politics
People are afraid of BNP’s Dec 10 rally: Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Monday that people are afraid of BNP's rally as the party is the sponsor of militancy and communalism. He made the remark after paying tribute to the leader when he visited the grave on the occasion of the 59th death anniversary of Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy on Monday.
Read more: 'Smart Bangladesh': Quader reveals AL's slogan for next election BNP wants to hold its public rally in Dhaka’s Nayapaltan on December 10. But the government has given BNP permission to hold the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. They will not be exempted if they cause disorder in the name of rally, he said. Quader said that under BNP’s rule elections were farce and Awami League activists were not allowed to stay at home with false cases. He said that obstacles have been created step by step in the development of democracy in Bangladesh. After Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina returned home in 1981, Shaheed Suhrawardy started fighting for democracy.
Read more: BNP won't be allowed to orchestrate violence surrounding December 10 rally: Quader "He traveled all over the country and campaigned for the values of the liberation war, for the ideal of liberation war and for democracy. He united the people and freed the shackles of democracy. Terming Hossain Suhrawardy as the son of democracy, the minister said that there is a mystery about the death of Suhrawardy. “We still do not know whether there is any conspiracy behind it or not,” he said.
Dhaka College BCL activists confront president over committee
The leaders and activists of the Dhaka College unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League have confronted the organization's central president Al Nahian Khan Joy to demand a committee for their unit.
The incident took place in the capital's New Market area, which is right next to Dhaka College, on Sunday night(December 4). Agitated activists of the Dhaka College unit surrounded Joy's convoy there.
A number of leaders and activists involved in Dhaka College Chhatra League said they don't have a BCL committee in their college for a long time. "We actively participate in all the programs of the Chhatra League, but we do not have an identity. It is disappointing for us. We are asking him to declare the committee as soon as possible," one of them told UNB, wishing to remain unnamed.
Read: 15 injured in BCL factional clash at CU
Firoz Hossain, a candidate of Dhaka College BCL unit said, "We have all requested Joy Bhai for the committee. We have been involved with BCL politics for a long time. The annual council will be held on December 6. There is no opportunity to give a committee after the council. So our demand is to give the committee by December 5."
There has been no Chhatra League committee in Dhaka College for the last six years.
Sources said AL leaders are already trying to solve the issues.
Dec 10 Rally Venue: DMP expected to inform BNP by tomorrow
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities are likely to inform the main opposition BNP whether they will allow the party to hold its much-talked-about rally in the capital on December 10 at any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
A five-member delegation of BNP met Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Khandker Golam Faruq around 4pm on Sunday and urged him to either allow their party to have the programme in front of their Nayapaltan central office, or any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
"We told the DMP commissioner that we would not hold our rally at Suhrawardy Udyan. We urge him to allow us to arrange the rally at Nayapaltan and we’ll take all responsibility to end the programme peacefully,” BNP publicity affairs secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee told UNB after the meeting.
Read: BNP leader Ishraque comes under attack by BCL in city
He said they also called upon the DMP boss to give them permission to hold the programme at any other suitable alternative venue, if they are unable to allow it at Nayapaltan.
“The DMP commissioner said they will inform us about their decision tomorrow (Monday)," Anee said.BNP Dhaka North City Unit Convenor Amanullah Aman said their rally can be held at any venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan. He said police in discussion with BNP leader Anee will settle the venue.
The other BNP delegation members were the party’s Dhaka South City unit Convener Abdus Salam, joint secretary general Sayed Moazzem Hossain Alal and organizing secretary Abdus Salm Azad.
This was the second meeting between the BNP leaders and the DMP boss, over permission for the party’s December 10 rally in the city.
Another BNP delegation met the DMP Commissioner on November 15 and sought permission to organise the rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
Earlier in the day, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they will consider it if the government offers them to have the programme at any suitable venue other than Suhrawardy Udyan.
Read: No to Suhrawardy Udyan, but BNP will consider other rally venue suggestions from govt: Fakhrul
Speaking at an impromptu press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also accused the government of unnecessarily creating complications over a peaceful democratic programme.
On November 29, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions. But the party turned down it saying it sought permission to hold the programme at Nayapaltan, not Suhrawardy Udyan.
On September 27, BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will conclude the divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
The BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government--a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not contain any such provision.
BNP leader Ishraque comes under attack by BCL in city
BNP executive committee member Ishraque Hossain was attacked on Sunday allegedly by the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League BCL) near Jagannath University (JnU) while distributing leaflets to drum up public support for the party’s December-10 rally.
Talking to UNB, Ishraque alleged that the BCL activists from Jagannath University carried out the attack at noon, leaving six-seven BNP leaders and activists.
The BNP leader said the BCL men first started throwing brick chips when he along with BNP leaders and activists were getting into his vehicle after completing the leaflet distribution programme.
Read more: BNP demands withdrawal of check post outside Khaleda’s house
“Later, they attacked us with rods and hockey sticks. They also vandalised my vehicle,” he said.
Ishraque, the son of late BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka, said four injured BNP activists were admitted to a hospital.
