politics
BNP sits with Ganosanghati Andolan
BNP on Tuesday sat with Ganosanghati Andolan in the city as part of its ongoing dialogue with political parties to forge a strong unity for a greater movement for the "restoration" of democracy.
A BNP delegation, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir joined the talks around 12:15pm at Ganosanghati Andolan’s Hatirpool central office.
Amid the speculation about the formation of a new political platform, 'Ganatantra Mancha', by seven parties, BNP is holding the talks with one of its probable components Ganosanghati Andolan.
Also read: BNP vows to overcome intimidation, repression: Fakhrul
The other BNP delegation members include its standing committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuk and former MP Zahir Uddin Swapan.
Ganosanghati Andolan’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, its executive coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel, political council member Taslima Akhter, party leaders Hasan Maruf Rumi, Bachchu Bhuiyan, Deepak Roy, Shyamoli Shil and Mizanur Rahman, among others, took part in the talks.
On May 24, BNP formally began a dialogue with other opposition parties with the first meeting with Nagorik Oikya aimed at forging unity among opposition political parties.
Also read: AL leaders to leave country bowing heads: Fakhrul
Three days later, the party also sat with the Labour Party, one of the components of the 20-party alliance.
The BNP standing committee decided to hold talks with political parties and finalise an outline of a united movement through the discussions.
Zia’s 41st death anniversary observed
The 41st death anniversary of BNP founder and ex-president of the country Ziaur Rahman was observed with various programmes across the country on Monday.
Black flags were hoisted while party flags kept at half-mast atop the party's central offices and chairperson’s Gulshan office at 6am as part of its programme to mark the day.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir together with party senior leaders paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave on the occasion.
Leaders of BNP’s different associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia’s grave on the occasion.
Zia, who founded Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at the erstwhile Chittagong circuit house on May 30, 1981 while serving as the country's president, a position he formally assumed in 1977.
Mirza Fakhrul and party standing committee members distributed food and clothes among the destitute at 70 points of the capital on the day arranged by Dhaka North and South units of BNP.
READ: Zia’s 41st death anniversary Monday
Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) arranged a free medical camp at BNP’s Naya paltan central office from where poor people were provided with treatment and d medicines.
The party's all district, city and thana units also observed the day amid various programmes, including discussions and distribution of food among the poor.
BNP and its different associate bodies chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the death anniversary across the country with due reverence.
The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began on Sunday through holding a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in the capital. The programmes will end on June 7.
BNP vows to overcome intimidation, repression: Fakhrul
BNP on Monday vowed to move ahead braving what it said the government’s intensified repression to subdue its opponents ahead of the next election.
Talking to reporters beside the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman,BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that the ‘unelected’ Awami League government has long been resorting to repression, killing, enforced disappearance and unleashing terror to hang onto power.
“We’ve been observing for some days that they're again establishing a reign of terror in the old style as the election is approaching. They have attacked our Chhatra Dal and our leaders and activists and their houses in different districts. We have taken a vow today that no fear and repressive acts can suppress us,” the BNP leader said.
Read: BNP denounces govt’s amnesty plan for money launderers
He said they will overcome all the barriers and repressions together with the people and remove the current 'terrible' regime from power in a democratic manner.
“We’ll establish a government and parliament of people through a credible and impartial election under a neutral government,” he said.
Earlier, Fakhrul together with party leaders and activists paid homage to Zia by placing a wreath at his grave, marking his 41st death anniversary.
Zia, who founded Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978, was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at the erstwhile Chittagong circuit house on May 30, 1981.
JCD have to repent for their statement to enter DU campus: Al Nahiyan Khan Joy
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal(JCD) will have to repent first for their previously made insolent comment on PM Sheikh Hasina and attempting to enter the Dhaka University campus, said Al Nahiyan khan Joy, president of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) central panel
"If they(JCD) do not repent, they can't enter DU campus and general students will strongly prevent them," he said at a rally held on Sunday at DU campus in protest of JCD attacks in the campus on May 24 and 26.
Also read: JCD leader sues 33 BCL men for 'attempted murder'
BCL activists from residential halls of DU, Dhaka College, Eden College , Badrunnesa College , Home Economics College along with BCL units of other educational institutes joined the protest rally.
Mentioning corruption of BNP and JCD, Al Nahiyan Khan joy said, "They polluted the students politics of this country. BNP made Bangladesh a champion in corruption and handed arms to the students."
