politics
Usurping power AL govt showing arrogance: Rizvi
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that the Awami League government is showing its arrogance after usurping power through the last month’s ‘dummy’ election.
“They (govt) are now showing their arrogance after the farcical dummy election held on January 7 which was turned down by the country’s people. They’re also trying to flaunt the power they've usurped to people,” he said.
BNP leader Moyeen Khan meets Peter Haas
He came up with the remarks before distributing BNP’s leaflets in the city’s Fakirapool area as part of the party’s fresh programme demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliamentary polls and a fresh election under a non-partisan government.
The BNP leader said the country's people have woken up against the government to ensure its fall through a united movement.
“We all must take to the streets together in the movement to demand the cancellation of the dummy election...We have started the leaflet distribution programme with that goal,” he said.
BNP stuck in quicksand of wrong politics: Quader
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent comment that there were many crackdowns on the army and many were sent to the gallows during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi said their party founder did everything through a legal process against those who worked against the army.
“But you (PM) have made military officers disappear. Where is Brigadier General Abdullahil Amaan Azmi? He was subjected to enforced disappearance during the tenure of your government,” he said.
He said that the Awami League government killed about 20,000 leaders and workers of (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) JSD and other opposition parties and dissidents in 1972-1975. “Similarly, countless opposition leaders and workers have been killed during the tenure of this regime. Many people, including Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, have been made forcibly disappear."
15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi
Later, Rizvi along with some party leaders and activists distributed leaflets among the pedestrians, shop owners, transport workers and rickshaw pullers in the area.
The leaflet titled 'Save the country, save the people' demanded the cancellation of the January 7 one-sided by-election, the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the establishment of an impartial election commission under a caretaker government, the release of jailed BNP leaders and activists, including its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP leaders and workers distributed leaflets in all metropolitan cities on Tuesday also to mount pressure on the government to reduce the prices of essential commodities.
BNP on Sunday announced a six-day fresh programme, including mass contact and leaflet distribution, across the country beginning Tuesday.
BNP to remain dysfunctional without change in leadership: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and joint general secretary of Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said the BNP and their politics will never become functional again without a change in party leadership.
"BNP is like an old car that is stuck. Despite a push by many people from home and abroad, the party remains dysfunctional. To start this old car of BNP, the battery has to be changed. But they left their crocked battery in London. If this battery is not thrown away, the political car of BNP will never start again," said the Awami League Joint General Secretary.
He was addressing the commemoration meeting organized by Boalkhali Upazila Awami League on the occasion of the first death anniversary of the late president of South Chattogram District Awami League, former member of parliament, Moslem Uddin Ahmed at Boalkhali Sirajul Islam Degree College ground in Chittagong in the evening.
Read: BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister
The Foreign Minister said the global leaders including the US President, British Prime Minister, the European Union and the UN Secretary-General congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed their willingness to work together as partners.
"The whole world has congratulated the government led by Sheikh Hasina, and expressed their desire to work with this government. And after seeing these things, the BNP was speechless for a few days and could not understand what to do," he added.
Regarding BNP's leaflet programme, the Minister said, "You distribute leaflets, don't go to distribute petrol bombs. If you do that, you will be given a befitting lesson. I will tell the young workers of the party (AL), find out who is in the BNP plan to throw petrol bombs. We will not allow them to do this."
Referring to late MP Moslem Uddin Ahmed who became a leader from a worker, Foreign Minister Hasan said that he became a leader from the back row of the procession.
Read: Quader anxious to restore party unity ahead of important AL meeting
"He is an example of how a worker can become a leader. Today's new generation who are 30 years old, they don't know what opposition party is, many people don't understand what pain we went through being in the opposition," he added.
Many of them, like the brave freedom fighter Moslem Uddin, who defied all odds and led the vanguard of leader Sheikh Hasina, ignoring Zia-Ershad's repression, have slowly passed away, he said.
Boalkhali Upazila Awami League President Nurul Amin Chowdhury chaired the discussion conducted by General Secretary Upazila Chairman Rezaul Karim Raza.
Read more: Bangladesh strengthens its position along Myanmar border: Obaidul Quader
Chattogram South District Awami League President freedom fighter Motaherul Islam Chowdhury MP, Md. Abdus Salam, MP, South District Awami League Joint General Secretary Pradeep Das, Information and Research Secretary Abdul Quader Sujan, among others, spoke.
AL candidate wins Naogaon-2 election
Awami League candidate Shahiduzzaman Sarkar was declared the winner of the Naogaon-2 constituency election on Monday.
He has been elected MP for the fourth time.
Naogaon Deputy Commissioner and District Returning Officer Golam Mowla announced the results unofficially at 9 pm.
In this constituency, which consists of Patnitala-Dhamoirhat upazila on the border of Naogaon, Shahiduzzaman Sarkar secured 1 lakh 18 thousand 941 votes. His nearest rival Md Atiqur Rahman of JP got 74,381 votes.
