Awami League
AL picks Ivy again as NCC mayoral candidate
Bangladesh Awami League has again chosen Dr Selina Hayat Ivy as its mayoral candidate to contest the Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) election slated for January 16 next.
Besides, the ruling party picked Khan Ahmed Shuvo as its MP candidate for Tangail-7 parliamentary by-polls scheduled to be held on the same date (Jan 16).
The names of AL aspirants were finalised at a meeting of AL parliamentary and local government nomination boards, held in the afternoon with AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Since the formation of the Narayanganj City, incumbent mayor Dr Selina Hayat Ivy won the first two elections in 2011 and 2016. Earlier, she was the mayor of the erstwhile Narayanganj municipality.
Read: Narayanganj city polls: Ivy to seek AL nomination
The maiden election to NCC was held in a non-partisan manner in 2011. In 2016, Dr Ivy was reelected the NCC mayor as AL candidate as the mayoral election was held using party symbols unlike the councillor election in the city corporation.
On November 30 last, the Election Commission announced schedules for NCC election and Tangail-7 by-polls. The parliamentary constituency fell vacant following the death of AL MP Akabbar Hossain on November 16.
According to the schedules, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 15, while the date for the scrutiny of nomination papers is December 20 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is December 27 in the NCC and Tangail-7 constituency.
The third election to Narayanganj City will be held using electronic voting machines (EVM) instead of traditional ballot papers.
Read: Mayor Ivy seeks curfew or lockdown in NCC
Besides, the meeting finalized the names of AL chairman candidates for the Union Parishads of Parbatipur Upazila in Dinajpur district as well as the Union Parishads in Khulna and Barisal divisions, as the local bodies will go to polls in the 5th phase on January 5 next.
A total of 707 Union Parishads will go to polls in this phase in 47 districts.
According to the polls schedule announced by the EC, the deadline for the submission of nomination papers is December 07, while the date for the scrutiny of nomination papers is December 09 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is December 15.
AL appoints Ataullah Mandal as Gazipur unit acting general secretary
Awami League has named Md Ataullah Mandal as the acting general secretary of the party's Gazipur metropolitan unit replacing disgraced Zahangir Alam who has recently been expelled from the party, according a press release on Thursday.
Ataullah was chosen by the Awami League's Central Executive Committee, said the release signed by the party’s Office Secretary Biplob Barua.
Read: Awami League expels Gazipur mayor Jahangir
The post fell vacant on November 19 after Awami League expelled Zahangir, also the mayor of Gazipur, for life over allegations of making derogatory comments on Bangabandhu and martyred freedom fighters, He also lost primary membership of the party.
Awami League has decided to take legal action against Jahangir.
Gazipur Mayor to seek review of his expulsion decision
Gazipur city Mayor Jahangir Alam, who has been expelled from Awami League for his controversial comment on Bangabandhu and other local leaders, said he will submit an application requesting the Prime Minister to review the decision.
“A rival group has long been involved in doing harm to me since my involvement in student politics and as a sequel to the rivalry some people have hatched conspiracies against me from conversations at home,” he said while talking to reporters at his residence on Saturday.
The mayor also offered an apology and requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to rethink her decision.
Also read: Awami League expels Gazipur mayor Jahangir
“I didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll accept the Prime Minister’s decision. If she (PM) wants, I am ready to walk the gallows. Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina and Awami League are in my existence and I want to remain as a general member and supporter of the party until death,” he said.
On Friday, the ruling Awami League expelled its Gazipur unit general secretary and city mayor Jahangir Alam for life for controversial comments on Bangabandhu and other local leaders.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at Ganobhaban chaired by party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday evening.
On October 3, Awami League issued a show cause notice to Gazipur City Mayor and the party’s metropolitan general secretary Jahangir Alam for his recent viral video of controversial comments on Bangabandhu, regarding the number of people martyred during the Liberation War and other local leaders.
Also read: Accused AL MPs to be expelled if found guilty: Quader
He was asked to reply to the letter within 15 days.
The letter said Jahangir’s viral comments ruined the image and popularity of the political organization.
It is equal to going against the interest of the organization and breaking its disciplines which is a punishable offence according to the party’s constitution, it said.
Jahangir was asked to explain why organizational action will not be taken against him via the letter.
Also read: Noakahli gang rape: AL leader Ruhul Amin expelled from party
The mayor claimed that conspirators and anti-election groups have spread the 'technologically manipulated video' as propaganda against him.
AL metropolitan unit President Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan welcomed the expulsion of Jahangir Alam.
