Politics
BNP pays tribute to Shah Moazzem
BNP on Thursday paid its last respects to the party's vice-chairman and former deputy prime minister Shah Moazzem Hossain by placing wreaths on his coffin.
Moazzem’s coffin was taken to BNP's Nayapaltan central office around 11:30 am and kept on a stage, enabling party leaders and activists to have a last glimpse of the deceased, who passed away on Wednesday night.
On behalf of BNP, its standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Nazrul Islam Khan, placed wreaths on the coffin of the veteran leader and draped it with a party flag as a mark of respect.
Earlier, his first Namaz-e-janaza was held in front of the BNP office participated by several hundred party leaders and activists.
In a brief address prior to the janaza, Khandaker Mosharraf recalled Shah Moazzem’s role in different movements and in the country’s Liberation War. “We really need a fearless leader like Shah Moazzem as we’re on a movement for the restoration of democracy. But he has left us for eternity."
He said they will keep Moazzem alive among people by carrying out a successful movement following the history of the movements and struggles throughout his life.
Read: BNP Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain passes away
"I pay homage to the memory of the deceased and pray for the salvation of his departed soul . I also convey my sympathy to the bereaved family members,” Mosharraf said.
After the janaza, Moazzem’s body was taken to Munshiganj’s Sri Nagar where his second janaza will be held.
He will be buried at Banani graveyard in the capital after his third and final janaza on the premises of Azad Mosque in Gulshan in the capital.
Shah Moazzem passed on Wednesday night at his Gulshan residence at the age of 83.
BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed shock at the death.
Boron on January 10, 1939, at Dogachi village in Munshiganj, Shah Moazzem Hossain was active in politics from his student life. He spent almost 18 years in jail between 1952 and 1970 due to his participation in the Language Movement and different other struggles for the liberation of the country.
He served as the Chief Whip of the first parliament of independent Bangladesh and later joined the cabinet of Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed as a minister in 1975.
Later, he joined Jatiya Party during the rule of HM Ershad and was made the secretary general of the party and a deputy prime minister of the country.
Moazzem joined BNP in 2006 and served the party until his death.
Over 100 injured in AL-BNP clash in Mirpur
At least 100 BNP activists were injured during a series of clashes with ruling Awami League rivals onThursday at capital’s Mirpur area over holding a scheduled rally, said the opposition party.
“We took permission from police to hold the rally and accordingly asked our activists to join. As our leaders, activists were coming with a procession, activists of AL, Jubo League, and Bangladesh Chaatra League (BCL) attacked them with sticks, rods,” said Aminul Haque, member secretary of Dhaka North unit of BNP.
Police also lobbed tear shells at BNP activists, he said. “At least 100 of our activists were injured and 15 were held by police,” said the BNP leader.
Such an attack on a protest rally against price hikes of essentials proves that the government wants to prevent democratic rights in a fascist style, said Aminul.
Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, president of Dhaka metropolitan north Awami League said a party rally was scheduled there. But BNP also announced a rally later at the same place.
He said AL activists were directed to avoid confrontation considering the rallies called by the parties at the same place and same time, “But some overexcited people got involved in a clash,”.
The trouble started around 2pm as the ruling party activists reportedly barred their BNP rivals from going to their scheduled rally venue in Mukul Fouz field at Mirpur Section No-6, according to witnesses..
Read: AL-BNP clash leaves 20 injured in Feni
Witnesses said the clash occurred around the Mukul Fouz field as the BNP activists tried to resist the ruling party rivals.
At one stage, police rushed to the spot and lobbed teargas shells to bring the situation under control.
However, sporadic clashes continued at different lanes in the area till 3:15pm.
Iqbal Hossain, former joint general secretary of Dhaka north city unit of BNP said the ruling party activists vandalised their makeshift stage of the rally and took a position in the venue in a bid to foil the programme.
Officer-in-Charge of Pallabi police station, Parvez said the agitation started after activists of both the parties were moving toward the rally spot.
