politics
BNP vows to stage the biggest rally in recent memory in Khulna
Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Shamsuzzaman Dudu has said that the party’s divisional rally in Khulna on Saturday will be the biggest public gathering that people have seen in recent years.
Dudu, coordinator of the party's Programme Implementation Committee, said this at a press briefing held at the BNP's Khulna office on Friday.
Read:Police detain BNP activists ahead of protest rally in Khulna
In the briefing, the BNP leader requested the police and the local administration to behave responsibly instead of instigating violence.
“An atmosphere of fear has been created in the entire Khulna division to foil the rally through the suspension of public transports. Will our activists from the adjoining districts reach Khulna by foot? Why will such a situation prevail in a country where people have sacrificed blood for independence and democracy?” said Dudu.
The BNP leader added that by arresting 13 BNP leaders and activists who were accompanying senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, the government has insulted a valiant freedom fighter.
“I thank the Khulna administration for allowing us to hold the rally without delay. But they along with Awami League activists have created a fearful environment by suspending public transports and threatening the local people against joining our program. I urge them to let us carry out our activities peacefully,” Dudu added.
Starting at 2:00pm the rally will continue till 5:00pm. According to Dudu, the rally is for reestablishing democracy in the country.
Read:Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
“This rally is being organized demanding the release of our leader Khaleda Zia and bringing back his son Tarique Rahman to the country. This rally is also for the people, for reducing the prices of daily essentials including fuel,” Dudu said.
Several BNP leaders and activists, including Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury and Information Secretary Azizul Bari Helal, were present during the briefing.
Police detain BNP activists ahead of protest rally in Khulna
Police have detained 13 BNP activists from Bosupara area of Khulna city when they came to meet the party’s senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy ahead of a planned public rally here, leaders alleged on Friday.
Khulna Metropolitan BNP Member Secretary Shafiqul Alam Tuhin said Gayeshwar, chief advisor of Khulna public rally coordination committee, came to Khulna on Thursday afternoon to join the party’s Khulna divisional rally. It is planned for Saturday.
Read: AL is not obstructing BNP rally, says Obaidul Quader
He is staying at the residence of a former Vice President of Bagerhat District BNP Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon in Basupara.
In a drive through the area police held the 13 activists who came to meet Gayeshwar at night.
"Some people entered the house with sticks in their hands and pistols on their waists and created havoc. There was no way to understand whether they were police or not. They detained 13 people who came to see me,” alleged Gayeshwar.
Momtazul Haque, office-in-charge (OC) of Sonadanga police station, said they raided various places on Thursday night to detain people wanted in various cases.
“I can inform you in the morning who has been nabbed from which area, " he said on Thursday night.
Read: Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
Meanwhile, Khulna metropolitan BNP convenor Shafiqul Alam Mona alleged that the police conducted drives at various houses and hotels in the city on Thursday night to detain their activists who arrived to join the rally.
Earlier on September 28, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 10 divisional cities in protest against the killings and filing of cases against the party leaders and activists, price hikes of fuel and daily essentials and demanding the unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh while the third one will be held in Khulna on Saturday.
Govt removing officials in fear of losing power, says Mirza Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government is removing the government officials from their jobs out of anxiety.
"They (govt) have become very nervous. The government of (Sheikh) Hasina is so anxious that now they have started removing the officials …out of fear of losing power,” he said
In the context of sending some of the officials to forced retirement, the BNP Secretary General made the remarks while addressing a rally in front of the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units organised the rally to protest against the police attacks on party leaders and activists, their arrests and harassment in ‘false’ cases.
The protest was also meant for registering the party’s anger over police raids on the houses of opposition leaders and workers, sending them to jail in other cases despite obtaining bail from courts.
Referring to a newspaper report, Fakhrul said the government is now unable to repay the loans it borrowed from abroad and different lending agencies. “So, what will happen now? All foreign lending agencies will stop giving loans while the reserves are falling.”
He categorically said the current regime has now no right to rule the country anymore. “You have turned the country into a failed state through corruption and misrule. You please quit power with dignity. If you don't step down, the country’s people know how to unseat you.''
The BNP leader renewed their party’s demands for the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament, handing over power to a non-party neutral government and formation of a fresh election commission to conduct a credible national election and establish a government and parliament of people.
At the same time, he said BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia must be released and all the ‘false’ cases against the opposition leaders and activists have to be withdrawn.
Khulna rally to see a mass wave
Fakhrul alleged that the government is creating obstacles in their party’s ongoing democratic movement in various ways. “You know, transport services were stopped during our divisional rally in Mymensingh. Similarly, they are stopping public transport in Khulna two days ahead of the rally.”
He said such a move of the government will not help prevent people from joining the rally. “People will participate in the rally… Lacs of people will attend the rally.”
Fakhrul issued a stern warning against the oppression by the government and asked the law enforcers to stop filing false cases, repressive acts and killing opposition leaders and activists.
Otherwise, he said the people of this country did not forgive any oppressor in the past. “You won’t be forgiven either.”
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP will organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city on Saturday amid suspension of the bus services for two days.
