politics
It’s a fact election can’t be credible under AL govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said it is now a fact that elections can never be free, fair and credible under the current Awami League government.
Addressing the biennial general meeting of a faction Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club, he also said if the election is not participatory, it will not be accepted as per the country’s constitution.
“A truth has now been established in Bangladesh that elections can never be fair, free, and acceptable and people here can never express their opinions and exercise their right to franchise freely if the Awami League government remains in power,” the BNP leader observed.
He alleged the government has already snatched the people’s freedom of expression and voting rights to cement its power.
Fakhrul also said it is now recognised in the entire world that there is no place for independent journalism in Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh is now completely in the hands of an authoritarian ruler, he said freedom of the press, the main pillar of democracy, has been regulated here by the regime to meet their needs.
In the whole world, he said those who believe in a free press, democracy, and freedom to express dissenting opinions, are all saying in one sentence that there is no democracy, free press, or freedom of media in Bangladesh as the government does not have the mindset to tolerant different opinions.
“They (govt) are hampering the people's freedom of expression of dissent, the right to vote and the right to live by applying excessive force with the aim of establishing a one-party rule and perpetuating their power,” the BNP leader said.
He urged journalists to be vocal in establishing democracy in the country. “We are passing through a critical moment. At this bad time, we all have to be vocal and must speak up from our respective positions.”
Fakhrul said it hurts him when he sees many journalists support the current 'fascist regime' without any hesitation and speak on television talk shows or write articles justifying the undemocratic and anti-people activities of the Awami League.
“The minimum democratic rights of the people and their rights to franchise have been taken away. But they (pro-ruling party journalists) do not say anything against them (govt). Rather, they raise various arguments in support of those who are exploiting people and turning the whole of Bangladesh into an authoritarian state,” he bemoaned.
The BNP leader said Awami League always wants to deceive the people and mislead them by telling lies. “We would like to clearly say enough is enough...you have fooled the people and exploited them a lot by using the state machinery...economists are saying Bangladesh has never faced such a bad time earlier. That is the truth.”
He said the ruling party leaders are showing a weird logic that the US did not say about the inclusive election while announcing its visa policy. But an election without the participation of the major parties won’t be acceptable according to our constitution, he said.
Sylhet city polls: AL, Jatiya Party candidates served show cause notice
Awami League and Jatiya Party mayoral candidates for Sylhet City Corporation election have been issued with show cause notice for violation of the electoral code of conduct.
Returning Officer of Sylhet City Corporation Election Faisal Kadir on Tuesday served the notice to AL candidate Md Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury and Jatiya Party candidate Nazrul Islam Babul.
No candidate or any political party, person, organization or institution can start any election campaign before allocating the symbol. In Sylhet, the election campaign is scheduled to begin on June 2 after the allotment of symbols. But they (AL and JP candidates) are campaigning without regard to the electoral code of conduct, both notice read.
They have been asked to appear before the returning officer’s office within the next three working days and give a written reply as to why action should not be taken against them as per rule 32 of the Code of Conduct.
Returning Officer Faisal Kadir said, "We have received complaints of violation of the election code of conduct by two mayoral candidates. Therefore, they have been issued show-cause notice. Further action will be taken based on their response.”
According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission, voting will be held in Sylhet City on June 21. The scrutiny of nomination papers has already been completed. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 1. After the allotment of symbols on June 2, the candidates will be able to formally start campaigning.
BNP observes Zia’s 42nd death anniversary
The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies observed the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman with due reverence on Tuesday.
The party and its different associate bodies chalked out various programmes, including discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibitions and distribution of food and relief materials among the destitute, to observe the death anniversary across the country.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May, 1981.
The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began on Monday through a discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and will end on June 10.
To mark the day, black flags were hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including Nayapaltan headquarters at 6:00am on Tuesday.