On December 29, the Election Commission (EC) suspended the election of this constituency after the death of independent candidate Aminul Haque. Later, on January 8, the EC announced the election schedule again.
Negotiate with Myanmar on Rohingya repatriation before returning soldiers: AB Party
Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) held a media briefing on Monday evening at its central office, denouncing the government’s years of failure to undertake meaningful steps for Rohingya repatriation.
"The failure culminated in recent skirmishes at the Myanmar border with Bangladesh. The subservient foreign policy of this regime made our border insecure and the lives of local residents miserable,” the party said, according to a press release.
AB Party also took a stand against returning around 350 members of Myanmar border guard police to Naypyidaw without any thorough interrogation in regard to the genocide in Rakhine. AB Party believes that it’s a great opportunity to negotiate with the Myanmar junta to repatriate 1.3 million Rohingya refugees back to their own land with citizenship and other associated rights.
Major (retd) Professor Dr Abdul Wahab Minar, Adv Tajul Islam, and Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad spoke at the briefing, said the release.
Ban politics of BNP-Jamaat nexus: Sheikh Selim
Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim on Monday demanded that authorities ban the politics of the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami and called them a radical, terrorist and anti-independence force.
“They are the enemies of the state, enemies of freedom. Communalism is the enemy of democracy. I demand the authorities ban the terrorist, militant and anti-independence force BNP-Jamaat,” he said while speaking in Parliament taking part in the thanksgiving motion on the President’s speech.
Selim, elected from Gopalganj, drew attention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take action in this regard.
He said that Bangabandhu banned the politics of anti-independence forces in the country.
“As a daughter of Bangabandhu, only you can do it. Bangabandhu's soul will rest in peace if anti-independence force--BNP-Jamaat—is banned,” he said.
Selim, a member of the Awami League’s Presidium, said that everyone must be united to protect the independence of Bangladesh.
“I am making this demand so that no anti-independence forces can do politics in Bangladesh. They should be banned. They should not be able to kill, unleash terror and anarchy in Bangladesh in the name of politics. Legal action should be taken against whoever could be caught. No scope for mercy,” he said.
He said that the BNP is not a political party. This are a militant, terrorist group and anti-independence force.
“They have no right to do politics in this country. They do not show respect to the constitution,” he said.
He proposed to form a commission to find the responsible people behind the assassination of Bangabandhu.
Mentioning that the conspiracy against the country is continuing, he said that the BNP-Jamaat forces have started conspiracy again.
Bringing up the topic of Bangabandhu's murder, Selim said that after independence when Bangabandhu moved towards the path of economic emancipation, the ultra-revolutionary, counter-revolutionary forces started conspiring against independence.
“International conspirators were involved in this,” he added.
Selim alleged that the BNP-Jamaat had committed acts of sabotage one after another to halt the January 7 elections. He mentioned that sitting in London, Tarique Rahman called for a non-cooperation movement.
“The people have replied to the call through the January 7 election,” he said.
BNP leader Moyeen Khan meets Peter Haas
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday met US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas.
The meeting was held at the US Embassy in the city’s Baridhara area in the afternoon.
Dr. Moyeen Khan, a senior leader who has been pushed to the forefront of BNP activities since almost their entire leadership was put in jail in the post-October 28 scenario, entered the premises of the US Embassy at 2:40 PM and departed around 4pm.
BNP stuck in quicksand of wrong politics: Quader
A post on the Facebook page of the US Embassy in Dhaka confirmed the meeting between Peter Haas and the BNP leader. The embassy also shared a photo of the meeting.
The post reads, “Embassy Dhaka is committed to promote democracy, transparency, tolerance, good governance, and respect for human rights. Democracy thrives when every voice is heard. Pleased to meet with Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.”
15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi
Contacted, Dr Moyeen Khan said it was a courtesy call with Peter Haas. “We discussed various issues relating to democracy, human rights and the current situation of the country at the meeting.”
This was the first direct meeting of any BNP leader with the US ambassador after the January 7 national election.
AL business syndicates out to make money hiking commodity prices: BNP
Syndicates nurtured by govt behind runaway prices: Manna
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna blamed market syndicates for the increase in commodity prices and alleged that the government itself is nurturing the market manipulators.
Speaking at a signature collection programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, he also said Sheikh Hasina's government, considers itself very powerful, but it cannot control the syndicate.
“They foster the syndicate like nurturing animals at home...our government nurtures many goons and the big businessmen in the country,” Manna said.
He said the government allows the syndicates to do whatever they want only to get their support in times of need such as during the election.
The Nagorik Oikya president said over a month has elapsed since the ‘so-called’ national election was held, but the prices of all commodities are higher than before. “An election was held on January 7, but the prices of the commodity still did not fall.”
Stating that the fasting month of Ramadan will begin on March 17, he questioned whether the government can reduce the price of goods to give some relief to the people. “The government has lifted taxes on rice, oil, sugar and dates... but the prices of these items have not decreased."