Govt must go: Mirza Fakhrul
Accusing the government of trying to suppress the movement of opposition parties, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday questioned what the government can achieve by preventing BNP from holding big rallies.
"You all know how much injustice and repression are going on. The government has been working terribly…to suppress our movement. They talk about democracy by obstructing the opposition’s rallies. They stopped the transport service using the bus owners so that we can’t hold massive rallies,” he said.
Speaking at a programme of unveiling a booklet, he also criticised the government's ‘undemocratic’ attitude of blocking democratic protests. "They’ll be able to say BNP’s rally is not big. But can they erase the pent-up anger from people’s hearts? They won’t be able to do that. Every person now hates you as you’re hanging onto power based on lies.”
Read:Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
Earlier on Wednesday, Khulna bus-minibus owners association and motor workers’ union decided to keep bus services suspended on October 21 and 22 due to the BNP’s divisional rally on Saturday (October 22).
As part of its divisional rallies, BNP is expected to organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city in protest against the price hikes in fuel and daily essentials and the killing of five BNP leaders and activists in the recent movement and demanding unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh. BNP leaders alleged that many BNP leaders and activists were attacked, arrested and implicated in ‘false’ cases in Chattogram and Mymensingh over holding the rally.
Zia Parishad, a pro-BNP platform, has published the 'booklet' in memory of four leaders of the party’s associate bodies who were killed in police firing in the party’s recent anti-government movement.
Mirza Fakhrul unveiled the cover of the booklet titled “Bangladesh Running toward Deathtrap” at a programme at the chairperson's Gulshan office.
BNP arranged rallies and demonstrations at the district and upazila level since August last protesting the hikes in the prices of fuel and essential commodities. During these programmes, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Chhatra Dal leader Nur-e-Alam were gunned down in Bhola, while Jubo Dal leaders Raja Ahmed Shaon Shahidul Islam Shaon were shot dead in Narayanganj and Munshiganj respectively reportedly by police.
On Behalf of Zia Parishad, Mirza Fakhrul handed over financial assistance to the family members of slain Abdur Rahim, Nure-Alam, Raja Ahmed Shaon and Shahidul Islam Shaon.
He also paid respect to the memories of those killed in the ongoing movement and urged the party leaders and workers to be vocal against the government’s misrule by turning the sacrifices of the slain party leaders into strength.
Read:Nothing now under govt’s control: Fakhrul
He said it is high time to wake up the country's people to oust the Awami League government through a mass uprising.
The BNP leader urged the Zia Parishad to intensify its efforts to mobilise public support and encourage people to take to the streets against the current regime.
"We must take to the streets and say loudly that we don't want them (govt), and people don't want them (to stay in power). People don't want to see them in power those who kill people, resort to enforced disappearance, floundering and siphoning off money abroad. If we can't remove this government, the existence of the country and the nation will be at stake," Fakhrul said.
Transport strike in Khulna ahead of BNP rally after government’s ‘signal’: Shamsuzzaman
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu alleged that the transport strike on 18 routes in Khulna from Friday was called ‘after getting government’s signal’ to spoil BNP’s divisional rally billed for October 22 .
The BNP leader said this at Khulna BNP Office on Thursday at a press briefing.
To prevent the people of 10 districts of Khulna from joining the rally on October 22, the strike has been called and now threat is being given to stop trawler and boat movement, he added.
“Yesterday and today Awami League and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists snatched and vandilised BNP’s mike during publicity,” said the BNP leader.
He also alleged that police are threatening and searching houses of Khulna BNP leaders and activists.
“In a word, the ruling party is trying to make the peaceful environment in Khulna turbulent but BNP’s divisional rally will be held peacefully at any coast,” said Shamsuzzaman Dudu.
CCTV cameras in secret polling booths violate privacy: Hasan Mahmud
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said Installation of CCTV cameras in secret polling booths is infringement of privacy and inference to the fundamental rights of the citizens.
“The secret booths will no longer remain secret, if CCTV cameras are installed there to see who votes for which symbol and show it to others. If so, it would be infringement of privacy as per the opinions of the legal experts,” he said.
Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, was replying to a question over the recently cancelled Gaibandha-5 by-election, while he was exchanging views with reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat here in the capital.
The Election Commission has installed CCTV cameras in the polling stations to monitor the Gaibandha-5 by-polls remotely from Dhaka and cancelled the election, watching ‘massive irregularities’ through the CCTV cameras.
The Information Minister said the secret booth should remain secret. “The people should vote secretly. It is their right,” he said.
He said it is not his own opinion, rather people expressed such opinions on social media, and journalists and experts in media.
“The general people and jurists are of the opinion that it (installation of CCTV cameras in secret polling booths) is an infringement of privacy and it means interference with fundamental rights,” he added.
Hasan said once Shamim Osman MP probably showed the media whom he voted for during the Narayanganj City Corporation Election. Then the EC served a notice against him.
Noting that it is applicable for the EC as well, he said if the Election Commission sees it itself and shows it to others, it would also be 'infringement of privacy'.
