Politics
Terrorism, fraud, anti-national propaganda key elements of BNP's politics: FM
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday said terrorism, killings, fraud, anti-national propaganda are main elements that go with BNP’s politics.
He referred to the fact that the BNP had also come up with a fake adviser to the US President as part of its dependency on fraud.
The Awami League joint general secretary said it was seen that he could not speak anything but English, then it was seen that he was fluently speaking Bangla. “You remember that the BNP forged the signatures of Congressmen and released a fake audio claiming to have spoken to Indian Minister Amit Shah.”
The foreign minister was speaking as the chief guest at the discussion and distribution of winter clothes organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League to commemorate the Lalbagh 7 murders in 1994.
Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League President freedom fighter Abu Ahmed Mannafi presided over the meeting.
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Fazle Noor Tapas spoke as special guest at the discussion moderated by unit general secretary Humayun Kabir.
Hasan said actually, BNP-Jamaat is an alliance of murderers and they do the politics of killing.
The minister said that the BNP did not participate in the election knowing their certain defeat and they tried many times to question the election but could not.
He said the BNP-Jamaat wrote letters to foreigners not to legitimize the election and the government “But all countries in the world have expressed their willingness to work with the newly elected government.”
The foreign minister said many heads of state, heads of government have sent congratulatory messages to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 80 diplomats including the ambassadors of the United States, United Kingdom, EU, France, Germany, China, India, Russia were present to listen to the President's speech in the first session of the 12th National Parliament on Tuesday.
Bangladesh has dropped two notches in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023.
“It is now necessary to examine whether there is any corruption within the TIB (Transparency International Bangladesh). The government cannot be undermined by a one-sided report,” said the foreign minister.
He said there are some organizations in Bangladesh which work to serve others’ purposes. “They work in line with the prescriptions of those from where they get funds. But the presence of such organizations is good so that civil society organizations can highlight the mistakes of the government.”
But when, he added, such an organization acts as one-eyed, and talks like BNP being motivated and when the language of Rizvi Ahmed's (BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed) and TIB coincide, one realizes that there is "something fishy.”
Programmes on streets without permission won’t be allowed: Quader
The government will not allow freestyle political programmes on the streets without permission, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Wednesday.
"BNP’s black-flag procession is illegal. There is no reason to think that they (BNP) will protest on the streets without taking permission and we will accept it," he warned.
Obaidul, also Awami League general secretary, was talking at a press briefing at the AL President's office in Dhanmondi this afternoon.
BNP and Jamaat still haven’t uttered a single word against genocide in Palestine: Foreign Minister
Earlier, police did not allow the BNP to take out processions at seven points of the capital on Tuesday, the day of the 12th parliament went into its maiden session, citing a lack of permission for the street programme.
The BNP and like-minded opposition parties were supposed to take out processions holding black flags across the country, including in the capital on Tuesday demanding a fresh election under a non-party government.
No one can oust constitutionally elected government: Quader
The AL general secretary said no one termed the 12th parliamentary election flawed, not even the United States.
After the results of the election, US Ambassador Peter Haas congratulated the Prime Minister and met with some ministers including the Foreign Minister.
Regarding price control of essentials, he said, the Prime Minister has given the necessary instructions to the ministries concerned and they have already started to work.
“The situation will not change overnight. The government is not just talking but it is in action,” he added.
“Stern action would be taken against the illegal hoarders and law violators,” the minister warned.
BNP can contest polls again after 5 years: Hasan Mahmud
Regarding the nomination of the Awami League for reserved women seats, the general secretary of the party said that Awami League will give importance and priority to those who have been tested and sacrificed for the party.
Among others, Awami League organizing secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Mirza Azam, Sujit Roy Nandi, and office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua were present at that time.
Can the new Parliament perform its role perfectly, wonders GM Quader
Leader of the opposition GM Quader on Tuesday said that he has doubts about how the 12th Parliament will be able to perform its duties perfectly.
He said 75 percent of the seats in this parliament belong to the ruling party, while the independent MPs – mostly linked to Awami League – comprises 21 percent.
GM Quader made opposition leader in JS, Anisul Islam deputy
The opposition accounts for only 3-4 percent of the seats and so “It will be tough to find the whole nation reflected in this parliament. This parliament will not be able to perform its duties perfectly,” he feared.