“The situation is under control now and the BNP activist could not hold a rally after the clash. They left the spot,” said OC Parvez.
Contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Pallabi Zone Arif Hossain said that clashes took place centering the BNP's rally. He, however, denied the attack on the rally by the ruling party activists. “ What they (BNP men) are telling is absolutely false”, he said.
Several police members were injured when they tried to disperse the agitators. At one point, when the BNP activists attacked the police, they first fired teargas shells.
Then several rounds of rubber bullets were fired to deal with the situation, the ADC (Pallabi Zone) added.
Earlier on September 10, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 16 spots under its Dhaka south and north city units until September 27 in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares.
The rallies are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the killings of Bhola Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Narayanganj Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan.
The party has so far held four rallies.
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BNP Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain passes away
BNP Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain passed away on Wednesday night. He was 83.
The veteran politician breathed his last at around 9:30pm at his Gulshan residence, said BNP medical cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.
The BNP leader had long been suffering health problems from old age, he added.
Shah Moazzem left behind a son and a daughter.
Read: Momen mourns Akbar Ali Khan's death
Born on January 10, 1939, at Dogachi village in Munshiganj, Moazzem was active in politics since his student life.
He actively participated in the Language Movement in 1952, the Six-point Movement in 1966 and the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
He served as the chief whip of the first parliament of independent Bangladesh under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
After the assassination of Bangabandhu, Moazzem joined the cabinet of Khandaker Mushtaque Ahmed as a minister.
Later, he joined Jatiya Party during the rule of HM Ershad and was made the secretary general of the party and a deputy prime minister.
As Ershad expelled him from Jatiya Party in 1992, Moazzem later joined Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
His first namaz-e-janaza will be held in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
Later, his body will be brought to Munshiganj's Sreenagar where his second janaza will be held after Zuhr prayers.
Moazzem will finally be buried at Banani graveyard in the capital.
EC's roadmap for next polls just a plot to prolong AL’s stay in power: BNP
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Wednesday said the roadmap announced by the Election Commission (EC) for the next general election is nothing but a 'conspiracy’ to prolong the stay of the Awami League government in power.
"The current illegal Election Commission is trying to keep Awami League in power. The EC announced a roadmap as it’s a broker group (of Awami League).”
Speaking at a doa-mahfil-cum discussion meeting, the BNP leader said Bangladesh is not a paternal property of the EC that the election will be held as per its roadmap without the participation of the opposition parties. “We, the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh, won’t sit idle sucking our fingers.”
Read:Next national election by Jan 29, 2024; EVMs to be used in 150 constituencies
Sammilita Chhatra O Jubo Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club seeking early recovery of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and party’s organising secretary Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu.
Earlier in the day, the EC unveiled a roadmap for the 12th parliament election at a function at the auditorium of the Nirbachan Bhaban.
As per the roadmap, the general election will be held by January 29, 2024, using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300 across the country.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, said the current EC does not want democracy as it is playing a subservient role by selling itself into slavery of the Awami League. “They're feet-licking dogs of foreign masters.”
He also said their party is least bothered about the activities of the current EC and they are not interested in making comments about the commission. “Where we don't accept this government, why do we accept this EC?"
The BNP leader said the country’s people will not accept any election under the ‘illegal’ regime of the Awami League. “No election will also be held under this EC. If they (EC) try, it will be resisted.”
Read:Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul
He said their party’s now main goal is to topple the current government and restore democracy in the country. "Not only BNP but also now the people of entire Bangladesh have got united. We'll launch a united and simultaneous movement.”
The BNP leader called upon people from all walks of life to make all-out preparations to put up a strong resistance against the current government and the Election Commission.
Next national election by Jan 29, 2024; EVMs to be used in 150 constituencies
The next general election in Bangladesh will be held by January 29, 2024 with the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 150 constituencies out of 300, according to a roadmap published by the Election Commission.