Contacted, JnU unit BCL president Ibrahim Farazi said they chased Ishraque and his followers as the BNP leader was making provocative remarks while distributing the leaflets
He claimed that some BCL activists were injured as the ‘cadres’ of Ishraque attacked them.
Read more: 75 sued over crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
Earlier on Nov 5, the motorcade of Ishraque came under attack by miscreants at Mahilara Bazar in Gouranadi upazila on his way to BNP’s divisional rally in Barishal.
A number of vehicles were vandalised while nine BNP activists were injured in the attack.
BNP demands withdrawal of check post outside Khaleda’s house
BNP on Sunday demanded the withdrawal of the check post set up by the police in front of party chairperson Khaleda Zia's house in the city’s Gulshan area.
“Police blocked the area by setting up a check post in the same style of keeping the sand-loaded trucks in front of our leader Khaleda Zia. This is another new level of oppression on her,” said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also strongly condemned and protested such a bad attitude of the Awami League government.
Read more: 75 sued over crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
“I strongly demand the removal of the check posts and barricade immediately from in front of the house of Begum Khaleda Zia," the BNP leader said.
Earlier on Saturday night, Police put up a check post near BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s home at Gulshan in Dhaka.
Police authorities, however, said the check post was part of a special drive to arrest drug peddlers, militants, and criminals in the city.
Khaleda, a three-time former prime minister, has been staying at her Gulshan residence, Firoza, since she was freed on March 25, 2020, through an executive order by the government suspending her sentences in two graft cases.
Read more: No to Suhrawardy Udyan, but BNP will consider other rally venue suggestions from govt: Fakhrul
Fakhrul alleged that the government is constantly trying to kill a popular leader like Khaleda by keeping her imprisoned in ‘false’ cases and blocking all ways of treatment.
He also accused the government of violating human rights and keeping Khaleda under mental stress by blocking her residence and threatening to send her to jail.
75 sued over crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
A case has been filed against 75 leaders and activists of BNP and its associated bodies under the Explosive Substances Act over the crude bomb blast in front of the party’s Nayapaltan office.
Md Shamim Hossain, sub-inspector (SI) of Paltan Model police station, filed the case naming 15 BNP men, including Dhaka Metropolitan Jubo Dal (south) convener Golam Mawla Shahin, and 50-60 unnamed ones early Sunday.
Read more: Crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
According to the case, about 50-60 unidentified people suddenly started chanting various anti-government slogans with the intention of causing panic in public mind and damaging property in front of the party office in Nayapaltan on Saturday when the Paltan police were performing duty there.
Later, a crude bomb went off in the area.
Read more: 15 BNP men detained with crude bombs in C’nawabganj, say district police
Police detained three people from the spot while others managed to escape, said SI Shamim.
No to Suhrawardy Udyan, but BNP will consider other rally venue suggestions from govt: Fakhrul
Softening the party’s earlier position on holding its December 10 Dhaka rally at Nayapaltan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said they will consider if the government offers them to hold the programme at any other suitable alternative venue to Suhrawardy Udyan.
Speaking at an impromptu press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader also accused the government of unnecessarily creating complications over a peaceful democratic programme.
“Our Dhaka rally will be the most successful and peaceful programme. We urge the government not to create any instability by trying to divert our programme to a different direction,” he said.
Replying to a question about where BNP’s rally will be held on December 10, Fakhrul said they have already said it will be held at Nayapaltan and urged the government to change its decision on Suhrawardy Udyan.
Fakhrul said their party standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Saturday called upon the government to come up with an alternative venue to Nayapaltan and Suhrawardy Udyan for holding the Dhaka rally. “Let it happen like that. If we get a proposal for any suitable alternative venue, then we will consider it. “
At that time, Mirza Abbas, the advisor to the party’s rally preparatory committee, said, “If they offer an acceptable alternative proposal, we’ll think of it. But it should not be Suhrawardy Udyan or on the Turag (river) bank,” he added.
Read: Successful divisional rallies show people turning around: Mirza Fakhrul
Responding to another question, Fakhrul said they will in no way hold the rally at Suhrawardy Uduan.
He also warned the government that it will be held responsible if any chaotic situation is created over the rally.
On November 29, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted BNP to hold its rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on December 10 on 26 conditions. But the party turned down it saying it sought permission to hold the programme at Nayapaltan, not Suhrawardy Udyan.
As a political party, Fakhrul said they have the constitutional and democratic right to hold the rally anywhere in the country, but the government is trying to snatch that right by talking in advance about sabotage.
Read: BNP’s Rajshahi rally draws huge turnout
“I think everyone should play a role in creating a healthy atmosphere for keeping the existence of democracy in the country. The government has the most responsibility in this regard. I repeat again that our rally in Dhaka on December 10 will be completely peaceful," he said.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has established a reign of terror across the capital over the rally by issuing threats, filing cases and arresting and harassing the BNP leaders and activists.
He claimed that over 1,000 BNP leaders and activists have been arrested since November 30 in Dhaka division centring the rally. “Our leaders now can’t even stay at their homes due to the raids by police.”
The BNP leader urged the government to stop arresting BNP leaders and activists and release those who were arrested for creating a convenient and democratic environment.
