Politics
AL will no longer be able to cling to power by holding ‘deceptive’ polls: Moyeen Khan
BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Wednesday warned that Awami League will no longer be able to cling to power by holding a deceptive election.
Talking to reporters while distributing leaflets in front of the Jatiya Press Club, he also alleged that the government has annihilated democracy in Bangladesh with a crackdown on the BNP’s peaceful rally on October 28.
“People ask me what will we do after the January 7 election? I would like to clearly say this government needs to understand that 2024 and 2014 are not the same. It won’t happen this time that they (govt) will confirm the power for 5 years again by holding a fake and depictive election,” the BNP leader said.
Stating that the people of Bangladesh sacrificed their blood for independence and democracy, he said the BNP would bring back democracy for the country’s 18 crore people by facing bullets and sound grenades on the streets.’
Read: High Court postpones Fakhrul’s bail hearing until next week
Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said the lopsided election has already been held on the day the candidates filed nomination papers. “The government has already decided who will be MPs in which seats.”
He said Awami League is moving ahead with a plan to form a one-party parliament and government with the fake results of a fake election. "They’re staging a farce and a drama in the name of election…all the famous media outside the country are saying in one word that the election being held in Bangladesh is nothing but a farce as the current regime wants to prolong its power with it.”
The BNP leader said their party wants to see the change of power through a free and fair election. “BNP does not believe in the politics of violence using sticks and oars. “We never believe in the politics of conflict and the politics of weapons. We want the people of Bangladesh to bring change in this country through a peaceful systematic democratic movement, to restore democracy.”
Dr Moyeen along with the leaders and workers of Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal distributed leaflets among the pedestrians to drum up public support in favour of BNP’s call for boycotting the January-7 election.
Read: Election 2024: Armed forces deployed across the country
Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also distributed leaflets at AGB Colony Bazar in the capital’s Motijheel area in the morning.
High Court postpones Fakhrul’s bail hearing until next week
The High Court has postponed the hearing on a rule on the bail of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in a case over the vandalism of the Chief Justice's residence until next week.
The HC bench of Justice Md Saleem and Justice Shahed Nuruddin deferred the hearing on Wednesday after Fakhrul's lawyer Waliur Rahman sought more time to prepare for the hearing, citing 'personal circumstances'.
Read: Don't be part of dummy election meant to extend AL's illegal power: BNP
Advocate Waliur Rahman stood for Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir while Deputy Attorney General BM Abdur Rafel represented the state.
Earlier on December 7, the High Court issued a rule asking the government to explain why Fakhrul should not be granted bail in the case.
The government was asked to respond to the rule within a week.
On December 17, the High Court fixed January 3 for hearing on the rule.
Read: Unidentified youth attempted to enter Khaleda Zia’s hospital cabin, says Rizvi
On October 29, police filed a case with Ramna Police Station on charges of vandalism and attack on the Chief Justice's residence during a BNP rally on October 28.
Fakhrul was arrested in the case on October 29 and has been in jail since then.
Chhatra Odhikar Parishad holds protest rally at DU, calls for polls boycott
The Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad organised a protest rally demanding to safeguard voting rights, democracy, and secure the release of political prisoners through boycotting upcoming national elections.
The protest programme was held in front of Dhaka University's Raju sculpture at 10 am on Wednesday.
AL leaders, activists throng Faridpur rally venue ahead of PM’s arrival
Tariqul Islam, acting president of the organisation, expressed concern about ‘destruction of democracy’ in Bangladesh under the current government.
"The fascist AL government has undermined the judiciary, election, and education systems, and wrongly sentenced Dr. Mohammed Yunus. We stand with Dr. Yunus,” he said.
Ariful Islam Adeeb, general sSecretary of Chhatra Odhikar Parishad, accused the government of suppressing democracy by curtailing people's voting rights.
Police foil BNP procession in Barishal; 15 injured
The protest rally witnessed participation from leaders and members of various units of the Bangladesh Chhatra Odhikar Parishad. The event concluded with a procession from TSC to Shahbagh.
