United News of Bangladesh

Dr Tasnim Jara, former senior joint member secretary of National Citizen Party (NCP) who contested the 13th parliamentary election as an independent candidate, on Monday dismissed claims that she held negotiations with BNP as false and imaginary. In a post on her verified Facebook page, Jara responded to what she said were rumours circulating about her political activities. “A false claim is being spread that Tasnim Jara had negotiations with BNP. Some are even claiming that Jara maintains a channel with BNP and that BNP gave her a green signal,” she wrote. Rejecting the claims, Jara said she had never engaged in any such discussion with BNP or any other political party. “I have never had any such discussion with BNP or any other party,” she said. She challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence. “Ask those who are spreading these claims, when, where and with whom this negotiation take place. They will not be able to provide any names, dates or evidence,” the former NCP leader wrote. She said no such incident had ever occurred and alleged that the rumours were being spread to serve a particular narrative. “The purpose of spreading this falsehood is to create a narrative that suits certain interests.” she added. Jara contested the 13th parliamentary election from Dhaka-9 constituency as an independent candidate but was defeated.

LGRD Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of  Kofil Uddin, Vice-President of Dhaka district BNP. In a condolence message, Fakhrul said Kofil Uddin was deeply committed to the ideals and philosophy of late President Ziaur Rahman and Bangladeshi nationalism. He said Kofil Uddin played a strong role in strengthening and making Dhaka district BNP more dynamic. Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable: Fakhrul He also actively participated in various democratic movements under the leadership of former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The BNP Secretary General prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members. Kofil Uddin, also owner of Hanif Paribahan and Savar Upazila Parishad Chairman,died on Sunday.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned that no one will escape the consequences if fascism re-emerges in the country through any loophole. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a food distribution programme organised by the central committee of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Rickshaw, Van and Auto Drivers' Dal at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, marking the 45th death anniversary of party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Jamaat shelters ‘covert extortionists’, uses religious terms to mask extortion: Rizvi “If fascism rises its head again through any loophole, it will put us in danger, and none of you will be escape the consequences either,” said Rizvi, also prime minister’s political adviser. He said the country's independence and sovereignty will be at risk and democracy will be buried if such a situation emerges, urging all to remain alert. Pointing to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, the BNP leader said they are talking about forgiving Awami League. “You joined hands with them in movements against BNP in 1994, 1995 and 1996. What was the consequence? Your leaders were executed. The consequences of such misplaced affection were devastating,” he said. Describing BNP as a party committed to creating employment rather than unemployment, he said the party, from the time of Ziaur Rahman until now, has always worked to generate jobs. “Under the leadership of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, no one in the country will remain unemployed in the future,” Rizvi said. He said employment opportunities will expand through various initiatives. The BNP leader described Ziaur Rahman as the pioneer of overseas employment and the garment industry in Bangladesh. He further said Ziaur Rahman had excavated around 1,600 miles of canals across the country to address water shortages during the dry season and counter water-related challenges from neighbouring countries. “As a result, agricultural and food production increased.” Highlighting Tarique Rahman’s welfare-oriented politics, Rizvi said the previous government had ignored the concerns of hawkers, whereas the current government believes rehabilitation must come before eviction. Referring to the proposed Padma Barrage project, he said the Prime Minister had not bowed to any dominant foreign power, noting that the project will help ensure water security and generate electricity. “If implemented, the barrage will produce 113 megawatts of electricity. At the same time, rivers will be revived, creating a revolution in fisheries and agriculture. It is a patriotic project,” the BNP senior joint secretary general said. Expressing concern over what he described as the spread of “mob culture”, he alleged that anti-social trends were being promoted in the name of civil liberties. He also alleged that conspiracies are being hatched against the government. Among others, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal Convener Abul Kalam Azad addressed the programme.