Stating that their party has already held nine divisional rallies peacefully without any chaos despite various obstacles and provocations by the government and the ruling party, he said Dhaka’s programme will also be peaceful with the participation of lakhs of people.
"No one, but the government can only carry out subversive acts in Dhaka and it will be held responsible if anything bad happens here,” Fakhrul said.
He thanked the Inspector General of Police for his Saturday's remark that they have no information about any possible subversive acts centring BNP’s rally in Dhaka. “So, why are you filing cases (against BNP leaders and workers)?"
Fakhrul alleged that the government agencies are resorting to subversive acts like the explosion of crude bombs to destabilise the Nayapaltan area ahead of the rally.
On September 27, BNP announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. The party will conclude the divisional programmes by holding its last rally in Dhaka on December 10.
Hasan Mahmud inspects Polo Ground ahead of hugely anticipated AL rally
Claiming that Awami League is the people's party, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always works to serve the people of the country.
The minister said this while briefing reporters after visiting the Polo Ground in Chattogram city, on the eve of the public rally to be organized by Awami League’s Chattogram city and Chattogram district north and south units on Sunday.
"Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has taken Bangladesh to new heights in the last fourteen years," he said.
Replying to a question, he said, "Since we have come to power with the people's mandate, it is our duty to appear before the people. Where the country was before and where it has reached now, what we have done for the people, where we want to take the country - it is our responsibility as a people's party to present these before the people. Leader of the people, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will present these things to the people through the public rally on Sunday."
He said Chattogram's Polo Ground is a very big field. The father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina both held public meetings that witnessed huge gatherings at the venue, spilling over and forcing people to stand outside the field.
"As we can see the huge response, this time eight-ten times more people will have to stand outside the field," Hasan Mahmud added.
He then turned his attention to the BNP.
"Bangladesh is rapidly advancing to development. And BNP is the main patron of the anti-independence militant group. So the country cannot be handed over to the patron of terrorists. We will also present it in front of the people," he said, letting some insight into AL's strategy ahead of the next elections.
The Information Minister said, the government has given BNP permission to hold the December 10 rally at Suhrawardy Udyan based on their application.
“But, instead of Suhrawardy Udyan, they want to hold the rally at Nayapaltan, to create anarchy and destabilize the country,” he added.
Hasan Mahmud said that the government will not allow the “BNP-Jamat nexus to create any situation to destabilize the country.”
Chittagong South District Awami League President Moslem Uddin Ahmad MP, General Secretary Mofizur Rahman, Metropolitan Awami League Acting President Mahtab Uddin Chowdhury, General Secretary AJM Nashir Uddin, North District President MA Salam, General Secretary Sheikh Ataur Rahman, Chittagong Zilla Parishad Chairman Awami League leaders including ATM Peyarul Islam were also present on the occasion.
Crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office
A crude bomb went off in front of the main opposition BNP’s central office in the capital’s Nayapaltan on Saturday evening.
The incident occurred around 6:10 pm, Paltan Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Salahuddin Mia told UNB.
Read more: AL having nightmares of losing power: Fakhrul
Some five to six people have been detained from the spot over the incident for questioning.
Additional police force has been deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation, he said.
'Smart Bangladesh': Quader reveals AL's slogan for next election
Ruling Awami League's slogan ahead of the next election will reflect the country's development journey under it and portend the next stage in its evolution, according to the party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
"We have accomplished the aim of Digital Bangladesh. We have four-lane highway, six-lane highway, metro rail, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Ruppur Nuclear power plant and Bangabandhu satellite. Now, our next aim is to accomplish 'Smart Bangladesh'. Our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defined the slogan for Chhatra League and during its reign, it will be the main slogan of the next national election," Quader said.
He made this statement while speaking as the chief guest at the Dhaka University Chhatra League's annual council in front of the Oporajeyo Bangla monument today.
"All committees of Bangladesh Chhatra League including central Unit, Dhaka city north unit, Dhaka city south unit and Dhaka University unit will be declared together after the annual council of BCL which will be held on December 6," he said while speaking about BCL council.
Read more: Just wearing a Mujib coat doesn’t make one a true AL activist: Quader
"We have rescheduled the BCL annual council on December 6 to make a distance between BCL and BNP. BCL will not do anything to them," he added.
Regarding the BNP council on December 10, Obaidul Quader said, "We requested them to arrange their council at Suhrawardy Udyan but they do not like it. They like Paltan because they feel more safe there to create anarchy and to stock their bamboo and sticks."
“Suhrawardy Udyan is the place which is related to our independence and liberation but Fakhrul does not like it because it’s related to the liberation. Fakhrul addressed the Suhrawardy Udyan as a cage. Then why did Khaleda Zia attend programs at Suhrawardy Udyan during the previous Election?” he questioned.
He also said that Awami League does not fear Paltan but AL fears violence of BNP activists and leaders.
Read more: No transport strike during BNP’s Dhaka rally: Obaidul Quader
"If they try to break discipline and create anarchy we will not just see. We are ready to respond to them accordingly,” he added. "Whatever they do, the constitution will not be changed and caretaker government will not be allowed as it has been legally banned."
He also said that December is the month of victory and independence.