The opposition leader made the comments this while participating in a discussion to thank Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the newly elected speaker of the House.
Raushan fires GM Quader as JP Chairman, takes over the party’s mantle
GM Quader described his experience as a Member of Parliament since 1996 and expressed hope that the speaker would play a neutral role in conducting the businesses of the House.
On the question of the speaker's responsibility, he said that even though she was a speaker with party loyalty, she tried to play her role impartially.
Jatiya Party a victim of conspiracies for a long time: GM Quader
“I expect you to maintain that impartiality,” he said.
Referring to the Treasury bench on the right side of the speaker and the seats of the Opposition party on the left side, GM Quader said they wanted to see the both sides having equal numbers.
He said that one is the government party, the other is the Opposition.
Referring to the results of the January 7 national election, the leader of the opposition said that the national parliament is a meeting place for all parties.
Referring to the colour of national flag red and green, GM Quader said that, it is not only red not green. If the government party is called red, then this parliament is completely red.
“The green is just a splash. It will be difficult to find the picture of the whole nation in this parliament. How far the present parliament will be able to represent the nation is a matter of apprehension,” he said.
He mentioned that if the gap between the activities of the two parts can be reduced, the parliament will be considered effective.
“This apprehension is not unrealistic,” said GM Quader, the leader of Jatiya Party which won only 11 seats in this month’s election. The opposition to the government can or will play a more active role, he said.
He placed some suggestions to make the parliament more effective.
He hoped that the speaker will give opportunity to the opposition members in the House to express their opinion.
“We will continue our efforts to reduce the imbalance in parliament. So we expect cooperation from the speaker,” he added.
BNP's black-flag processions foiled in capital amid police obstructions
The police did not allow the BNP to take out processions at seven points of the capital on Tuesday, the day of the 12th parliament went into its maiden session, citing a lack of permission for the street programme.
The BNP and like-minded opposition parties were supposed to take out processions holding black flags across the country, including in the capital today (Tuesday) demanding a fresh election under a non-party government.
In the capital, BNP’s Dhaka south city unit was scheduled to bring out the black-flag processions in front of Pirjungi Mazar, Jatrabari’s Kadamtoli Bus Station, New Market and Dayaganj intersection while the Dhaka north city unit in front of Suvastu Nazar Valley Shopping Mall at Shahjadpur, Uttara Section-12 Graveyard and near a mosque at Mirpur-6, also to demand the cancellation of the ‘illegal dummy’ parliament.
BNP leaders and activists started gathering the seven spots with black flags to hold their programmes, but police obstructed them from taking out processions saying that the party did not get permission for the programme from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities.
Meanwhile, police picked up BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan as he went to near a graveyard of Uttara-12 in the capital around 2 pm to join BNP’s black-flag g procession.
A group of police obstructed Dr Moyeen as he was addressing the gathering and took him to a police van.
Later, the BNP leader was released and allowed to go to his Gulshan residence riding his vehicle.
Md Shahjahan, deputy commissioner of Uttara Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said “Moyeen Khan was neither arrested nor detained. We asked him to wait.”
“We also asked him to refrain from joining the black-flag procession,” he said.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)'s Uttara Zone's additional deputy commissioner (ADC) Mirza Salahuddin said the party tried to hold a programme without any permission.
He said the BNP sought permission from the DMP to hold the programme but the party was not permitted in a b bid to maintain law and order in the city. “That is why we didn’t allow them to hold the programme."
He said they also picked up 8 to 10 people from the spot for questioning.
Besides, police also foiled BNP’s processions in other areas of the capital and detained some BNP leaders and activists.
BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy went to Pirjungi Mazar in the capital’s Motijheel area around 2:20pm but failed to take out the procession.
Talking to reporters, he said holding rallies and processions is a democratic and constitutional right of the political parties.
“We sent a letter to the DMP police commissioner informing them about our plans to peacefully bring out processions at 7 places in the capital. But the police obstructed us everywhere. We strongly condemn and protest this action of the police.”
He said the government is arresting BNP leaders and workers and not allowing them to hold a peaceful programme without any justified reason.
The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists were staying around the procession venues in a scattered way to hold the programme amid the presence of police. “But tt’s not our intention to be involved in conflict and clash with the police.”
At one stage, Gayeshwar left the area in his vehicle as the party’s programme was foiled.
