politics
Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi district BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
District Awami League General Secretary Shariful Islam Ramzan filed the case with Natore Police Station around 9:30pm on Monday (May 22, 2023).
Abu Sayeed Chand has been made the main accused in the case. The BNP secretary general has also been accused in the case.
Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Top leaders of district and municipal Awami League were present.
Nasir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, accepted the case.
Citing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi BNP leader Abu Sayeed Chand as traitors, the plaintiff said the “threatening remarks” made by the main accused towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished the reputation of the country.
The remarks may deteriorate the law and order situation of the country, the case statement reads.
Read more: People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters.
Read more: Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed
A case was filed against Abu Sayeed Chand with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in this regard.
Govt wants to buy Airbus aircraft to get commission: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged the government has decided to procure planes from Airbus for Biman Bangladesh Airlines with an aim to pocket the commission.
“I worked in the Ministry of Aviation. I know why they (govt) want to buy the aircraft from Airbus. Because Boeing does not pay commissions, but Airbus does it. I challenge, Airbus pays commission, that is why the aircraft from Airbus are being bought, instead of Boeing,” he said.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion, the BNP leader said Bangladesh Biman is going to purchase the new aircraft from Airbus though it has reached a point incurring losses from where it’s difficult for the state-owned organisation to operate flights.
The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh (AEB) organised the programme on ‘plundering’ in the energy sector at a city hotel.
At a recent meeting, the directors of Biman Bangladesh Airlines decided to buy modern aircraft from Airbus to increase the size of the existing fleet of the national flag carrier.
Fakhrul, who was a state minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, during Khaleda Zia’s last cabinet, strongly opposed the move.
“The MD of Biman said yesterday (Sunday) that the aircraft from the Airbus are being procured in the interest of the country. If you think about the interests of the country, please try to run the existing aircraft efficiently. But you’re not doing that," he said.
The BNP leader said the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft of Biman Bangladesh was hit by another aircraft due to wrong handling, leaving it inoperative for one year or two years. “That is the reality.”
“Their (govt’s) only goal is to indulge in theft and corruption. They looted the entire Bangladesh and ruined the country. They want to continue their looting for five more years,” he observed.
He said there are two things--terrorism and corruption-- in the body chemistry of Awami League
Govt trying to unleash violence to suppress movement: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the ruling Awami League is trying to unleash violence in a planned way to suppress the ongoing anti-government movement.
“The ministers and the ruling party leaders have been saying one thing repeatedly for a few days that there will be arson violence and BNP will play with fire again. But it’s a planned statement and they themselves are going to carry out such activities,” he said.
Speaking at a round table discussion, the BNP leader said the ruling party has already gained some success by talking about violence as various embassies are issuing alerts for their citizens to the possibility of confrontations as the elections are approaching.
“Awami League is creating confrontations and it is now terrifying people about confrontations and it is also indulging in violence,” he observed.
Fakhrul said the government has attacked BNP’s recent peaceful rallies in Khulan, Rajbari, Netrokona and Patuakhali as part of its move to unleash violence. “They (AL) are doing this as they think violence is the only way to stop the protest. They want to suppress the demands of the people by creating violence.”
The Association of Engineers, Bangladesh (AEB) organised the programme on ‘plundering’ in the energy sector at a city hotel.
Also read: BNP claims at least 15 leaders, activists shot by police at rally in Khulna
Fakhrul said their party has been trying to unite the political parties, individuals and organisations for establishing a pro-people government by ousting the current regime. “Many parties have been carrying out simultaneous movement with us… the movement that has begun must reach its final stage.”
He urged all professionals to take part in the anti-government movement in unison, forgetting differences and misunderstandings among themselves.
The BNP leader said Awami League has started seeking votes again to continue its ‘plundering’ for five more years.
He said the ruling party is also urging the opposition to participate in the polls under them without a level-playing field and the freedom of expression. “They (govt) have already started the game by arresting our leaders and workers, torturing and harassing them and implicating them in ‘false’ cases.”
Fakhrul warned that the people of Bangladesh will no longer participate in any ‘stage-managed’ election and they will not step into this trap.
