Politics
It seems Bangladesh is paradise of mismanagement: GM Quader
Expressing profound shock at the loss of 11 lives in two separate incidents in the capital on Monday, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Tuesday said Bangladesh has apparently become a paradise of mismanagement.
In a condolence message, he said, “It seems that Bangladesh will be the world champion in mismanagement if a survey is conducted.”
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said it has become normal that countless mothers will lose their children every day due to negligence and mismanagement.
“Accidents have now become an order of the day be it on roads, waterways or in industrial plants or any public places. It can’t continue like this and it can’t be allowed to go on like this,” he observed.
Read:Accept tea workers' logical demand for pay hike: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief said the government must make public the investigation reports into the two incidents--girder crash at Uttara and a plastic factory fire at Chawkbazar in Dhaka.
He also called upon the authorities concerned to take legal action against those responsible for the incidents.
“Such heartbreaking deaths are unacceptable. The areas where heavy and hazardous work is going on should be protected and restricted. It has to be investigated for whose negligence the vulnerable site (of the BRT project) was not restricted and legal action should be taken against them,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
Besides, he said many people are losing lives in fire incidents, including six people at Chawkbazar on Monday. “It seems there’s no one to be held accountable for the incidents.
On Monday, five members of a family were killed as a girder of the BRT project lifted by a crane crashed on a private car in the city’s Uttara area.
Earlier in the day, at least six people were burnt to death in a fire that broke out at a plastic factory in Old Dhaka’s Chawkbazar area.
BNP renews call for Khaleda’s unconditional release
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday renewed their party’s demand for the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia for the sake of democracy.
Speaking at a doa mahfil at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, he also said Khaleda Zia and democracy are inseparably linked.
"She struggled to restore democracy throughout her life. She has now been kept under house arrest by the fascist Awami League government due to her efforts to restore democracy. So, our first condition is that she be released unconditionally,” the BNP leader said.
He said Khaleda is not an ordinary leader as she has become an institution with her continuous struggle for democracy, emancipation and the wellbeing of people by sacrificing the happiness of her earthly life.
Fakhrul wised Khaleda a long life on the occasion of her birthday. “We pray to Allah for her recovery so that can return to us lead us in the days to come."
As part of BNP’s countrywide programme, its Dhaka north and south city units organised the doa mahfil, marking the 77th birthday of Khaleda.
According to BNP’s website, Khaleda Zia was born to Iskandar Majumder and Taiyaba Majumder on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur district.
Fakhrul accused the Awami League government of 'usurping' power illegally, he said it has destroyed all the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh by resorting to repressive acts like Pakistani occupation forces.
Read:Corruption, plundering, suicidal deals behind energy crisis: BNP
"They have continued their fascist rule for 15 long years using the state machinery and unleashing a reign of terror through oppression,” he observed.
The BNP leader said Khaleda Zia was convicted in ‘false’ and ‘baseless’ cases while false cases were filed against 35 lakh people. “Our more than 600 leaders and workers have been subjected to enforced disappearance and over 1,000 other leaders and workers have been killed.”
He also said Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam and Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim have recently been killed in police firing in Bhola. “Our leader and activists are being arrested and implicated in false cases every day.”
Referring to a recent report of Netra News on the horrific experiences of the enforced disappearance victims, Fakhrul said Amnesty International has strongly denounced the human rights violations by issuing a statement and urged the visiting UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet to take steps for an independent and impartial inquiry into these 'barbaric' practices.
"There is no reason to take the matter lightly. Many of our brothers were made disappeared and we did not get many of them back. Our over 600 leaders and activists have been made disappeared and tortured. From this programme, we demand that an impartial committee of the UN be formed to look into the matter and take action against those responsible," he said.
The BNP leader said the current government has lost ground under its feet as the country’s people are not with them. “But we know this regime won’t t go easily. That is why we want to mobilise people and all the political forces to remove this government."
BCL President demands resumption of politics on BUET campus
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President Al Nahian Khan Joy has made a demand to restart politics on the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus.
He made the demand at a program arranged by BCL on the occasion of National Mourning Day at Dhaka University’s iconic Raju Sculpture.
