politics
BNP now announces human chain on March 11
After staging consecutive road-march programmes from the cities to unions across the country for over a month, BNP and like-minded parties on Saturday announced to form human chains in all divisional cities and district towns on March 11 to press home their 10-point demand.
The fresh programme of the simultaneous movement came from the opposition’s march programme observed in all thanas under 13 organisational divisional cities, including Dhaka.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Alamgir launched the programme around 2:45p by taking part in a road march of Uttara East Thana unit BNP in front of Uttra Public College.
As part of the next course of the simultaneous movement, the BNP Secretary General announced the human chain programme in all metropolitan cities, including Dhaka and in all district towns on March 11 to press home their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current regime and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
The programme is also meant for mounting pressure on the government to reduce the prices of daily essential commodities and power and other utility services.
The leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies in all thanas under Dhaka south and north city units arranged separate rallies and brought out processions as part of their road march programme in all divisional cities.
Party standing committee members and senior ones led a similar programme in all thanas in the capital and all other divisional cities.
In the capital, Dhaka south and north city units of BNP staged the road march in 51 thanas of the capital almost peacefully, except for the ruling party's reported attacks on the opposition activists in Hazaribagh and Turag areas.
Besides, police arrested former Jubo Dal President Saiful Islam Nirob after BNP’s march programme in Tejgaon area in the capital
Jubo Dal north unit ex-president SM Jahangir said police arrested Nirob when a road march reached the Tejgaon Rail Line area from Karwan Bazar.
In a press release, BNP alleged that police also arrested its leaders and activists from Khilgaon, Kamrangirchar, Uttar Bhatara areas during the road march programme.
The party also claimed that the ruling party activists attacked the vehicles of BNP media cell convener Zohiruddin Swapan and assistant human rights affairs secretary Syeda Ashifa Ashrafi Papia and the house of BNP’s Dhaka north city unit joint convener Mostafa in Turag area, leaving at least 25 people injured
Apart from BNP, Ganotantra Mancha arranged the march programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club while LDP in Panthapath, Badda, Jatrabari, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in Bijoynagar and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote in Purana Paltan in the capital.
They announced the human chain programme in all divisional cities, including Dhaka, on March 11 to press home their different demands, including the resignation of the Awami League government and holding the next polls under a non-party administration.
From December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement to bring down the government, or at least realise the all-important caretaker or non-party provision ahead of the next election.
Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.
The party also arranged a similar programme in all unions, districts and divisional cities across the country to press home their 10-point demand.
AL won't be allowed to stage farce in the name of election: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday warned that the country’s people will not let the Awami League government hold another farcical national election like the 10th and 11th parliamentary ones.
“Awami League is thinking that they will usurp power again by staging a farcical election in the same way as they did during the last two elections and thus they'll again exploit the people and loot their money and assets," he said.
Speaking at a brief rally before launching Uttara East unit BNP’s march programme in front of Uttara Public College, Fakhrul warned that the country’s people will no longer allow the ruling party to cling to power by rigging votes and manipulating the election.
“People have taken to the streets with a movement. We will take the movement forward peacefully. This time we and the country’s people won’t stage any farce in the name of the national election,” he said.
The BNP leader called on the leaders and workers to intensify the movement and drum up public support in favour of their 10-point demand, including the resignation of the current regime and holding the next election under a non-party neutral government.
“Our movement is not for only to go to power. The main goal of our movement is to get back the rights of the people, including the right to franchise and right to speak,” he said.
Stating that their party has been in the movement for 15 years, Fakhrul said they will remain on the streets peacefully until the Awami League government is unseated. “If we are obstructed, we'll definitely overcome it and put up a resistance together with people.
Ganatantra Mancha declares human chain in all cities on Mar 11
Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance of seven political parties, has announced to form human chains in divisional cities, including Dhaka, on March 11 to press home their 14-point demand, including the resignation of the Awami League government.
Rafiqul Islam Babul, the convener of Bhashani Anusari Parishad, announced the fresh programme as part of the ongoing simultaneous movement from a brief rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
“We announce human chain programme for March 11 to realise our 14-point demand, including protection of voting rights, restoration of democratic rights, the resignation of this government, holding an acceptable election under a non-partisan interim government and reduction of prices of power, gas, and daily essentials,”he said.
Also Read: Ganatantra Mancha announces countrywide march on Feb 11
Babul urged the all the partners and organisations of the Ganatantra Mancha to make the fresh programme a success. “Ganatantra Mancha must demonstrate more strength by observing the human chain programme. So, take all out preparations in this regard.”
As part of the simultaneous movement, leaders and activists of Ganatantra Mancha gathered in front of the Jatiya Press Club around 11:30am.
After the rally there, the leaders and activists of the alliance marched toward Kakrail, to press home their 14-point demand.
Apart from Ganatantra Mancha, BNP and its different other opposition parties and organisations are holding a similar programme in all wards under the metropolitan cities across the country.
