politics
AL seems behaving like opposition party: Amir Khosru
BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said the ruling Awami League seems to be behaving like an opposition party as it is taking to the streets with counter-political programmes.
Speaking at a rally, he also warned that the Awami League will fail to stop the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy with the counter programmes.
“They (Awami League) seem to have become the opposition party. If you look at their role, it seems that the Awami League is not the ruling party, but the opposition party,” Khosru said.
Read: BNP demands unconditional release of Khaleda
When BNP announces peaceful programmes, he said Awami League also comes up with counter ones, including “peace rallies”.
“We would like to say that BNP's peaceful programmes can’t be obstructed. Lakhs of people have taken to the streets and it has been proved that mass waves can’t be stopped by shooting, killing and implicating opposition leaders and activists in false and ghost cases.”
Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh organized the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club to press home BNP’s 10-point demand, including the resignation of the government and holding the next polls under a non-party administration, and to protest the hikes in the prices of all essential items and utility services.
Referring to Awami League's peace rally countering the opposition’s programmes, Khosru questioned whether the government has disbanded the enforcement agencies as the ruling party leaders and activists are taking to the streets to ensure peace.
He said the Awami League’s political weakness has reached such a level that it now cannot attract people with distinctive political programmes. “So, they’re trying to obstruct BNP’s programmes.”
Read: Fakhrul off to Singapore for treatment
“We would like to say that you are now known as a laughingstock to people, no matter how much you give counter programmes, hold peace rallies and how much you talk about protecting people's assets. The people of the country laugh at your programmes,” the BNP leader observed.
He said Awami League is now taking the shelter of police, RAB, BGB and the court after getting completely politically defeated. “You have been defeated politically also by taking a stand against the people.”
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders and activists have been siphoning off huge amounts of money by indulging in corruption and plundering.
“Those who are plundering the country’s resources and siphoning off money abroad must be accountable to people in the future, and they must return the money to the country,” he said.
Fakhrul off to Singapore for treatment
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir went to Singapore early Friday for medical treatment.
Fakhrul and his wife Rahat Ara Begum left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Singapore on a flight of Thai Airways around 1:30am, BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.
Sayrul said Fakhrul and his wife will receive treatment at two separate hospitals in Singapore for their health complexities.
Talking to UNB before boarding the flight, Fakhrul said he will undergo treatment at Singapore National University Hospital. "This is my follow-up health checkup."
He said his wife is also sick and she will receive treatment at another hospital.
The BNP secretary general urged the party leaders and workers as well as countrymen to pray for his speedy recovery.
Fakhrul said he will return to the country after a week.
The 76-year-old BNP leader received treatment in Singapore last time on January 30, 2021.
In 2015, while incarcerated, Fakhrul was diagnosed with a block in the internal carotid artery of his neck.
After his release, he went to Singapore for treatment. After that, he has to go to Singapore every year for follow-up treatment.
The BNP leader could not go to Singapore last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
On December 8 last, Fakhrul was arrested by the police from his Uttara residence just two days before BNP's much-talked-about rally in the capital.
Just after a month, he was released from jail on bail by the High Court.
Later, he was admitted to Evercare Hospital on January 15 for treatment.
BNP postpones March protest to mourn earthquake causalities in Turkey, Syria
BNP’s March programme at union level on Saturday and in the capital on Sunday will remain unchanged though the party postponed Thursday’s similar protest, expressing deep shock and sympathy over the huge loss of lives in a catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office on Thursday, party acting office secretary Syed Imran Saleh Prince said they observed mourning by postponing Dhaka South city unit’s March programme from Gopibagh to the Jatiya Press Club as over 15,000 people were killed in the devastating earthquake.
He said their party kept at half-mast the national and party flags atop of their party offices, expressing BNP’s profound shock and sympathy over the losses of huge lives in the earthquake.
A catastrophic earthquake and series of aftershocks hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 16,000 people as rescuers pulled more survivors and bodies from beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings on Thursday, more than three days after the natural disaster.
Prince said their party leaders and activists will march at union level on Saturday as per the previous announcement to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government and to protest the hikes in prices of utility services and all essential items.
Besides, he said the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka North City unit will march towards Bosila Saat Rasta intersection from Shyamoli playground at 2pm on February 12.
Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged the leaders and activists of the party, its associate bodies and different units to and people from all walks of life to spontaneously participate in the March programmes to intensify the ongoing anti-government movement.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the Marches on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1, respectively, to push for their 10-point demand.
BNP to march from Gopibagh to JPC Thursday
The leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka South City unit will march towards the Jatiya Press Club (JPC) from Gopibagh in the capital on Thursday to press home their 10-point demand including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
Thursday’s programme is part of the party’s second phase of anti-government protest.
The party leaders and activists will gather at Brothers Union Club to start the march around 2 pm.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will inaugurate the programme as the chief guest.
Meanwhile, Awami League and Jubo League, the youth wing of the ruling party, will also hold two peace rallies in the capital on the same day, in an apparent bid to counter the BNP’s programme.
Dhaka South City unit Jubo League will hold a peace rally at Bangabandhu Avenue at 2:30pm while Awami League’s Dhaka North City unit will hold a peace rally at Pallabi at 3pm, protesting the "terror and anarchy of the BNP".
On Tuesday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced their party’s second phase of the march programme in the capital.
As part of the programme, the Dhaka North City unit will also march towards Bosila Saat Rasta intersection from Shyamoli playground at 2pm on February 12.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively to push for their 10-point demand.
Later on February 4, BNP announced another march programme in all unions across the country on February 11 (Saturday) to mount pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand.
Meanwhile, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas called upon the Awami League not to organise any programme in the name of a peace rally on the day of BNP's program that can create anarchy and chaos.
"Don't give any counter programme on the day of BNP’s programme. If necessary, give the programme in advance. We also will not give any programme on the day of your one. If you want peace, don't give a counter programme," he said.
Abbas made the call while addressing a preparatory meeting of Dhaka South City unit BNP. The meeting was organised at Abba’s Shahjahanpur residence on the eve of the march programme.
Abbas said their party has been carrying out a peaceful movement to restore democracy and people’s voting rights. “BNP wants to unseat this government through a peaceful movement. But the government gets afraid when the BNP demonstrates or even when the BNP remains to relent.”
BNP demands unconditional release of Khaleda
BNP on Wednesday demanded the unconditional release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia and the withdrawal of conspiratorial cases against her as the party claims the government imprisoned her through a ‘dictated’ court verdict to keep her away from politics and elections.
“People know and believe that their beloved leader Khaleda has not committed any crime. Begum Khaleda Zia has been subjected to brutal repression only because of the government's political vengeance,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
In a statement, he also said imprisoning Khaleda out of political vengeance means imprisoning democracy. “The government has kept democracy captive by incarcerating Khaleda Zia. Democracy and Khaleda Zia are synonymous now.”
The statement was issued on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the jailing of the BNP chairperson.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda,, was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case. The High Court later doubled her five-year jail term.
Khaleda, a former prime minister, was found guilty in another corruption case the same year, though her party claims both cases are politically motivated.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed her from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year. The government later extended the suspension several times.
“February 8, is a stigmatised day in the history of Bangladesh politics. On this day in 2018, the vengeful Awami League government unjustly jailed the most popular leader of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia in a in a false case of depoliticisation filed during 1/11,” Fakhrul said.
He said the government also kept her in jail for 25 months by snatching the BNP chief’s right to get bail from the court, threatening her life for lack of proper treatment.
The BNP leader said the government has kept Khaleda under house arrest by releasing her on conditions when her health condition deteriorated.
Read more: BNP renews call for Khaleda’s unconditional release
He said though physicians repeatedly recommended sending Khaleda abroad for her advanced treatment, the government did not allow her to go there.
Fakhrul said it is as clear as daylight that the current 'fascist' government kept Khaleda in jail through a ‘dictated verdict’ snatching her all rights only to continue its undemocratic, anti-people, illegal activities, corruption, looting, and farce in the name of votes.
He said their party placed the 10-point demand, including holding the next election under a caretaker government, and it has got massive support from the country’s people. “The government is plotting to perpetuate one-party authoritarian rule by ignoring the 10-point demand."