Besides, BNP senior leaders, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, paid homage to their founder by placing wreaths at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
Apart from BNP, its different units and associate bodies paid homage to Zia and offered fateha at his grave in observance of the day.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities until June 10 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
The leaders of the party’s Dhaka south and north city units distributed food and relief materials among the destitute in 57 spots in the city marking the day.
Besides, the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged a day-long free medical camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The poor people were provided with free treatment and medicines at the programme.
BNP's district, city and thana units also observed the day by holding various programmes, including discussions on the occasion.
BNP is not happy with good news of increase in remittances: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said Bangladesh National Party (BNP) is jealous of the rise in remittances of Bangladesh government.
“It is very natural that those who always wait for sanctions against the country and its people from their foreign lords cannot be happy with such positive news of increase in remittances,” Quader said in a statement on Tuesday in reaction to an earlier comment made by the BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
During an address on Monday, Fakhrul called the recent media reports of sudden rise in the flow of remittances from the US “surprising,” adding: “What magic is behind the rise in remittances from America? People are saying the thieves are bringing back the money that they have stolen and siphoned off America.”
Also Read: BNP’s plot to boycott election failed for US new visa policy: Obaidul Quader
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said BNP is a political party which wants to create a situation like Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.
And that’s why their leaders are not happy with the good news of increase in remittances, said the minister.
Quader said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s decision to provide 2.5 percent hassle-free incentive for remittance is the reason behind such increase in remittance flow.
Also Read: BNP wants to portray AL as aggressor to foreigners: Quader
“Due to the successful leadership of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh now has a strong economic structure and the country has become a safe place to invest which is attracting both foreign investors as well as Bangladeshi investors who are living abroad,” the AL general secretary said.
Quader said the government has taken stringent measures to tackle money laundering and corruption while these crimes were institutionalized during the tenure of BNP-Jaamat coalition.
“Even the world-renowned US federal agency FBI has testified against their corruption and money laundering,” the minister said.
On the issue of the new US visa policy ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, the AL leader said the BNP has become nervous after the United States announced the new policy.
Meanwhile, Quader reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure a free and fair parliamentary election – to be held later this year or earlier next year.
“Specific law has been enacted for the formation of the Election Commission and at the same time overall capacity of the electoral system has been increased, including infrastructure development and expansion of technical facilities,” he said.
Gazipur City Corporation election was held in a free, fair, neutral and peaceful environment under this Election Commission, Quader added.
Zia's yes/no referendum is shameful chapter of killing democracy: Joy
Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy has said General Ziaur Rahman's yes/no referendum is the shameful chapter of killing democracy in Bangladesh.
"General Zia, after the tragic murder of Bangabandhu's family, illegally seized state power through a ‘yes or no’ vote without any prior meetings, processions, or campaigns. In the name of so-called campaigns, the streets were filled with posters of General Zia in military uniform, forcibly displayed on rickshaws and private vehicles, creating panic," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
On election day, Joy said, even children were forced to cast votes as there were no genuine voters in the polling stations.
Eventually, he said, it was announced that General Zia had won 99.4 percent of the votes unanimously! No one cast votes against him! "This farcical election and its aftermath remain a shameful and tainted chapter in Bengali history."
Later, General Zia formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) illegally, bypassing state policies, while holding positions in the army and as president, Joy mentioned.
"He participated in the so-called presidential election of 1978 from that party and declared himself the winner. In this election, various foreign media reported that Zia got 120 per cent votes in some areas," Joy said.
No chance of prevailing good sense upon govt, says Fakhrul citing jailing of BNP leaders
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the country’s people have to establish their voting rights through a fierce movement as there is no chance of a good sense prevailing upon the Awami League government.
He also alleged that the government is trying to suppress the ongoing movement of people by sending opposition leaders and activists to jail and establishing its control on the state machinery.
Talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, the BNP leader made remarks while giving the party’s reaction to the High Court verdicts that upheld the jail term of BNP leaders Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Amanullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman in separate corruption cases.
“These verdicts have manifested that the government has grabbed the entire state machinery, including the judiciary. They are trying to subdue the democratic movement by sending the opposition leaders and activists to jail with dictated verdicts,” he said.
The BNP leader strongly denounced the apex court’s verdicts against Tuku, Aman and Sabera. “We think these are dictated judgment. The democratic movement can never be stopped by such judgments. People must realise their rights."
Fakhrul, along with BNP leaders and activists, paid homage to Zia by placing wreaths at his grave in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the 42nd death anniversary of the party’s founder.
Earlier in the day, a High Conch bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat upheld the jail term of BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, and party’s Dhaka north city unit convener Amanullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman in separate graft cases.
Also Read: Govt softens tone on talks to resolve crisis over next polls: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said their party is aggrieved at the court’s verdicts. “It is clear from these incidents that there is no possibility of prevailing good sense upon this government. The only way to defeat this regime and bring back the rule of law, democracy, democratic system and fair elections is a fierce movement of people.”
He said the government has been making various efforts to keep the people of the country away from democratic rights, and politics. “The government is also working so that a fair and neutral can’t be held. They want to hold a lopsided election further. But this time people will not allow it.”
Also Read: US visa policy reflects people’s long-standing demand for restoration of voting rights: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said they are observing the death anniversary of their party founder at a time when the country’s people have lost their voting and other democratic rights under the current one-party rule.
“On this day we’ve taken a new oath that we will restore the lost democracy of Bangladesh at any cost,” he said.
BNP and its associate bodies observed the 42nd death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman with various programmes.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May, 1981.
Apart from BNP its different units and associate bodies paid homage to Zia and offered fateha at his grave on the occasion.
Govt softens tone on talks to resolve crisis over next polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday (May 29, 2023) said the government has softened its tone on talks to resolve the political crisis over the next election through talks as its overenthusiasm has waned following the US visa policy for Bangladesh.
Speaking at a discussion, he also said their party wants a peaceful transfer of power through a credible election under a non-party caretaker government.
In an oblique reference to the US visa policy, the BNP leader said, “They (AL) wanted to establish a one-party Baksal rule again under a different cover. But man proposes God disposes.”
He also said the ruling party leaders were trembling with very much excitement just a few days back for holding the next polls under the current government. “But now their excitement has started to wear off. Their tone has come down. They’re now saying the problem has to be resolved through talks as they don’t want unrest.”
Read more: US visa policy reflects people’s long-standing demand for restoration of voting rights: Fakhrul
BNP arranged the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the 42nd death anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government does not want any more unrest and conflict rather it wants to improve the quality of people's lives.
Fakhrul said the government is inciting violence by attacking different peaceful programmes of the opposition. “But we (BNP) are not obstructing their programmes.”
He said the movement that their party has been carrying out for a long time has come to the final stage.
Read more: BNP’s plot to boycott election failed for US new visa policy: Obaidul Quader
The BNP leader reiterated their party’s demand that the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government.
The BNP leader said the government must step down, and dissolve parliament by handing over power to a non-party neutral government for holding a credible election.
“You (PM) must quit as the country’s people don’t think the election will be fair keeping you in power. The election must be held under a caretaker government. “Our political culture and previous experiences suggest elections can never be held in a free and fair manner under a partisan government, especially under the Awami League government,” he said.
The BNP leader said there is nothing new to see the elections under the Awami League government as the nation witnessed what happened in the 2014 and 2018 polls.
Read more: AL govt shaken, faces massive debacle in fair election: Ganatantra Mancha
“We would like to say it clearly that we want the transfer of power peacefully. We want to establish a government of people through an election in a peaceful manner. We want to restore the system where people will be able to cast their votes,” Fakhrul said.
He said they also want the election to be held under a neutral caretaker government to be conducted by an impartial election commission so that people can exercise their right to franchise freely to elect their representatives by themselves.
