United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Mirza Abbas visited Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday to enquire about his health. Abbas spent some time with the ailing minister and enquired about his overall physical condition, said BNP Media Cell member Sairul Kabir Khan. Jatiotabadi Mohila Dal President and Jatiya Mohila Sangtha (National Women's Organization) Chairperson Afroza Abbas accompanied him during the visit. They enquired about Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan’s health and were briefed on the progress of his treatment. They also wished him a speedy recovery and complete restoration of his health.

State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said people across the country want Sheikh Hasina to face justice for her misrule and that she will be brought back to the country. He made the remarks while addressing a public gathering on the grounds of Radhakantapur Government Primary School in Sayedpur Union, part of the newly formed Mokamtala Upazila in Bogura, on Saturday. Shahe Alam said history could not be erased and the truth could not be hidden. He said the historical fact that martyred President Ziaur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh’s independence could not be changed. He also said former late prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia had remained uncompromising throughout her political life, and that this could not be changed. Referring to occasional threats that Hasina would return to the country, the state minister said, “We also want her to return because the people of this country are waiting to see her face justice.” He added, “While we cannot guarantee anyone a place in heaven, we can guarantee development. We are committed to ensuring people's safety. Our goal is to provide a ‘Family Card’ to every household and a ‘Farmer’s Card’ to every farmer.” The gathering was chaired by Mahmud Hasan Taufik, convener of the Mokamtala Upazila BNP. Among others, S M Tajul Islam, president of the Shibganj Upazila BNP; Advocate Abdul Wahab, general secretary of the organisation; Rokan-ud-Daula Rubel, member secretary of the Mokamtala Upazila BNP; Mir Shakrul Alam Simanta, student affairs secretary of the Shibganj Upazila BNP; Abdul Karim, general secretary of the municipal BNP; and Khalid Hasan Arman, president of the Shibganj Upazila Jubo Dal, addressed the gathering. Local leaders of various affiliated organisations were also present.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Saturday alleged that the government wants the opposition to behave like the “yes-men” of the deposed Awami League regime. Speaking to journalists at Moulvibazar Circuit House in the morning, he also referred to the BNP’s position on the Awami League, saying the party had stated that the Awami League was not its enemy and that its offices would be reopened, cases withdrawn and political space restored if people voted the BNP to power. “If illegal money and lethal weapons enter the country from India, what benefit does the government get from it? The entry of such weapons and money through the border only worsens the overall law-and-order situation in the country,” he said. Criticising the home minister, the Jamaat chief said the law-and-order situation was not satisfactory. He also raised questions about an incident at the residence of a police officer. Asked about Jamaat’s participation in local government elections, Shafiqur Rahman said the decision would depend on the situation at the time. “We are observing the overall political situation, the environment and the aspirations of the people. The party will make a decision at the appropriate time after assessing the circumstances,” he said. Journalists at the meeting asked questions about the country’s current political situation, law and order, and foreign policy. The Jamaat Ameer responded to their queries and stressed the need for journalists to enjoy freedom in performing their professional duties and to publish accurate information. Among those present were Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Advocate Ahsanul Mahbub Zubair, Moulvibazar district Ameer Engineer Shahed Ali, district Secretary Yamir Ali and Habiganj district Ameer Maulana Makhlishur Rahman Chowdhury, among others. Later, Shafiqur Rahman attended a conference at the Moulvibazar District Shilpakala Academy as the chief guest. The event brought together party representatives from five municipalities, 67 union parishads and 603 wards in the district, along with party rukons and officials responsible for local election candidates.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday accused Jamaat-e-Islami of having an understanding with Awami League(activities banned), claiming that his party has already presented documents and evidence to substantiate the allegation. “Just a few days after August 5, when the blood of the martyrs had not yet dried, their Ameer said they would forgive everything the Awami League had done,” he told reporters after taking part in a dengue awareness leaflet distribution programme at Fakirapool in the capital. “They jointly waged movements with the Awami League against the BNP, resorting to arson and violence. These are historical records of their relationship with the Awami League,” Rizvi added. On Friday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar alleged that the BNP has become moderate after reaching an agreement with the Awami League. Responding to the allegation, Rizvi challenged Jamaat to produce proof supporting its claim. “Show us the proof of the alleged agreement. We have already shown proof concerning them. These are clearly available in the media,” he said. “We speak on the basis of documents, while they are making empty claims without producing evidence,” he said. He also added that Jamaat contested elections alongside the Awami League in 1986, despite previously describing those who participated in elections under HM Ershad as “national traitors”. “The BNP did not betray the people, and Begum Khaleda Zia did not betray them. They were the ones who betrayed the people. When Hasina left, Jamaat quietly went along with her,” Rizvi said. He further alleged that Jamaat is seeking political legitimacy from Awami League. “They need a stamp of legitimacy from Awami League. There are records of an Awami League leader bowing to and greeting their former leader, late Ghulam Azam, by holding his feet. You are media professionals, and those documents are available to you,” he said. Rizvi said questions remained about Jamaat's role in 1971, adding that the party is seeking the Awami League's endorsement for that reason. “Behind the scenes and publicly, they have maintained relationships on various issues. This is acknowledged by history and is an undeniable truth,” he claimed. Rizvi also accused Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar of trying to embarrass the current government through falsehoods and propaganda. BNP working to prevent dengue outbreak Speaking about the BNP's dengue prevention campaign, Rizvi said BNP is working to prevent the disease before more people became infected. He said dengue has spread widely in Dhaka and different parts of the country, with Khulna and Chattogram divisions particularly affected. Rizvi said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is highly concerned about dengue and are taking various steps to tackle the outbreak. He said dengue tests are being provided free of charge at all government hospitals, describing the initiative as an important measure. He also said the government had kept city corporations alert and prepared to tackle dengue by cleaning stagnant water, drains and sewers. He said party workers had been asked to raise awareness across Dhaka and the rest of the country and take initiatives to keep drains, sewers, canals and other potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes clean.

