Politics
Take to streets with “bamboo sticks”: Gayeshwar
BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday asked their party leaders and activists to prepare for taking to the streets with ‘bamboo sticks’ to ensure the fall of the Awami League government.
"We’ve to be there on the streets with unclean bamboo as cleaned bamboo is probably not enough to intensify the movement,” he told a discussion meeting.
Zia Mancha arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 29th founding anniversary.
Also read: BNP trying to make next general election controversial: Hasina
The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists must move ahead with a one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instead of thinking of the strength of the current government.
"I hope Sheikh Hasina won’t mind. Because on March 7, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urged all to take to the streets with sticks and whatever they had, even with brooms. “If our female leader Bilkis comes up with a broom, this is enough. I don't think much more things are needed,” he said.
Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said there is no alternative to a united movement to oust the current government.
“Everyone now needs to get united to restore democracy and get rid of fascism. If democracy is not protected, then individual’s freedom, freedom of writing and freedom of speech remain at stake. When the freedom of expression is obstructed, then something else comes (to power) which people do not like,” he observed.
Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
Stating that all the state institutions of the country have been politicised, the BNP leader said the government is even ‘controlling’ the judiciary like administrative rulers. “The current administration does not want to understand that the government and state are two different words.”
He said any minimum attempt to interfere or control the judiciary is a punishable offence. “Morally they can’t do it under any law.”
The BNP leader alleged that ministers used to talk about any subjudice matters and their remarks are reflected in the verdict of different cases. “It’s forbidden to talk about any subjudice matter. But they’re constantly doing it.”
Gayeshwar alleged that the government is repressing the opposition leaders and activists by ‘influencing’ law enforcers and courts.
GM Quader recalls Bablu’s contributions to JaPa
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday recalled Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu’s contributions to the party, saying he was a competent organiser.
“As a politician, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu got immense love from the masses. There cannot be a greater success than this. He was a leader of the masses,” he said.
GM Quader also said Bablu’s contributions towards strengthening Jatiya Party as an efficient organiser is undeniable.
He made the remarks at a condolence-meeting-cum doa mahful arranged by Jatiya Party at its Kakrail Central office in memory of party secretary general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu who died on Saturday.
GM Quader said Bablu was a true worker-friendly leader who struggled all his life for the welfare of people.
Read: Jatiya Party leader Ziauddin Bablu dies
“He (Bablu) was vocal against injustice, and misrule. Ziauddin Bablu will ever remain alive through his generous work,” he observed.
The Jatiya Party chief said the void created in the politics of Bangladesh with the death of Bablu will not be filled soon.
He urged people to pray for the salvation of the departed soul of Jatiya Party’s late secretary general.
Jatiya Party senior leaders, including co-chairmen, presidium members and MPs joined the programme.
READ: Veteran journalist Hamiduzzaman Robi no more
Jatiya Party secretary-general Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu died on Saturday while undergoing treatment for Covid-19 infection at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital at the age of 66.
Bablu was laid to eternal rest at Martyred Intellectuals' Graveyard in the capital’s Mirpur area.
Meanwhile, Jatiya Party announced a three-day mourning period beginning from Saturday in memory of Bablu.
People’s confidence in EC now at 'zero' level: GM Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Sunday said people's confidence in the Election Commission (EC) has now reached the zero level.
“Those who were in state power used the Election Commission for their party’s interests. Political parties are now finding it difficult to survive as depoliticisation is going on in the country,” he said.
Speaking at a programme at Jatiya Party Chairman’s Banani office, GM Quader also said people will show no interest in politics and they will refrain from going to polling stations to cast their votes if the depoliticisation continues.
“There’ll prevail a handful of parties and leaders in the country as per the government’s direction, but those parties and leaders won’t have any spontaneous organisation and public support if it (depoliticisation) continues,” he observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy leader of opposition in parliament, said the current governing system can be called a democratic one in any way as a dictatorship has been established in the country ‘constitutionally’.
According to the constitution, he said, about 90 percent of the country's executive, legislature and judiciary branches are in the hands of one person through the President.
At the programme, Palli Bidyut Samity’s former senior general manager Wahidul Islam Tarun joined Jatiya Party presenting a bouquet to GM Quader.
GM Quader said those who came to power after 1991 have not been able to materialise the dreams they had shown to the people of the country. “In most cases, the situation has deteriorated and the level of deterioration has gradually increased.”
He said people now want to see Jatiya Party in power again to fulfill their hopes and aspirations. “That’s why every day prominent people are joining Jatiya Party.”
BNP sitting out polls for 'fear of losing': Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has chastised the BNP for turning their back on elections, putting it down to a 'fear of losing' on the part of the opposition.
He made the remarks while delivering a speech Saturday to his party activists from his official residence.
Mentioning that the Election Commission is committed to free and fair voting, the General Secretary of the Awami League said that the government will extend all kinds of cooperation to the Election Commission to ensure fair voting.
