Awami League
Don’t play with fire, Obaidul Quader warns BNP
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Sunday that his party stands firmly against communal forces and the falsehood of BNP.
Obaidul Quader said this at the tri-annual council of Mohammadpur Thana and Ward Awami League at Mohammadpur Town Hall ground in the capital this morning.
Also read: Quader welcomes new budget as pro-poor, business-friendly
Quader reiterated that the Awami League is a party of the people and will remain so.
“Our party was born through movement on streets and will never leave the streets,” said the AL leader, also the road transport and bridges minister.
Referring to the recent fire in BM Inland Container Depot in Sitakunda Quader said the intelligence agencies are collecting information to determine whether it was a sabotage or otherwise.
Also read: Beware of conspiracy against Padma Bridge: Quader
Denouncing BNP leaders’ attack on the government on this issue he warned then not to play with fire.
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman also spoke at the council.
PM credits AL for robust economic growth
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it was because of the Awami League Bangladesh could attain over five percent GDP growth during the pandemic when many developed countries saw negative growth.
“We have given budget for FY2022-23, when many developed countries are having negative GDP growth, Bangladesh maintained its growth over five percent,” she said.
She said this while leaders of Awami League and its associated bodies greeted her at the Ganobhaban marking the 14th anniversary of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s release from prison.
On this day in 2008, Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Building after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
The Awami League president was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi on July 16, 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.
Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League always has to step forward defying all odds and hurdles.
Also read: Villagers to get specialized healthcare services online at home: PM
She said that whenever she was arrested she sent letters to the people, and leaders and activists of Awami League for giving them directives.
She said that in 1983 she was arrested after her return in the country. At that time she was taken to the DGFI office.
“I never bow down to anyone and never begged from anyone. I got the lesson from my father and family not to bow to anything unjust.”
She said that leaders and activists of AL always choose the right path and she also saw it during the time of Bangabandhu.
She recalled that the caretaker government was compelled to free her due to the movement and pressure from her party. They became surprised when they saw that Awami League collected 25 lakh signatures in just 15 days.
“This is Awami League, people are our strength,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that people are not the strength for the BNP as their birth happened through illegal system.
Also read: Balance development with environment, PM tells at event on World Environment Day
Recalling her jail days during the army backed caretaker government she said that she noted down how the country will be governed and how the party will be run.
“I noted down how we will develop the country, as a result there is electricity connection now in every house,” she said.
Slamming the critics of achievements of Bangladesh, she said this section of people can't accept the country's development.
“I do not know why they are so mean minded and why they have such kind of poor mentality,” she said.
She said that the government has provided COVID-19 vaccines free of cost to the people.
“We know how to do the welfare of the people,” she said.
In this regard she said that defying heavy international obstacles the government constructed the Padma Bridge with its own resources.
“The Father of the Nation liberated the country, this Independence can not go in-vein, we will do our job, we will change the fate of the mass people, no matter who say what,” she said.
She also said that the government has formulated Delta Plan 2100 for the future generations so that they could get a prosperous life.
Bangladesh to unveil budget today
Bangladesh Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal will unveil a Tk 6.80 trillion (Tk 6.80 lakh crore) national budget for the financial year 2022-2023 in Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday.
The size of the budget will be about 15% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). GDP is the total monetary value of all the finished goods and services made in a country during a financial year.
This is the country’s 51st budget and the 23rd of the Awami League government in five terms. The budget will see special measures of tax exemptions on agriculture, food processing and small sector development, UNB has learnt.
Also read: Gender budget framework needs to be redesigned, say discussants at a pre-budget dialogue
Experts emphasise on having measures to control inflation and stabilise the country's foreign exchange rate, besides steps to ensure food security.
Tajuddin Ahmed presented the first budget as the first finance minister of the post-independence Bangabandhu government in 1972.
Also read:Russia-Ukraine war creates uncertainties: Kamal on upcoming national budget
In the upcoming budget, the target of GDP growth is set at 7.5% and inflation will be pegged at 5.5%.