The BNP leader said the government cannot suppress the movement for realising the 10-point demand by resorting to various repressive acts. “Overcoming all obstacles, the movement is moving forward at a fast pace… Inshallah this struggle is progressing towards success.”
Fakhrul hoped that democracy, the cherished dream of Khaleda Zia, will be restored in the country through an election under a non-partisan, neutral caretaker government after ousting the current undemocratic and anti-people regime.
ALPP decides to let Hasina decide
Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) on Tuesday authorised the party president, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to nominate the party's candidate for the presidential election.
Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader gave this information after the meeting of the ruling Awami League's parliamentary party held at Jatiya Sangsad Bhavan.
Quader said that in the meeting he proposed to hand over power to the leader of the parliamentary party of Awami League,Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“It was unanimously accepted. Now Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the symbol of unity, will put an end to all speculations.”
According to sources, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Parliament Deputy Leader Matia Chowdhury, Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader addressed the meeting.
Read more: Next Head of State: AL set to finalise its candidate on Tuesday
Awami League candidates will submit their nominations on the last day of submission of nomination papers for the presidential post on February 12. The name of the candidate of the party will not be revealed before this.
Sources said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her speech at the meeting asked the parliamentarians to go to the area.
SHe said that the development work is going on and will continue. But party leaders and activists have to go to the people to seek vote for the next election.
Criticizing govt can never be seditious: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday said that criticizing the government can never be sedition.
“Our politics is for the people of the country. We raise our voices for them. We point out the government’s mistake by criticizing on behalf of the people. This is never sedition,” he said.
Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in Parliament, made the remarks at a meeting at the Jatiya Party Chairman's Banani office.
He said that the government has divided the people of the country.
“Pakistan government discriminated against us before independence. Unfortunately, this discrimination is still prevalent. This is what is contrary to the spirit of independence,” he said.
He stated that the Jatiya Party considers alliances in elections as friendship and added, “Alliance isn’t slavery. People’s interest is our top priority.”
He urged the leaders and workers of the party to continue to speak for people’s rights and said, “We will never give up on the path of truth and justice.”
AL out to destroy country's stability with counter programmes: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that Awami League is trying to harm democracy and destroy the country's stability by announcing counter-political programmes.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also called upon the ruling party to withdraw their counter programme on February 11, the day BNP leaders and workers will march in all unions across the country to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next polls under a non-party government.
"Awami League is giving counter programmes to our every peaceful programme. They again announced a counter programme at the union level. The main character of Awami League is being exposed with such efforts. Awami League is a party of terrorism,” the BNP leader said.
He also said Awami League is ‘very good at’ inciting violence and terror activities, intimidation, attacks and assaults on its opponents.
Fakhrul said the ruling party is announcing the counter programmes also with a motive to foil the peaceful programmes of the opposition.
“With these counter programmes they are damaging democracy, and they’re trying to destroy the stability of Bangladesh and pushing the country towards uncertainty. I call upon the Awami League to withdraw their union-level programme (on January 11),” he said.
Earlier on February 4 last, BNP and its like-minded parties and alliances announced a march programme in all unions across the country for February 11 (Saturday) to mount pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand.
Stating that holding peaceful programmes are a constitutional right of political parties, Fakhrul said Awami League is trying to push BNP’s peaceful programmes towards conflict by instigating and threatening in various ways from the beginning. “We are very consciously avoiding that conflict.”
He said the ruling party’s counter programme is a new phenomenon in Bangladesh’s politics. “It means they’re now doing these things out of fear to protect themselves and stay in power again.”
The BNP leader reiterated that they will continue their programmes in a completely peaceful manner avoiding conflict. “Our ultimate goal is to force this illegitimate government to step down, dissolve parliament and hold the election with the supervision of a new Election Commission under a non-partisan caretaker government.”
Read more: People know who fled the country after 1/11: Fakhrul
Asked whether they may announce tough programmes like hartal and blockade to intensify their movement, Fakhrul said, “So far there is no such plan. I can't say whether it will come in the future as the necessity and people will determine it.”
He said they think peaceful programmes are enough to force the current regime to quit. “Through this movement, you will see that one day the public opinion will come to such a level that there will be no need to call hartal as they (govt) will step down facing the peaceful movements.”
