Politics
Bangladesh now 'friendless': Quader
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Saturday said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen’s frustration over not getting Covid vaccines from different countries has manifested that Bangladesh has become 'friendless' in the world.
“The Foreign Minister expressed deep frustration over not getting the corona vaccines after visiting several countries. He told the media that the rich countries aren’t willing to give Bangladesh vaccines. If this is the case, Bangladesh has become friendless in the world,” he said.
The Jatiya Party chief made the remarks while speaking at a meeting of Jatiya Jubo Sanghati at Jugantar Bhaban in the city’s Baridhara area.
READ: GM Quader wants crackdown on illegal arms
He said though the Foreign Minister has said the status of the country has enhanced across the world, Bangladesh ranked 106th in the 2021 Henley Passport Index while its position was 96th in 1996.
“The dignity of the Prime Minister and her cabinet member may increase in the world. The dignity of the common people hasn’t improved at all, but it has declined. That’s why those who now go abroad with Bangladeshi passports have to face various kinds of harassment,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.
GM Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament, said the country lacks good governance due to politicisation.
He said the country’s situation has turned so worse that now it is not possible to get a job even after becoming first in the examination without the affiliation with the ruling party.
READ: Waterways must be made safe: GM Quader
The Jatiya Party chief said the ruling party leaders are acquitted by court even after committing crimes as the laws are not enforced equally for all.
He said no one was above law during the rule of Jatiya Party founder HM Ershad. “So, people are expecting Jatiya Party as an alternative force to Awami League and BNP. They want Jatiya Party to return to power.”
GM Quader urged the party leaders and activists to strengthen the party by holding the councils of its all district units by December 31.
Next election must be under neutral govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said the next general election must be held under a neutral government.
“We would like to say it unequivocally that there’ll be no such election in Bangladesh where voters can’t go to polling stations. The election must be held under a neutral government and it must be conducted by an impartial election commission,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said before holding the next national election, the government will have to free Khaleda Zia and all other political prisoners and withdraw the ‘false’ cases filed against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists. “Otherwise, no election will be allowed to be held in the country.”
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now 'bureaucrats running' country
Fakhrul urged the government to take necessary steps and create an atmosphere conducive to constituting a neutral election commission.
“You (govt) are talking about the formation of a law for constituting the Election Commission… people won’t accept it if you pass a unilateral law for your own benefit in parliament and form the Election Commission under it,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has politicised all the state machinery. “You (govt) have politicised the judiciary, administration and the law enforcement agencies. Even, you’re trying to politicise the army. We now can't speak up and write freely.”
He said journalists also cannot write anything now without fear as they are being harassed and implicated in cases under the Digital Security Act.
Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh who liberated the country through a long battle will never accept an authoritarian and one-party rule.
He urged the leaders and activists of Mohila Dal to get united for waging a strong movement for the restoration of democracy and having Khaleda Zia freed from jail.
Read: Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said there is no other alternative for their party to waging a one-point movement for ensuring the fall of Sheikh Hasina.
“We’re trying to forge a strong national unity to force Sheikh Hasina to quit for holding a free and fair election… we won’t get any benefit even if the next election is held under an ‘angel’ keeping Sheikh Hasina in power.”
BNP criticizes PM for her Ashrayan house remarks
BNP on Friday criticised Prime Sheikh Hasina for her remarks on the demolition of Ashrayan houses with hammers and shovels, saying that she has taken a stance in “favour of corruption”.
“The houses the Prime Minister has given to homeless people are collapsing. But the Prime Minister is saying that these houses are being destroyed with hammers and shovels,” said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, he said Hasina tried to cover up the corruption of lakhs of crores taka by talking about hammers and shovels.
“The prime minister has taken a position in favour of corruption. But she didn’t catch those indulged in looting in the Ashrayan Project, and she diverted people’s attention to a different direction,” Rizvi said.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Bangladesh Youth Forum arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against ‘false’ campaign and ‘conspiracy’ against BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
On Thursday, speaking at Awami League’s central working committee meeting at her official residence Ganobhaban, Hasina alleged that some people had broken the houses with hammers and shovels and the media published the pictures of those.
Rizvi also slammed Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said continuously spreading ‘lies’ against BNP and its leaders.
“He, Quader, suddenly comes up with such a remark that gives people an impression that he’s probably devoid of conscience. He can’t understand that he’s lying blatantly,” the BNP leader said.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Rizvi said the government has restored to repressive acts like enforced disappearance and arrest of opposition leaders and activists to hang on to power by suppressing people and annihilating democracy.
He urged the people of all walks of life and opposition political parties to get united for restoring democracy and people’s rights by ousting the Awami League government through a united movement.
AL exploiting people, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said people will never forgive Awami League as it has become a ‘repressive’ political party.
“Awami League is exploiting the country and its people in collaboration with some individuals and bureaucrats,” he said.
Talking to journalists at Kalibari residence here, the BNP leader said the Awami League, which once had struggled for establishing people’s rights and democracy, is now repressing people and snatching their rights.
He said the ruling party leaders are now indulging in widespread corruption deviating from the party’s old tradition and stance on democracy since it has got isolated from people. “Now it has no relation with people’s hopes and aspirations.”
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
Fakhrul said bureaucrats now “own assets worth crores of taka. A police inspector has 18 houses in Dhaka city alongside having more houses abroad. If a police officer can amass such wealth, then you think about the condition of the entire system,” the BNP leader said.
