Politics
Remove barriers to save Khaleda’s life: BNP policymakers urge govt
Voicing deep concern over the life of its ailing party chairperson Khaleda Zia, the BNP standing committee has urged the government to remove all barriers to ensure her treatment at an advanced center abroad.
Speaking at a press conference, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also said it is now clear that the government wants to kill its main opponent Khaleda ahead of the national election by depriving her of necessary treatment overseas.
Read: AL turned Bangladesh into looters' paradise: Fakhrul
Like the people of the country, he said the BNP leaders, workers, members and supporters at all levels, have become worried over the statements of Khaleda’s doctors on her physical condition and treatment.
“Our party’s National Standing Committee strongly demanded the government to immediately remove the inhumane obstacles imposed on the way to taking our leader (Khaleda) to any country where good treatment is possible to save her life,” Fakhrul said.
He said the BNP standing committee, the highest policymaking body of the party also strongly condemned and protested the 'sick' attempts of the Prime Minister and her cabinet colleagues to satiate their political vengeance against Khaleda by making indecent, cruel, and inhumane statement on the conditions of suspension of her sentence, her age and illness and by giving an irrational and wrong interpretation of the existing laws.
Read: 'BNP kept no scope for compromise': Obaidul Quader to US delegation
The press conference was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office to inform the media about the outcome of the party’s standing committee meeting held on Monday.
Fakhrul said their standing committee strongly felt that just as Khaleda was unjustly evicted from her cantonment residence out of political vendetta, similarly an attempt was made to push her to death without treatment and with deliberate wrong by sending her to an abandoned jail through a dictated verdict for no crime she committed.
He said the Prime Minister’s comment on dropping the BNP chief into the river from the Padma Bridge and her recent comment that there is no point in crying for a nearly 80-yer-old moribund person have demonstrated the current 'usurper' regime did not want to see her alive.
“No civilizsd, humane, and sound common citizen, let alone the head of government of any country, can utter such terroristic words about any opponent. It is natural for the government-- that wants the death of our leader--to unjustly obstruct her advanced treatment. But this attitude and behavior of the government is not acceptable to the country’s people,” the BNP leader said.
He warned that the government must face the wrath of the people if anything bad happens to Khaleda for depriving her of the scope to get the treatment she deserves.
Replying to a question Fakhrul said they have been observing programmes after programmes demanding Khaleda’s unconditional release to pave the way for her treatment abroad. “The complications over Khaleda Zia’s treatment (abroad) have clearly manifested that they (govt) want to kill her. Not giving her any scope to receive treatment means killing her ahead of the national election.”
Read: Khaleda’s doctors to hold press conference on ex-PM's condition Monday
He said their movement will be intensified further in the days to come to force the government to step down.
Earlier on the day, the medical board formed at Evercare Hospital for Khaleda’s treatment recommended that she be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary centre abroad soon as there are now no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh.
Speaking at a press conference at the hospital, the board also said the 78-year-old former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, the 78-year-old former prime minister, has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka under the supervision of a 15-member medical board, led by a specialist doctor, Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, since August 9.
She has been suffering from various ailments, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, heart, and eye problems.
On September 5, Khaleda’s brother Shamim Iskandar submitted an application to the government to take her abroad for treatment, but it was turned down.
AL turned Bangladesh into looters' paradise: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said that the ruling Awami League has doomed the country by turning it into a paradise for plunderers.
“They (govt) have ruined the country…the economic indicators are starting to go down, remittances and garment exports are decreasing,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the way the forex reserves are falling, it will be difficult to find the necessary dollars to import goods needed from abroad in a few months time.
“The ruling party has turned the country into a looters' paradise. They are like the Borgis (the horsemen of the Maratha Empire who indulged in large-scale plundering in the Bengal region during the 17th century). They’ll run away after plundering the country’s resources."
