Politics
Oct 28 marks the beginning of BNP’s downfall: Information Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said October 28 would mark the beginning of the BNP’s downfall instead of the government’s.
“They will have to announce their post-election movement from that rally," said Hasan Mahmud, also the Awami League’s joint general secretary, while speaking as the chief guest at an event at the Jatiya Press Club.
"BNP had said a few days ago that their movement will reach its final stage in October. Then the BNP secretary general announced that they will hold a rally on October 28 to demand the fall of the government, and called for the government to resign before that,” he said.
Read: PM Hasina denounces BNP as a terrorist party that kills people
"Now, people joke about whether it's going to be October 28 this year, the next, or the one after. Over the past 15 years, we've heard about their movements. The truth is that it's mainly BNP workers who are involved in their movement, not the people,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining peace in politics, the minister said, "There were two big opposition rallies in Dhaka city yesterday, the distance between which was only 2 kilometres. But there was no disturbance in Dhaka city.”
That's how politics needs to be, he added.
Criticising BNP’s silence regarding Israeli atrocities in Gaza, the AL joint general secretary said the whole world protested the Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital, but the BNP did not.
“The whole world protested, from France to various European countries and even the United States,” the information minister said.
Read: No specific security threat during Durga puja: DMP chief
“The Prime Minister has protested yesterday and in the past, and I have been speaking out against this massacre from the beginning as the information minister of the government. Bangladesh's Foreign Ministry issued a statement yesterday,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BNP leaders have maintained silence over the Israeli atrocities, he added.
Hasan accused the BNP of siding with Israel by keeping their silence over the issue.
“They are only busy with Begum Zia's health and Tarique Rahman's conviction. It's very sad, and surprising,” he said.
The minister also criticised Jamaat-e-Islami’s silence over Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
Caretaker govt system laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Bangladesh's Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday (October 19, 2023) said the caretaker government system has been laid to rest in Azimpur graveyard.
"Why would the prime minister resign? Don't call for the caretaker government again. The path that BNP is taking is the wrong path. BNP is now on the verge of collapse after a failed movement,” he said.
Also read: BNP will be blocked if it enforces blockades: Obaidul Quader
Quader was speaking after the inauguration of 150 bridges and 14 overpasses at Sharak Bhaban in Dhaka's Tejgaon on Thursday morning.
In his speech, the AL leader highlighted the development of Bangladesh in the last 15 years and said that this transformation is considered a marvel by the world. “This has been possible due to the creative leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Also read: BNP wants to indulge in evil game of 1/11 with Dr Yunus at the helm: Quader
"If you want to protect the development of this country, the achievements of this country, the democracy of this country, if you love the country, then there is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina," he added.
“Don't they see that the Prime Minister of Britain respects the Prime Minister of Bangladesh? The President of the United States took photos at the G-20 (with Sheikh Hasina) and also in New York,” he said.
Also read: BNP is not happy with good news of increase in remittances: Quader
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan; Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Begum Raushan Ara Mannan, spoke on the occasion, among others.
AL obstructing BNP from joining polls for an easy victory: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday accused the ruling Awami League of obstructing the opposition from joining the upcoming national election, saying the ruling party wants a "walkover in an empty field."
"You (AL) are creating obstacles for us to participate in the election. You do not want to allow the opposition parties to join the election. The only reason behind this is that you want to get what we call a 'walkover in an empty field'," he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a discussion meeting arranged by Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote at Dhaka Reporters Unity in memory of Saifuddin Ahmed Moni, general secretary of the Democratic League (DL).
On October 13, Moni died at Birdem Hospital in Mirpur at the age of 68.
Also read: BNP will be blocked if it enforces blockades: Obaidul Quader
Fakhrul said the AL leaders' comments on the next general election demonstrate that they consider Bangladesh to be their "paternal property," and one person is the owner of the country.
He said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader sent out the last message to the opposition on Wednesday that Sheikh Hasina will remain the prime minister during the election period and she will be elected prime minister again.
"If you think that, then there is no need for election... there is no need," Fakhrul said.
Also read: Decide whether you want safe exit or ouster: Fakhrul tells govt
He said the ruling party leaders do not want to understand the language of the people. “Awami League is a party that has always cheated the people. It's a party of frauds which has no relation with people.”
The BNP leader said the ruling party leaders talk nicely before the election to attract people but they change their colour after the polls.
“If you ask common people they’ll say they can't cope with the current situation anymore and they’ll be eliminated if the present government continues and if Hasina becomes the prime minister again... That is the reality,” he said.
Also read: BNP announces grand rally in Dhaka on October 28
Fakhrul alleged that the government annulled the caretaker government system unilaterally and unconstitutionally and created the provision for holding the election under a partisan government by unlawfully amending the constitution.