Joy requested the BUET authority to consider the matter of resuming student politics on the campus by making it safe saying "BCL activists have sacrificed their lives to make the BUET campus safe from the terrorists."
Mentioning yesterday's protest by students at BUET, Joy added "Active Jatiya Chhatra Dal (JCD) and Shibir activists are trying to spread their influence in the BUET campus. They tried to foil our program of commemorating the passing of Bangabandhu and his family members. BUET administration must find them out as their activities go against our constitution."
Read: Students protest BCL political programme on BUET campus
The BCL leader also demanded to bring back the Killers of Bangabandhu to the country from abroad and provide them with exemplary punishment.
BCL Dhaka University (DU) unit President Sanjit Chandra Das and General Secretary Saddam Hossen also demanded to bring back the killers of Bangabandhu and to ensure their punishment at the program.
A section of BUET students held a demonstration on Saturday as some former BCL leaders and activists held a prayer session and discussion program marking the National Mourning Day on the campus under the BCL banner, that created discontent among the incumbent students.
On October 11, 2019, the BUET authority banned all sorts of political organizations and their activities on the campus, days after some BCL leaders and activists tortured a student, Abrar Fahad, on October 7, 2019.
Bangabandhu will always encourage to fight against misrule,oppression, says GM Quader
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will always encourage the nation to fight against corruption, misrule and oppression, said Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader in a statement marking the National Mourning Day.
“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had fought for the establishment of democracy and human rights throughout his life,” according to the statement issued on Sunday.
Read:GM Quader calls for white paper on corruption in the energy sector
“We pay our respect to late president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on this mourning day.”
The party also prayed seeking the eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
“Our pledge on this mourning day is that we will build a ‘New Bangladesh’ by building a welfare state free from hunger, poverty, corruption and discrimination.”
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – the architect of the country’s independence -- was assassinated along with most of his family members at the dawn on August 15, 1975 by a cabal of army personnel under a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.
Stern action if anyone creates anarchy: Tajul warns
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Md Tajul Islam warned that stern action will be taken if anyone creates anarchy in the country by vandalism and bombings in the name of the movement.
He said, “Movement is democratic right of the people. But nobody has the right to create anarchy in the name of rights.”
Tajul urged the opposition political parties to play a responsible role in this regard.
The minister came up with the observation while addressing a discussion organised by Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association marking National Mourning Day at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday as the chief guest.
A dua mahfil and blood donation campaign were also arranged on the occasion.
Criticising the opposition parties, he said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to fulfil the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the other hand, an anti-liberation force is engaged to confuse the people.
Tajul also said Bangladesh never loses its destination led by Sheikh Hasina.
Read: Quader asks party to be careful with words during crisis
The senior Awami League leader said people from all over the world are struggling due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The government has temporarily hiked the fuel prices to face the crisis. All have to face the crisis unitedly.
He also claimed that Bangladesh is still in a good position compared to the other countries in the world.
The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always wants the wellbeing of the people.
“Whatever, she decides, it will be pro-people.”
Regarding foreign loans, Tajul said international organisations and other development partners offer debt to Bangladesh as the country can refund it.
He also urged the people to refrain from circulating propaganda about a Sri-Lanka-like situation in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Upazila Parishad Association president Harun-ur-Rashid chaired the function while Bangladesh Awami League Health and Population Affairs Secretary Dr Rebeka Sultana, among others, was present.
Siful Islam Khan Biru, General Secretary of the organisation moderated it.
Quader asks party to be careful with words during crisis
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday called upon the leaders, activists and followers to be careful with their speech during the current crisis.
Obaidul Quader said these things in a discussion meeting at the central office of Awami League on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday in a programme organised by Mahila Sramik League on the occasion of Mourning Day.
"I will tell our leaders and workers that everyone should play responsible role in their speech and behavior. At this time, it is not appropriate to speak irresponsibly and show power. You have to stand by people with a cool head. We have to work for people, this is our biggest message today,' he said.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, commented that the cost of living has increased as the government was helpless.
