politics
BNP senior leaders seek party’s pre-election roadmap
BNP vice-chairmen and advisory council members in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday urged their party policymakers to come up with a roadmap to deal with issues ahead of the next general election.
A party vice chairman, who was present at the meeting, said 62 vice-chairmen and advisors participated in the meeting while 28 of them gave their opinions about how BNP should get ready for an anti-government movement and the next general election.
He said they also advised the party policymakers to overhaul the party and its associate bodies under the leadership of dedicated and brave leaders.
“Our vice chairmen and advisers also suggested our high-command to give importance to the issue of constituting the next election commission. We said our party should keep in contact with other parties to mount serious pressure on the government to form a neutral election commission and restore polls-time election government system,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
He said most of the leaders said that the party should launch a strong movement to have Khaleda Zia freed from jail before the next polls.
This was the first meeting of the BNP policymakers with the party’s central leaders as part of their planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to work out their next course of action ahead of the next general election.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku was present at the meeting. Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman virtually joined it from London.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they have taken the opinions of the senior leaders about the party’s next course of action.
“The meeting discussed the current political situation in the country and the organisational situation of the party,“ he said.
Also read: Now state ‘backs corruption’: BNP
Fakhrul said they will brief the media elaborately about the meeting outcomes after two other scheduled meetings with the party central leaders.
The BNP policymakers will also hold a meeting with the party’s senior joint secretaries general, secretaries general, organising secretaries and assistant organising secretaries on Wednesday and another with the leaders of different associate bodies on Thursday.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee, including 35 vice chairmen, through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016. There are 74 members in the advisory council.
JaPa wants law for EC formation
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday demanded the enactment of a law in line with the constitution to have a permanent solution to the problem over formation of the Election Commission (EC).
In a statement, he said, “It’s very unfortunate that there’s no law in the country to form the Election Commission, even after 50 years of independence.”
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said there is a clear instruction in the constitution that a law must be formulated to constitute the Election Commission.
Also read: JaPa not to compromise on HR issues: GM Quader
“We want the Election Commission to be formed through a law in the light of the constitution which will help ensure the voting rights of people. It can also help have a permanent solution to the Election Commission formation issue,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners through forming a search committee after every five years which sparks various criticisms.
“People's voting rights are hampered if the commissioners are appointed from a partisan view. So, it has become urgent to enact an acceptable law through discussions with the political parties that have representation in Parliament and the relevant experts from the civil society,” he said.
GM Quader said there is also an obligation to enact a law for the formation of the Election Commission as directed by the constitution.
He hoped that it would be possible to constitute an honest and acceptable election commission through law for holding free, fair and credible elections in a festive manner.
The Jatiya Party chief also said an acceptable election commission can make people of the country interested in elections.
Also read: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
“People will also be able to intensify their role in the elections for electing their representatives. Only then, people will begin to get the real taste of democracy,” he opined.
BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
BNP policymakers have decided to hold a series of meetings with the party’s central leaders as part of a move to take preparations for the next general election.
The decision was taken at the latest meeting of the party’s standing committee members held on Saturday, a BNP senior leader told UNB.
Contacted, BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince said party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and the standing committee members will initially hold three meetings with the leaders of the executive committee and different associate bodies from Tuesday (September 14) to Thursday.
He said party acting chairman Tarique Rahman will virtually join each of the meetings scheduled to begin at 3:30pm at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said the BNP policymakers will first sit with the party’s vice-chairmen and chairperson’s advisory council members on Tuesday and then with the senior joint secretaries general, secretaries general, organising secretaries and assistant organising secretaries on Wednesday and with the leaders of different associate bodies on Thursday.
Later, the BNP policymakers will hold meetings with the members of the executive committee and district-level leaders.
Meanwhile, the party resumed its organisational activities on Sunday after a long suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.
In a press release, the party urged its leaders and activists to carry out organisational activities across the country maintaining social distancing and health safety rules.
Bangladesh now 'friendless': Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s frustration over not getting Covid vaccines from different countries has manifested that Bangladesh has become 'friendless' in the world.
“The Foreign Minister expressed deep frustration over not getting the corona vaccines after visiting several countries. He told the media that the rich countries aren’t willing to give Bangladesh vaccines. If this is the case, Bangladesh has become friendless in the world,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at Jugantar Bhaban in the city’s Baridhara area.