“It’s clearly that amendment to the constitution was brought unconstitutionally and Awami League was elected based on that amendment. So, it’s completely an illegal regime. So how will be the election under the illegal government?” he said.
The BNP leader urged the government to quit, dissolve parliament and hand over power to a neutral government without buying further time so that people can exercise their right to franchise in a fair and acceptable election.
"We have said, there is still time for the government to take a safe exit by quitting power. This is the demand of the people of the country," he said.
The BNP leader said their party has been consciously avoiding political confrontation by giving peaceful programmes.
"We have given the programme again. We hope good sense will prevail upon the government and they’ll they will resign and hand over the power to the non-partisan neutral government in the meantime to save the country from the crisis. Not only BNP wants it, but also the international community and everyone who believes in democracy wants it."
BNP will be blocked if it enforces blockades: Obaidul Quader
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would be the head of the election-time government.
He warned that if the BNP enforces anti-government programmes such as blockades the ruling party would “block” the BNP in response.
"Those who enforce blockades are the obstacles for the common people. We will also see what action the Americans take against them," he said.
Read: No one wins by killing innocent people: Momen tells OIC meeting in Jeddah
He made the statement while addressing a 'Peace and Development Rally' as the chief guest. The Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League organised the rally.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said, "I am also giving a message. Last message. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina will be the prime minister of the election-time government in the next election. After the election, Sheikh Hasina will sit as the prime minister again after being elected by the people."
Referring to the BNP's warning for the resignation, he said, "Will Sheikh Hasina resign? No…”
Quader described Sheikh Hasina as a “magic leader” of Bangladesh.
Pointing to BNP's contact with the US, he said, "You are getting excited. Because the West is encouraging. Mr. Fakhrul, the situation in the world is not good."
“It's hard for them to manage their own homes. Will they manage their home or encourage you? The days of encouragement are over," he added.
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and others were present at the programme.
Decide whether you want safe exit or ouster: Fakhrul tells govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday asked the government to decide by October 28 whether it will take a safe exit by quitting power or will get ousted by people.
Speaking at a mammoth rally, he also said they will start an unstoppable journey of their final movement on October 28 by holding a grand rally in the capital.
“There're a few more days ahead. Decide what you will do within the holidays of the (Durga) Puja. Decide whether you’ll resign and take a safe exit with self-respect or will be driven out by the people,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP announces grand rally in Dhaka on October 28
He called upon the government to try to understand the body language of the people and peacefully hand over power to a non-partisan government for the sake of a credible national election.
“You (PM) take the message from this public rally that people no longer want to see you in power. I repeat, step down with dignity by handing over power to a neutral and non-partisan government for conducting the election in a credible manner,” Fakhrul said.
Otherwise, he warned, the people have woken up to ensure the fall of the government.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office with the participation of a huge number of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies.
Also read: AL's peace and development rally underway with enormous turnout
The rally was meant to mount pressure on the government to accept the party’s one-point demand that includes the resignation of the government and the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad.
Fakhrul said that their party will hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 to step up the opposition’s campaign for the resignation of the government and holding the next election under a non-party administration.
“We’ll hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 (Saturday). From this grand rally, a grand journey of our movement will begin,” he said.
Also read: PM Hasina to decide on size of election-time govt: Law Minister
Stating that their planned grand rally is a partial programme of the final phase of their movement, Fakhrul hinted that the opposition will announce a series of action programmes on October 28.
“After the grand rally, Inshallah, we won’t stop until the fall of this regime,” he told the opposition supporters.
The BNP leader said the grand rally will be arranged as part of the simultaneous movement. “We--all political parties--who are on the simultaneous movement will make this programme a success."
“It’ll be a peaceful programme. We’ll ensure the fall of this terrorist Awami League regime that has been creating chaos in the country,” he said.
Also read: No ultimatum or message will bring benefit as long as people are with PM Hasina: Quader
Fakhrul, however, warned the BNP leaders and activists that the government may create many hurdles and obstacles ahead of the grand rally. “But we have to make the rally a success braving all possible odds to move towards our desired goal of establishing the rights of the people."
Fakhrul said the government has been trying to confuse people by carrying out various false campaigns by using social media as it could realise that people are not with it.
He also said the government has also been resorting to various evil tactics sensing its imminent fall. “The people now don’t get confused by the government’s false campaigns.”
Also read: Vote for Awami League in upcoming election to continue progress: PM Hasina
The BNP leader said the government has arrested over 250 BNP leaders and activists ahead of the BNP’s rally in fear of losing power.