Police foil BNP procession in Barishal; 15 injured
At least 15 people were injured after police baton-charged a procession brought out by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in support of the ongoing non-cooperation movement in Barishal city.
Eight people, including Barishal south district BNP convener Abul Hossain Khan, were arrested during the incident.
Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah, a member of the party's national executive committee, said party leaders and activists to bring out a protest march in support of the non-cooperation movement from the party office on Sadar Road.
Read: BNP’s leaflet distribution, mass contact extended till Thursday
Leaders were distributing leaflets calling on the people to boycott the January 7 election from the procession, said the BNP leader.
“When the protest march reached Ashwin Kumar Hall in the city, police started baton-charging to disperse the procession.”
Abul Kalam Shahin, member secretary of Barishal south district BNP, accused police of charging batons and dragging the leaders and activists into police vans.
At that time, 15/20 leaders and activists of the party, including the party’s central assistant organising secretary, Akon Kuddusur Rahman, were injured, said Abul Kalam.
Read: BNP hopes democracy will be 'restored' peacefully in 2024
ATM Anisul Haque, officer-in-charge of Barisal Kotwali Model Police Station, however, denied the claims of police action.
“We dispersed the BNP leaders and activists who gathered without any prior permission from the spot as they were blocking the road and disrupting traffic. The police did not act violently,” said OC Anisul. “We have arrested several people on the spot. The details will be provided later.”
‘On Jan 7, world will witness a great election in Bangladesh’: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today (January 03, 2024) said that the Election Commission is able to act independently and authoritatively, which is why the electoral code of conduct is being strictly maintained.
Speaking this afternoon at the party president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi, he further said that wherever the electoral code of conduct is being violated, the Election Commission is taking action. There is no interference or obstruction from the government, and Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is firm on this matter, he said.
Obaidul Quader said, on January 7, the world will witness a great election in Bangladesh with the spontaneous presence of the people, where the public opinion will be victorious.
Read: Respond to conspiracies by casting votes: Obaidul Quader
He also said that BNP and Jamaat, having failed in their movements, are now distributing leaflets. “They are stuck in the quicksand of failure and mistakes, and they cannot come out. Their negative agendas, violence, and blockades have been ignored by the people. Even if BNP now says they will not resort to violence, there is no way to say if it’s true or not. Because they say one thing and do another. We are receiving news that they are secretly conspiring,” he said.
The road, transport and bridges minister also criticized the “double standards” of Amnesty International. He said, “Amnesty International talks about human rights in Bangladesh, and the verdict in Dr. Yunus’ case, but why don’t they speak about the massacres that Israel is carrying out in Gaza, Palestine? They have not said a single word against Israel.”
Read: Election-related violence won't be tolerated: Obaidul Quader
Present at the press briefing were Awami League Organizational Secretary BM Mozammel Haq, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, along with central and metropolitan Awami League leaders.
Election 2024: Armed forces deployed across the country
Armed forces were deployed across the country this morning, ahead of the national election slated for January 7.
Armed forces will remain deployed from January 3 to January 10 to ensure peace and order before, during, and after the election day, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) media release on Tuesday (January 02, 2024).
The armed forces are being deployed to assist the local civil administration in holding a free, fair, and peaceful election in Bangladesh as per Section 126 of the constitution's "In Aid to the Civil Power".
Read more: Chuadanga-1: Jatiya Party candidate withdraws from election, alleging lack of cooperation from party
A troop of army was seen patrolling in Dhaka’s Banani area in the morning.
Upon request from the returning officers concerned and through coordination with stakeholders, the area-base deployment has been completed, said the ISPR.
Members of Bangladesh Army have been assigned in 62 districts, while Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) alone will perform duty in 45 upazilas.
AL leaders, activists throng Faridpur rally venue ahead of PM’s arrival
Leaders and activists of Awami League in Faridpur have gathered at the venue ahead of the Prime Minister's election rally with boat processions and slogans.
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will address an election rally at Faridpur Government Rajendra College ground after 3pm on Tuesday.