Awami League expels Gazipur mayor Jahangir
The ruling Awami League has expelled its Gazipur unit general secretary and city mayor Jahangir Alam for life for controversial comments on Bangabandhu and other local leaders.
The decision was made at a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at Ganabhaban chaired by party chief and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday evening.
Earlier on October 3, Awami League issued a show cause notice to Gazipur City Mayor and the party’s metropolitan general secretary Jahangir Alam for his recent viral video of controversial comments on Bangabandhu regarding the number of people martyred during the Liberation War and other local leaders.
He was asked to reply to the letter within 15 days.
The letter said Jahangir’s viral comments ruined the image and popularity of the political organization.
Read: AL show-cause Gazipur Mayor over comment on Bangabandhu
It is equal to going against the interest of the organization and breaking its disciplines which is a punishable offence according to the party’s constitution, it said.
Jahangir was asked to explain in writing why organizational actions will not be taken against him via the letter.
Mayor Jahangir said he would reply to the letter within the deadline and would obey the party’s president Sheikh Hasina’s decision in this regard.
The mayor said conspirators and anti-election groups have spread the 'technologically manipulated video' as propaganda against him.
Meanwhile, local AL leaders and activists brought out processions in the town celebrating the party chief’s decision.
Metropolitan unit President Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan welcomed the expulsion of Jahangir Alam.
Khaleda always tried to wipe out Awami League, says Hasina
Citing various incidents, including the August 21 gruesome grenade attack, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said Khaleda Zia and her allies always tried to wipe out the name and sign of Awami League.
“I’m always Khaleda Zia’s target,” she said, adding that Khaleda Zia had commented that Sheikh Hasina would never be the opposition leader let alone the Prime Minister and then a bomb was planted in Kotalipara.
Later, the PM said, Khaleda remarked that AL would never be able to come to power in 100 years and then the gruesome August 21 grenade attack was launched. “We should not forget the remarks,” the Prime Minister added.
Read: Govt conspiring to end Khaleda’s life: Fakhrul
When AL came in power, Hasina said, it did not resort to repressive acts against them. “I believe in democracy and the vote of people,” she said.
Turning to the misrules unleashed by the BNP regime, the Prime Minister said some people are there in the country who do not think about the thousands of offences committed by some particular people as crimes.
“They talk against corruption, but speak in favour of a person convicted on graft charges. They’re vocal against terrorism and militancy, but utter no single word against those who are involved in terrorism and militancy as well as convicted in the 10-truck arm-haul case,” Hasina said.
“We're noticing a strange situation. They find all faults in Awami League,” bemoaned the Prime Minister,
No new political party to face any impediment in Bangladesh: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said no new political party will face any obstruction in waging any movement in this multiparty democratic country, but they will not be allowed to damage the lives and property of people.
“If anyone (group) wants to form a party they can do it because there’s a multiparty democracy here. There’ll be no obstruction here,” she said while addressing a meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee at her official residence Ganobhaban.
Sheikh Hasina said BNP-Jamaat is always hyperactive to make every development activity of the government controversial. “No matter how much good work we do, they come up with an attempt to create a controversy. BNP-Jamaat is hyperactive here,” she said.
Read:Done enough for Khaleda Zia, says Hasina
Noting that some new parties are being formed, the PM said she asked the IGP on Thursday that those who want to form new political parties should be allowed to do so. “Let them form parties and work because it’s essential in Bangladesh,” she said.
“If they want to bring out processions, they can. Why do we hinder their processions? They can do all sorts of movements, but they can’t burn people to death and cause any damage to any life and property. We’ll have to take care of it,” she said.
15 hurt in Pabna pre-polls violence
At least 15 people were injured, including three with bullet, in separate clashes Manikhat and Hatkhali unions in Sujanagar upazila of Pabna district on Sunday night ahead of the union parishad elections.
Those who sustained bullet injuries were identified as Motaleb, 37, son of Milon Khan, Sagar, 35, son of Abdul Majid and Fazlu, 55, son of late Abdur Rahman Khan of Bonkola village.
Read: Juba League leader shot while campaigning in Pirojpur
A clash broke out between the supporters of Awami League-backed and independent candidates in Manikhat union around 8:30 pm.
Another clash broke out around 11:30 pm at Swagata Bazar in Hatkhali Union.
Awami League-backed candidate for the post of chairman of Manikhat UP Shafiul Islam said supporters of independent candidate Abbas Ali Mallik vandalized one of our election offices and set it on fire.
“When the news spread, the supporters of the AL brought out a procession towards the Bonkola bazar when the people of a rival candidate opened fire at us, leaving 10 of our activists injured,” he alleged.
The injured were sent to Pabna General Hospital. However, critically injured Motaleb was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.