He said there is nothing wrong with the installation of CCTV cameras in the polling stations, not in secret booths, to monitor if any unwanted person enters or chaos and violence takes place there. If the Election Commission finds it helpful, there is no barrier here, he added.
When asked about the reason for sending the information secretary on forced retirement, the minister said, “There is definitely a reason. But I don’t know the underlying cause.”
EC extends deadline for Gaibandha-5 by-polls by 90 days
The Election Commission (EC) has extended the deadline for holding any fresh election to the Gaibandha-5 parliamentary seat by three months, or till January 20, 2023.
While there was no concrete decision over if a new election will be held, pending an investigation into malpractices on the election day, the Election Commission said that the deadline has been extended to follow the rule of 90 days in holding an election after a seat falls vacant.
According to Section 123(4) of the Bangladesh constitution, if a parliamentary seat becomes vacant, it must be filled through election within 90 days.
Read: Gaibandha-5 by-election cancelled over 'malpractices'
The new deadline came in line with law as the EC said the incident at Gaibandha-5 was “unwanted, unimaginable and beyond control.”
Following the death of Gaibandha-5 lawmaker and Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Fazle Rabbi Miah on July 22, 2022, it became a constitutional obligation to hold election for the parliamentary seat by October 20, 2022.
But the EC cancelled the election because of “widespread malpractices” on the election day on October 12.
BNP provides financial assistance to families of two slain activists of Bhola
BNP on Tuesday provided financial support to the families of the leaders of Jubo Dal and Swechchasebak Dal who were shot dead allegedly by the police in BNP’s political programmes in Bhola.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir handed over the party’s cash assistance to the families of Jubo Dal leader Noor-e-Alam and Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined the programme.
Read: Bhola BNP-Cops clash: Injured JCD leader dies in Dhaka
Speaking at the programme, Fakhrul assured that their party will stand by the family members of those who are sacrificing their lives in the ongoing movement for the sake of democracy and people’s voting rights.
On July 31, Abdur Rahim was shot dead when the police attacked a protest rally against the increase in fuel and commodity prices in Bhola. Noor-e-Alam died while undergoing treatment on August 3 in Dhaka who sustained bullet wounds during the clash.
The assistance was provided from the party fund and the party's acting chairperson Tarique Rahman and. Besides, Australian expatriate Habibur Rahman and American expatriate Saiful Alam Kadar provided financial support for these two families.
BNP Senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, vice chairman Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, central leader Nazim Uddin Alam and BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, among others, were present at the event.
Gaibandha-5 by-polls: EC vows to take offending officials to task
Election Commissioner Md. Alamgir on Tuesday said that action will be taken against the officials who were involved in irregularities in the by-election of Gaibandha-5 seat.
He said this in response to questions from journalists in his office in the election building.
Read: Gaibandha-5 polls: Not a reckless decision, says CEC
Irrespective of the number of officers, disciplinary action will be taken according to the degree of offence based on the investigation report, he also said.
Alamgir said that the EC is neither for nor against anyone. It is the responsibility of the EC to conduct fair and impartial elections. Whenever voting becomes unfair it will be suspended and a new election will be held.
The commissioner said that they observed the election of Gaibandha-5 seat through CCTV from the election building.
"It was seen that polling agents were pressing the voting button after giving the voter's fingerprint in the secret polling booth. Seeing this, instructions were given to the presiding officer but he did not act accordingly. The order to hand over the culprit to the law enforcement agencies was also not obeyed," he added.
Read:Gaibandha-5: AL candidate Ripon wants polls results
The commission did not even see that the presiding officers had restored order. So the EC has done what it should have been done under law.
Saying that the investigation on all those irregularities is going on, Alamgir said the commission is finding the reason why did the presiding officers commit those irregularities. If the investigation proves that they did it voluntarily and no one acted even though there was an opportunity to restore order, then action will be taken as per law.
He said that the EC can give them temporary exemption up to two months. Apart from this, it may recommend the dismissal of the offending officers. The authorities concerned should implement it and inform the EC.
Nothing now under govt’s control: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina repeatedly talks about a possible famine in the country next year as her government is losing control due to ‘unbridled’ corruption and mismanagement.
Speaking to reporters at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after talks with National Democratic Party (NDP) and Jamiat Ulama-e Islam, he said nothing, including the administration, is now under the control of the government.
As his attention was drawn to the prime minister’s warning about a possible famine in Bangladesh, Fakhrul said, “We also can’t understand why is she saying this and where does the problem lie?”
He said only a few days back the government claimed that the country became self-sufficient in food. “What has happened now for which they fear that the county will face a food crisis? The main thing is massive corruption in every sector and everywhere, and they now can’t tackle it.”
The BNP leader alleged that the country has been witnessing extreme load-shedding only because of the government’s corruption. “They’re now facing problems to supply electricity, and corruption is the only reason behind it.”
Under such a situation in the country, he wondered how the government is now going to procure Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at the cost of Tk 8,000 crore to hold a staged election while Tk43 crore will be spent on constructing the houses for the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary.