Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNB) – Describing Sheikh Hasina as a ‘self-proclaimed’ Prime Minister, not an elected one, Jatiya Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain on Sunday called upon her to free the country from ‘misrule’ by quitting power immediately.

“You (Hasina) are a dramatist, not a leader. You thanked people on December 30 (last year) for electing you for five years. You’re a self-proclaimed Prime Minister. No one elected you for the third term. I myself will testify that no one elected you,” he said.

Speaking at a discussion, Dr Kamal further said, “How long will you go on the wrong path with lies? Try to understand bad consequences of such lies, and keep cool to free the country from misrule before time runs out fast.”

Jatiya Oikyafront arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club protesting the killing of Buet student Abrar Fahad.

Dr Kamal, also the President of Gonoforum, said the current government can stay in power for the time being by resorting to repressive acts. “But you won’t be spared for such acts. So, step aside as early as possible in a decent way and announce to hold a new election.”

Reiterating that people are the owners of the country as per the Constitution, he said they will decide which party should be there in power through a fair and credible election under the neutral Election Commission.

The Oikyafront chief also criticised the government for not giving opposition parties the permission to hold rallies and meetings.

He said the constitution gives the political parties the right to hold rallies and express their opinion. “Those who are depriving people of exercising such right and obstructing rallies are committing treason, and the punishment for sedition will be a severe one.”

Dr Kamal warned that they will make a list of those violating people’s rights and put them on trial when their alliance is voted to power.

About the killing of Abrar, he said the government is turning the country’s boys into “killers and beast. Why’re you making our sons animals? The boys of this Bengal had fought for the liberation and waged a movement against autocrats, as they’re brave. Now you’re turning them into animals and you’ll have to face trial for it.”

The Oikyafront leader also said, “Whose ideals the killers of Abrar are following? Is it the ideal of that one who’s governing the country? If this is the case, then you shouldn’t be there in power for a moment.”

He also said the killing of Abrar for exercising his freedom of expression is an attack on the Constitution.

The Gonoforum President regretted that the current government is dishonouring Bangabandhu and the four national leaders by indulging in misdeeds staying in power using Awami League’s name.

He also demanded the release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail. “Khaleda Zia’s health condition has worsened, and everybody is voicing concern over her life and survival. It’s unimaginable that the opposition leader and the three-time former Prime Minister won’t be released and provided treatment even after her illness.”

Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said they will hold a ‘mourning rally’ in any open space in the city on October 18 protesting the murder of Abrar.

He called upon the people of all walks of to make their programme a success with their spontaneous participation in it.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President ASM Abdur Rob, BNP Standing Committee Member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Gonoforum Executive Presidents Prof Abu Sayeed, Subrata Chowdhury, and Gonoshasthya Kendra Founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, addressed the programme.

After the meeting, several hundred leaders and activists of Oikyafront, led by Dr Kamal, took out the rally wearing black badges and holding black flags from the Jatiya Press Club area towards the Central Shaheed Minar.

However, police foiled the rally brought out by the alliance protesting the killing of Abrar Fahad.

Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNB) - President Abdul Hamid on Sunday urged public representatives, government employees and all concerned to perform their duties with honesty.

“Perform your duties properly from your respective assigned places. If you don’t have the mentality to work in remote haor areas, your better quit your jobs,” he said at a public meeting organised by Nagorik Committee of Itna upazilla on the Rashtrapati Abdul Hamid Government College premises.

The President expressed concerns and noted that the haor region still remains backward in terms of quality of education. 

Education does not mean passing SSC, HSC or Honours levels, he said, advising students to learn properly to get good jobs and prepare themselves for global competitions.

The President, on a weeklong visit to his native district Kishoreganj, called upon all political leaders, social and cultural organisations to work together to expedite ongoing development works.

He stressed proper maintenance of all development works and urged public representatives, distinguished personalities and local administration to remain alert.

President Hamid dubbed the connecting roads “a greater opportunity” for the haor region. He said with fair and proper management of all these development projects, these areas could be turned into tourist spots, which in turn, will help change this region.