Later, the BNP leader Alamgir announced that their party leaders and activists will again march in the capital on February 9 and 12 to press home the 10-point demand.
“As part of our ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy, unconditional release of our leader Khaleda Zia, the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament and realising the 10-point demand, BNP Dhaka South and North city units have decided to march again,” he said.
Fakhrul said BNP’s Dhaka South City unit will march towards the Jatiya Press Club from Gopibagh Brothers Union Club Ground at 2pm on February 9 while its Dhaka North City unit will march towards Bosila Saat Rasta intersection from Shyamoli Club Ground at 2pm on February 12.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively to push for their 10-point demand.
Later on February 4, BNP announced another march programme in all unions across the country on February 11 (Saturday) to mount pressure on the government to accept their demands.
BNP announces fresh march programme in Dhaka on February 9, 12
BNP will again march in the capital on February 9 and 12 to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the two-pay fresh programme at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
“As part of our ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy, unconditional release of our leader Khaleda Zia, the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament and realising the 10-point demand, BNP Dhaka South and North city units have decided to march again,” he said.
As part of the programme, he said BNP’s Dhaka South City unit will march towards the Jatiya Press Club from Gopibagh Brothers Union Club ground at 2pm on February 9 while its Dhaka North City unit will march towards Bosila Saat Rasta intersection from Shyamoli playground at 2pm on February 12.
Earlier, leaders and activists of the party’s Dhaka north and south city units observed the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively to push for their 10-point demand.
Later on February 4, BNP announced another march programme in all unions across the country on February 11 (Saturday) to mount pressure on the government to accept their 10-point demand.
Vandalism of Hindu temples, idols in Thakurgaon: Fakhrul demands fair probe
Voicing deep concern over the vandalism of 14 idols at 12 Hindu temples in Thakurgaon’s Baliadangi upazila, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday demanded an impartial investigation to find the perpetrators immediately.
In a statement, he said, “This incident is not only outrageous but also mysterious, premeditated, and disgraceful. There is no suitable word to condemn it.”
Stating that Bangladesh is a glaring example of communal harmony, the BNP leader said those who want to destroy communal and social harmony by vandalising temples and idols of the Hindu community are vermin of hell.
“An impartial investigation should be carried out to trace those involved in the Balidangi incident. I demand that offenders who vandalised the temples and idols at Baliadangi be identified through an impartial investigation and brought to justice immediately,” Fakhrul said.
At the same time, he urged the administration to be careful so that no innocent person is harassed due to political vengeance in connection with the incident.
Read: Hero Alam proves AL’s weakness as it had to use state machinery for win against him: Fakhrul
Unidentified people vandalised 14 idols at 12 Hindu temples at three unions under Baliadangi upazila in Thakurgaon district in the early hours of Sunday.
Fakhrul said panic gripped the Hindus and Muslims at three unions in Baliadangi upazila following the heinous incident which is contrary to social harmony.
Referring to media reports, he said most of the temples and idols that were vandalised were located on roadsides and policemen usually patrol those areas at night.
“But the absence of law enforcers there is also mysterious. The common people believed that miscreants could have easily vandalised such a large number of temples and idols due to their (police’s) negligence. The government can’t avoid its responsibility,” the BNP leader said.
He also said the ongoing misrule in the country has created an unusual and insecure situation where real criminals get away with crimes because of their association with the ruling party.
“As a result, criminals continue to commit new crimes with redoubled enthusiasm. People are now extremely insecure here as the country has now become a paradise for criminals,” he said.
Fakhrul expressed regret that along with political activities, social and religious activities have to be carried out in an insecure conditions in the country.
Read: No one from outside to save nation with sanctions unless we stand up: Fakhrul
He said mosques, temples, churches, pagodas, and other places for worshipping had also been attacked in the past,but the government could not bring the culprits to justice through fair and impartial trials.
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders’ involvement was found in previous incidents of vandalism of Hindu community's temples and idols and grabbing of their land and property, houses, and businesses.
“The ruling party MP at Baliadangi, his family members, and people loyal to him not only grabbed the land of the Hindu community, but also attacked and intimidated them. Even then, no action was taken against them,” he said.
Fakhrul demanded immediate reconstruction and necessary renovations of the vandalised temples at government expense.