Office-in-charge (OC) of Motijheel Police Station Abul Kalam Azad said BNP did not get permission to hold the programme."
Only shameless persons can sit in 12th parliament: Gayeshwar
BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said only the shameless persons can join the maiden session of the 12 parliament formed through a ‘dummy’ election on January 7.
“The Parliament formed through the dummy election will start its journey at 3pm today amid people’s protest, resentment and condemnation,” he said.
Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader also said people from all strata including the professionals and leaders and activists of different political parties have taken to the streets since morning some with red flags and some with black flags to register their protest against the maiden parliament session.
Read: Maiden JS session: Speaker nominates 5-member panel of chairmen
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said, “Are people celebrating the opening of the parliament? They are condemning and expressing their anger and hatred.”
In this circumstance, he said, “Only those who have no shame and self-esteem can join the session of such a parliament.”
Bangladesh Smmalita Peshajibi Parishad, a platform of pro-BNP professionals, arranged the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament, the release of Khaleda Zia and all state prisoners and protesting the price hikes in essential commodities.
Gayeshwar said their party will continue their movement against the current government peacefully to force it to quit and hold a fresh election.
"Our movement is ongoing. We did not back off from our struggle, but we need to change the strategy of our agitation in different contexts…many people suggested we enforce a hartal today (Tuesday30, the day of the first session of the 12th Parliament)…BNP did not announce such programme (for a strategic reason),” he said.
The BNP leader said their party has long been carrying out its movement for the restoration of democracy in a peaceful and democratic manner.
Read: Oath-taking ceremony of members of the 12th Parliament to be held tomorrow
“We couldn’t break (AL’) record of 173 days of strikes during the rule of this government… We can't yet set a precedent of striping a pedestrian and we can't yet kill people with logi-baitha (sticks-oars),” he said.
Gayeshwar expressed hope the current government will be ousted by strengthening the unity of the opposition political parties.
The BNP leader said it is their democratic right to register protest against the government on the streets. “You (govt) won’t be able to subdue people by using the police and state machinery.”
BNP leader Moyeen Khan picked up; released after several hours
Hours after picked up by police, BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan was released on Tuesday afternoon.
Md Shahjahan, deputy commissioner of Uttara Division of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said “Moyeen Khan was neither arrested nor detained. We asked him to wait.”
“We also asked him to refrain from joining black flag procession,” he said.
Read: BNP holds protests to denounce 12th national election in Dhaka
Earlier, Moyeen Khan was picked up by police from near a graveyard of Uttara-12 in the capital on Tuesday from their ongoing processions with black flags, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
Later he was taken to the police station.
Earlier in the day, BNP brought out a procession with black flags in the capital demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliament and protesting the growing price hikes in essential commodities.
BNP and Jamaat still haven’t uttered a single word against genocide in Palestine: Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said BNP and Jamaat still have not uttered a single word against the genocide in Palestine.
“Those who remain silent against genocide for their own interests will never be able to safeguard the country,” he said.
“Even in the past, when BNP was in power, we, as the opposition party in the parliament, condemned the genocide and atrocities in Palestine. The Speaker and the leaders in the parliament did not accept it,” he added.
Hasan was speaking at the seminar titled “Stop Genocide in Palestine, Solidarity from Bangladesh,” organized at Diploma Engineers Institution Milonayoton at Kakrail in capital, on Monday evening.
Emphasizing unity and commitment with the Palestinian people, Hasan Mahmud said, “Certainly, Palestine will triumph, and Bangladesh, its people, government, and our party are with Palestine and will remain so.”
Chaired by Bangladesh Peace Council President Mozaffar Hossain, the seminar was addressed by Palestine Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef Ramadan as the special guest.
The ambassador expressed his unwavering gratitude to the people and government of Bangladesh for their continued full support and assistance to Palestine. "To counter propaganda from the Western world, writing the Gaza Strip as 'occupied Gaza' and the Israeli army as 'invading Israeli forces' will reveal the truth," he said.
BNP forms committee to investigate incidents of post-election persecution against religious minorities
BNP has formed a committee to investigate the incidents of persecution of religious minorities across the country after the lopsided election held on January 7.
Party vice-chairman Advocate Netai Roy Chowdhury has been made the convenor of the 11-member committee, said a party press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday.