He urged everyone, irrespective of their party affiliations, to work together to ensure sustainable development.

President Hamid, a seasoned politician himself, advised the public representatives to behave well with the people.

“If you behave in the same manner before and after the election, it’ll make the people happy. This type of behaviour will also help deepen your relations with the mass people,” he said.

“Listen to them as much as possible,” he told the public representatives.

Earlier, the President laid the foundation stone of Rashida Khanom girls' hostel of Rashtrapati Abdul Hamid Government College.

He also laid the foundation of stone of a bridge named after him on the Itna-Jaorhat-Hijoljani road.

Member of Parliament of Kishoreganj-4 Rezwan Ahamed Taufiq, chairman of zilla parishad of Kishorgang and the upazila chairman spoke as special guests. Secretaries concerned to the President and senior officials of the local administration were also present there.
 

Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNB) – Elections to two dozens of local bodies, including eight upazila parishads, two municipalities and 14 union parishads, will be held in different districts on Monday.

The Election Commission has completed its preparations to arrange the balloting from 9am to 5pm without any break, said EC Deputy Secretary Atiar Rahman.

Out of the eight upazilas, he said, electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead of traditional ballot papers will be used in four upazilas ---Chapainawabganj Sadar, Mehendiganj in Barishal, Maheshpur in Jhenaidah and Kabirhat in Noakhali.

EVMs will also be used in a ward of each two municipalities and three union parishads.

The remaining four upazilas where elections will be held are Sherpur Sadar, Atpara in Netrakona, Kotchandpur in Jhenaidah, Satkania in Chattogram.

The two municipalities are Nabinagar in Brahmanbaria and Lalmohan in Bhola, while the 14 union parishads include four at Bagha upazila in Rajshahi, three at Naikhongchhari in Bandarban, two at Shahjadpur in Sirajganj, two at Daganbhuiyan in Feni, one each at Rupganj in Narayanganj, Jagannathpur in Sunamganj and Boalkhali in Chattogram.  

Besides, by-polls to some 80 vacant posts of different local government bodies will be held on Monday.

On September 3 last, the EC announced the schedules for the elections and by-elections of the local bodies.

Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNB) – Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Sunday joined the 141st assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Belgrade, the capital of the southeast European country of Serbia.

She attended the Forum on Women Parliamentarians held as part of the assembly at Sava Centre there, said a handout.

Dr Shirin is leading a four-member delegation of Bangladesh Parliament at the function.

The other delegates are Habibe Millat MP, Suborna Mustafa, MP and Shabnam Jahan, MP.

Habibe Millat presented a paper titled ‘Achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030: the Role of Parliament in Ensuring the Rights of Health’ at the meeting.

The five-day assembly of the IPU, a global inter-parliamentary institution established in 1889, began on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dr Shirin had a meeting with Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on the sidelines of the assembly at the Sava Centre in Belgrade, said another handout.

During the meeting, different bilateral issues of mutual interests, parliamentary practices, development of Bangladesh, bilateral trade and celebration of the Mujib Barsha (Mujib Year 2020-2021) came up for discussions.

Recalling the contribution of India to gaining the independence of Bangladesh, Dr Shirin expressed firm views to extend support to India in the IPU and CPU forums.

Noting the Mujib Barsha will be celebrated in a magnificent way, Dr Shirin invited the Indian Speaker to visit Bangladesh for joining the gala celebration.

In response, Om Birla thanked her for invitation and hinted that he would join the celebration.  

Om Birla said the exchange of parliamentarians between the two neighbouring countries will add a new dimension to parliamentary practices of India and Bangladesh.

Dhaka, Oct 13 (UNB) – Senior Secretary of Bridges Division Khandakar Anowarul Islam was appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary on Sunday.

The Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette in this regard saying the order will be effective immediately.

Outgoing Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam was contractually appointed as Alternate Executive Director at World Bank’s headquarters for three years, said a separate gazette of the ministry.  

He will take charge on November 1, it added.