“The government began to tremble in fear of the people. The more the end of their tenure is approaching, the more they are getting afraid. That’s why more than our 250 leaders and workers have been arrested involving this rally,” he said.
The BNP leader also said their party’s around 96 leaders have already been convicted in different cases ahead of the next national election. “The government is thinking of clearing the field by disqualifying our leaders for the election through sentencing them. How afraid this government is as they’ve taken such measures!”
He said the government could not demoralise the BNP leaders and activists by repressing, arresting and sentencing them.
BNP announces grand rally in Dhaka on October 28
BNP on Wednesday announced to hold a grand rally in the capital on October 28 as part of the party’s final phase of action programme of their ongoing movement to topple the government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Read: Fakhrul hopes to start unstopable journey from BNP's grand rally on Oct 28
“We’ll hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28 (Saturday). From this grand rally, our grand journey (of our movement will begin,” he said.
Stating that their planned grand rally is a partial programme of the final phase of the movement, Fakhrul hinted that the opposition will announce a series of action programmes on October 28.
“After the grand rally, Inshallah we won’t stop until the fall of this regime,” he told invigorating opposition followers.
The BNP leader said the grand rally will be arranged as part of the simultaneous movement. “We all political parties who are on the simultaneous movement will make this programme a success.
“It’ll be a peaceful programme. We’ll ensure the fall of this terrorist Awami League regime that has been creating chaos,” he said.
Fakhrul, however, warned the BNP leaders and activists that the government may create many hurdles and obstacles ahead of the grand rally. “But we have to make the rally a success braving all possible odds and to move towards the desired goal of establishing the rights of the people.”
The rally was meant to mount pressure on the government to accept the party’s one-point demand which includes the resignation of the government and the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad.
Thousands of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies rally with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders from different parts of Dhaka.
The roads and alleys stretching from Fakirapul to Bijoynagar were crowded with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. The expanding rally crowd spilled over onto nearby roads streets and spaces.
Apart from BNP, like-minded political parties and alliances also held separate rallies in different city areas to press home the one-point demand.
A large number of members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the Nayapaltan area to maintain law and order.
AL's peace and development rally underway with enormous turnout
The peace and development rally of Awami League is underway at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka with participation of hundreds of thousands of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies.
The rally has been organised on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read: Stage set for Awami League's programme in Dhaka today
The venue and surrounding areas reverberated with slogans including “We stand with our leader Sheikh Hasina”, as BNP is also holding a protest rally.
AL leaders and activists have gathered at the venue carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits from different parts of Dhaka to join the rally from 2 pm onwards.
Also read: PM Hasina to decide on size of election-time govt: Law Minister
The roads and alleys stretching from Gulistan to GPO and adjacent lanes are crowded with activists, halting traffic in the area. The expanding rally crowd spilled over onto nearby roads, streets, and spaces.
Dhaka south and north metropolitan units of AL have organised the programme.
Also read: Vote for Awami League in upcoming election to continue progress: PM Hasina
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will deliver his speech as the chief guest, while the president of the Dhaka metropolitan south unit of the party will preside over the programme.
The General Secretary of the Dhaka metropolitan north unit of AL, SM Kachi Khandakar, is conducting the programme.
President of Dhaka metropolitan north unit of Awami league, Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, and general secretary of Dhaka metropolitan south unit, Humayun Kabir, will also deliver speeches.
The party announced a series of activities today.
The directive for AL activists to gather in the capital today was issued by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday.
The Awami League has laid out an elaborate schedule of programmes that will run from October 7 to October 18. The programme began with a teachers' gathering on October 7. The series of events will culminate in the public rally today.
Regarding today’s programme, Quader said, "In Dhaka city, we will block their (BNP’s) gatherings and prevent them from carrying out their plan. They are conspiring. Fakhrul is spreading rumours. He's collecting news from thin air."
Stage set for Awami League's programme in Dhaka today
The stage is set for Awami League's programme today, as BNP is also scheduled to hold a protest rally.
UNB’s reporter found movement of vehicles and people on the roads in Dhaka to be low.
Dhaka south and north metropolitan units of Awami League are organising the programme at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram Mosque.
PM Hasina to decide on size of election-time govt: Law Minister
The peace and development demonstration was organised on the occasion of the 60th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will deliver his speech as the chief guest while the president of Dhaka metropolitan south unit of the party will preside over the programme.
General Secretary of Dhaka metropolitan north unit of AL, SM Kachi Khandakar will conduct the programme.
President of Dhaka metropolitan north unit of Awami league, Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, and general secretary of Dhaka metropolitan south unit, Humayun Kabir, will also deliver speeches.
The party announced a series of activities today. BNP is also scheduled to hold its rally in Dhaka today.