“Seventeen out of 29 parties who participated in the recent dialogue gave positive opinion on the use of EVMs while 12 rejected use of EVM. The Election Commission thinks that it will not be rational to use EVMs as most of the political parties want. Use of EVMs in 150 constituencies will be rational for balancing the opinions of all parties,” Election Commissioner Md Ahsan Habib, gave the keynote speech as chief guest in the absence of the CEC.
Read:AL hails EC decision to use EVMs in 150 JS seats in next polls
EC also said the election has to be held by January 24, 2024 as per the constitution.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal could not attend the event due to illness, but four other Election Commissioners along with senior EC officials were present.
The Election Commission (EC) published the roadmap for the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections.
Read: EVMs to be used in maximum 150 constituencies in next national polls: EC
This was revealed at a function held at the auditorium of the Election Commission building on Wednesday.
The action plan mentions the challenges to holding fair elections, what the EC should do to deal with them, review the activities of the parties, increasing the use of election technology etc.
The EC said that no one has been able to provide proof of EVM rigging in all the elections that have taken place so far.
Read BNP turns down EC’s move to use EVMs up to 150 seats
Setting parliamentary constituency boundaries
The roadmap says that a new policy will be made in January 2023 to redefine the boundaries of the parliamentary seats. On the basis of which the Geographical Information System will be discussed with the relevant institutions and experts, and the draft of the constituencies will be published in March 2023. The revised delimitation of 300 constituencies will be gazetted in June after objections to the draft were settled in May.
Voter list
The action plan informs that updates are currently in progress. The updated list will be released on March 2, 2023. With the announcement of the parliamentary election schedule, the voter list of 300 constituencies will be published.
Read Election to 61 district councils (Zila Parishads) on October 17
Polling stations
EC plans to set up 42,000 polling stations. In this case, the work will be undertaken in June 2023. The draft will be published in July, and the objections will be settled on the draft in August. After that, Election Commission will publish the gazette of the polling station 25 days before the polling.
Inspection of parties
The process of reviewing the activities of the registered parties will begin this September. In this case, after reviewing all the information, the Election Commission will decide which party's registration will be maintained in May 2023. The final list of registered parties will be published in June of the same year. Before this, registration of new parties will be announced in May.
Read EVMs to be used in maximum 150 constituencies in next national polls: EC
Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the outline of the 'simultaneous' movement to oust the government will be presented soon.
"We'll come up before the nation with the final outline of the simultaneous movement as soon as possible," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader also said their party has long been working to forge a greater unity with various political parties.
“Following the talks with the different parties, our (BNP) standing committee meeting yesterday (Monday) decided to finalise the outline of the simultaneous movement,” the BNP leader said.
Read:Ready to take bullets, won’t leave the streets: Abbas
Asked about the nature of the outline, he said the main focus will be on forcing the government to quit for holding a free, fair and acceptable election. “This parliament must be dissolved and power has to be handed over to a neutral government under which a new Election Commission will be constituted, and they’ll create an environment for an inclusive election where all the voters can cast their votes smoothly.”
Besides, Fakhrul said a national government will be formed after that election with the parties that are going to join the simultaneous movement.
About the necessity of the national government, he said it would not be reasonable to repair alone by a single party the damage done by the Awami League to the state system.
“For that reason, we want to include other parties in this process so that we can take decisions based on consensus through discussions about various institutions of the state such as the judiciary, administration, parliament and the media,” the BNP secretary general observed.
He called upon all opposition parties to join BNP’s planned simultaneous movement to oust the current regime and ensure a credible national election in the country.
The BNP leader said that if the political parties take to the streets simultaneously, the movement itself will determine its future course of action.
No formal talks with Jatiya Party
Responding to a question, Fakhrul said they have not had so far any formal talks with the Jatiya Party about the simultaneous anti-government movement.
He, however, said their door is open for any party that wants to join the movement. “We have made it clear that we will wage the movement simultaneously with the parties, individuals and organisations those are against the current authoritarian government and those want to restore democracy and people’s voting rights."