"The whole world is in crisis. A negative impact is facing Bangladesh today. We know many people are suffering. As the cost of living has gone up, it is right that people are suffering. But there was no way in front of us," he added.
Highlighting the situation of the comparative price increase in different countries of the world, the general secretary of Awami Lespeecht said the river Rhine is drying up today, ships cannot move there. Most of Italy's 15 lakes have dried up. Fires are still burning in southwestern France.
Mentioning the sincere trial of Sheikh Hasina to overcome this crisis, Obaidul Quader also said, Price increase in America. Apart from UK, Germany, France, our neighboring country Sri Lanka, Pakistan, nobody is comfortable today. The people of Bangladesh are suffering. The bes efforts were taken to tackle the situation.
Claiming that BNP is plotting to overthrow the government without standing by the people, he said that many countries of the world are plagued with problems today. And based on this, the French opposition did not overthrow the government. Opposition parties in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan did not hold protests.
He said, "We wanted co-operation. All countries in this world have extended their hands to help in the crisis. And in Bangladesh they (BNP) are plotting to overthrow the government.
Warning BNP,Obaidul Quader said that none of us are trying to stop the peaceful movement.
"But if you want to come down and deal with fire-terrorism, then I will say...the people's resistance will turn into a tsunami and a befitting reply will be given,' he explained.
Read: Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
Regarding Bangabandhu's murder, Obaidul Quader said, 'How did these murderers escape? Who sent to Thailand? General Ziaur Rahman. Ziaur Rahman rewarded the murderers. Later take power."
Mahila Sramik League President Suraiya Akhter presided over the programme.
Corruption, plundering, suicidal deals behind energy crisis: BNP
The BNP on Saturday blamed the government's "pervasive corruption, suicidal deals and imprudent plans" for the current crisis in the power and energy sector.
At a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also presented a 12-point step, including scrapping all black laws and rules relating to the power and energy sector, cancelling the deals on quick rental power plants and exploring gas and petroleum and other minerals from the Bay of Bengal, to be taken by their party if it returns to power.
"The common people have to now pay the prices for the unbridled corruption and rampant plundering by the government. Loadshedding for two-three hours in the city and five-six hours in the rural areas has made public life miserable,” he said.
When the soaring prices of all essential items hit people very hard, Fakhrul said the loadshedding is just rubbing salt into their wounds. ”People have got bewildered as their backs are extremely pushed against the wall.”
Under the current circumstances of the country, he called upon the government to step down shouldering the responsibility for its failure to deliver on all fronts and tackle the power and fuel crisis and price hike of the commodities.
Read: 10 hurt in Chattogram as ‘BCL activists’ attack Student Union’s human chain
Otherwise, he warned that their party will wage a fierce movement together with people to force the government to quit.
Capacity charges unethical
Fakhrul said 19 rental and quick rental power plants are still in operation unnecessarily though those were supposed to be shut down after 2/3 years of operation.
He said several rental power plants are getting huge sums of money in capacity charges even though they are not producing any power.
“The government has to pay Tk 90,000 crores so far to the power plants in capacity charges without any power production. Capacity charges are irrational, unethical and against the public interest. It’s also a crime,” the BNP leader observed.
He said only 43% of the total power plants in the country are now being used. “The remaining 57% idle power plants are getting money as rent without power generation.”
Fakhrul said more new power plants are getting ready for power generation amid additional generating capacity that will only increase the cost for idle power plants further.
He alleged that the current government has deliberately kept about 60 percent idle power plants and paying huge money in capacity charges as it has no accountability to people. "This money is public money. The power sector is going bankrupt by paying the capacity charges.”
Importing costly power from India irrational
Fakhrul said the capacity charges are being paid to import electricity from India. “Currently, 1,160 MW of electricity is imported from India. For this, about Tk 5,800 crores were paid in capacity charges in the last three financial years.”
He said the Indian Adani Group is expected to export 1,496 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. “Importing coal-based electricity from India at a time when Bangladesh has about 60 percent overcapacity is completely unreasonable.”
The BNP leader said around 40% of this electricity import goes to pay capacity charges. “Bangladesh will have to pay the Adani Group more than Tk 1,00,000 crore in capacity charges over the 25 years, which is enough to build three Padma Bridges, nine Karnaphuli Tunnels or two Metrorails.”