The faction of Gono Odhikar Parishad led by Dr Reza Kibria arranged the discussion titled “Democracy, Sovereignty and Solutions to the Rohingya Crisis,” at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU).
Fakhrul said even the pro-AL economists have started saying that the situation is dire. “If it cannot be fixed and proper steps are not taken immediately, we'll have to pay dearly amid dire economic uncertainty in the future,” he warned.
The BNP leader said the current government is least bothered about the deepening economic crisis since it has no love for the people, nor feels any responsibility towards them.
He alleged that the government has taken up various mega projects, including the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Padma Bridge Rail Line, at four times what the cost should have been. “They are sharing the extra money as their commissions.”
Fakhrul said he strongly believes that a change in government is coming as people have started to wake up.
He called upon people from all walks of life irrespective of their party affiliation to get united and take to the streets without buying any more time to save the country from the hands of a monstrous regime.
Criticising Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for his statement on pouring uranium on the heads of the opposition leaders, Fakhrul questioned whether the ruling party leader is so imprudent that he does not know about uranium.
He said Quader makes many reckless comments about his political opponents that only make people laugh.
“One of our leaders who lives outside the country told me not to protest Quader’s comment (on uranium) as it has become a matter of entertainment for us,” Fakhrul said.
Earlier on Monday, Obaidul Quader at a programme of Awami League’s Dhaka north city unit warned that they will pour uranium on the heads of BNP leaders if they want to shut the Rooppur power plant.
“Two shipments of uranium have already arrived in the country from Russia. We’ll pour some of the uranium over the heads of Fakhrul, Moyeen Khan, Gayeshwar, Abbas, crazy and Rizvi. Whoever does excess, we will calm them down by pouring uranium on their heads instead of beating them with sticks," Quader said.
BNP observes Shaheed Jihad Day in memory of slain JCD activist
BNP and its associate bodies observed ‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ on Tuesday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad.
Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist of Ullapara Upazila in Sirajganj, was shot dead in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.
Also read: BNP’s Rizvi hits back at AL general secretary calling him ‘Chemical Quader’
JCD's Dhaka University unit leaders placed a floral wreath at the Jihad memorial plaque located in the Dainik Bangla crossing at about 8:30am in the morning.
Later, a group of student leaders of the 90s, led by BNP joint secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon, and Jihad Smriti Parishad also paid homage to Jihad by placing wreaths at his Memorial plaque.
Besides, Jihad Smriti Parishad held a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club to observe the day.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal observed the day with various programmes in different parts of the country.
Also read: 'It’s a threat to kill senior BNP leaders': Mirza Abbas on Obaidul Quader’s 'uranium' comment
Meanwhile, BNP acting chairmanTarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued separate messages on the occasion paying respect to the memory of Jihad and seeking the salvation of his departed soul.
On this day 30 years back, Jihad, the then president of the Government Akbar Ali College unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, along with 60 other students from Ullapara, joined a grand rally at Paltan in the capital organised by the BNP-led seven-party alliance to call for an end to HM Ershad's autocratic regime.
Around 4pm, police baton-charged the rally and fired gunshots. Hit by a bullet, Jihad died on the spot.
Also read: Dhaka residents to make BNP obsolete if it comes to paralyse the city: Quader
Hasan Mahmud praying hard for Khaleda Zia's recovery followed by return home
Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said he prays so that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia recovers fast and returns home.
“I pray to the Almighty that Begum Zia recovers quickly and returns home as before,” he said.
Also read: Hasan Mahmud hopes BNP will participate in election, Begum Zia to recover soon
Hasan Mahmud, also the Information and Broadcasting Minister, was speaking to reporters after inaugurating two books in the Conference Room of the Department of Information at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Asked by reporters to comment on the recommendation by Khaleda Zia's medical board that the ex-prime minister be sent abroad for advanced treatment, the minister replied: “They (the doctors) are talking like the BNP. The government is sincere and is doing whatever support is necessary to ensure that Begum Zia gets the best healthcare and will do more if needed.”
