BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the government has no ‘roadmap’ and ‘planning’ for the proper distribution of coronavirus vaccine.

“There’s no roadmap or planning for making the vaccine available for common people. They (govt) are saying 20 lakh (doses of) vaccine will come first, but we don't know who’ll get these doses,” he said.

Also read: Common people unlikely to get vaccine, says Fakhrul

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said, “We also don't know who’ll get 50 lakh doses that may come every month. There’s no guarantee that we the ordinary people will ever get the vaccine.”

Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme at Supreme Court Bar Auditorium, marking the 85th birth anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.

Twenty lakh doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine developed by the Serum Institute are scheduled to reach the country on Thursday as a token gift from the Indian government.

Fakhrul alleged that Awami League leaders had indulged in widespread plundering and corruption during 1972-75 as they are doing the same now.

Also read: ‘Stage set for plundering’ over vaccine, alleges BNP

Vexed at the serious plundering at that time, he recalled that Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani called Bangladesh Awami League “Nikhil Bangladesh Lootpat Samiti”. “And now Awami League has become an association for plundering.”

He alleged that Awami League leaders and activists are indulging in looting and corruption over the coronavirus at this bad time of the country. “Initially, they looted public money in the name of corona tests by Regent Hospital and JKG.”

The BNP leader accused the government of indulging in corruption over the procurement of the life-saving corona vaccine from India through Beximco Pharmaceuticals. “They’re buying this vaccine from India at a much higher price.”

He said, “Awami League's success in the 50 years of independence is that it has snatched all the rights of people by literally enchaining them.”

Under the current circumstances of the country, Fakhrul called upon all the political parties to get united and make efforts to unite people breaking their silence. “Let’s get united and establish a true democratic governing system by removing the current awful monstrous regime.”

He alleged that the government jailed BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia as she was working for democracy and implementing the ideal and the 19-point programme of Ziaur Rahman.

Also read: ‘Middlemen hired’ for vaccine import to indulge in graft: Fakhrul

Fakhrul said the current Awami League government has been trying to remove the name of BNP founder Zia from everywhere out of jealousy.

“They’ve removed his name from the airport, different universities, colleges, and other establishments. But they can’t remove his name from the country as his name is there in the hearts of people and it’s not possible to erase it,” he observed.

He said the current government “cannot tolerate Zia and as he succeeded where Awami League had failed”.

The BNP leader said Awami League destroyed democracy and snatched people’s all the rights by introducing one-party  Baksal rule through changing 1972 constitution while Zia introduced multi-party democracy and restored people’s rights.

He said Zia took the country forward overcoming all adversities and obstacles by uniting and inspiring people.

Fakhrul urged his party colleagues to follow the ideals and directives of Zia to overcome the current adverse situation by uniting and inspiring people.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged his party colleagues to work for uniting the nation and all political parties to ‘restore’ democracy and build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

“We’re going through a tough time due to the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic and a plot by the current ‘fascist’ regime to destroy all the achievements of the nation. We must put up a resistance against it and overcome the current adverse situation through forging national unity,” he said.

Speaking at a virtual discussion, he also called upon all, irrespective of their political identities and opinions, to get united for the sake of democracy and betterment of the nation.

BNP arranged the discussion, marking the 85th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.

Describing Zia as the 'bright star' of multi-party democracy, Fakhrul urged BNP leaders and activists to move forward following the ideal and directives of their party founder.

Also read: Zia's 85th birth anniversary observed

“Ziaur Rahman is always a glittering star for us to follow and move forward in ensuring people’s freedom, press freedom, introducing multi-party democracy and removing one-party Baksal rule. The observance of Zia’s birthday will be successful if we can follow the way he showed us,” he said.

Fakhrul said Zia also showed the nation how to overcome an adverse situation like 1975 one and build the nation.  “We’ll be able to restore democracy, free Khaleda Zia and build a happy prosperous, democratic and enlightened Bangladesh by following his directives.” 

BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Awami League is distorting history and carrying out false campaigns to belittle Zia out of jealousy.

"Ziaur Rahman succeeded in all the areas, including declaring the independence and building the nation, where Awami League had failed. That’s why they’re afraid of Ziaur Rahman, his family and BNP established by him,” he observed.

Mosharraf said Zia introduced multi-party democracy and his wife Khaleda Zia restored it through a long-struggle in the 90s while Awami League repeatedly destroyed democracy.

He alleged that the ruling party hatched various plots to destroy, divide and weaken BNP, but failed as it is the party of mass people.

Also read: BNP pays homage to Zia on 85th birth anniversary

The BNP leader said their party will try to present the true history of the Liberation War before the new generation by observing the Golden Jubilee of Independence with various programmes throughout the year.

Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh President.  Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

BNP and its associate bodies on Tuesday observed the 85th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman taking a fresh vow to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.

BNP leaders and activists, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia’s Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11am.

Later, they offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia.

Leaders and activists of BNP’s different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia’s grave.

Talking to reporters after placing wreaths, Fakhrul recalled Zia’s contributions to Bangladesh Liberation War and building the nation.

Also read: BNP pays homage to Zia on 85th birth anniversary

He alleged that the current government is repressing BNP leaders and activists by snatching democracy.

Fakhrul said false cases have been filed against around 35 lakh BNP leaders and activists while many of them were killed, made disappeared and repressed.

“Today we took a fresh vow to get rid of such a situation. We must restore democracy and free our leader Khaleda Zia from jail,” he said.

To mark the day, the party flag was hoisted atop all of its offices across the country in the morning.

Also read: BNP pays homage to Zia on founding anniversary

The party arranged a free medical camp at its Nayapaltan central office from 10am to 2pm.

BNP arranged a virtual discussion on Zi’s life and work in the afternoon, in observance of the day.

BNP’s district, city, upazila and thana units also celebrated the birth anniversary with various programmes.

Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal will organise a discussion on Zia on Wednesday afternoon at the Supreme Court Bar auditorium to mark the day.

Also read: BNP protests renaming of ‘Mughaltuli Shaheed Zia School’

Besides, Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will arrange a free healthcare camp at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office in the morning on the occasion.

Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh President.  Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

The fifth phase polls to 31 municipalities will be held on February 28 as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday.

Feb 2 is the deadline for submission of nomination papers, said EC’s Joint Secretary (Public Relations) SM Asaduzzaman.

According to the schedule, the date for scrutiny of nomination papers is February 4, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 11.

Also Read: Voting underway in 1st phase municipality elections

Municipalities that are scheduled to go to polls in this phase include Haragach in Ranpur, Charghat and Durgapur in Rajshahi, Nachole in Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Bogura, Kaliganj and Maheshpur in Jhenaidah, Jashore and Keshabpur in Jashore, Bhola and Charfesson in Bhola, Madaripur and Shibchar in Madaripur, Nandail in Mymensingh, Dewanganj, Jamalpur, Islampur and Madarganj in Jamalpur.

Also Read: HC stays Faridpur municipality polls

The rest are – Singair in Manikganj, Kaliganj in Gazipur, Bhairab in Kishoreganj, Habiganj, Brahmanbaria, Matlab and Shahrasti in Chandpur, Raipur in Lakshmipur, Mirsarai, Baraiyarhat, Raozan and Rangunia in Chattogram.

In the first phase, election to 24 municipalities was held on December 28 and the second phase polls to 60 municipalities took place on January 16.

Also Read: Sirajganj municipality polls: Councillor-elect killed

The third phase polls to 64 municipalities will be held on January 30 and the fourth phase election to 56 municipalities will take place on February 14.

BNP on Tuesday paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of his 85th birth anniversary.

BNP leaders and activists, led by its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia’s Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11am.

Later, they offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia.

Also Read: Zia’s 85th birth anniversary Tuesday

BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and Selima Rahman, vice-chairman Shahjahan Omar, joint secretaries general Mahbubuddin Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and organising secretary Fazlul Haq Milon were, among others, present there.

Leaders and activists of BNP’s different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia’s grave.

Also Read:BNP’s programmes to observe Zia's birth anniv

Talking to reporters after placing wreaths, Fakhrul recalled Zia’s contributions to the country’s Liberation War and building the nation.

He alleged that the current government is repressing BNP leaders and activists by snatching democracy.

Fakhrul said false cases have been filed against around 35 lakh BNP leaders and activists while many of them were killed, made disappeared and repressed.

Also Read: BNP pays homage to Zia on founding anniversary

“We’ve taken a fresh vow today to get rid of such a situation. We must restore democracy and free our leader Khaleda Zia from jail,” he said.

Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh President. Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.

Also Read: BNP observes party founder Zia’s death anniversary

To mark the day, the party hosted its flag atop all of its offices across the country in the morning.

The party arranged a free medical camp at the party’s Nayapaltan central office from 10am to 2pm.

BNP is scheduled to arrange a virtual discussion on Zi’s life and work in the afternoon, in observance of the day.

Also Read:BNP pays homage to Zia on founding anniversary

Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal will organise a discussion on Zia on Wednesday afternoon at the Supreme Court Bar auditorium.

BNP’s district, city, upazila and thana units are celebrating the birth anniversary with various programmes.