A kulkhani was held after Jumma prayers on Friday for the eternal peace of the soul of Salahuddin Ahmed, former MP for Dhaka-4 and BNP Trade Affairs Secretary. The programme was held at the field of Shyampur Government Primary School in the capital. Salahuddin Ahmed died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at 8:10pm on October 13 while undergoing treatment. His funeral prayers were held in three phases on October 14. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman attended the first funeral prayer, held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Road, Rail and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, BNP Chairman’s Advisory Council member and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid Habib, International Affairs Secretary Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon, Narayanganj City Corporation Administrator Advocate Shakhawat Hossain, attended the kulkhani and doa mahfil. Others present included Dhaka North BNP Joint Convener SM Jahangir, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, BNP Youth Affairs Secretary Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, former Joint Convener of Dhaka South BNP Nabi Ullah Nabi, Dhaka South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin and former president of the central Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal committee Rawnakul Islam, along with leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations.

The Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance on Friday alleged that preparations are underway to manipulate the upcoming October 29 by-election to Thakurgaon-1 constituency in a manner similar to what it called “election engineering” in the February 12 general election. “We are receiving information that preparations are underway to engineer the October 29 by-election like the February 12 election,” said AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, coordinator of the alliance’s Liaison Committee. Hamidur Rahman Azad, also Jamaat assistant secretary general said a strong wave of public support has emerged in favour of the alliance’s candidate Delawar Hossain in Thakurgaon-1 where voters are ready to exercise their voting rights. He made the remarks while briefing reporters after a meeting of the alliance’s Liaison Committee at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition on Minto Road in the capital. Presided over by Hamidur Rahman Azad, the meeting was attended by the leaders of 11-party alliance. Referring to the 1994 Magura by-election held during the BNP government, Azad described it as a “black chapter” in the history of elections in Bangladesh. “The movement to oust the government started from there and reached its climax,” Azad said, urging the government to learn from the Magura election. “We do not want a repeat of Magura. We urge the government to abandon any sinister plan to hold a Magura-style election,” he said. The Jamaat leader said the 11-party alliance’s October 31 long march from Dhaka to Khulna and Kushtia would be peaceful, disciplined with spontaneous public participation. He called on the government and law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety and take preventive measures against any attempt and instigation to create disorder during their long march. “If the government and administration fail to take such measures, we will understand that they (admin) are being used as tools by the government and fascist forces to create disorder during our programme,” he said. He urged the administration to work in the public interest and extend cooperation to ensure the peaceful observance of the programme. According to the alliance, the long march will begin with an inaugural rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka at 7am on October 31. Opposition Leader and Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman will address the rally as the chief guest, alongside other senior leaders of the 11-party alliance. The procession, comprising around 1,000 vehicles, is scheduled to start at 8am and travel via the Mawa road and Padma Bridge through Shariatpur, Madaripur, Bhanga in Faridpur, Gopalganj, Fakirhat in Bagerhat and Rupsha Bridge before reaching Khulna. It will then proceed through Jashore and Jhenaidah to Kushtia. A concluding rally will be held at Kushtia Zila School ground at 8:30pm. Roadside rallies are scheduled at Nawdooba in Jajira, Shariatpur, at 9am; Katakhali intersection in Fakirhat, Bagerhat, at 11am; Babri Chattar in Khulna city at 12:30pm; Swadhinata Chattar at Phultala bus stand in Khulna at 2pm; Murali intersection in Jashore at 3:30pm; and the bus terminal in Jhenaidah at 5pm. Azad also criticised what he described as widespread politicisation of the administration, alleging that appointments and promotions were being made on political considerations rather than merit. He claimed that members of the Public Service Commission were being forced to resign after being invited to tea. He said such practices contradicted the spirit of the quota reform and July movements, which demanded merit-based recruitment and an end to discrimination. The Jamaat leader also criticised the appointment of Shamsul Alam to a post of additional secretary at the Election Commission Secretariat, describing it as an example of partisan recruitment. The alliance coordinator said the 11-party alliance was continuing its movement to implement the public mandate expressed through the referendum, ensure justice for the July mass killings, resolve electricity, fuel, gas and fertilizer crises, curb soaring prices of essential commodities, stop corruption, extortion and land grabbing, improve law and order, and end narrow partisan practices.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) State Minister Mir Shahe Alam on Friday urged opposition parties to abandon long marches and protest programmes and join parliamentary discussions, saying five seats had been kept vacant for them on the constitutional amendment committee. “Leave aside long marches and protest programmes and come to parliament. Five seats have been kept vacant for the opposition on the constitutional amendment committee. You can nominate five representatives at any time and play a responsible role,” he said. The state minister made the remarks at a press briefing at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad building in Bogura around 10am. He criticised opposition leaders for not attending the inauguration of a memorial built in memory of those killed during the July-August uprising, despite being invited, saying they had offered lame excuses for their absence. “Those who want to engage in politics over July-August throughout the day showed their deceptive attitude by staying away from the inauguration ceremony,” he said. Mir Shahe Alam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the inauguration of the July Memorial, built by the government at Osmani Udyan, on October 19 as the chief guest. He said the Dhaka South City Corporation had invited the presidents and general secretaries of like-minded, allied and coalition political parties to the event. The prime minister inaugurated the memorial and reopened Osmani Udyan after 10 years in the presence of four families of those killed during the uprising, including the fathers of Mir Mughdho, Abu Sayeed and Anas, as well as the mother of another victim, the state minister said. He said the names of 834 officially recognised martyrs had been inscribed on the memorial, describing it as the only such memorial in Bangladesh. Referring to the opposition's explanation that they had skipped the event because the opposition leader's name was not included on the invitation card, Mir Shahe Alam said the argument was not valid. Had opposition leaders attended, the prime minister would have invited their representatives onto the stage, he added. Later, the state minister attended a prize-giving ceremony for talented teachers and students at the Shibganj Upazila Parishad auditorium as the chief guest.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has reconstituted its central convening committee, naming Nasiruddin Patwary and Hasnat Abdullah as senior joint conveners. Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Sarjis Alam have been named senior joint member secretaries of the new committee, the party said in a press release on Friday. Abdul Hannan Masud, Advocate Abdullah Al Amin, Ariful Islam Adib, Sarwar Tushar, Nusrat Tabassum, Monira Sharmin, Dilshana Parul, Samantha Sharmin and AK Flora, among others, have been appointed joint conveners. Meanwhile, Alauddin Mohammad (International Cell), SM Saif Mustafiz (Treasurer), Md Nizambuddin, Nahida Sarwar Niva, Faridul Haque and Md Ataullah have been appointed joint member secretaries. However, the positions of party Convener Nahid Islam and Member Secretary Akhter Hossen remain unchanged.