Jail Killing Day to be observed Wednesday
The nation is set to observe the Jail Killing Day on Wednesday with due solemnity.
Awami League and its associate bodies will pay tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the four national leaders slain in state custody on this day in 1975.
A press release said the Awami League leaders and workers will pay homage by laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Bhaban on Dhanmondi Road No 32 on a limited scale following Covid-19 health guidelines.
Tributes will also be paid to the four national leaders: Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Capt. Mansur Ali and AHM Qamruzzaman.
It also said the party leaders and workers will place wreaths at the graves of August 15 martyrs and national leaders.
The party will arrange a discussion at its central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city at 11 am.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
Read: AL to observe Jail Killing Day Wednesday
The President, in his message, said, “The aim of the killers was to erase the ideals of the Liberation War from the spirit of the young generation apart from giving rise to an undemocratic autocratic rule which failed.”
He urged all to work from their respective positions to complete the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build a happy, prosperous Sonar Bangla. “This should be our promise in the Jail Killing Day.”
In her message, the Prime Minister said, “The killing of the four national leaders was the continuation of the assassination of the Father of the Nation along with his family. Through it, the defeated forces and anti-state quarters made an evil attempt to destroy the Liberation War spirit and render the Bangali national leaderless by erasing the name of Awami League.”
She urged people of the country to build poverty-free and happy, peaceful golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
On November 3, 1975, four national leaders and heroes of the country’s Liberation War -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Quamruzzaman -- were assassinated inside the Dhaka Central Jail.
The four leaders played a key role in leading the Mujibnagar government, that led the Liberation War effort in 1971 with Syed Nazrul Islam as the acting president, Tajuddin Ahmad as the prime minister, Mansur Ali as the finance minister and AHM Qamruzzaman as the home, relief and rehabilitation minister.
BNP ridicules AL's fair election desire
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Awami League’s desire for a fair election is like the "devil listening to the scriptures".
“The Awami League general secretary yesterday (Thursday) said the Prime Minister wants a free and fair election in the country so that everyone can vote. It’s like the devil listening to the scriptures," he said.
Read:Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader said Awami League is now talking about a fair election after “destroying” the election system and three national elections.
Fakhrul said the election system has now reached such a state in the country that a Shariatpur MP said he would select the chairmen and members in the UP polls.
“We can't imagine such a scenario of our country. We fought for democracy in 1971, but they (govt) have now established a one-party rule by throwing that democracy into the Bay of Bengal.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.
Fakhrul alleged that the current government cannot tolerate dissent and criticisms at all.
He claimed that police attacked their party leaders and activists from behind without any provocation while they were returning home after a peace rally in front of their Nayapltan central office on Tuesday.
The BNP leader said the law enforcers charged batons and opened fire on their leaders and activists, leaving many of them injured.
“But cases are now being filed against our hundreds of leaders and activists. Why are you so sacred? You fear us as you’ve lost the ground beneath your feet. You won’t even get the escape route the day people will take to the streets,” he said.
Read:BNP men clash with police in city
Fakhrul called upon the administration not to take a stand against people by abetting the government that has been indulging in ‘plundering’ and ‘anti-people activities.
He said ruling party leaders are becoming millionaires through ‘corruption and looting’ while people are getting poorer.
The BNP leader said people are going through immense sufferings as the prices of essential commodities, including that of rice, pulses, eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, kerosene oil and edible oil are continuously soaring since the government has lost control over the market.
He said the ruling party business syndicates are hiking the prices of the essentials and making a quick buck. “People are now living in a suffocating situation in the country… there’s now no alternative to waging a strong movement to get rid of it.”
Vested quarters out there to tarnish Bangladesh’s image: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said vested quarters are out there to stage various types of incidents in the country to tarnish its image before the world.
“Bangladesh will march forward, no one will ever be able to pull Bangladesh back. Some incidents are happening…vested quarters unleashing these deliberately to tarnish the country’s image, and you all are aware of that,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating Paira Bridge over the Paira River and laying the foundation stone of six lanes (including service lane) Dhaka-Sylhet and Sylhet-Tamabil highways from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Read: Hasina asks AL to strengthen vigilance to maintain communal harmony
She said vested quarters are also engaged in spreading negative propaganda against Bangladesh. “Whatever development we achieve, one section of people is out there and they’re busy demeaning the country,” she said.
“They don’t want Bangladesh’s democratic process to continue, their demands rise whenever there’s any unnatural situation in the country,” she said.
That is why, she mentioned, this section of people never sees the development of the country. “Instead, they want destruction. This is the reality. The people of the country need to remain aware about it,” the PM added.