politics
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.
Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
BNP on Sunday recalled Bangladesh’s ex-finance minister M Saifur Rahman claiming that presented the country with macroeconomic stability through various effective reforms and initiatives.
“Saifur Rahman himself was an institution. He’s undoubtedly one of them who had made outstanding contributions towards overhauling Bangladesh’s economy, and gave it a solid foundation,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he said Saifur was a successful finance minister who carried out some basic tasks for strengthening the country’s economy. “Saifur's greatest achievement was presenting Bangladesh a stable macroeconomy which is essential to keep the economy vibrant.”
Saifur Rahman Parishad arranged the programme, marking the 12th death anniversary of the former finance minister.
Fakhrul said Saifur founded the basis of an open market economy and expanded it braving all the odds and obstacles. “He’s a professional chartered accountant, but Ziaur Rahman brought him to politics seeing his talent and capability for bringing innovative economic reforms in the economy, and he did it successfully.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the late BNP finance minister also accomplished many basic works, including the introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) in Bangladesh amid serious criticism. “In the course of time, it’s proved that was the right decision and Bangladesh’s revenue collection increased significantly because of it.”
The BNP leader said Saifur also introduced old-age allowance, disability allowance and freedom fighters’ allowance, for ensuring social security of people. “He had also made contributions to female education by taking many practical steps as per Khaleda Zia’s direction.”
He said Saifur launched food for education for ensuring school enrolment and attendance of school-aged poor children. “It’s a significant and creative step.”
Fakhrul also said the ex-BNP finance minister tried to build Bangladesh as a manufacturing country by setting up heavy industries alongside the RMG sector. “He initiated this move by setting up EPZs.”
He said Saifur ensured discipline in the banking and the insurance sectors as well as the stock market.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
Stating that Saifur presented the national budget for the 12th time in parliament, Fakhrul said Bangladesh has not reached the current position overnight. “He (Saifur) reinforced the country's economy gradually in a disciplined manner. We remember him with great respect.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman was successful as a professional, economist, politician and minister.
He also said Saifur was a patriot finance minister and the country had achieved tremendous growth during his tenure. “BNP is proud of him.”
The 12th death anniversary of Saifur Rahman was observed on Sunday amid various programmers, including, placing wreaths at his grave in Moulvibazar, holding Milad mahfil, Qurankhawanni and distributing cooked food.
On September 5, 2009, Saifur, also a former BNP standing committee member, died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said bureaucrats are now running the country though Awami League is in power.
"If you go to the Dhaka DC office or that of other districts where the meetings of law-and-order committees or on development programmes are held, you'll see the bureaucrats playing the major role of Awami League," he said.
Read Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at a discussion, he also said the Awami League leaders are now nowhere in governing the country. "Where’s Awami League? The role of Awami League is not visible now as everything is under a bureaucratic league or military, or police administration. This is the situation in Bangladesh now.”
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum arranged the programme marking the day when BNP's current acting chairman Tarique Rahman was released from jail in 2008.
Tarique, arrested on March 7 after the 1/11 political changeover, was released on bail on September 3 the following year.
Fakhrul said social crimes have increased in the country as law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain law and order.
"We see in newspapers that policemen are taking ransom and extorting money after kidnapping people. We also see police officers are being accused of rape...the IGP (Inspector General of Police) said now police will also do journalism," he said.
The BNP leader said police will now do journalism instead of arresting thieves and robbers and maintaining law and order. "It's part of a far-reaching move."
He voiced deep concern that the government is going to control social media after the mainstream media only to suppress the truth.
"Our Information Minister yesterday (Thursday) said all the TVs that are operated here on social media and from outside the country must take permission (from the government here). That means the government will now control those who speak for democracy and the truth through social media," Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader said the government has already ‘destroyed’ the freedom of the press and 'curtailed' freedom of speech through different laws, including the Digital Security Act. "They've already established a one-party rule under a different cover by snatching people's voting rights and the press freedom."
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been making unguarded comments against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, his widow Khaleda Zia and their son Tarique Rahman to misguide people and divert their attention to a different direction from the government's failure to deliver on all fronts.
He said the Awami League government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a 'vassal' state, shattering all the dreams of people. “Basically, it is a puppet government.”