Other members of the committee are Prof. Sukomal Barua, Bijan Kanti Sarker, Ruhul Quddus Kajal, Amlendu Das Apu, Jayant Kumar Kunda, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Ramesh Dutta, Albert de Costa, SN Tarun Dey and Partha Dev Mondal.
The press release said people of religious minorities were subjected to extensive attacks by the ruling party ‘cadres’ after the ‘farcical’ national election held on January 7.
“They (members of religious minority communities, were subjected to brutal persecution. Awami cadres indulged in bloodshed in many parts of the country,” it said.
In the circumstances, the press release said BNP formed a probe team to conduct an on-the-ground investigation into the incidents of different persecution like the attacking and vandalising of the houses of the religious minorities, injuring them, looting their valuables and threatening them to leave their areas following the “so-called dummy” election.
The investigation committee has been asked to submit the report to the party central office within the next 10 days.
Black flag processions from BNP to mark opening of 12th Jatiya Sangshad
The BNP and like-minded opposition parties are set to take out processions holding black flags across the country, including in the capital on Tuesday, the first day the 12th parliament goes into session, demanding a fresh election under a non-party government.
The programme will be observed in all metropolitan cities, districts, upazilas, thanans and municipalities also to demand the cancellation of the ‘illegal dummy’ parliament.
BNP holds protests to denounce 12th national election in Dhaka
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said their party’s all units have made all necessary preparations to observe the programme simultaneously.
He called upon people from all walks of life to make the programme a success with their spontaneous participation.
In the capital, BNP’s Dhaka south city unit will bring out the black-flag processions in front of Pirjungi Mazar, Jatrabari’s Kadamtoli Bus Station, New Market and Dayaganj intersection while the Dhaka north city unit in front of Suvastu Nazar Valley Shopping Mall at Shahjadpur, Uttara Section-12 Graveyard and near a mosque at Mirpur-6.
BNP demands UN-led investigation into Raisuddin's killing by BSF
Members of the party's standing committee, vice chairman and advisory council will lead these processions.
Apart from BNP, Ganatantra Mancha, 12-Party Alliance, Jatiyatabadi Samamona Jote, Gono Odhikar Parishad, LDP, Labour Party, Ganatantrik Bam Oikya, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonoforum and People’s Party and AB Party will also take out black-flag processions separately in different areas of the capital.
This will be the BNP's second street programme after the 12th parliamentary election held on January 7.
BNP to mark opening of parliament with black-flag procession
The 12th parliament is set to go into its maiden session on Tuesday. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will address the first session of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) starting at 3:00pm.
No one can oust constitutionally elected government: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that no one has the power to topple the constitutionally elected government.
"BNP is once again sounding terrorism and violence in the name of the black flag procession. But no one has the power to overthrow the constitutionally elected government," he said.
In a press conference at the party president's Dhanmondi political office in the capital on Monday, he said the BNP has to pay for the mistake it made by not coming to the election.
Obaidul Quader said that the 12th National Parliament is going to start its journey tomorrow following the Constitution and the procedure of the National Parliament.
"Denying an undemocratic call, the people elected Awami League with a huge margin, marking the new victory of democracy in the country," he said. He also thanked people for their massive support.
The party leader said that Awami League, which believes in democracy, will deal with political issues on the streets. And no evil force will be tolerated for the sake of the country's interest, he added.
He said the BNP tried to mislead the nation by bypassing the true history of the liberation war and spreading false information after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but its ill attempt was not successful.The AL leader said the history of the Liberation War and the name of Bangabandhu are being lauded at home and abroad with respect.Pointing out to BNP Standing Committee member Moyeen Khan, Quader said killing Bangabandhu and four national leaders in 1975 and carrying out a grenade attack on AL President Sheikh Hasina on August 21, 2004, BNP has proved that it is a party of anti-liberation forces - Razakar and Al Badr.Moyeen Khan should seek an apology to the nation for his hate speech, he added.
Regarding the price hike of daily essentials, the minister said now the government's priority is to check the price hike of essential goods and control the market.Replying to a question, he said the government will take harsher steps, if necessary, to this end."Threatening verbally will not always help to resolve the problem. We have to go for positive action. Positive action should be taken against those responsible for this," he said.Among others, AL organising secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Mirza Azam and Sujit Roy Nandi, its cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, health affairs secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan, were present.