Also read: BNP paying for "imprudent" decisions: Hasan Mahmud
“If they need to bring in an outside doctor, they can also do that,” he added.
Asked about the convictions in the trial of some BNP leaders, Hasan said: "The courts in the country work independently, they do not give arbitrary verdicts. If BNP leaders are not satisfied with the lower court's verdict, they can go to the High Court. There are two other levels of high courts.”
Also read: Fear of losing behind BNP wanting to boycott election: Hasan Mahmud
“But in reality, BNP does not have confidence in either the country or the court,” the I & B minister said, adding, "The date has been postponed more than 100 times in Begum Zia's case. That's why they say it. The law and courts operate independently in the country. For this reason, the Awami League leaders are also tried and punished.”
BNP’s Rizvi hits back at AL general secretary calling him ‘Chemical Quader’
BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday branded Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Qauder as a ‘Chemical Quader’ for his remark on pouring uranium on the heads of the opposition leaders.
“There was a minister in Iraq named Ali. He was believed to be overseeing the production of toxic chemical weapons. So, everyone called him Chemical Ali. A Chemical Quader (AL general secretary) has also emerged in Bangladesh,” he said.
Also read: 'It’s a threat to kill senior BNP leaders': Mirza Abbas on Obaidul Quader’s 'uranium' comment
Talking to reporters on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave premises, Rizvi said the Awami League General Secretary exposed how cruel their party is with his threat to pour destructive uranium on the heads of the opposition BNP leaders.
“Uranium can destroy the whole world with its toxic radiation. He (Quader) threatened to pour that uranium on the heads of the BNP secretary general and its standing committee members,” he said.
On Monday, Quader at a programme of Awami League’s Dhaka north city unit warned that they will pour uranium on the heads of BNP leaders if they want to shut the Rooppur power plant.
Also read: Dhaka residents to make BNP obsolete if it comes to paralyse the city: Quader
“Two shipments of uranium have already arrived in the country from Russia. We’ll pour some of the uranium over the heads of Fakhrul, Moyeen Khan, Gayeshwar, Abbas and ‘crazy’ Rizvi. Whoever does excess, we will calm them down by pouring uranium on their heads instead of beating them with sticks," Quader said.
Rizvi alleged that Sheikh Hasina's government and its ministers are directly and indirectly involved in dreadful acts like enforced disappearances, murder, secret killing and crossfire in Bangladesh. “The threat of pouring toxic chemical uranium on opposition leaders’ heads is a sign of the cruel attitude of the ruling party.”
He criticised the government for not allowing ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment.
Also read: Fakhrul warns govt of 'consequences' if Khaleda’s life put at risk
The BNP leader alleged that the government has snatched Khaleda’s basic and constitutional rights to receive treatment by denying her permission to go abroad.
He called upon people from all walks of life to wake up to free the country from the grasp of the current autocratic regime through a strong street movement.
Rizvi together with the newly made Bogura district unit BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha and general secretary Ali Asgar Hena paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave.
'It’s a threat to kill senior BNP leaders': Mirza Abbas on Obaidul Quader’s 'uranium' comment
Slamming Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for his statement threatening to pour uranium on the heads of opposition leaders, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Tuesday said it was a threat to kill the senior BNP leaders.
"Obaidul Quader has said they would calm us down by pouring uranium on our heads instead of beating us with sticks. I would like to ask him: do you have any idea about what uranium is and its types. It’s the delusion of an insane person,” he said.
Also read: Dhaka residents to make BNP obsolete if it comes to paralyse the city: Quader
Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader said people can die from the side effects of uranium if it is poured on someone.
“So are you not threatening to kill (BNP leaders)? You threatened to kill Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas. I want to say clearly that you have threatened to kill some of our standing committee members,” he said.
Jihad Smriti Parishad arranged the discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club in memory of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad, who was shot dead in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.