Read: Dr Yunus was sentenced by court, AL not responsible for it: Quader
She will seek votes for the ‘boat’ candidates in 4 seats of the district.
The rally stage was built in the shape of a boat and security has been beefed up in the town centering the rally.
More than 100 loudspeakers have been installed across the city.
Ishtiaq Arif, general secretary of Faridpur district Awami League, said he expected the rally to be attended by about 100,000 people.
Read: Rajshahi-4: 15 injured as AL supporters attack independent candidate's procession
There will be a gathering of around 100,000 people, hopes Shah Md Ishtiaque Arif, general secretary of Faridpur district unit AL.
President of district unit Awami League and also boat candidate for Faridpur-3 constituency Shamim Haque will preside over the rally.
The AL-backed candidate from three other constituencies in Faridpur will also be present there.
Dr Yunus was sentenced by court, AL not responsible for it: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said Dr Yunus was sentenced by a court and his party has no responsibility in this regard.
He said this replying to a question from reporters about the conviction of Dr Yunus at a press conference at the party president's Dhanmondi office.
“The workers who have been deprived of their dues have filed the case. Why the Awami League government is being criticized here?” he asked.
Read: Never wanted opposition parties to stay out of election: Quader
The election will be participatory but BNP and its allies are opposing the election unilaterally, said Quader.
The AL general secretary also said leaflet distribution is a ‘mysterious’ programme of the BNP and they may become violent suddenly.
“But no matter how much they obstruct the election, the election cannot be stopped,” he added.
Read: Even if action can’t be taken now, strong measures will be taken after election: Quader on those whose wealth saw abnormal increase
Regarding the withdrawal of some JP candidates from the election race, the Awami League leader said that two or one candidate from the Jatiya Party may not participate in the election due to personal problems. But it does not mean that they will move away from the election as a party.
Kurigram-4 Jatiya Party candidate Ruhul Amin hospitalised
Ruhul Amin, Jatiya Party nominated candidate for Kurigram-4 seat and its presidium member, has been hospitalised following a heart attack.
He was first admitted to Rowmari Upazila Health Complex after he fell ill early Monday.
Later, he was shifted to the National Heart Institute for better treatment.
Now he is receiving treatment at the Coronary care unit (CCU) of the hospital, his nephew Rana Parvez confirmed.
Asaduzzaman, health and family planning officer of Rowmari Upazila Health Complex, said that when he was brought to the hospital around 7:30 in the morning, his health was first checked.
"We found his heart problem after getting the ECG report," he said.
Later he was shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. "From there he was taken to Dhaka."
Continuation of democratic power is key to development: Momen
The key mantra for development is the continuity of democratic empowerment, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen in Sylhet on Monday.
"Awami League believes in peace, stability, and development. The country is developing because there is Awami League, and the reserve is increasing. And the key to development is the continuation of democratic power," he told an audience drawn mostly from the city's business community.
BNP plotting to create confrontational situation ahead of election: FM Momen
"So, to continue this trend of development in the country, the Awami League will have to win through votes in the next national election," he said.
The minister was addressing a discussion on economic development and investment in Sylhet organised by the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Hafiz Complex in Sylhet city on Monday.
‘Want the entire world to observe our polls and learn from us’: Momen
Momen commended the significant proposals for economic development that the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce presented. He assured full cooperation in implementing these proposals to benefit the general population and business community in Sylhet.
Responding to a journalist's question at the end of the event, Momen commented on the current status of BNP, stating that they are now a dormant party engaging in futile activities.
EU polls mission holds meeting with FM Momen, BNP leaders in Sylhet
He emphasised the importance of factual information rather than propaganda and dismissed the notion that foreign embassies would be influenced by individual propaganda.
Senior official of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minati Devi, moderated the programme.
Former Organising Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Advocate Misbah Uddin Siraj, Senior Vice President of Sylhet Chamber and FBCCI Director Falah Uddin Ali Ahmed, and Sylhet Chamber President Tahmin Ahmed spoke on the occasion, among others.