He said the Adani group has been given a total rent of 53, 885 crores in three years. “The total cost of the construction of Padma Bridge, including corruption, is 30,293 crores.”
Fakhrul accused the government of imposing a huge burden on people unfairly by generating electricity through IPP without increasing gas exploration capacity.
“The government has not used the potential of off-shore gas exploration in the last ten years delibartely,” he alleged.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said their party, if returns to power, will solve the power and energy crisis. “We will repeal all black laws, including the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act and all contracts with quick rental companies. Construction of power plants and other works will be done through international tenders based on transparent competition.”
He said their party will also take steps to ensure punishment of those involved in corruption and irregularities in the power and energy sector.
Besides, the BNP leader said medium and long-term plans will be adopted to set up power plants as per the demand.
“Necessary power transmission and distribution lines in line with power production demand will be installed urgently,” he observed.
Fakhrul said they will also take proper steps to explore local gas and minerals through Bapxe and other government institutions.
BNP Standing Committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah were present at the press conference.
Read: It's a joke with people, says BNP about Momen's comment on living in heaven
GM Quader calls for white paper on corruption in the energy sector
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday demanded that a white paper on corruption in the energy sector be published.
“The people of the country want to know how many thousands of crores of takas of corruption have been committed in the energy sector every year. Who are involved in the corruption?” he said.
Speaking at the council Jatiya Party’s Mirpur and Shahali Thana units at the Eidgah Ground on National Zoo Road in the capital's Mirpur area, GM Quader also said a list of those involved in the corruption should be published to bring them to justice.
He said they also want to know the list of those who are siphoning off thousands of crores of takas abroad every year. The money launderers should be brought to justice.”
The Jatiya Party chief alleged that Tk4 lakh crores were deposited from Bangladesh to Swiss banks last year. “The government is putting itself under questions by not disclosing the money launderers’ information.”
Read:Govt hardly cares about public sufferings: GM Quader
He accused the government of favouring the offenders by not taking action against the corrupt and money launderers.
“The common people think that the current government is not disclosing the information of corruption to save the influential persons and the ruling party leaders,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
He said that some ruling party leaders look for conspiracy even if Jatiya Party talks about the interests of the country.
“As we said, the country is going to be a failed state like Sri Lanka, we’re called fools. But why is the entire country now facing loadshedding? Why has the price of the dollar increased so much? Why has the price of fuel increased so much?” GM Quader said.
AL-BNP clash leaves 20 injured in Feni
At least 20 people were injured on Monday in a sporadic clash between activists of the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition BNP during a protest rally of BNP in the trunk road area of the town on Friday.
The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital, said Nizam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Feni Model Police Station.
According to the locals, BNP leaders and activists hold a procession in the town protesting the price hike of daily commodities including oil, gas, fertilizers and the murder of Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Chhatra Dal president Noor-e Alam in Bhola. When the procession reached the trunk road of the town, Chhatra League and Juba League activists attacked.
Read: AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
The clash ensued around 3:30 pm when BNP activists counterattacked.
Several chases and counter chases took place between the parties that left at least 20 people injured, added the OC.
Police fired 15 rounds of gunshots and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
AL won't let BNP set the stage for another August 15: Hasan
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud Friday said BNP is trying to set the stage for another "August 15," when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated in 1975.
"Also, they want to brand Bangladesh as a terrorist country in the world. But the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will never let these things happen," he added.
Read: Hasan Mahmud dismisses Ganatantra Mancha as out-of-touch, insignificant
Hasan, also AL joint general secretary, was addressing a meeting in Mohanpur upazila of Rajshahi.
Thursday, at a meeting in Rajshahi city, the AL leader said the ruling party will take control of the streets in September and keep it occupied until the national polls.
"At a public rally in Dhaka's Nayapaltan, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Thursday) said they will have to take control of the streets," the minister said.
"In reply, I would tell my party leaders and activists: August is a month of mourning, which we are observing through different programmes. When the mourning ends, we will occupy the streets in September," he added.