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable, adding that the country's Liberation War began with Zia’s declaration of independence and that he later played a pivotal role in rebuilding the nation. “Ziaur Rahman and Bangladesh are inseparable. They cannot be separated. Through Ziaur Rahman’s declaration, the Liberation War of Bangladesh began and through that war Bangladesh emerged as a new state before the world,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while presiding over a discussion at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. He said that after independence, people placed their trust in Ziaur Rahman and turned to him when they were searching for new leadership. “As an expression of the people’s confidence in him, he was entrusted with the responsibility of rebuilding the country through a soldiers-and-people revolution. The first phase was the struggle for independence and the second was the reconstruction of the nation,” Fakhrul said. Describing Ziaur Rahman’s emergence as a remarkable phenomenon, Fakhrul said the BNP founder appeared before the nation at critical moments of history. “It may be called a miraculous event that at every crucial moment this man emerged. In 1971, when people were confused and directionless, Major Zia’s call awakened the nation,” he said. “Again in 1975, when the country was in a similar situation, Major General Zia once more awakened and united the nation,” he added. Fakhrul highlighted various initiatives taken under Ziaur Rahman’s leadership, including post-war reconstruction, the promotion of Bangladeshi nationalism, the formation of what he described as a cabinet consisting of the country’s most capable individuals, the introduction of multi-party democracy, national unity and various economic reforms. Referring to ongoing political discussions about reforms, Fakhrul said BNP itself had introduced major reforms in the country. “Nowadays a political force talks only about reforms. They say we do not believe in reforms or implement reforms. But BNP itself gave birth to reforms,” he said. He said Ziaur Rahman introduced multi-party democracy after a one-party system of governance and carried out fundamental changes in the political structure of the country. “He ensured freedom of the media, judicial independence and established democratic institutions. These were major reforms and fundamental transformations,” Fakhrul said. The programme was moderated by BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. Among others, BNP Standing Committee members Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Dhaka North BNP Convener Aminul Haque, Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal President SM Jilani, Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal General Secretary Nurul Islam Moni and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib spoke at the event. Economist Professor Mahbub Ullah, University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed, National University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Md Lutfor Rahman and Bangladesh Open University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dil Rowshan Jinnat Ara Naznin also spoke, highlighting different aspects of Ziaur Rahman’s life and contributions. The programme began with a one-minute silence in memory of Ziaur Rahman, followed by prayers seeking eternal peace for his departed soul.  

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday accused Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of providing shelter to “covert extortionists” and attempting to disguise extortion through the use of religious terminology. He made the allegation while speaking at a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 45th death anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Responding to recent allegations of extortion raised by Jamaat leaders, Rizvi, also political adviser to the prime minister, urged them to look into their own organisation first. “They are making big statements about extortion. They should first look at themselves,” he said. Referring to media reports, he alleged that two Jamaat leaders, identified as Jahangir and Rabiul, were caught while extracting sand from the Feni River in Mirsharai of Chattogram. The BNP leader also claimed that a Jamaat leader had allegedly taken money from people by promising relief from a legal case in Feni. “I have given only one or two examples. This indicates that Jamaat provides shelter to such activities,” he said. He further alleged that Jamaat uses Arabic terms to avoid directly describing extortion. “You use Arabic words. Instead of calling it extortion, you call it ‘hadiyabaji’ or ‘iyanatbaji’ and try to cover it up with Arabic terminology,” he said. Rizvi claimed there were numerous examples of threats and intimidation linked to such activities. He said political parties may have individuals who engage in wrongdoing, but the key issue is whether the party takes action against them, claiming that BNP had taken disciplinary action against hundreds of leaders and activists accused of misconduct following August 5, 2024 changeover. “Our party Chairman and Prime Minister took a strong stance. Hundreds were expelled, relieved of duties or served show-cause notices. No one was spared, from influential leaders to grassroots activists,” the BNP leader said. He alleged that many Jamaat leaders and members at different organisational levels had also faced accusations of extortion and that the party had taken action only after such incidents appeared in newspapers. “How have you become angels? How have you become so completely pure? Those who have not been caught are still within your party,” he said. Rizvi claimed Jamaat was making such remarks because it expects to come to power in the future but had failed to understand the mindset of the Bangladeshi people. He said people do not support what he described as Jamaat’s “business in the name of religion”. Addressing JASAS leaders and activists, Rizvi emphasised the importance of promoting Bangladesh’s indigenous cultural heritage while also embracing positive cultural achievements from around the world. “We study world philosophy, European philosophy and listen to good music from Europe and other countries. There is nothing wrong with that,” he added. The BNP senior joint secretary general said nationalist forces and their cultural organisations have a responsibility to resist any attempt by foreign or aggressive powers to undermine Bangladesh’s indigenous cultural identity and strength. The discussion was chaired by JASAS Joint Convener Anisul Islam Sani and moderated by Member Secretary Zakir Hossain Rokon. Among others, BNP Cultural Affairs Secretary Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal, Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal Convener Abul Kalam Azad, and JASAS leaders Liaquat Ali Lucky, Ferdous Fakir, Javed Ahmed Kislu, Khaleduzzaman Jewel, Farhad Hossain Nion and Rafiza Alam Lucky spoke at the programme.  

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) on Saturday has relieved its Dhaka Metropolitan South unit General Secretary Abdur Rahim Bhuiya of his organisational post over specific allegations of violating party discipline. The information was disclosed in a press release issued by JCD Office Secretary (Vice-President rank) Md Jahangir Alam. According to the statement, the unit’s Senior Joint General Secretary Rafiqul Islam Rafiq has been assigned the post of Acting General Secretary The decision will take immediate effect in the interest of maintaining organisational dynamism and continuity, the release said. JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the decision on Saturday.