Also read: Fakhrul warns govt of 'consequences' if Khaleda’s life put at risk
Earlier on Monday, Obaidul Quader at a programme of Awami League’s Dhaka north city unit warned that they will pour uranium on the heads of BNP leaders if they try to shut the Rooppur power plant.
“Two shipments of uranium have already arrived in the country from Russia. We’ll pour some of the uranium on the heads of Fakhrul, Moyeen Khan, Gayeshwar, Abbas and crazy Rizvi. Whoever does excess, we will calm them down by pouring uranium on their heads instead of beating them with sticks," Quader said.
Abbas recalled that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier threatened to drop BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia into the river from the Padma Bridge, saying: “We didn’t forget it. You’ve now issued a threat of uranium…what have you started? Do politics and speak in political language and learn how to speak with political etiquette.”
Also read: 'BNP kept no scope for compromise': Obaidul Quader to US delegation
Abbas warned that they would take legal action against the ruling party leaders for such despicable remarks. “We won’t spare them (AL leaders) this time,” he said.
He claimed that the BNP is a party of decent people while the Awami League is a party of uncivilised people. “We (BNP leaders) also know how to use abusive words, but we don’t do that as BNP is a party of gentlemen.”
The BNP leader called upon BNP leaders and activists to take to the streets with fresh vigour and courage to oust the Awami League regime.
Dhaka residents to make BNP obsolete if it comes to paralyse the city: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday (October 09, 2023) said the people of Dhaka would make BNP obsolete if it comes to paralyse the city.
“BNP said it will paralyse Dhaka city in October. The people of Dhaka will paralyse them (BNP) instead. They said to shut the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. If they jump and dance too much, we’ll put Russian uranium on their heads and cool it down,” he said.
Also read: Uphold non-communal spirit of Liberation War, says Quader
Quader was speaking at a peace rally organised by Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League at Gabtoli in the capital on Monday afternoon.
He warned BNP that it will not be good to jump too much.
Also read: Not leaving the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends: Quader
The road transport and bridges minister said, “People are suffering due to the rise in commodity prices due to the global crisis. Sheikh Hasina is sleepless thinking about the people.”
“Things cost more, but not a single person died without eating. If people live, Bangladesh will survive, Awami League will live, and the Liberation War will live,” he also said.
Also read: General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader
Awami League Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, among others, addressed the rally with Dhaka City North AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman in the chair.
Uncertainty still looms over election: GM Quader
Jatiya Party chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader on Monday said there is still considerable uncertainty looming over the election.
“BNP won’t participate in the election and they will continue their movement. There may be unrest over the election. So an uncertainty looms over it,” he said, while talking to reporters after a meeting with a visiting US pre-election assessment team.
Replying to a question, the Jatiya Party chairman said “We have not decided not to go to the polls. We are observing the environment and situation and will make a decision after citing everything. We have a discussion at the party forum and no specific decision has been taken yet.”
I can't be sold for money or power: GM Quader
In reply to another query about the election-time government, the JaPa leader said “We are not aware about any proposal from the government and if any proposal comes to us we’ll consider it, and we want to observe the environment for a few more days.”
Some people taking advantage of Raushan Ershad's illness to make her sign papers: GM Quader
The NDI-IRI pre-election assessment team sought the party's opinion about the irregularities in some sectors and how to prevent them, Quader said.
Govt cannot evade responsibility for failing to control dengue: GM Quader
"They also wanted to know how elections were held in our country," he added.
Fakhrul warns govt of 'consequences' if Khaleda’s life put at risk
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday warned the government of dire consequences if ailing party chairperson and ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia’s life falls at risk for lack of proper treatment abroad.
“We would like to make it clear that if there is any threat to the life of our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, the people of this country will never forgive this despicable looter government,” Fakhrul said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the people are not so stupid that they fail to understand the government has sent its main opponent Khaleda Zia to jail to remove her from politics and secure power.