He said their party does not want to engage in violence and confrontation as their goal is to realise their demands peacefully.
“Accept our demand for a non-partisan (polls-time) government and then the election will be held in a credible and peaceful manner. There will be no elections in the country without a caretaker government,” the BNP leader said.
Rajshahi BNP leader’s public ‘death threat’ against Sheikh Hasina: AL calls for countrywide rallies
Bangladesh Awami League and its associate organizations will be holding processions and rallies in all district and metropolitan areas tomorrow (May 22, 2023), protesting Rajshahi district BNP Convener Abu Sayeed Chand making a “death threat” to Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
In a video posted on AL’s verified Facebook page, that had been circulating on social media and reported on by media outlets, Abu Sayeed Chand is heard saying: “No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave!”
According to the video, the speech was given on May 19 at a Rajshahi district and metropolitan BNP rally.
The video of the BNP leader making the “death threat” has already triggered discussion on social media with many wondering why no top BNP leader has addressed the incident yet considering the gravity of it.
AL leaders and activists are taking the “death threat” seriously considering 19 attempts made on Sheikh Hasina’s life, including the heinous grenade attack in 2004 on an Awami League rally, in which around 24 leaders and activists were killed. BNP’s acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman was convicted for his involvement in planning the grenade attack.
Last year, a BNP volunteer front – Swechchhasebok Dal – leader’s similar “threat” to the PM also sparked anger on social media. In a speech, video of which went viral soon after, Abdul Qader Bhuiyan was heard publicly calling to restage “another 1975”, referring to the brutal massacre of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members by a group of disgruntled army officers. Calling it a “very clear death threat,” Bangladesh Muktijuddho Mancha demanded immediate arrest of the BNP leader at the time.
AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Two cases were filed against 450 leaders and activists of BNP, including the district presidents and general secretaries of Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Sramik Dal, in relation to a recent clash between Awami League and BNP in Patuakhali.
The clash occurred during a peace rally organized by the Awami League at the Muslimpara intersection in the municipality.
Two Awami League leaders filed the two cases at the Sadar police station.
Also Read: AL-BNP clash leaves 30, inclucing policemen, injured in Patuakhali
No arrests have been made thus far by the police.
AL leader Raihan Hossain filed a written complaint on the night of May 20.
According to the complaint, while the peace rally was underway, BNP supporters allegedly ambushed the participants, vandalizing houses and shops, resulting in several activists being injured and subsequently admitted to the hospital.
The main defendant, in this case, is Monir Munshi, the General Secretary of the district Sramik Dal, along with 29 other leaders and workers. Additionally, 150-200 unidentified individuals have been named as defendants.
In another case filed at the same police station on May 21, District Jubo League Joint General Secretary Nasir Uddin, the plaintiff, stated that Jubo Dal members had launched an attack during their peace rally at the Muslimpara intersection, causing similar damages.
District Jubo Dal President Monirul Islam was made the main defendant in this case, listing 16 individuals by name and 200-250 others as unnamed defendants.
Md. Moniruzzaman, the Officer-in-Charge of the Patuakhali Sadar Police Station, said that both plaintiffs had made identical complaints.
He said, "The accused are currently evading arrest. Our efforts to arrest them are ongoing."
District Juba Dal President Monirul Islam Liton expressed that the BNP would also file a case against the Awami League attackers at the police station. He further stated that if the police failed to take action, they would approach the court.
A rally held in front of the Patuakhali district BNP office on Saturday morning, demanding the government's resignation, was disrupted by an attack from Jubo League and Chhatra League members.
The clash escalated into a violent confrontation, with both sides engaging in brick-throwing and vandalizing the BNP offices. Police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the activists from both parties.
District Chhatra Dal president Ujjal Talukder and 30 leaders and activists from the BNP and Awami League reportedly sustained injuries during the clash.
People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the people have no interest in the city polls being held under the Election Commission which is regulated by the government.
Speaking at a discussion programme, he also feared that the upcoming elections to the five city corporations will be stage-managed even though BNP is not fielding any candidate.
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
“They (govt) have completely destroyed the election system by using the state machinery. The Election Commission is under the control of the government. People are not interested in the election taking place in the country,” the BNP leader said.