Quader also called upon all registered political parties including BNP to participate in the elections.
READ: Don’t resort to arson again in name of movement, Quader warns BNP
Quader again warned the Awami League leaders and workers and party-nominated people's representatives at all levels to shun any rebel candidates in the election.
Alongside, he also called upon all to work together for the party's nominee.
The AL started selling nomination forms for the interested candidates for the party nomination in the elections of different levels from October 2, which will continue till October 6 from 10.30 am to 5 pm.
The party also informed that interested candidates will have to collect and submit an application form for party nomination from the political office of the Awami League president in Dhanmondi.
READ: Padma Bridge to open before June next year: Quader
At the time of collecting the application form, all the candidates must bring a photocopy of the national identity card and submit the nomination form by 5 pm on October 6, 2021.
The general secretary of the Awami League said that the candidates have to comply with the proper health protection rules without any kind of public meeting while the candidate can collect and submit the application form himself or through a representative of the candidate.
Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their party will not accept the upcoming national election unless it is held under a" neutral government".
"Our stance is very clear there would be no more game in the name of an election. The election must be held under a neutral government and to be conducted by a neutral election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said, “We won’t accept any election if there’s no polls-time neutral government and an impartial election commission."
BNP arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers’, Bangladesh.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
Stating that the days of the current government are numbered, Fakhrul urged Awami League to try to read public minds and understand the writings on the walls. “That means quit power after making the provision of the polls-time caretaker government and let people exercise their right to vote.”
He called upon BNP leaders and activists to be organised and get ready for a street movement instead of creating chaos for having party posts.
“This is the only way left for us. It won’t be possible to remove the current monstrous regime without a mass movement and mass uprising. So, we’ve to unite all our people, unite all the political forces to take place a mass uprising,” the BNP leader said, pointing at the party rank and file.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
He said Awami League has become politically bankrupt losing public support for its ”misdeeds and repressive acts. They (AL) know they won’t even get 30 seats if any election is held in a free and fair manner. That’s why they have politicised all the state institutions.”
Fakhrul also alleged that the government has established its control over the judiciary, administration, law enforcement agencies and the media. “So, the entire nation is unable to speak up and exercise their freedom of expression.”
BNP won’t join election with AL in power: Abbas
BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas on Thursday categorically said their party will not join the 12th parliamentary election keeping Awami League in power.
“Our stance is clear that the election won’t be held under this government. We saw elections under this government in the past. How can we go to the polls under a government that steals votes the day before the election and thus sits in power?” he said.
Abbas said their party wants the next general election to be held under a polls-time caretaker government. “They (AL) leaders are saying there is no scope (to restore it). Let Awami League resign first. Then the country will run as usual (like in the past). But we can’t join the polls if Awami League stays in power.”
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to journalists after placing wreaths at party founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal, marking its 42nd founding anniversary.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
He recalled that it was Jamaat-e-Islam which first came up with the demand for a caretaker government in 1996 and then Awami League pushed for it.
Abbas said they amended the constitution for introducing the caretaker government system showing respect for democracy.
Sought his reaction to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda’s comment that the Election Commission should be reconstituted on the basis of consensus among the political parties, the BNP leader said the current CEC is a fake man and their party does not value his words.
“The fact is that no fair and impartial Election Commission can be formed under this government. We would like to clearly say we won’t allow any election under the current regime,” he observed.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Abbas said their party will force the government to meet their demand for the caretaker government. “It’s now a matter of time.”
He alleged that the government has continued repressing alem-ulema alongside opposition leaders and activists. “Mufti Kazi Ibrahim was arrested a few days back. I don’t understand whom this government is trying to appease by arresting the learned Islamic scholars and alem-ulema of this country.”
He criticised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said regularly making different remarks about BNP. “Awami League should not think of our party. They should oil their own machine and think about how to stay in power. ”
BNP waking up through overhaul: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the government has become terrified as their party is waking up with a fresh vigour thorough overhauling its all units.
“Police are now raiding the houses of our leaders and activists and harassing and attacking them as BNP is waking up,” he said while addressing a programme of BNP’s Dhaka South unit at the Jatiya Press Club.
The BNP leader said their party has been revamped with new committees under the supervision of their acting chairman Tarique Rahman, generating a new wave and fresh vigour in the party. "That’s why they (govt) have got frightened and unnerved, and they’re now attacking the BNP.”
Fakhrul warned that no dictator and fascist ruler has ever survived in the world as all were defeated by the fury of the people.
“You (govt) please read the writings on the walls and understand people’s feelings and their eye language. There’s still time for you to resign immediately if you want to avoid the consequences of the crimes you committed by violating the constitution, depriving people of their right to vote and stealing votes the night before the voting,” he said.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
The BNP leader urged the government to take steps so that people can elect their representatives through a credible national election under a non-party neutral administration.