No ultimatum or message will bring benefit as long as people are with PM Hasina: Quader
The directive for AL activists to gather in the capital today was issued by Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday.
The Awami League has laid out an elaborate schedule of programmes that will run from October 7 to October 18. The programme began with a teachers' gathering on October 7. The series of events will culminate in a public rally in Dhaka on the 18.
Regarding today’s programme, Quader had said, "In Dhaka city, we will block their (BNP’s) gatherings and prevent them from carrying out their plan. They are conspiring. Fakhrul is spreading rumours. He's collecting news from thin air."
AL announces programmes on Oct 18, the same day as BNP's rally
BNP rally underway at Nayapaltan with massive turnout
A public rally of BNP has begun in front of its Nayapaltan central office with the participation of a huge number of leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies.
The rally arranged by BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units formally began around 1:55 pm on Wednesday with the recitation from the holy Quran.
The rally is meant to mount pressure on the government to accept the party’s one-point demand which includes the resignation of the government and the unconditional release of party chief Khaleda Zia for her treatment abroad.
Read: Get ready for final agitation, no time to look back: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will address the programme as the chief guest with the party’s Dhaka South city unit convener Abdus Salam in chair.
From the rally, Fakhrul is supposed to announce to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on October 28. He is also likely to give the government the last warning to accept their one-point demand to avoid fierce agitation.
BNP leaders and activists have started gathering before the party’s Nayapaltan central office with processions carrying banners, festoons, placards, and portraits of the party’s top leaders from different parts of Dhaka since Wednesday morning to join the rally.
The roads and alleys stretching from Fakirapul to Bijoynagar were crowded with BNP activists, halting traffic in the area. The expanding rally crowd spilled over onto nearby roads streets and spaces.
Apart from BNP, like-minded political parties and alliances are also arranging separate rallies in different city areas to press home the one-point demand.
A large number of members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the Nayapaltan area to maintain law and order.
Read: Nothing actually happened behind the scenes: Fakhrul
Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that the government tried to create panic among the BNP leaders and activists by arresting some party leaders and activists on Tuesday night ahead of the rally.
“But the government could not prevent our leaders and activists from joining the rally. Our rally has already tuned into a human sea,” he said.
Rizvi claimed that around 60 leaders and activists of their party, including BNP organising secretary Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu and Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal convener Abul Kalam Azad, were arrested by the police in the capital as of Wednesday morning since Tuesday night.
Law and order situation in Bangladesh remains peaceful: EC Secretary
Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Secretary Md Jahangir Alam on Tuesday said the current law and order situation in the country remains peaceful.
He made the remarks while replying to a question from reporters after a meeting with the leaders of Sampriti Bangladesh on Tuesday (October 17).
At the meeting, the organization demanded the EC to take steps so that the anti-liberation forces could not participate in the upcoming 12th parliamentary elections.
Also read: CEC urges field-level officials to carry out duties with impartiality during upcoming nat’l election
The leaders of the organization also called for ensuring the safety of religious minorities.
When asked about the concerns of minorities regarding potential violence at the polls, the EC secretary responded that only those who have such fears can voice them.
"The Commission would like to emphasize that, in its view, the law and order situation in Bangladesh is currently peaceful,” he added.
The commission believes there has been no situation to worry about yet, the EC secretary said. “If any situation arises at a later time, the Election Commission will take steps according to the law.”
At the meeting, the leaders of Sampriti Bangladesh presented four demands to the commission.
Also read: Election might remain incomplete without BNP: CEC
The written demands include taking measures to stop religion-based propaganda and the communal provocations incited by those propaganda, taking effective role to prevent anti-liberation forces from participating in the upcoming elections, ensuring the safety of religious minorities and general voters, and identifying areas at risk of minority persecution and taking adequate and necessary measures to prevent pre-election, election-time and post-election violence.
Regarding the demands, the commission assured them to take action on those proposals according to the law.
A 13-member delegation, including Sampriti Bangladesh President Pijush Bandyopadhyay, attended the meeting.
Also read: It is law enforcement agencies’ responsibility to maintain communal harmony before and after polls: CEC
On behalf of the EC, some commissioners and senior officials including the EC secretary participated in the meeting.
"We have informed the Election Commission (EC) that the anti-liberation forces and the defeated forces of 1971 should not participate in the upcoming national elections," said Pijush Bandyopadhyay, president of Sampriti Bangladesh. At the same time, he called for ensuring the safety of religious minorities.
"We don't want to see a Black October in Bangladesh like it was in 2001; the horrors and atrocities that only remind us of 1971. We want to remove such atrocities from Bangladesh forever,” he said. “We don't want to see those who opposed the liberation war in the government."