joining Jatiya Oilkyafront under the leadership of Dr Kamal Hossain and the talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ahead of the last general election.
The BNP leader said they also urged the party top leaders to work out a strategy for the next polls taking lessons from the mistakes the party made during the last two national elections.
The BNP top leaders sat in the marathon meeting with the BNP joint secretaries general, secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries and secretaries around 4pm at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office. The meeting continued for around seven and a half hours.
Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Party sources said 122 leaders participated in the meeting and gave their opinions about how BNP should get ready for an anti-government movement and the next general election.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku was present at the meeting. Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined it from London.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mirza Fakhrul said they sat with the party’s mid-level leaders after the senior ones as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action.
“The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country and the organisational situation of the party,” he said.
Fakhrul said they will also hold a meeting with the leaders of different associate bodies on Thursday. “We may hold similar meetings with other leaders and the party in the days to come and it will be finalized at our standing committee’s next meeting.”
Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP
The BNP leader said their party will also hold dialogues with different organizations over the political issues.
Earlier on Tuesday, the BNP policymakers had a closed-door meeting with the party’s vice-chairmen and advisory council members.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee, including 35 vice-chairmen, through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.
BNP senior leaders seek party’s pre-election roadmap
BNP vice-chairmen and advisory council members in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday urged their party policymakers to come up with a roadmap to deal with issues ahead of the next general election.
A party vice chairman, who was present at the meeting, said 62 vice-chairmen and advisors participated in the meeting while 28 of them gave their opinions about how BNP should get ready for an anti-government movement and the next general election.
He said they also advised the party policymakers to overhaul the party and its associate bodies under the leadership of dedicated and brave leaders.
“Our vice chairmen and advisers also suggested our high-command to give importance to the issue of constituting the next election commission. We said our party should keep in contact with other parties to mount serious pressure on the government to form a neutral election commission and restore polls-time election government system,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
He said most of the leaders said that the party should launch a strong movement to have Khaleda Zia freed from jail before the next polls.
This was the first meeting of the BNP policymakers with the party’s central leaders as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to work out their next course of action ahead of the next general election.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku was present at the meeting. Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined it from London.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they have taken the opinions of the senior leaders about the party’s next course of action.
“The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country and the organisational situation of the party,“ he said.
Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP
Fakhrul said they will brief the media elaborately about the meeting outcomes after two other scheduled meetings with the party central leaders.
The BNP policymakers will also hold a meeting with the party’s senior joint secretaries general, secretaries general, organising secretaries and assistant organising secretaries on Wednesday and another with the leaders of different associate bodies on Thursday.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee, including 35 vice chairmen, through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016. There are 74 members in the advisory council.
JaPa wants law for EC formation
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday demanded the enactment of a law in line with the constitution to have a permanent solution to the problem over formation of the Election Commission (EC).
In a statement, he said, “It’s very unfortunate that there’s no law in the country to form the Election Commission, even after 50 years of independence.”
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there is a clear instruction in the constitution that a law must be formulated to constitute the Election Commission.
Also read: JaPa not to compromise on HR issues: GM Quader
“We want the Election Commission to be formed through a law in the light of the constitution which will help ensure the voting rights of people. It can also help have a permanent solution to the Election Commission formation issue,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners through forming a search committee after every five years which sparks various criticisms.
“People's voting rights are hampered if the commissioners are appointed from a partisan view. So, it has become urgent to enact an acceptable law through discussions with the political parties that have representation in Parliament and the relevant experts from the civil society,” he said.
GM Quader said there is also an obligation to enact a law for the formation of the Election Commission as directed by the constitution.
He hoped that it would be possible to constitute an honest and acceptable election commission through law for holding free, fair and credible elections in a festive manner.
The Jatiya Party chief also said an acceptable election commission can make people of the country interested in elections.
Also read: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
“People will also be able to intensify their role in the elections for electing their representatives. Only then, people will begin to get the real taste of democracy,” he opined.
BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
BNP policymakers have decided to hold a series of meetings with the party’s central leaders as part of a move to take preparations for the next general election.
The decision was taken at the latest meeting of the party’s standing committee members held on Saturday, a BNP senior leader told UNB.
Contacted, BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the standing committee members will initially hold three meetings with the leaders of the executive committee and different associate bodies from Tuesday (September 14) to Thursday.
He said party acting chairman Tarique Rahman will virtually join each of the meetings scheduled to begin at 3:30pm at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said the BNP policymakers will first sit with the party’s vice-chairmen and chairperson’s advisory council members on Tuesday and then with the senior joint secretaries general, secretaries general, organising secretaries and assistant organising secretaries on Wednesday and with the leaders of different associate bodies on Thursday.
Later, the BNP policymakers will hold meetings with the members of the executive committee and district-level leaders.
Meanwhile, the party resumed its organisational activities on Sunday after a long suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a press release, the party urged its leaders and activists to carry out organisational activities across the country maintaining social distancing and health safety rules.
Bangladesh now 'friendless': Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s frustration over not getting Covid vaccines from different countries has manifested that Bangladesh has become 'friendless' in the world.
“The Foreign Minister expressed deep frustration over not getting the corona vaccines after visiting several countries. He told the media that the rich countries aren’t willing to give Bangladesh vaccines. If this is the case, Bangladesh has become friendless in the world,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at Jugantar Bhaban in the city’s Baridhara area.
READ: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
He said though the Foreign Minister has said the status of the country has enhanced across the world, Bangladesh ranked 106th in the 2021 Henley Passport Index while its position was 96th in 1996.
“The dignity of the Prime Minister and her cabinet member may increase in the world. The dignity of the common people hasn’t improved at all, but it has declined. That’s why those who now go abroad with Bangladeshi passports have to face various kinds of harassment,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the country lacks good governance due to politicisation.
He said the country’s situation has turned so worse that now it is not possible to get a job even after becoming first in the examination without the affiliation with the ruling party.
READ: Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief said the ruling party leaders are acquitted by court even after committing crimes as the laws are not enforced equally for all.
He said no one was above law during the rule of Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad. “So, people are expecting Jatiya Party as an alternative force to Awami League and BNP. They want Jatiya Party to return to power.”
GM Quader urged the party leaders and activists to strengthen the party by holding the councils of its all district units by December 31.
Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the next general election must be held under a neutral government.
“We would like to say it unequivocally that there’ll be no such election in Bangladesh where voters can’t go to polling stations. The election must be held under a neutral government and it must be conducted by an impartial election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said before holding the next national election, the government will have to free Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists. “Otherwise, no election will be allowed to be held in the country.”
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now 'bureaucrats running' country
Fakhrul urged the government to take necessary steps and create an atmosphere conducive to constituting a neutral election commission.
“You (govt) are talking about the formation of a law for constituting the Election Commission… people won’t accept it if you pass a unilateral law for your own benefit in parliament and form the Election Commission under it,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has politicised all the state machinery. “You (govt) have politicised the judiciary, administration and the law enforcement agencies. Even, you’re trying to politicise the army. We now can't speak up and write freely.”
He said journalists also cannot write anything now without fear as they are being harassed and implicated in cases under the Digital Security Act.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh who liberated the country through a long battle will never accept an authoritarian and one-party rule.
He urged the leaders and activists of Mohila Dal to get united for waging a strong movement for the restoration of democracy and having Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
Read: Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is no other alternative for their party to waging a one-point movement for ensuring the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
“We’re trying to forge a strong national unity to force Sheikh Hasina to quit for holding a free and fair election… we won’t get any benefit even if the next election is held under an ‘angel’ keeping Sheikh Hasina in power.”
BNP criticizes PM for her Ashrayan house remarks
BNP on Friday criticised Prime Sheikh Hasina for her remarks on the demolition of Ashrayan houses with hammers and shovels, saying that she has taken a stance in “favour of corruption”.