BNP, like-minded parties set to march at thana-level of cities Saturday
As part of the ongoing simultaneous movement, the BNP and its associate bodies and like-minded parties are set to march in all thanas under the divisional cities on March 4 (next Saturday) to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
The programme is also meant for registering the opposition parties’ protest against the rise in the prices of power, gas and essential items, and pressure the government to release BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia without any condition, essentially to drop the 'false' cases against her, and now and to accept the party’s 10-point demand.
The main opposition party announced the road march after its similar programme in all districts of the country last week.
In a press release today (Friday), BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called upon the party leaders and activists and common people to make the road march programme a success with their spontaneous participation.
Read: AL gets desperate to plunder country’s resources: Fakhrul
In another press release, BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units said their party leaders and activists will arrange the march programme in all thanas in the capital.
Party standing committee members and senior ones will lead the programmes.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is likely to launch the programme at Uttara at 2pm.
Apart from BNP, Ganotantra Mancha will march in front of the Jatiya Press Club while Gonoforum and People's Party in Arambagh, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote in Bijoynagar and Peshajibi Ganatantrik Jote in Purana Paltan in the capital at different at 11am the same day.
From December last year, BNP and like-minded parties and alliances started a simultaneous movement to bring down the government, or at least realise the all-important caretaker or non-party provision ahead of the next election.
Besides, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme in five areas in the capital since January 28.
The party also arranged a similar programme in all unions, districts and divisional cities across the country to press home their 10-point demand.
Unabated plundering going on in power sector: Gayeshwar
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday alleged the government has been indulging in unabated looting in the power sector in the name of capacity charge.
“The government has again increased the price of electricity. They said they’re adjusting the price as no subsidy can be given in the sector,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also alleged that the ruling party leaders have already siphoned Tk10,000 crore off abroad by indulging in looting and corruption.
“The country is now on the brink of destruction due to widespread corruption and plundering. “They’re now adjusting the the money that they looted from powe sector by cutting public pockets through repeatedly hiking the power tariff,” he said.
The BNP leader said the way the Prime Minister and her colleagues are behaving it appears that Bangladesh has become their paternal property.
Read: AL gets desperate to plunder country’s resources: Fakhrul
Bangladesh Sammalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaled Zia, ssenior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other arrested party leaders and activists.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that the government has signed a power deal with Indian Adani Group where the coal price was fixed at ($400/MT) against the actual price at $200/MT. “This is how plundering is going on in the power sector.”
He said no one, except a clique who are involved in corruption, bribery and looting, is now safe in the country.
“The Prime Minister is the kingpin of that clique and the corrupt elements are around her who depleted the banks through plundering. Banks are on the verge of bankruptcy. We have to remember that no one is safe in this country until a government is formed removing Hasina,” the BNP leader observed.
He also said the current undemocratic government is least bothered about public suffering since it has no patriotism and responsibility toward people.
The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life and all the democratic political parties to put up a strong resistance against the current despotic regime to restore democracy in the country and establish a government of people.
AL gets desperate to plunder country’s resources: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League has become desperate to plunder the resources of the country.
“All people who belong to Awami League have become desperate and crazy to loot the assets of the nation and leave the country very quickly. Awami League has organised a festival of looting,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader also said the Awami League government is destroying the country’s all organisations, achievements, culture and history. “So, we don’t have any other alternative but to carry out the movement.”
Read: AL can never be a pro-liberation force: Moyeen Khan
He alleged that the country’s people now can no longer cast their votes and elect their representatives by voting. “Even, they can’t go to the polling stations. Our people now can't talk and express their opinions. Those who talk against the government are arrested and sent to jail.”
The BNP leader also bemoaned that the journalists cannot write freely as they are regulated by different laws, including the Digital Security Act.
He accused the government of depriving the people of their justified rights by suppressing them using the state machinery, police-RAB and other law enforcement forces.
Even, Fakhrul said, people now cannot do business honestly due to politicisation.
He called upon the people from all walks of life to get united to get rid of the current awful situation of the country by unseating the Awami League government.
“Now we don’t have time to sit idle anymore. Everyone should be united, regardless of party affiliation. We must carry out the movement to remove this regime and establish a people's government. There is only one path open before us which is movement to defeat this regime.”
Read: Final number of voters in voter list updation-2022 to be published Thursday
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking the Flag Hoisting Day commemorating the first hoisting of the country’s national flag on Dhaka University campus on March 2, 1971.
On March 2, 1971, the then Dhaka University Central Students’ Union vice-president, ASM Abdur Rob, now president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, on behalf of the Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad, first hoisted the national flag atop the Arts Building amid cheers from spirited students in a massive gathering.
Fakhrul, on behalf of BNP, congratulated ASM Abdur Rob on the first flag hoisting day.