Asked whether BNP had a discussion with Jamaat-e-Islami and about its statement on not being part of the 20-party alliance, Fakhrul said Jamaat has already given a statement on the matter. “We're talking about simultaneous movement now…All parties will carry out the movement from their respective positions. This is what we're talking about."
Police not BNP's opponent
Fakhrul said their party wants the police to perform its constitutional responsibilities as a state organisation. “We never consider the police as our opponent. The police should be friends of the people and we also consider them as friends.”
He, however, alleged that the government is using police to hang onto power illegally by violating the constitution and human rights.
The BNP leader urged the law enforcers not to comply with the government's illegal directives that could lead to accusations of human rights violations against them like RAB.
Fakhrul alleged that some overenthusiastic police officers are attacking BNP’s programmes across the country and firing on the opposition leaders and activists without any justification.
Read:Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants
Extension of rental power plants’ tenure unjustified
The BNP leader said when the Power Development Board is not able to produce power from many power plants due to lack of energy and the government is giving subsidies of hundreds of crores of taka without getting any power, the tenure of four quick rental power plants has been extended. “It’ll only increase the amount of losses. We demand cancellation of this decision of the government."
He said the main reason behind the move is to plunder public money in the name of capacity charges of the four power plants.
Fakhrul also slammed the government for increasing the prices of some essential drugs used in health care. “We strongly condemn it. The prices of the medicines have been hiked unethically only to create a scope for some businessmen to make a lofty profit. We demand immediate withdrawal of this decision.”
AL leader Sajeda Chowdhury laid to rest
Presidium member of the Awami League and deputy leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury was laid to rest on Monday.
She was buried with state honours at Banani Graveyard around 6:00 pm after a second namaz-e-janaza held at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
She was given a guard of honor by the police force before being laid to eternal rest.
Central leaders of Awami League led by party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader and Dhaka North City Corporation mayor Atiqul Islam were present during her burial.
Also read: AL leader Sajeda Chowdhury passes away
Earlier around 11 am her first namaz-e-janaza was held at MN Academy school premises in Nagarkanda upazila of Faridpur.
Thousands of people from all walks of life took part in the janaza braving inclement weather. She was given a guard of honour before the janaza.
After the janaza and tributes, the leaders and family members of Sajeda Chowdhury left for Dhaka with her mortal remains around 12 pm.
Her body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar at 2:40 and was kept there till 4:15 pm so that people from all walks of life could pay homage.
Also read: First namaz-e-janaza of Sajeda Chowdhury held
There, on behalf of the President, military secretary Major General Salahuddin Islam and military secretary Major General Kabir Ahmad on behalf of the Prime Minister paid tribute to Sajeda Chowdhury at around 2:45 PM.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Qader on behalf of the party, president Al Nahiyan Khan Joy and general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharya on behalf of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Dr. Sharfuddin Ahmad on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dr Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman on behalf of Dhaka University along with the representatives of many other political and culture parties and organisations placed floral wreaths to pay last tribute to the deceased.
After paying respect to the dead body of Sajeda Chowdhury, Obaidul Quader said, "Sajeda Chowdhury appeared as a brave leader during the party's hard times and she was a very trusted colleague of our leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She has been covering a big chapter in the history of Bangladesh politics."
Faridpur-2 MP Sajeda Chowdhury passed away at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka on Sunday night at the age of 87.
The deputy leader of the House was admitted to hospital with post-Covid-19 complications two weeks ago.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Abdul Hamid expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Sajeda.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also mourned her death.
Deputy leader of the opposition GM Quader also mourned her passing.
Born in 1935, Sajeda became the deputy leader of the House in 2019 for the third consecutive term.
She was also a Language Movement veteran and one of the organisers of the country's Liberation War.
The 87-year-old served as environment and forest minister and was awarded the Swadhinata Padak in 2010.
Ready to take bullets, won’t leave the streets: Abbas
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said their party leaders and activists will rather take bullets in chest, but will not leave the streets until the fall of the current government.