Manna said the government grants loans to big businessmen, only for that money to be illicitly siphoned off overseas.
He also alleged that different big companies siphon off money abroad without repaying bank loans as the government cannot take any action against them. “This regime also fails to address the soaring prices of commodities and it cannot ensure people have enough food to satisfy their hunger.”
The Nagorik Oikya leader said they believe it is possible to lower commodity prices by controlling the syndicate and increasing market monitoring.
Nagorik Oikya launched the mass signature collection programme in favour of democracy and to reject the January 7 national election.
The organisers said they are taking signatures of people from all walks of life in all cities and districts across the country as part of the party’s move to turn down the 12th parliamentary election and to justify the opposition parties’ demand for the restoration of democracy through a fresh election under a neutral government.
Manna said they have so far conducted eight signature campaigns in Dhaka city. “Similar signature campaigns have started in other cities and districts of Bangladesh. This signature campaign will continue. We will show millions of people give their signatures in favour of democracy to send out a message to the government that it has no right to stay in power.”
BNP stuck in quicksand of wrong politics: Quader
Terming BNP a major political party till now, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said they are inactive now and made mistakes.
"They (BNP) are actually stuck in the quicksand of wrong politics," he said.
The minister made these remarks while talking to journalists at the Secretariat this afternoon.
15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi
Regarding BNP's leaflet distribution programme, he said the BNP's politics is going deep into the ditch. "Before it was on the edge of the ditch but now it is going deep into the ditch," he added.
When asked about BNP's 15 leaders and activists dead in police custody, Obaidul Quader said: "Where and how did they die? Which prison or custody? Throwing stones in the dark will not make it happen."
Regarding Metrorail, Quader said initiatives are underway to reduce the movement frequency of metro rail in view of growing commuters' dependence on its service.
AL business syndicates out to make money hiking commodity prices: BNP
He also said the coach numbers could not be increased due to technical reasons but the steps were taken to run a train every eight minutes while the current frequency is 10 minutes.
Quader, also the Awami League General Secretary, said increasing the number of metro coaches depends on technical matters.
"There is no metro rail in the world with more than 5 compartments but we have already been running with six coaches," he said.
The minister, however, said due to the increased demand, work is going on whether the frequency of the movement of metro rail can be reduced to 8 minutes from 10 minutes.
BNP announces six-day fresh programme beginning Tuesday
About the prices of essentials, the AL general secretary said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already directed the authorities concerned to take effective steps to control the price hike.
"But the market cannot be controlled overnight. Many things depend on the world situation. The government is working by giving priority to public interest," he said.
Whether the size of the cabinet is expanding or not, Quader said the premier can say it but the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Culture may have ministers in the future.
He also said that winners from reserved women's seats can become ministers.
Suspended Naogaon-2 election on Monday
The election to the Naogaon-2 (Dhamoirhat and Patnitala) constituency, which was postponed following the death of independent candidate Aminul Haque, will be held on Monday.
The balloting will begin at 8am and will continue till 4pm without any break amid tight security, said Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Presiding Officer Asma Khatun.
All necessary preparations have already been completed for the elections to be conducted fairly and impartially, she added.
Four candidates are vying for election as MP.
A total of 1,412 people including 124 presiding officers and 706 assistant presiding officers will serve as polling officers.
Besides, 4 policemen in important centers and 3 policemen in general centers, 13 police mobile teams, and 3 striking teams deployed in the poling centres to ensure security.
Six check posts were also set up to check up on any inconsistency, upazila election office sources said.
Earlier on Dec 29, the Election Commission (EC) postponed the election for Naogaon-2 constituency due to the death of Aminul Haque.
BNP's program is nothing but restarting an old car: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister and Awami League joint general secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud hsd said that the BNP's newly-announced programme is nothing but trying to restart an old car that has remained inoperative.
In fact, he said, the leaders and workers of BNP have become very disappointed after the last national election and their leadership is questioned.
"They are talking about elections again. They have to wait for five years. Elections will be held after the five-year tenure of the elected current government is completed," said the AL leader while talking to reporters on Sunday evening.
On the occasion of Bangladesh being elected as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, the Shipping Ministry hosted an event where the foreign minister joined.
Read: BNP, some other political parties lack patriotism: NanakReferring to the honor of being elected to the IMO Council, Dr Hasan said this is a recognition of Bangladesh's advancement and progress in terms of trade through sea compared to many other countries.
The foreign minister said that the election of Bangladesh in the IMO Council will help the country to move forward in the field of sea trade.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, President of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Ministry Dr AK Abdul Momen spoke as special guests Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping Md. Mostafa Kamal chaired the event.
Read: PM says BNP-Jamaat’s subversive activities being triedCommodore Md. Maqsood Alam, Director General of the Directorate of Shipping, the country's focal point at IMO, delivered the welcome address.
The guests and the organizers cut a cake on the occasion and the artistes performed in the cultural function.
Read more: Terrorism, fraud, anti-national propaganda key elements of BNP's politics: FM