Ruling party BNP leaders and activists on Saturday distributed food among poor and underprivileged people in front of the High Court in the capital marking the 45th death anniversary of party founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. The programme, held at noon, was led by BNP Assistant Social Welfare Affairs Secretary and former Member Secretary of Dhaka South BNP Kazi Abul Bashar. Leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies were present. Speaking at the event, Kazi Abul Bashar said Ziaur Rahman’s ideals were rooted in serving the people and that the food distribution programme was an effort to uphold those values by standing beside low-income and disadvantaged citizens. “We want to move Bangladesh forward by carrying the ideals and path shown by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman,” he said. He said Ziaur Rahman had made significant contributions to the country’s independence, sovereignty and the establishment of democracy. Paying tribute to his memory, Bashar said the BNP has been observing the anniversary through various social and humanitarian programmes. Later, food was distributed among more than a thousand poor people, labourers and passersby. Leaders and activists attending the programme also offered special prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Ziaur Rahman.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday said the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman must be implemented in the country’s film industry, noting that the sector witnessed its highest level of development during BNP governments. “Whenever BNP was in power, the film industry experienced the highest level of development. Based on past experience, the current BNP government will again work for the advancement of the film industry,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while addressing a programme organised by the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad at the gate of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), marking the 45th death anniversary of Ziaur Rahman. As part of the programme, sarees and lungis were distributed among more than 500 people. Moyeen Khan said Ziaur Rahman introduced the National Film Awards and film grants, established the Bangladesh Cinema and Television Institute and the Bangladesh Film Archive, transformed Bangladesh Television (BTV) from black-and-white to colour broadcasting and modernised BFDC. BNP Cultural Affairs Secretary and Chief Adviser to the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Cholochitra Parishad actor Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Uzzal was present as a special guest with film director and Parisahd President Badiul Alam Khokon in the chair. Special prayers were also offered seeking eternal peace for the souls of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and their late son Arafat Rahman Koko. Earlier in the morning, a Quran khatam and Fateha recitation programme was held. The event was supported by the BFDC Jatiyatabadi Employees Association.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday urged all to work together to build a discrimination-free, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh in line with the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising, inspired by the ideals of late President Ziaur Rahman. He made the call while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at the grave of Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary. Describing the day as one of deep sorrow and remembrance for the BNP and the wider public, the minister said Ziaur Rahman had played a vital role throughout his life in safeguarding the country’s independence, sovereignty and development. “He emerged as a historic figure through the proclamation of independence in 1971 and ultimately sacrificed his life in defence of the country’s sovereignty,” he said. The ideals of Ziaur Rahman and late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia represent the “true path” of Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and democracy, said Salahuddin. Ziaur Rahman had taught the importance of forging strong national unity to achieve prosperity, he said, adding that BNP continues to uphold the principles of Bangladeshi nationalism and multiparty democracy. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to democracy, the minister said the country will continue to be governed through a fully democratic process. “The spirit of the July uprising will further strengthen the foundations of democracy in the country,” he added. Salahuddin also paid tribute to Khaleda Zia, calling her the “mother of democracy” and praising her sacrifices for the restoration of democratic rights in Bangladesh.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman brought an unprecedented change to Bangladesh within just three and a half years of his rule. “On one hand, he reintroduced multiparty democracy and brought the country back from one-party rule and BAKSAL. On the other hand, he introduced a free-market economy. I believe this was the first phase of Bangladesh’s transformation,” Fakhrul said. “In just three and a half years, he brought such an extraordinary change that Bangladesh, once labelled a ‘bottomless basket’, turned into a country moving towards prosperity,” he added. Fakhrul, also local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, made the remarks after paying tribute to former President Ziaur Rahman at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the occasion of his 45th death anniversary. Describing Ziaur Rahman as the proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, a pioneer and reintroducer of multiparty democracy and the architect of modern Bangladesh, he said BNP could not properly observe the day for nearly 17 years due to what he termed fascist repression. “I still remember that when we came here once, many of our leaders were injured in police firing. Today, we are observing the day in a free environment,” the BNP leader said. He said Ziaur Rahman tried to transform the country’s old and decaying system after being elected to state leadership through a democratic process. Fakhrul said Ziaur Rahman had rescued the country from the aftermath of the 1974 famine and economic mismanagement and led Bangladesh towards food surplus and increased agricultural production. “That period was a time of transformation for our society and country, and he provided the leadership for that change by uniting the people,” he said. Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as Zia’s worthy successor, the BNP secretary general said the government has already launched programmes aimed at reforms and production growth. “We have started reform initiatives and production-oriented programmes. Family Card, Farmers’ Card and other initiatives have already created a new momentum in Bangladesh,” he said.