The BNP leader said the current government will not last long as it has isolated itself from people. "We must unite people and defeat this regime through a united movement."
AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League government has stigmatised the independence of Bangladesh by distorting the history of the country's Liberation War.
"We would like to say it clearly that there'll be no use in falsifying the truth in Goebbelsian style and suppressing the rights of people," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the current government has destroyed democracy by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "They're now working to establish a one-party system of government.”
Fakhrul urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a fearless mass movement to 'restore' democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
BNP arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are constantly spitting venom against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his widow Khaleda Zia just out of political jealousy. "They try to belittle Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and BNP for the same reason.
He called upon the Awami League leaders to ask themselves about their contributions to the country.
"Their contributions are to surrender to the Pakistanis and become leaders fleeing the country to India (during the Liberation War). Their contributions are to destroy democracy and establish a one-party rule annihilating the soul of the nation and Bangladesh," the BNP leader said.
He alleged that Awami League is now trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda against Zia and raising a question about his role in the Liberation War.
Fakhrul said Zia is there in people's hearts as they know his contributions to the country and the Liberation War.' "History has accepted Zia, no matter what propaganda the ruling party spreads."
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work for uniting the country's people and all the democratic forces to defeat the 'autocratic' regime of Sheikh Hasina. "We have to establish a pro-people government and free Khaleda Zia from jail. The victory of the people is certain."
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party's main target is now to free the country from the hands of a 'despotic' government and restore democracy and thus free Khaleda from jail. "I call upon all to get ready for a strong movement with a vow to oust the autocratic regime.
Dr Kamal’s Gonoforum to hold special council on Dec 4
Having failed to form a full-fledged committee over the last two years, Dr Kamal Hossain's Gonoforum on Wednesday announced it will hold a special council on December 4.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the party’s convening committee chaired by its executive president Mokabbir Hossain MP, said a party press release.
The meeting formed a 101-member preparatory committee making party leaders Mostak Ahmed its convener and Shah Nuruzzaman member secretary to hold the special council.
Besides, seven committees on different subjects like constitution, finance, office, publicity, entertainment, stage and volunteers were also formed for the council.
Meanwhile, another faction of Gonoforum, led by its former executive president Prof Abu Sayeed and former general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu convened a meeting at the party’s central office at Eden Complex in Arambagh on Thursday.
A close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and one of the architects of the country's constitution, Dr Kamal Hossain founded Gonoforum in 1993 leaving Awami League.
The party’s last council was held on April 26, 2019 where Dr Reza Kibria was made general secretary of the party, dropping Mostafa Mohsin Montu.
Conflicts within the party leaders began after that council as many party leaders, including then general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu, were left out in the committee formed there.
Though Dr Reza Kibria was made party general secretary, a group of leaders failed to be cooperative with the man Dr Kamal had seemingly handpicked as his desired successor, having lured the Oxford-trained macroeconomist into politics from his IMF career, just prior to the 2018 election.
Initially, Abu Sayeed and Subrata Chowdhury were on the side of Reza Kibria, but later they too engaged in conflicts with him over various decisions.
The conflicts within the party eventually led to Kibria, the son of the slain ex-AL finance minister, resigning from the post of general secretary and leaving the party in February.
Having Khaleda freed BNP’s main challenge: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the restoration of democracy and the complete release of Khaleda Zia are now the biggest challenges for their party.
"People are now being deprived of the right to vote today for lack of credible elections as the Election Commission has become a subservient institution,” he said.
While talking to reporters after paying homage to Zia, he also said the entire administration and the judiciary have been politicised by establishing a one-party despotic regime in disguise.”
Fakhrul, along with party standing committee members and some senior leaders, placed wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave, marking the party’s 43rd founding anniversary.
On September 1, 1978, late President Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
BNP and its associate bodies took up various programmes, including discussion, to mark the day.
He said BNP stepped into 44 years today (Wednesday) after 43 years of various struggles. “The biggest challenges for BNP are now to restore democracy in the country and free Khaleda Zia.”
Fakhrul said BNP is standing on its own feet despite various obstacles and repressive acts. “Our 35 lakh leaders and activists have been facing false cases while 500 others have been made disappeared.”