"Many JCD activists are admitted at the hospital though they were not hurt following the order of BNP leader Tarique Rahman. Even Bangladesh Chhatra Shibir president was seen visiting hospitals consoling with JCD in this incident," he added.
"General secretary of the Chhatra Dal and the leaders of the Swechchasebak Dal violated the limits of audacity in their speeches in front of the press club and in DU campus saying that they want '1975' once again and they will roar for it if needed. This statement justifies the killing of Sheikh Mujib and proves the involvement of Zia in the killing,” said Lekhak Bhatyeecharjee, general secretary of BCL.
Also read:Tension mounts as BCL, JCD clash at DU
“They are trying to establish murder politics in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Chhatra League will strongly suppress every one of such attempts," he added.
BNP denounces govt’s amnesty plan for money launderers
BNP on Sunday described the government’s plan to offer an amnesty for money launderers as a devilish trick to legalise the funds the ruling party leaders siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh.
“They (AL leaders) are looting the assets of the country and siphoning off public money abroad,” said BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the government is now saying that it will bring back the laundered money by offering an amnesty. “It’s another devilish trick. It means they themselves laundered the money and will now bring it to the country to make it legal.”
By giving the money launders such an amnesty, the BNP leader said the government will create further scope for the ruling party leaders to plunder more public money.
Also read: Election using EVMs won’t be acceptable: Jatiya Party
”This regime can’t be trusted in any way… Awami League can no way be allowed to remain in power anymore,” he said.
He urged BNP leaders and activists to get united and intensify the movement for the restoration of the democracy by ousting the government
BNP orginased the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 41st death anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman
Earlier on Thursday, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said the government plans an amnesty for money launderers to bring back the money they had taken out of the country.
He said Bangladesh Bank will issue a circular in this regard with more information before the national budget is placed in Parliament.
Fakhrul alleged that the current government has obliterated democracy and snatched people’s rights to hang onto power.
"We’re going to different districts outside Dhaka to hold the councils of (our party’s different units) and observing a serious urge among people to get back their rights,” he said.
Accusing the ruling party of carrying out propaganda against Zia, Fakhrul said no one can erase his name from history.
"It matters little if you (AL leaders) call Ziaur Rahman a villain, a Pakistani spy or a military ruler as he is there in the deep hearts of the country’s people. Ziaur Rahman can never be erased from history since it has absorbed him.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the present Awami League government has been taking the country to the brink of destruction by destroying the spirits of the Liberation War.
“There’s is now no democracy, no human rights and no right to vote. People are hit hard by the growing price hikes in essential commodities,” he said.
Also read: AL leaders to leave country bowing heads: Fakhrul
Mosharraf said the government has now become too weak to endure a strong mass wave of people. “We now need to just give a push to this regime…we have to take an oath to remove this government through united efforts and thus ensure that the next election will be held under a neutral government. ”
Zia’s 41st death anniversary Monday
BNP will observe the 41st death anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on Monday.
BNP and its different associate bodies chalked out a 10-day programme to observe the death anniversary across the country with due reverence.
Also read:Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP
The observance of Zia's death anniversary programmes began today (Sunday) through a discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, and will end on June 7.
The programmes include arranging discussion meetings, seminars, photo exhibition, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distributing food and relief materials among the destitute.
Ziaur Rahman who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 was assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on 30 May 1981.
In observance of the day, black flags will be hoisted and party flags kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including Nayapaltan headquarters at 6:00am on Monday.
Besides, BNP senior leaders, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
BNP and its associate bodies will arrange discussions on Zia’s activities until June 7 as part of the death anniversary programmes.
Also read: BNP holds talks with Labour Party to wage united movement
The party leaders of Dhaka south and north city units will distribute food and relief materials among the destitute in different parts of the city.
The party's all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes including discussions to be participated by BNP senior leaders.
Election using EVMs won’t be acceptable: Jatiya Party
Jatiya Party Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Saturday said fair voting using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will not be possible.
“EVM is good, but those who will operate it are not neutral. So, the election using the EVMs will not be acceptable,” he said.
Chunnu also said Jatiya Party will decide in its party forum whether it will go to the polls or not if the Election Commission decides to use the EVMs in the next general election.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the conference of Jatiya Party’s 33-No ward in the city’s Mohammadpur area.