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday said he believes there is no possibility of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returning to Bangladesh in the next 10 years. “From my political experience, I think there is no possibility for Sheikh Hasina to return even in the next 10 years,” he said while talking to reporters at the Bhola Circuit House. The Speaker said the Awami League, which now faces a ban on its activities, created an environment during its tenure where honest, good and impartial people in society could not contest elections. He said fundamental reforms to the electoral system are necessary to ensure that ordinary people with public support and social acceptance, even without substantial financial resources, can participate in elections. “The Election Commission should devise a system, which will create opportunities for ordinary citizens to contest polls.” Hafiz Uddin also said the upcoming local government elections must be free, fair and impartial, noting that elections had not been fair over the past 15 years. Speaking about natural gas reserves in Bhola, he said he met officials of the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX), who informed him that the district has an estimated 7.5 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas. The Speaker said the estimated reserve is equivalent to the country's current total gas reserves and that further surveys will be conducted in Charfasson and other areas, raising hopes of discovering additional deposits. He said local residents need access to gas and described it as their legitimate right and a long-standing demand. Hafiz Uddin added that he will contact the power, energy and mineral resources minister to discuss how to address the issue.

Leaders of the long march implementation committee on Thursday held meetings with Gopalganj district administration and police officials to seek cooperation and ensure discipline for smooth execution of the Dhaka-Khulna-Kushtia long march scheduled for October 31. The meetings discussed overall management of the programme, administrative support, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the peaceful completion of the long march. Jamaat central executive council member Mobarak Hossain, central Majlish-e-Shura member Dr Md Fakhruddin Manik and Faridpur district Jamaat Ameer Maulana Badr Uddin, among others, were present at the meeting with Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Md Habibullah and other police officials. The Jamaat leaders also met Gopalganj Additional Deputy Commissioner SM Tarek Sultan to discuss administrative cooperation and other arrangements for the programme. Jamaat central Majlish-e-Shura members Kamal Hossain and Ataur Rahman Bacchu were also present, said a press release. Earlier, the 11-party alliance staged its first long march from Dhaka to Chattogram on September 5 and its second from Dhaka to Rangpur on September 19 to mobilise public support for a number of demands. The demands include implementation of the people's verdict in the February 12 referendum, trial of the July 2024 mass killings, resolution of the energy and fertiliser crisis, control of soaring prices of essential commodities, an end to corruption, extortion and violence, improvement of law and order, and an end to narrow partisanisation.