He said they are working to reorganise their party and making them ready to take to the streets. “We hope we’ll be able to play a big role in restoring democracy next year and the year after.”
Fakhrul recalled Zia’s role in introducing multi-party democracy, the free-market economy in the country and taking it forward with various reforms and effective steps.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
“When the enemies of the independence assassinated Ziaur Rahman, everyone thought that the BNP might lose its existence. But his worthy successor and the uncompromising leader of democracy, Zia, took the helm of the party. She gave democracy an institutional shape through a long struggle for nine years.”
He said it is unfortunate for the nation that Khaleda has been kept in jail as the government has implicated her in ‘false’ cases.
He came down hard on Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque for what he said making various remarks about a freedom fighter like Ziaur Rahman, his body and grave. “Let him (Haque) prove that he was a freedom fighter.”
BNP’s 43rd founding anniversary Wednesday
BNP is going to celebrate its 43rd founding anniversary across the country on Wednesday in a low-key manner due to the prevalence of Coronavirus.
On September 1, 1978, late Ziaur Rahman founded the party with a 19-point programme to build a self-reliant Bangladesh.
BNP and its associate bodies have taken up various programmes, including discussion, to mark the day.
Also read: Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
As per the programmes, the party flag will be hoisted atop its Nayapaltan central office and all other offices of BNP across the country at 6am on Wednesday.
Besides, BNP standing committee members will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of its founder Ziaur Rahman at 11am on the day.
Later, the leaders and activists of BNP’s Dhaka south and north units will also place wreaths at Zia’s grave at 11:30am.
Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a health camp on the ground floor of the BNP’s central office at 12noon where medicines and treatment equipment will be provided for the Covid patients.
The party will also arrange a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.
Also read: PM’s remark on Zia’s grave 'absurd': BNP
BNP's associate bodies and all other units across the country will mark the day by holding various programmes, including discussions and providing assistance to Covid-infected patients through the party's Covid-19 help centres.
In its 42 years' journey, BNP had been in power for four times and in the opposition bench twice. BNP has been out of power for nearly 13 years since the 1/11 political changeover.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir in separate messages congratulated the people of the country, party leaders, workers and activists and well-wishers on the occasion.
Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
BNP on Tuesday warned that the government will have to face dire consequences if it removes the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman from Chandrima Udyan in the capital.
“The current regime has been spreading ruthless, cruel and disgusting lies about the body of Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, his grave and even his contribution to the Liberation War,” said BNP organising secretary Syed Emran Saleh Prince.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayaplatan central office, he also alleged that many ministers being inspired by the Prime Minister are making ‘unguarded’ comments against Zia only to be there in her good book. “Their only job is to lie, spit venom, assassinate characters and distort the Liberation War history.”
Also read: BNP knows it very well Zia’s body not there at Chandrima Udyan: PM
He asked the ministers who are making ‘derogatory remarks’ against Zia to tell people under which sector they fought in the battlefield during the Liberation War? "We want to say firmly that if the worst thing, like removing the body of Zia, is done, they'll have to face dire consequences. Their hands will be broken, crushed and burnt.”
On Monday, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said the government will remove the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman from the parliament premises.
He also said the gallantry title conferred on Zia for his role in the Liberation War will also be annulled based on documentary evidence about his involvement in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The minister also asked BNP to prove Zia’s body is there in Chandrima Udyan. ”I’ll apologise to the nation if it’s proved that Zia’s body is there.”
Also read: Govt kept schools, colleges closed out of fear of movement: BNP
Prince criticised the minister for what he said were such ‘discourteous’ comments involving Zia’s grave and DNA test. “The Liberation Affairs Minister himself defamed the freedom fighters by making false remarks against a sector commander of the Liberation War.”
He said those who are lying about Zia and the outstanding contributions of Z Force under his leadership will be thrown into the dustbin of history. “The nation is rejecting them with hatred.”
The BNP leader said Zia needs not to take a Liberation War certificate from those who lived in Kolkata at that time. “The common people of Bangladesh gave him that certificate. We condemn and protest the indecent and false remarks by the ministers about Ziaur Rahman, his body and grave.”