Speaking at a rally in the city’s Segunbagicha area in the capital, he also said their party will come up with a different strategy of movement this time since law enforcers have resorted to firing at their peaceful programmes.
“We’ll reach a situation someday when processions and rallies will be held at every lane and locality of Dhaka, but you (govt) won’t be able to resist it. We’ll see how many police you have and how many activists we have. We won’t spare if anyone tries to shoot us,” the BNP leader said.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, alleged that their party has been obstructed from holding rallies by closing roads and traditional venues like Press Club and Paltan.
Also read: No non-partisan govt, EC won’t be abolished: Tofail Ahmed
“We won’t keep the streets only in your hands. We’ll surely take over the streets. The leaders of BNP and its student and youth wings have learned how to receive bullets. So, there’s nothing to be worried and we’ll take bullets in our chests, but won’t leave the streets until this regime is ousted,” he warned.
As part of BNP’s plan to hold 16 rallies in the capital in the current month, Shahbagh and Ramna zones of its Dhaka south city unit arranged the programme in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares and the killing of three opposition leaders in police firing.
Abbas said police shot dead Swechchasebak Dal leader Abudr Rahim, Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam in Bhola and Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan in Narayanganj by attacking BNP’s programmes against the price hike in daily essentials.
He said BNP leaders and activists are now being implicated in many ‘false’ cases. “But we won’t give up so easily in the face of firing and cases.”
The BNP leader said the movement was carried out in a traditional process during the anti-Ershad movement in the 90s as there was no police firing at that time.
“Since firing (at our programmes) is going on, we’ll take a different strategy of the movement in a different way. The movement can’t go on always the same way. We’ll definitely take suitable measures based on the evolving situation,” he observed.
Abbas said Shaon, Rahim and Noor-e-Alam sacrificed their lives in the recent movement while many people in the past laid down their lives for the liberation of the country and for the protection of democracy.
Also read: Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants
“We’re also ready to sacrifice our lives to save the country and its independence and sovereignty. I promise you that I will be there on the frontline of the movement at the right time. But we want to ensure a safe future for our children. We can’t under any circumstances leave behind our new generation in the hands of a hyena-like regime of Awami League,” he said.
Abbas said the prices of essential commodities will not go down as long as the Awami League government is in power. “This regime has made the poor people poorer and those living abroad richer. Aziz Khan of Summit Group, a brother of (AL leader Farooq Khan) is one of the richest persons in Singapore. Many such rich people from a poor country (Bangladesh) are now among the richest men in many countries like Aziz Khan in Singapore.”
No non-partisan govt, EC won’t be abolished: Tofail Ahmed
There will be no non-partisan government in Bangladesh, Awami League (AL) Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed, said today.
“There will be no non-partisan government and the Election commission will not be abolished,” he said while talking to reporters after attending a views-exchange meeting with party leaders held at Sadar upazila parishad auditorium in Bhola district.
Read Govt doesn't want a normal election: GM Quader
“Election commission has been formed through rules and Chief Election Commissioner and others were appointed through search committee. BNP should thank its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for sustaining the party through speeches and he should be given a Nobel Prize for it,” said Tofail.
Talking about natural gas in Bhola, the Awami League MP said the gas crisis will be mitigated once Bhola-Barishal Bridge opens.
Expressing profound grief over the demise of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, presidium member of Awami League and deputy leader of the House, Tofail Ahmed said she was a great leader and made a great contribution to the party.
Read Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants
Momen mourns Sajeda Chowdhury
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, presidium member of the Awami League and deputy leader of the House.
Sajeda, Faridpur-2 MP, breathed her last at 11:40pm at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
Read: AL leader Sajeda Chowdhury passes away
Momen also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended his heartfelt sympathy to the deputy leader of the House and her family.
"Veteran politician Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury had played a great role during the Liberation War of 1971. Her death is an irreparable loss to our political arena and the country at large," the foreign minister said.