"This’s the high time to put up a resistance against the government and clearly tell it that we do not want to see you in power anymore,” he said, pointing a finger at BNP leaders and activists.One person cult
Fakhrul said the government first brought changes in the constitution as per its wish to establish one-party rule. “They then brought the judiciary, administration and law enforcement agencies under their control through politicisation. They’re now trying to regulate our media.”
He said the cult of one person was there in the country when one-party Baksal rule was established in 1975.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
“Now again the cult of one person has begun in the country. If you look at Tuesday’s newspapers, you’ll get an idea how the media are being controlled.”
The BNP leader said people liberated the country in 1971 to establish a democratic state. “But the current government has turned Bangladesh into a dysfunctional country by destroying the democratic institutions and all the achievements of the nation.”
Later, Fakhrul inaugurated Dhaka South unit BNP’s Covid and Dengue help centre at the programme.
‘AL-backed middlemen’ behind price hike: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the price hike of essentials, and alleged that Awami League-backed middlemen are behind it.
"People have got unnerved with the growing hike in essential commodities, but the government has not been able to take any step to control it due to the middlemen belonging to their party,” he said.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader alleged that the ruling-party business syndicate is depriving farmers of the fair prices of their produce with the help of the administration. “The government is not willing to take any step to ensure fair prices for farmers as it just wants to benefit its cohorts.”
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding fair prices for the produce of the farmers and reduction of the prices of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, diesel and electricity.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said people are not getting any service from the administration due to its politicisation.
He said there is no point in making any demand to the current government and the administration for protecting the interests of farmers and the welfare of people. “There’s no alternative to dislodging the government to get rid of the current situation of the country.”
The BNP leader urged the leaders of their party and its associate bodies to take the responsibility for ousting the Awami League government as people do not want to see this party in power anymore.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to wage a mass movement by organising the people of the country under the leadership of BNP. In the face of the mass movement, this government of usurper will be forced to quit,” he warned.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Mosharraf asked the BNP leaders and activists to get ready to take part in the movement and make it a success.
“I want to ask the government to step down immediately and take steps for holding the next general election under a non-partisan and neutral government as per the demand of the country’s people. The sooner this fascist government is removed from power, the better for the country.
Govt politicised entire state machinery, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government has politicised the entire state machinery, including the administration and law enforcement agencies.
"I saw in the newspaper a few days back that judges were appointed on a temporary basis, and this too has been done in a partisan manner,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said people are being appointed to the administration, law enforcement agencies and all other state organisations based on political consideration. “This how, they (govt) have politicised the entire administration and the entire state.”
ASM Hannan Shah Smriti Parishad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the fifth death anniversary of BNP late BNP standing committee member ASM Hannan Shah.
Also read: Govt agencies active to divide opposition forces: Fakhrul
On September 27, 2016, Hannan Shah died at a hospital in Singapore at the age of 77.
Fakhrul said the government talks about democracy and fair elections after filing cases against 35 lakh BNP leaders and activists, making over 500 party leaders disappeared and killing over 1,000 others. “You’ve deliberately created a situation where no one can vote and no one can get justice here.”
He said there is no alternative to waging a united movement to get rid of such a situation in the country. “We all must get united and form a united alliance to save the country, its people and restore people’s voting and other rights.”
The BNP leader recalled the contributions of ASM Hannan Shah during the party’s bad time like the 1/11 political changeover.
Also read: AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said their party will not join any election under the Awami League government.
“BNP and the country’s people will not go to any election under this government. We’ll participate in the elections that will be held under a caretaker government after the fall of this regime,” he said.
Abbas also said they will put a strong resistance so that the current government cannot hold the next national election under it.
He urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for a movement to force the government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration.
BNP policymakers to sit with leaders of professional bodies Oct 8
BNP policymakers now have decided to sit with the leaders of different professional bodies holding six closed-door meetings with the party’s central and grassroots leaders.
The meeting will be held on October 8 at party chairperson’s Gulshan office to work out its next course of action ahead of the 12th parliamentary election.
A meeting of BNP standing committee held on Saturday took the decision, said a press release, signed by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on Sunday.
Fakhrul also presented a brief report on the outcomes of the party’s six meetings with the party rank and file held in the last two weeks.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
As per the decision of the meeting, BNP will also arrange a discussion meeting on the importance of holding the national elections under a non-party neutral government on October 1 at the Jatiya Press Club.
Earlier, the party had six closed-door meetings in two phases with BNP vice-chairmen, advisory council members on with joint secretaries general, organising secretaries, assistant organising secretaries, secretaries, executive committee members, leaders of the party’s different associate bodies and presidents of different district units.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
The meetings were held as part of the party’s planned series of meetings with BNP rank and file to know their views about the party’s next course of action ahead of the next general election.
BNP formed a 502-member national executive committee through its sixth national council on March 19, 2016.