PM: AL always fulfils its election pledges to the people
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday expressed satisfaction that her ruling Awami League party has been able to fulfil its election pledges to the people.
She said this in her introductory speech at the Awami League Advisory Council meeting held at her official residence Ganobhaban.
At the outset of the meeting observed one-minute silence in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, martyrs of August 15 massacre and late members of the Advisory Council.
Hasina, who is also president of the ruling party, said that Awami League never forgets its election pledges after forming the government.
“Every time while formulating the budget we evaluate how much progress we have made to implement the election pledges,” she said.
She also mentioned that while formulating the budget the Awami League government considers how to implement the unfinished election pledges.
She said that the government is advancing the country using the modern technology by developing from the grassroots level.
Also read:PM offers Fateha at the mazar of Bangabandhu in Tungipara
Recalling the horrible days the people faced after the mayhem on August 15, 1975 the prime minister said that the power was not in the hands of the mass people.
“The power was in the hands of the military dictators who had captured the state power illegally wearing uniform and as a result the development of the country was hampered while they thrived with their own development,” she said.
She said that during the military regime some 19/20 military coups had been staged while there were session jams in the educational institutions amid jingles of arms.
The PM said that the government has done the development of the country from the rural level with 90 per cent of its own sources.
She also mentioned that Bangladesh has attained the status of a developing country.
Talking about the Padma Bridge, the premier said that her government could take up the challenge as she has been honest in her purpose.
“We have built that bridge with our own money. Inshallah I will inaugurate that bridge on June 25,” she said.
She also said that a Canadian court declared all the allegations regarding this project false and baseless.
Quader asks BNP to shun undemocratic path, join polls
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday called upon the BNP leaders to return to the path of welfare-based politics shunning the undemocratic way.
He made the call in a statement condemning what he said the BNP general secretary's customary lies and malicious statements published and disseminated in the media.
Also read: Survey of Ctg Metro Rail is underway: Quader
The AL leader said those who had been ousted by a mass movement should not talk about staging a mass upsurge against the government.
In his statement, Quader said that anti-people forces have already been exposed to the nation. "We want to keep the people away from the shadow of this evil force," he said.
He denounced BNP’s claim that its founder Ziaur Rahman introduced so-called multi-party democracy in the country.
Zia, he said, was a military dictator who violated the constitution and destroyed democracy after the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family.
“In addition to politically reviving the anti-liberation and anti-communal forces, Ziaur Rahman made a mockery of the nation by introducing curfew democracy in the name of multi-party democracy,” he said.
He said BNP is still trying to create a so-called multi-party platform with anti-liberation forces, anti-independence political parties and leaders.
The Awami League general secretary also said that this platform of the so-called movement to liberate the corrupt leadership is basically a platform to disrupt democracy and peace and security of the people.
Quader said the government has not detained anyone except in specific cases and the independent judiciary has established the rule of law in the country.
Noting that Bangabandhu’s daughter did not use grenades against grenades as she was determined to establish the rule of law, the AL leader said even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had given Khaleda Zia, convicted of corruption, the opportunity to receive advanced treatment at her own home.
Also read: Quader: BNP misinterprets PM’s Padma Bridge remarks about Khaleda
He said that the people think that the BNP is trying to create a new platform as per the instructions of the fugitive accused Tareq Rahman, the mastermind of the August 21 grenade attack.
Calling upon the BNP leaders to prepare for participation in the elections Qader said that they would be rejected by the people again as usual if they continue their current politics.
Freedom fighters demand expulsion of a newly inducted AL leader in Gaibandha
Enraged over threats to a fellow war hero, a group of senior freedom fighters took to the streets calling for expulsion of a newly inducted AL leader who stand accused of forcing a freedom fighter to speak in favour of the former’s father, a known Jamaat sympathizer.
Holding a human chain, under the banner of “War Heroes of Palashbari”, they demanded removal of the controversial leader Mohibul Hasan Mukit, organizing secretary of the newly announced Palasbari Upazial AL unit, from his rank and file with immediate effect.
With banners and placards like “no impunity for threating war heroes of losing their certificates and allowances”, they, quoting the victim Nasir Uddin, alleged that “scare tactics were put in display by Mukit, who to extract confession glorifying his father’s contribution in the Liberation War. But in reality his father always stood beside local Jamaat leaders and activists”.
READ: Gaibandha AL leader allegedly threatens freedom fighter
In reference to the seizure of jihadi books from his house back in 2013 by local administration, they claimed “Shibir activists always found sheltered in their houses”, seeking intervention from AL central leadership in this matter.
Based on the complaint, a probe body has been formed to dig out facts against Mukit with the committee reportedly submitted its report to the central authority having interviewed as many as 28 local AL leaders and freedom fighters with none spoke in favour of Mukit.
Faridpur: Both Nixon, Zafarullah want investigation into killing of UP chairman's son
Faridpur-4 MP Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury Nixon and Kazi Zafarullah, a former lawmaker and presidium member of the Awami League (AL), have urged the administration to investigate the killing of the ten-year-old son of a union parishad chairman in Faridpur.
They made the call while briefing journalists after attending the namaz-e-janaza of the deceased child in Sadarpur upazila Thursday. The two are aspirants to the AL ticket in the constituency for the 2023 election. Nixon is MP on an independent ticket, twice running, but has made no secret of his desire to be officially the "Nouka" candidate as well.
Zafarullah's wife, Nilufar Zafarullah, served the constituency as MP before Nixon on the AL ticket. The family is related to the Sheikh family.
"Miscreants hacked Rafsan, a third-grader, to death as they came to kill his father Mizanur Rahman, chairman of Dheukhali union under Sadarpur upazila. I have requested the Faridpur superintendent of police to look into the matter," Zafarullah said.
The deceased Rafsan was buried in the evening. Earlier in the day, his body had been brought to his maternal grandfather's house at Sadarpur after a post-mortem examination.
Wednesday afternoon, a youth named Ershad Mollah of Dheukhali union killed the sleeping Rafsan and left his mother Diljahan Ratna, 35, injured over the outcome of a mediation, according to Fahima Quader Chowdhury, additional superintendent of police (Bhanga Circle).
Later, Ershad killed himself by jumping off a building, Fahima added.
Also read: One killed, 10 injured in Faridpur clash
Only AL govt could keep prices under control preventing street fighting: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that had Awami League not been in power now there would have been fighting on the street for the essential commodities.
“Since the Awami League government is in power it has been possible to control (prices of essentials) to some extent,” she said adding, “If anyone else were in power there would have been fighting on the street.”
She said this while delivering her introductory speech at the National Economic Council (NEC) held to the approve annual development programme (ADP) for 2022-23 fiscal.
The meeting was held at NEC auditorium while the premier joined virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Also read: PM: Make best use of funds in effective implementation of SDGs
Talking about the recent price hike of essentials, she said that COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war have put pressure on global economy.
She mentioned that there are some countries in Europe where prices of essentials have been hiked from 17 per cent to 50 per cent.
Hasina said scarcity of edible oil is going on in countries like Germany and the UK, where restrictions have been imposed on buying edible oil more than one littre at a time.
The inflation, she said, has hit the US at more than 8 per cent and it will reach to ten per cent.
She mentioned that the whole world is suffering from this.
“The impact of these will be visible also on us. The prices of imported items have been increased. Cost of transportation (vessel rent) has been increased, production decreased where the war is going on.”
She again urged the people to maintain austerity and control in using everything.
“If they do that they might not face any problem,” she observed. She added that “The prices of essentials (at home) have increased due to the international factors and this has to be conveyed to the people.”
She said that her government is trying to increase the production using the country’s fertile land to meet the domestic demands.
“For that purpose I called upon all not to leave a single inch of land without cultivation. We will produce our own food for us and help others. We have to motivate people that way,” she said.
Regarding the ADP for the next fiscal the PM asked the authorities concerned to set the priority for implementation of the immediately-needed projects to avoid unnecessary pressure on the economy.
“We have to remain cautious in spending public money as the world is passing through an economic recession,” she said.