Also read: EC: EVMs to be customized in presence of candidates in Cumilla polls
The Jatiya Party leader voiced concern as a quarter suddenly lodged complaints with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against 116 alems (Islamic scholars).
“It’s important to find out why this quarter came up with such allegation. It’s also necessary to make an inquiry about their incomes, expenditures and wealth,” he said.
Stating that 400,000 crores have been siphoned off abroad from Bangladesh from 2009 to 2016, Chunnu wanted to know why it is not being investigated.
He renewed their party’s demand for publishing a list of money launderers and urged the government to take legal action against them.
The Jatiya Party secretary general also alleged that the country is spending three times higher than the actual costs in the name of mega projects. “Looting is taking place in the name of development.”
Also read: EVMs in national election won't be logical: GM Quader
He also said there is no difference between Awami League and BNP in terms of corruption and misrule. “So, the people of the country no longer want to see Awami League and BNP in power. They now want to see the government of Jatiya Party.”
AL leaders to leave country bowing heads: Fakhrul
Accusing the government of establishing a reign of plundering in Bangladesh, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday warned that the time is coming when the ruling party leaders will leave Bangladesh bowing their heads.
“This government which was not elected by people’s votes has turned Bangladesh into a mafia state by establishing a reign of plundering,” he said.
Speaking at the biennial council of Jhenaidah district unit BNP in Abur Rouf College Field, Fakhrul alleged that people now do not get any service and jobs without paying money and bribes.
“When we talk about the stealing and looting, they (AL leaders) get hurt. There is nothing to be offended. If you steal (public money), you have to keep your head down. The time is coming when you will have to leave this country with your heads down,” he observed.
The BNP leader said all the looters and thieves must be put under trial in the country. “They destroyed the judiciary and snatched the independence of the judiciary, politicised the administration, and ruined the education and health systems. “So, Awami League won’t be allowed to stay in power anymore.”
Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday alleged that the attacks on the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were carried out by Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) in Dhaka University areas at the behest of the topmost level of the government.
“The videos containing the cruel attacks on peaceful processions of JCD and repression on female JCD leaders by the goons of Chhatra League and Jubo league have gone viral…we would like to say the perpetrators indulged in such misdeeds at the behest of the highest leader of Awami League and the highest position of the government,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also strongly condemned the ‘cruel’ attacks on the JCD leaders and activists on the Dhaka University campus and the high court premises by the Chhatra League men.
Also read:Fakhrul voices frustration over CJ's silence about violence on HC premises
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against what it said the attacks on JCD leaders and workers by BCL and the death threat to Khaleda Zia by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Fakhrul voices frustration over CJ's silence about violence on HC premises
BNP Secretary General expressed disappointment as the chief justice (CJ) did not issue any statement condemning the Wednesday's violence on the High Court premises by Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).
Speaking at a discussion programme, he also said the BCL’s attacks on the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have exposed Awami League’s true nature as a ‘terrorist' party.
Also read: BNP holds talks with Labour Party to wage united movement
“The terrorists of Awami League and the killer forces repressed our children by beating them on the streets using dangerous weapons with a motive to kill them. We saw the terrorists also repressed the democracy-loving students entering the high court premises,” Fakhrul said.
He further said, “It’s unfortunate that the chief justice did not issue any statement on the incident. “Even those who taken the charge of the Supreme Court Bar Association by force didn’t issue any statement,”
Fakhrul alleged that the government has turned all the state institutions into subservient bodies to the ruling party through politicisation.
Referring to his visits to different hospitals to see the injured JCD leaders and workers, Fakhrul said it is unthinkable how a person could be beaten in such a way and pushed towards death. “One of our daughters was attacked and repressed so heinously that she is now in the ICU. This is the real trait of Awami League.”
Also read: Govt unleashes BCL to attack JCD on DU campus: BNP
A faction of National People’s Party (NPP), one of the components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, arranged the discussion programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists have been subjected to repression over the13 years by the ruling party in various ways.
He said their party has already begun talks with political parties to ensure the fall of the current government by waging a greater united movement.
“One thing I would like to request the political parties to carry out a struggle from their respective position to restore politics," he said.
He said the political leaders have agreed to work together and unite the nation.
"We believe we can make it a solid shape and start a greater mass movement to oust this government,” the BNP leader said.
Stating that no credible election is possible under the current Awami League government, he said the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government to ensure people’s voting rights.