He said opposition parties are not fielding candidates in most of the city corporation elections due to the “collapsed’ election system.
”Arif (Ariful Haque Chowdhury) is a very popular two-time mayor in Sylhet and the people of Sylhet want him to see as mayor again. In a public meeting, Arif yesterday (Saturday) said this election will never be accepted as the government has made a blueprint. So, there is no point in going to this election as it will be meaningless,” Fakhrul said.
Also Read: 'Your time is up': Fakhrul to govt
He said the people of Sylhet City shed tears as their beloved leader decided against participating in the election. “He (Arif) clearly said this election will be meaningless and no election will be fair under this government.”
A faction of the Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the party founder Shafiul Alam Pradhan’s sixth death anniversary.
Fakhrul said all the authoritarian and fascistic regimes destroy the election system and use the stage-managed voting a tool to hang onto power.
“So, We would like to say it very clearly that there will be no free and fair elections if the current government remains in power…the election must be held under an impartial caretaker government,” he said.
Also Read: Fakhrul warns govt of 'political storm' if caretaker demand remains unmet
Fakhrul said the government has taken the election system to such a situation that ruling the party’s alliance partner and Workers Party President, Rashed Khan Menon, said a few days back that they do not want ‘planned’ elections.
“The message is very clear that Awami League holds planned elections and he (Menon) does not want such polls. Another state minister said that the ministers create syndicates here and they increase the prices of commodities,” the BNP leader observed.
Also Read: EC doesn’t have capacity to hold fair elections: Fakhrul
Referring to a World Bank report, he said Bangladesh is the champion of default loans. “Bangladesh has even surpassed Sri Lanka in this regard.”
The BNP leader said the number of loan defaulters is increasing in the country as the ruling party leaders, including the ministers, do not repay after borrowing crores of taka.
Fakhrul also warned the BNP rank and file not to be confused by different ‘evil games’ by the government ahead of the national election.
“We must remain united to free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ensure the return of our leader Tarique Rahman to the country, restore democracy, people’s voting rights and establish equality…the movement has already begun. We all have to take to the streets with all strengths to take it a final stage for establishing a caretaker government ousting the current regime,” he said.
Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed
Describing the national election in 2018 as “fair and participatory” – while speaking to the media – in the morning on election day, BNP changed its tune in the evening as results were coming in, Sajeeb Wazed, ICT Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has said.
Posting a compilation of news clips on his verified Facebook page on Friday (May 19, 2023) night, Sajeeb Wazed highlighted remarks made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain when voting started on election day in 2018, and how they “changed tune” later in the day – blaming the government for “their own failures.”
The video posted by Sajeeb Wazed, who is also the chairman of Center for Research and Information (CRI), shows news clips featuring Dr. Kamal and Mirza Fakhrul, saying on national election day in 2018, that voting was being held “in a fair manner.” BNP leaders expressed satisfaction about the voter turnout as well, but when counting of votes began in the evening, they changed their position and announced boycott of the polls, the video says.
Read more: Sheikh Hasina’s return ushered in a new era for Bangladesh: Joy
In the video, Dr. Kamal is heard saying, “I find it encouraging that so many people have turned up to vote on this cold winter morning. Where I voted, voting seemed fair, but after seeing the results, we will decide whether to accept the results of the election or not.”
BNP and its allies decided to boycott the election after losing by big margins, the video said, adding that since then, the party has failed to provide evidence to support its claim of irregularities in the 2018 national election. BNP-Jamaat and their allies continue to make allegations of “night vote” in discussions and talk shows but they never present proof validating their claim, the video posted by Sajeeb Wazed says.
The video also mentions reports of Jamaat-e-Islami opening fire to capture a voting center in Banshkhali, Chattogram, during the 2018 election. An attempt was made to capture a center in Noakhali too, and BNP men carried out the attack, it says. An Ansar member was killed in Kushtia during the election, the video says.
Read more: BNP more focused on ballot stuffing, capturing state power than on public safety: Joy
The video also says there have been allegations in several media reports that BNP candidates did not get enough support from the center in the 2018 national election.
In his post, with the video, Sajeeb Wazed wrote, “The leaders of BNP and Oikya Front lost the election by a huge margin. In the anti-Awami League media, a group is trying relentlessly to establish the 'night vote' theory. So far, they have not been able to present any specific evidence to support their claim. Representatives of international observer groups termed the election ‘fair.’ BNP itself is the reason for its defeat.”
AL conspiring to come to power by stealing votes again: Amir Khasru
This government is fascist, occupier and unelected. They are conspiring to come to power by stealing votes again, said BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Saturday.
“The upcoming elections are being closely monitored by world leaders and the people of the country.Be very careful, apologise to the people or you won't find an escape route, " he said while addressing a rally at Wazir Ali School ground in Jhenaidah as the chief guest.
Also read: Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
“RAB, police and all the forces of the government are also trying to put Sheikh Hasina back in power to save them. There is no point in doing this. The more mass arrests and tortures you make, the more successful the BNP rallies will be. People will take to the streets in favour of democracy,” he said.
He warned the law enforcement agencies that their movements are being monitored at all times. “What you are doing will be accounted for.”
Jhenaidah district BNP organised the rally as part of the central programme to implement the 10-point demand including an end to arbitrary arrests and police harassment with false cases, rise in commodity prices, load shedding and looting of Awami League. On the night before the rally, BNP leaders were harassed. Seventeen activists were arrested. The venue was packed.
Also read: Mosharraf hints at intensifying anti-govt movement with tougher programmes
Presided over by Jhenaidah district BNP president MA Majid, the programme was addressed, among others, by BNP's Khulna divisional Organising Secretary Anindya Islam Amit, central leaders Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Asaduzzaman, among others.
Sylhet mayor Ariful won’t contest polls
Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation and BNP leader Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Saturday announced that he will not contest the upcoming election scheduled for June 21.
He made the announcement during a public gathering on the Sylhet Registry Ground in the city ending speculation about his candidacy amid the party’s decision to boycott the election.
Also read: 5 city corporation polls: AL to start distributing forms Apr 9
Addressing the crowd, Ariful Haque said, "I embarked on my political journey with the BNP, and I will never make any decision that undermines the integrity of this party."
He said that an appropriate environment for conducting fair elections does not exist.
He highlighted the lack of familiarity among the citizens of Sylhet regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), terming it a fraudulent tool used for vote rigging.
Ariful reiterated that his party, the BNP, would not participate in any election under the current government.
Also read: No challenges so far regarding city corporation polls: IGP in Sylhet
"I have accepted this decision and subsequently boycotted the election," he said.
Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said Sheikh Hasina's resignation is his party's only demand.
“Solution (to the political crisis) will come, on the streets. Bangladesh has to be returned, the Bangladesh we got after the Liberation War is a democratic Bangladesh,” he said at a rally organized by the district BNP at Lalmonirhat Collectorate ground on Saturday afternoon.
Also read: AL-BNP clash leaves 30, inclucing policemen, injured in Patuakhali
“We have said that there will be no election in this country without a neutral caretaker government. For this, the Sheikh Hasina government will have to resign first. The election commission should be formed by forming a neutral caretaker government. According to the new law, the Election Commission cannot cancel any election. We don't want such an Election Commission," said Fakhrul.
“Those who have taken away our voting rights and democracy cannot be in power anymore. It's time to oust them. Wake up, everyone. The only demand is the resignation of Sheikh Hasina,” he also said.
Also read: Mosharraf hints at intensifying anti-govt movement with tougher programmes
The BNP secretary general urged all to unite in the movement to topple the government.
“The government who came to power through vote-rigging could not feed rice at Tk 10 per kg, and increased the price of fertilizer several times, today people are unable to buy onions, eggs. By increasing the price of goods, The Awami League has destroyed the country's economy by looting the country's resources and smuggling it abroad,” he said.
“False cases have been filed against about 40 lakh leaders and workers of our party. Many leaders and activists , including former MPs, have been made disappeared. The Awami League government has killed our leaders and activists in the name of crossfire. Many children are waiting for their father, many wives for their husbands, many mothers are waiting for the arrival of their children. Sheikh Hasina's government has given us such a country,” he said further.