The BNP leader also warned his party colleagues not to fall into the trap to be set by the government by conducting various propaganda and unleashing violence.
“They (govt) will try to shift the blame onto us after carrying out the arson violence by them. They also did the same thing in the past. So, everyone should be very careful. We’ll carry out our movement in a peaceful and democratic manner,” he said.
Read more: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US
About the media reports on the sudden rise in the flow of remittance from the US, Fakhrul said it is surprising. “What magic is behind the rise in remittances from America? People are saying the thieves are bringing back the money that they have stolen and siphoned off America.”
1500 EVMs reach Barishal for upcoming city poll
Fifteen-hundred Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) reached Barishal on Monday ahead of next month’s Barishal City Corporation election.
Monirul Islam, assistant returning officer of Barisal City Corporation election, said the EVMs have been kept at Barisal Shilpakala Academy.
He said the voters will vote on the same machines that were used in Gazipur City Corporation election last week.
“The Election Commission has already given special training on EVMs to more than 150 people to ensure a free and fair election,” he said.
Seven candidates will fight for the mayoral post in the upcoming Barishal City Corporation election on June 12.
Besides, 119 candidates will contest for the post of general councilor and 42 candidates for the reserved councilor post.
A total of 276,298 voters will be able to cast their votes in 126 polling stations.
600 BNP men sued over attack on police in Chattogram
Police have filed a case against 600 unnamed people for allegedly attacking police from a BNP rally in Chattogram's Bohaddarhat on Sunday.
The case was filed on Monday at the Chandgaon Police Station of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP), confirmed officer-in-charge of the police station Khairul Islam.
In the case, names of 36 people including Chattogram Metropolitan BNP convener Dr Shahadat Hossain, member secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar and South district BNP convener Alhaj Abu Sufian, were mentioned.
Also read: Tense BNP rally in Chattogram avoids violent turn
On Sunday afternoon, BNP leaders and activists took out a procession from the Baklia Access Road area of the city as per the pre-scheduled programme of the metropolitan BNP.
When the procession reached Bohaddarhat area, as the leaders were preparing to give the closing speech, police charged batons to remove them from the road. At this time, the chase counter-chase occurred between BNP men and police. However, no police or BNP activists were injured.
Also read: BNP-police clash leaves 12 injured in Chattogram
At that time, BNP leaders said there was no attack on the police from their side.
BNP’s plot to boycott election failed for US new visa policy: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said the conspiracy of BNP to boycott the election got thwarted due to the new visa policy announced by the US for Bangladesh.
“BNP has now plunged into a deep depression, not getting response from foreign masters as per the blueprint. So, BNP has become disorientated, losing the path of its movement,” he said in a statement.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said the BNP’s propaganda that if BNP does not participate in the election, the polls will not be considered participatory in the national and international arenas, which is against the underlying ideals of democracy, fell flat.
“BNP's conspiracy to boycott the election has failed because of the new US visa policy. At the same time, the United States has issued a strict warning against BNP's arson and destructive activities to thwart the elections,” said the AL general secretary.
He said BNP hired lobbyist firms spending millions of dollars to appease their foreign lords. Their conspiracy still continues. Not getting the expected response from the foreign masters, they are now plotting new dramas against the government and Awami League in the light of the new visa policy of the United States, he added.
Obaidul Quader said Bangladesh Awami League does politics for the welfare of the people.
All the activities of the party are run involving the desire and expectation of the people. The people are the main strength of Awami League, he said.
“BNP will become a public enemy as much as they curry favour with the foreign lords by selling the interest of the country and people,” he said in the statement signed by AL office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.
The AL leader said the people won’t be misguided.
“No matter how hard the BNP leaders, who are isolated from the people, try, the people of this country won’t be misguided by their propaganda and lies as the people of Bangladesh are united under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, who is the symbol of development, progress and prosperity,” he said.