“We have to maintain austerity in every sphere of life, we must not spend our resources unnecessarily,” she said.
She made it clear that the government will implement only those projects which are very much important right now. Those which are not necessary right now will be implemented slowly.
Regarding the criticism against Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant from a section of people, Hasina said that it is being built through a PPP initiative with another country and the loan money will be paid by the next 50 years.
She said it is also environment friendly and the produced power will be very much cheaper.
“They don’t think about the economic outcome and socioeconomic development of this power plant after it goes to the production. There is a section of people who always criticise all good work,” she said.
She also said that this section of people is also talking against the Padma Bridge.
“After opening of this bridge the economy of the southern region of the country will get momentum. They do not consider the socioeconomic uplift of the region,” she said.
She categorically said that the government did not take a single Taka loan from anyone for Padma Multipurpose Bridge.
“It is being built with Bangladesh’s own finance. Their claims are totally false and unacceptable,” she said brushing aside the criticism.
She said that she never thinks about the welfare of the privileged section of the people. “I always think about the underprivileged and deprived section of people and work for them.”
She asked those who are misguiding people with false information to restrain themselves while talking.
Also read: Award-winning filmmaker Goutam Ghosh discusses with PM his documentary on Bangabandhu
“It’s better not to try to confuse the common people,” she said.
She said that the government will take decision for the people of the country and for their welfare.
Recalling her homecoming on May 17, 1981 from exile in India, she said that her party and the government have been able to return people’s power to them.
Hasina, the Awami League chief, said that there had been repeated attempts to kill her. “But I did not fear anything.”
She also regretted that she did not get any support from the media.
“I always get support from the people of the country and party leaders and activists. People’s trust and confidence is my strength.”
She said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman wanted to make the country a developed and prosperous one.
“We have got the recognition as the developing country. We have to establish that and move further. We can move further defying all odds and hurdles. Then we will be able to make the country developed one,” she said.
Bangladesh on verge of collapse like Sri Lanka: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday that the economic situation in Bangladesh is bound to be like that of Sri Lanka as the current economy is collapsing.
The country’s per-capita foreign debt is already around $472 and inflation will rise so much that the economy will collapse, he said in Thakurgaon while exchanging views with journalists in a programme of providing financial assistance to those killed in election violence on January 5 in 2014.
Read: BNP’s caretaker government dream to go in vain: Hasan Mahmud
Fakhrul said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi himself is a businessman. “He should have had a clear idea about the characteristics of Bangladeshi businesspeople. To trust traders means to create opportunities for them.”
“Amid rising commodity prices, we can clearly see these are being increased with the covert help of the government. their syndicates ,” said Fakhrul.
Two people were killed in the police firing in Thakurgaon in the one-party election held on January 5 in 2014, he said.
Fakhrul and BNP leaders should quit the party, says Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday asked his BNP counterpart Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to step down from the office for what he said his failure to lead the party in general election.
“You have no achievement to show. So instead of shouting for government’s resignation you better resign,” Quader said in escalating the battle of words with his political opponent.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, was addressing the opening session of Faridpur district Awami League's triennial council this morning.
Also read: Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul
He further said, “The people think that all top-to-bottom leaders of the BNP including Mirza Fakhrul should resign for failing the movement and elections,"
He reminded the BNP leaders that there was 24-hour load shedding in the country during the party’s rule.
In contrast, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has now ensured cent per cent electrification of the country, Quader said.
The AL leader warned the party members against the “cuckoos of the spring” or fair weather friends inside the party.
He called for identifying those who laundered crores of money abroad using the name of Awami League.
Also read: Next polls to be held under AL govt with BNP’s participation: Hanif
Awami League presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah was present as the chief guest on the occasion.
Quader said that the Awami League must continue in power under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in order to save the country's democracy, liberation spirit and Bangladesh.
He also said that the party should be turned well-organized and smart from now to successfully face the forthcoming national elections.
The council was presided over by Faridpur District Awami League President Advocate Subal Chandra Saha. Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap and Faridpur District Awami League General Secretary Syed Masud Hossain were also present.