Also read: BNP to observe ‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ Tuesday
He alleged the government pushed the BNP chief near death by deliberately keeping her incarcerated in an uninhabitable room while she was in prison.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units arranged the rally in front of its Nayapaltan central office demanding that the government allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for advanced treatment.
The party will also observe a token hunger strike across the country, including in Dhaka, on September 14 to mount pressure on the government to let Khaleda go abroad.
Also read: BNP chairperson’s adviser, ex-lawmakers among 15 sentenced to 4 years’ jail in sabotage case
Earlier in the day, the medical board formed at Evercare Hospital for Khaleda’s treatment recommended that she be urgently sent to a multidisciplinary centre abroad, as there are now no treatment options available for her in Bangladesh.
The board also said the 78-year-old former prime minister’s life is at risk because of a lack of proper treatment to stop water accretion in her stomach and chest, internal bleeding and infections caused by her liver cirrhosis problem.
Fakhrul said when the medical board said Khaleda was at the crossroads of life and death, the government said there was no scope to send her abroad out of political vengeance.
Also read: Khaleda’s treatment: No options available in Bangladesh, still has time to send her abroad: Medical Board
The BNP leader said Awami League has now become a fascist organisation that represents the bureaucrats and law enforcers who are indulging in repression and some businessmen who are indulging in plundering.
He said Awami League was not satisfied by convicting Khaleda on false charges, as it is now jailing and arresting the BNP leaders who are waging the street movement.
Fakhrul strongly protested a lower court verdict sentencing 15 BNP leaders and activists, including its vice chairman and former lawmaker Alhaj Md Shahjahan and chairperson’s adviser Habibur Rahman Habib, in a ‘false’ sabotage case filed around eight years back in Dhaka.
He warned that it would not be possible to resist opposition leaders and activists by jailing and repressing them.
Also read: Credible polls not possible under current regime, BNP tells US pre-election assessment team
“They thought that the BNP would no longer exist after jailing our leader Khaleda Zia. But BNP has become stronger and woke up to ensure the government’s fall through a movement,” the BNP leader said.
He alleged that the government has already sentenced many BNP leaders, including standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Dhaka North City unit party convener Amanullah Aman, to remove them from politics ahead of the national election.
“We will not stop unless we remove this regime from power and we’ll definitely defeat this regime,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government is going through serious ordeals due to hikes in prices of daily essentials while inflation is growing amid the dollar crisis.
“The way the reserves are decreasing, there will be no more money to import goods after a few days…the government still does not understand what consequences await. Don't forget history. No one could run the country in this way,” Fakhrul observed.
Also read: BNP urges govt to immediately let Khaleda go abroad for treatment
BNP to observe ‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ Tuesday
BNP and its associate bodies will observe ‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ on Tuesday, marking the 33rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Nazir Uddin Ahmed Jihad.
Jihad, a Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) activist of Ullapara Upazila in Sirajganj, was shot to death in Dhaka on October 10, 1990, during the anti-Ershad movement.
JCD central leaders will place a wreath at Jihad memorial plaque at Dainik Bangla crossing in the morning in observance of the day.
‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ observed
A group of student leaders of the 90s and Jihad Smriti Parishad will arrange a discussion in memory of Jihad at Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday, marking the day.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal will observe the day with various programmes in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, BNP acting chairmanTarique Rahman and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued separate messages on the occasion paying respect to the memory of Jihad and seeking the salvation of his departed soul.
‘Shaheed Jihad Day’ observed
On this day 30 years back, Jihad, the then president of Government Akbar Ali College unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, along with 60 other students from Ullapara, joined the grand rally at Paltan in the capital organised by the BNP-led seven-party alliance to call for ending HM Ershad's autocratic regime.
Around 4:00 pm, police charged batons at the rally and fired gunshots. Hit by a bullet, Jihad died on the spot.