Stating that people waged the liberation war in this month of March in 1971, he urged the nation to get united once again to protect the country and people’s voting and other rights.
"I call upon all the political parties: let's all unite and launch a fierce simultaneous movement to build a democratic Bangladesh in the true sense defeating the current government,” he said.
AL can never be a pro-liberation force: Moyeen Khan
BNP Standing Committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday said Awami League can never be a pro-liberation force since it had established a one-party rule obliterating democracy.
“Awami League used to say it is a pro-democracy and pro-liberation force, but they established a one-party rule,” he said.
Speaking at a views-exchange meeting, the BNP leader said Awami League does not let people exercise their right to express their opinions freely whenever it comes to power.
“So, can they be a pro-liberation force? I will say everywhere that Awami League can never be a pro-liberation force,” he observed.
As part of its ongoing talks with the party’s grassroots leaders, BNP organised the views-exchange meeting with the party-backed current and former union parishad chairmen under Dhaka division at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Dr Moyeen questioned the role of Awami League it played when the Pakistani occupation forces swooped on the nation like hyenas in the darkest night of March 25, 1971.
“They played the role of an escaping political party. They ran away and took shelter elsewhere like cowards. What did Ziaur Rahman do? He declared independence. He was not afraid of Pakistanis. These words should be conveyed to the new generation,” he observed.
Dr Moyeen alleged that the government is trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda and portraying false history against Ziaur Rahman. “We must present the real history before the young generation.”
He voiced high hope that they will achieve success in their current movement for the restoration of democracy by ousting the current regime. “We’ll surely end the misrule of the present government and establish a democratic government.”
The BNP leader urged the grassroots leaders to play a significant role in making the ongoing anti-government movement a success.
BNP acting Chairman Tariq Rahman joined the meeting virtually from London.
Electricity price in Bangladesh still lesser than many countries: Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said that despite raising power tariff the price of the electricity in the country is still lesser than many other nations across the world.
“The price hike of electricity in the UK exceeded 100% long ago. This hike is 20 percent to 100 percent in other European Union countries as well. Compared to that, the increase in electricity price hike is much less in our country”, said the minister while exchanging views with journalists at the Secretariat.
Mentioning that electricity in Bangladesh is even less costlier than neighbouring country India, the minister said that price of each unit of electricity in Bangladesh is 7 taka 32 paisa while it is Tk 11.15 in New Delhi, Tk 11.33 in Maharashtra, Tk 8.63 in Punjab.
He said the price of each unit of electricity is Tk 18.31 in the US, Tk 41.93 in Germany, Tk 46.46 in Belgium, and Tk 25.74 paisa in Japan.
But the BNP hid this scenario of the world from the people and tried to mislead them, Hasan Mahmud added.
Final number of voters in voter list updation-2022 to be published Thursday
The final number of voters in the voter list updation-2022 will be published on Thursday marking the National Voter Day.
With this, the Election Commission (EC) is going to observe the voter day for the fifth time this year with the slogan ‘will be voter following rules and vote for the competent candidates’.
The EC chalked out several programmes to observe the day to be launched through bringing out a rally from in front of the EC Bhaban in participation with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other commissioners around 8.30am.
A discussion meeting on the importance and significance of the voter day will be held in the EC Bhaban around 4pm. CEC Kazi Habibul Awal will attend as the chief guest.
Apart from this, an enthralling cultural event is scheduled to be held on Thursday evening.
Three election officers will be honoured for discharging duties with competency and credit.
Along with the EC headquarters, the voter day will be observed in a befitting manner at all offices across the country tomorrow.
The election affairs body ‘FEMBoSA’ belonging to SAARC decided to observe the voter day on March 2 every year in 2013.
Later, a proposal was sent to the EC with the recommendation to observe the day as the National Voter Day.
The EC unanimously took the decision to mark the day every year since then.
Power tariff being raised frequently to manage corruption: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the government is frequently increasing the price of electricity to manage corruption in the power sector.
"The power tariff was increased by 5% last night which is for the third time rise in a few months. The main reason behind it is that government needs to take money from the people's pockets to meet the ever-increasing cost of corruption in the power sector,” he said.
Speaking at a views exchange meeting, the BNP leader also said the government has been increasing the price of electricity step by step only because of corruption and plundering public money.
He said the power tariff hike is badly affecting the country’s economy. “That’s why the production cost of all goods and factory products is increasing. The cost of living for people is increasing, putting huge pressure on them.”
As part of their ongoing talks with former and current local government representatives of the party, BNP top leaders had the views-exchange meeting with the party’s current and former Union Parishads’ chairmen under the Barishal division at its chairperson’s Gulshan office.
On February 23, the BNP initiated such talks with the first meeting with the party’s present and ex-UP chairmen under Rangpur division.
The electricity tariff was raised further at both retail levels on Tuesday night with effect from Wednesday (March 1). This has been the third time in a row in two months.