“The houses the Prime Minister has given to homeless people are collapsing. But the Prime Minister is saying that these houses are being destroyed with hammers and shovels,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said Hasina tried to cover up the corruption of lakhs of crores taka by talking about hammers and shovels.
“The prime minister has taken a position in favour of corruption. But she didn’t catch those indulged in looting in the Ashrayan Project, and she diverted people’s attention to a different direction,” Rizvi said.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Bangladesh Youth Forum arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against ‘false’ campaign and ‘conspiracy’ against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
On Thursday, speaking at Awami League’s central working committee meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban, Hasina alleged that some people had broken the houses with hammers and shovels and the media published the pictures of those.
Rizvi also slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said continuously spreading ‘lies’ against BNP and its leaders.
“He, Quader, suddenly comes up with such a remark that gives people an impression that he’s probably devoid of conscience. He can’t understand that he’s lying blatantly,” the BNP leader said.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Rizvi said the government has restored to repressive acts like enforced disappearance and arrest of opposition leaders and activists to hang on to power by suppressing people and annihilating democracy.
He urged the people of all walks of life and opposition political parties to get united for restoring democracy and people’s rights by ousting the Awami League government through a united movement.
AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will never forgive Awami League as it has become a ‘repressive’ political party.
“Awami League is exploiting the country and its people in collaboration with some individuals and bureaucrats,” he said.
Talking to journalists at Kalibari residence here, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which once had struggled for establishing people’s rights and democracy, is now repressing people and snatching their rights.
He said the ruling party leaders are now indulging in widespread corruption deviating from the party’s old tradition and stance on democracy since it has got isolated from people. “Now it has no relation with people’s hopes and aspirations.”
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Fakhrul said bureaucrats now “own assets worth crores of taka. A police inspector has 18 houses in Dhaka city alongside having more houses abroad. If a police officer can amass such wealth, then you think about the condition of the entire system,” the BNP leader said.
“Now people aren’t getting justice. They’re being deprived of their rights. But Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader regularly says many things only to appease his leaders,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party has only one demand for arranging a credible election under a neutral government and the impartial Election Commission.
He said their party is in negotiations with the opposition parties to wage a united movement to ensure the fall of the current government and establish a pro-people government. “We’re taking preparations for that movement.”
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Replying to a question about BNP’s position on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Fakhrul said it is an internal matter of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will run the way its people want. But I would like to say one thing that we don’t support any fundamentalism, militancy and extremism.”
The BNP leader said their party hopes that whichever government comes to Afghanistan, they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people and ensure their rights and work for their welfare.
AL ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League is ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy to cling to power as it has become politically bankrupt.
“Awami League has lost its capability by arbitrarily using the bureaucracy only for hanging onto power. In fact, the bureaucracy has now become 'Bureaucratic League' while Awami League has become politically bankrupt,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an extended meeting of Thakurgaon district unit of BNP at a community centre in the district town.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He alleged that the ruling party has long been trying to suppress its political opponents with repressive acts and filing ‘false’ cases against them by ‘using’ law enforcement agencies.
“They (govt) have been controlling all the state machinery, including the judiciary, administration, police and other law enforcement agencies to make their political gains,” Fakhrul alleged.
He said it is unimaginable to file political cases against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists in a democratic country, but the current government did it to eliminate its opponents.
The BNP leader alleged that the opposition leaders and activists are being implicated in ‘false cases’ for holding meetings and carrying out political activities as the government has established the one-party rule under a different cover.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to step down and arrange a credible general election by stopping filing cases against opposition leaders and activists and harassing them.
“The government must hold the next election under a polls-time neutral administration as per people’s hopes and aspirations,” he said.
Fakhrul said the government will have to constitute the Election Commission with neutral persons for holding the national election in a fair and credible manner.
He also called upon all political parties to get united to force the government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a strong movement.