READ: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
He said though the Foreign Minister has said the status of the country has enhanced across the world, Bangladesh ranked 106th in the 2021 Henley Passport Index while its position was 96th in 1996.
“The dignity of the Prime Minister and her cabinet member may increase in the world. The dignity of the common people hasn’t improved at all, but it has declined. That’s why those who now go abroad with Bangladeshi passports have to face various kinds of harassment,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the country lacks good governance due to politicisation.
He said the country’s situation has turned so worse that now it is not possible to get a job even after becoming first in the examination without the affiliation with the ruling party.
READ: Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief said the ruling party leaders are acquitted by court even after committing crimes as the laws are not enforced equally for all.
He said no one was above law during the rule of Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad. “So, people are expecting Jatiya Party as an alternative force to Awami League and BNP. They want Jatiya Party to return to power.”
GM Quader urged the party leaders and activists to strengthen the party by holding the councils of its all district units by December 31.
Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the next general election must be held under a neutral government.
“We would like to say it unequivocally that there’ll be no such election in Bangladesh where voters can’t go to polling stations. The election must be held under a neutral government and it must be conducted by an impartial election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said before holding the next national election, the government will have to free Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists. “Otherwise, no election will be allowed to be held in the country.”
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now 'bureaucrats running' country
Fakhrul urged the government to take necessary steps and create an atmosphere conducive to constituting a neutral election commission.
“You (govt) are talking about the formation of a law for constituting the Election Commission… people won’t accept it if you pass a unilateral law for your own benefit in parliament and form the Election Commission under it,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has politicised all the state machinery. “You (govt) have politicised the judiciary, administration and the law enforcement agencies. Even, you’re trying to politicise the army. We now can't speak up and write freely.”
He said journalists also cannot write anything now without fear as they are being harassed and implicated in cases under the Digital Security Act.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh who liberated the country through a long battle will never accept an authoritarian and one-party rule.
He urged the leaders and activists of Mohila Dal to get united for waging a strong movement for the restoration of democracy and having Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
Read: Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is no other alternative for their party to waging a one-point movement for ensuring the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
“We’re trying to forge a strong national unity to force Sheikh Hasina to quit for holding a free and fair election… we won’t get any benefit even if the next election is held under an ‘angel’ keeping Sheikh Hasina in power.”
BNP criticizes PM for her Ashrayan house remarks
BNP on Friday criticised Prime Sheikh Hasina for her remarks on the demolition of Ashrayan houses with hammers and shovels, saying that she has taken a stance in “favour of corruption”.
“The houses the Prime Minister has given to homeless people are collapsing. But the Prime Minister is saying that these houses are being destroyed with hammers and shovels,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said Hasina tried to cover up the corruption of lakhs of crores taka by talking about hammers and shovels.
“The prime minister has taken a position in favour of corruption. But she didn’t catch those indulged in looting in the Ashrayan Project, and she diverted people’s attention to a different direction,” Rizvi said.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Bangladesh Youth Forum arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against ‘false’ campaign and ‘conspiracy’ against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
On Thursday, speaking at Awami League’s central working committee meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban, Hasina alleged that some people had broken the houses with hammers and shovels and the media published the pictures of those.
Rizvi also slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said continuously spreading ‘lies’ against BNP and its leaders.
“He, Quader, suddenly comes up with such a remark that gives people an impression that he’s probably devoid of conscience. He can’t understand that he’s lying blatantly,” the BNP leader said.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Rizvi said the government has restored to repressive acts like enforced disappearance and arrest of opposition leaders and activists to hang on to power by suppressing people and annihilating democracy.
He urged the people of all walks of life and opposition political parties to get united for restoring democracy and people’s rights by ousting the Awami League government through a united movement.
AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will never forgive Awami League as it has become a ‘repressive’ political party.
“Awami League is exploiting the country and its people in collaboration with some individuals and bureaucrats,” he said.
Talking to journalists at Kalibari residence here, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which once had struggled for establishing people’s rights and democracy, is now repressing people and snatching their rights.
He said the ruling party leaders are now indulging in widespread corruption deviating from the party’s old tradition and stance on democracy since it has got isolated from people. “Now it has no relation with people’s hopes and aspirations.”
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Fakhrul said bureaucrats now “own assets worth crores of taka. A police inspector has 18 houses in Dhaka city alongside having more houses abroad. If a police officer can amass such wealth, then you think about the condition of the entire system,” the BNP leader said.
“Now people aren’t getting justice. They’re being deprived of their rights. But Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader regularly says many things only to appease his leaders,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party has only one demand for arranging a credible election under a neutral government and the impartial Election Commission.
He said their party is in negotiations with the opposition parties to wage a united movement to ensure the fall of the current government and establish a pro-people government. “We’re taking preparations for that movement.”
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Replying to a question about BNP’s position on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Fakhrul said it is an internal matter of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will run the way its people want. But I would like to say one thing that we don’t support any fundamentalism, militancy and extremism.”
The BNP leader said their party hopes that whichever government comes to Afghanistan, they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people and ensure their rights and work for their welfare.
AL ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League is ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy to cling to power as it has become politically bankrupt.
“Awami League has lost its capability by arbitrarily using the bureaucracy only for hanging onto power. In fact, the bureaucracy has now become 'Bureaucratic League' while Awami League has become politically bankrupt,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an extended meeting of Thakurgaon district unit of BNP at a community centre in the district town.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He alleged that the ruling party has long been trying to suppress its political opponents with repressive acts and filing ‘false’ cases against them by ‘using’ law enforcement agencies.
“They (govt) have been controlling all the state machinery, including the judiciary, administration, police and other law enforcement agencies to make their political gains,” Fakhrul alleged.
He said it is unimaginable to file political cases against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists in a democratic country, but the current government did it to eliminate its opponents.
The BNP leader alleged that the opposition leaders and activists are being implicated in ‘false cases’ for holding meetings and carrying out political activities as the government has established the one-party rule under a different cover.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to step down and arrange a credible general election by stopping filing cases against opposition leaders and activists and harassing them.
“The government must hold the next election under a polls-time neutral administration as per people’s hopes and aspirations,” he said.
Fakhrul said the government will have to constitute the Election Commission with neutral persons for holding the national election in a fair and credible manner.
He also called upon all political parties to get united to force the government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a strong movement.
Concentrate on people’s sufferings: Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the government to concentrate on resolving the problems of people instead of making ‘indecent’ remarks and spreading lies.
“The ruling party leaders and ministers are making derogatory remarks and carrying out false campaigns against our party and its top leaders to mislead people. I call upon them to stop it, and concentrate on resolving people’s problems,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Baliadangi upazila unit BNP and its associate bodies at Baliadangi Pilot Model High School in Thakurgaon.
He said Awami League itself should resign shouldering its ‘limitless’ failures to run the country and deliver on all fronts.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
“Constitute a proper and neutral Election Commission for saving the country by holding a credible and impartial election. Protect the common people and ease their sufferings. Or else, people will pull you down from power,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the party’s leaders and activists to get ready for waging a tough movement to force the government to quit.
“A change in power won’t come without the involvement of students and youths. Organise students at every college and they will then remove this monstrous regime through a movement,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul alleged that members of police have been indulging in ‘corruption and various irregularities’ as the government has used them for making its political gains.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
“Police are now kings and they amassed wealth worth crores of taka. They themselves now kidnap people. They used to say it proudly that they brought this government to power,” he observed.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said, there is no alternative to waging a united movement to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.
BNP calls for simultaneous anti-govt movement
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday urged the opposition political parties to reach a consensus on launching a simultaneous movement against the current government as they did in the 90s to ‘restore’ democracy.
“Our main task is now to restore democracy, but it won’t be possible as long as Sheikh Hasina’s government is in power. So, we must oust this autocratic regime to restore democracy and people’s rights,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader said the opposition political parties have different opinions and ideologies, but he thinks they do not have disagreement when it comes to ousting the Awami League government as people want to get rid of it.
Also read: Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
“So, let’s either form a united platform or launch a simultaneous movement to restore democracy by ensuring the fall of this government. This is now a demand of the time. We also have the history of waging such a movement in the past (against HM Ershad),” he said.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said opposition political parties should now have only one target -- freeing people from the hands of the current 'autocratic' government. “Can’t we reach a consensus on the issue? I call upon all to get united as per people's aspirations.”
He alleged that the ruling party has been 'ruthlessly distorting' the history of the Liberation War and making 'false' comments on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s role in the Liberation War and his grave and dead body to misguide people and hush up the truth.
“We believe that had there been a genuine democratic practice in the country, no government, party and individual could distort history this way,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said any attempt to suppress the historic truth will turn futile.
He said the ruling party leaders are trying to create a controversy centring Ziaur Rahman as part of their move to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the country’s real problems.