“Now people aren’t getting justice. They’re being deprived of their rights. But Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader regularly says many things only to appease his leaders,” he observed.
Fakhrul said their party has only one demand for arranging a credible election under a neutral government and the impartial Election Commission.
He said their party is in negotiations with the opposition parties to wage a united movement to ensure the fall of the current government and establish a pro-people government. “We’re taking preparations for that movement.”
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Replying to a question about BNP’s position on Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, Fakhrul said it is an internal matter of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan will run the way its people want. But I would like to say one thing that we don’t support any fundamentalism, militancy and extremism.”
The BNP leader said their party hopes that whichever government comes to Afghanistan, they will fulfill the hopes and aspirations of people and ensure their rights and work for their welfare.
AL ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said Awami League is ‘arbitrarily’ using bureaucracy to cling to power as it has become politically bankrupt.
“Awami League has lost its capability by arbitrarily using the bureaucracy only for hanging onto power. In fact, the bureaucracy has now become 'Bureaucratic League' while Awami League has become politically bankrupt,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with the remarks while speaking at an extended meeting of Thakurgaon district unit of BNP at a community centre in the district town.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
He alleged that the ruling party has long been trying to suppress its political opponents with repressive acts and filing ‘false’ cases against them by ‘using’ law enforcement agencies.
“They (govt) have been controlling all the state machinery, including the judiciary, administration, police and other law enforcement agencies to make their political gains,” Fakhrul alleged.
He said it is unimaginable to file political cases against 35 lakh opposition leaders and activists in a democratic country, but the current government did it to eliminate its opponents.
The BNP leader alleged that the opposition leaders and activists are being implicated in ‘false cases’ for holding meetings and carrying out political activities as the government has established the one-party rule under a different cover.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
Fakhrul urged the government to step down and arrange a credible general election by stopping filing cases against opposition leaders and activists and harassing them.
“The government must hold the next election under a polls-time neutral administration as per people’s hopes and aspirations,” he said.
Fakhrul said the government will have to constitute the Election Commission with neutral persons for holding the national election in a fair and credible manner.
He also called upon all political parties to get united to force the government to restore democracy and people’s voting rights through a strong movement.
Concentrate on people’s sufferings: Fakhrul to govt
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged the government to concentrate on resolving the problems of people instead of making ‘indecent’ remarks and spreading lies.
“The ruling party leaders and ministers are making derogatory remarks and carrying out false campaigns against our party and its top leaders to mislead people. I call upon them to stop it, and concentrate on resolving people’s problems,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting with the leaders of Baliadangi upazila unit BNP and its associate bodies at Baliadangi Pilot Model High School in Thakurgaon.
He said Awami League itself should resign shouldering its ‘limitless’ failures to run the country and deliver on all fronts.
READ: Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
“Constitute a proper and neutral Election Commission for saving the country by holding a credible and impartial election. Protect the common people and ease their sufferings. Or else, people will pull you down from power,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the party’s leaders and activists to get ready for waging a tough movement to force the government to quit.
“A change in power won’t come without the involvement of students and youths. Organise students at every college and they will then remove this monstrous regime through a movement,” the BNP leader said.
Fakhrul alleged that members of police have been indulging in ‘corruption and various irregularities’ as the government has used them for making its political gains.
READ: AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
“Police are now kings and they amassed wealth worth crores of taka. They themselves now kidnap people. They used to say it proudly that they brought this government to power,” he observed.
Under the circumstances, the BNP leader said, there is no alternative to waging a united movement to ‘restore’ democracy in the country.
BNP calls for simultaneous anti-govt movement
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday urged the opposition political parties to reach a consensus on launching a simultaneous movement against the current government as they did in the 90s to ‘restore’ democracy.
“Our main task is now to restore democracy, but it won’t be possible as long as Sheikh Hasina’s government is in power. So, we must oust this autocratic regime to restore democracy and people’s rights,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader said the opposition political parties have different opinions and ideologies, but he thinks they do not have disagreement when it comes to ousting the Awami League government as people want to get rid of it.
Also read: Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
“So, let’s either form a united platform or launch a simultaneous movement to restore democracy by ensuring the fall of this government. This is now a demand of the time. We also have the history of waging such a movement in the past (against HM Ershad),” he said.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said opposition political parties should now have only one target -- freeing people from the hands of the current 'autocratic' government. “Can’t we reach a consensus on the issue? I call upon all to get united as per people's aspirations.”
He alleged that the ruling party has been 'ruthlessly distorting' the history of the Liberation War and making 'false' comments on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s role in the Liberation War and his grave and dead body to misguide people and hush up the truth.
“We believe that had there been a genuine democratic practice in the country, no government, party and individual could distort history this way,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said any attempt to suppress the historic truth will turn futile.
He said the ruling party leaders are trying to create a controversy centring Ziaur Rahman as part of their move to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the country’s real problems.
Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
BNP on Sunday recalled Bangladesh’s ex-finance minister M Saifur Rahman claiming that presented the country with macroeconomic stability through various effective reforms and initiatives.
“Saifur Rahman himself was an institution. He’s undoubtedly one of them who had made outstanding contributions towards overhauling Bangladesh’s economy, and gave it a solid foundation,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual discussion, he said Saifur was a successful finance minister who carried out some basic tasks for strengthening the country’s economy. “Saifur's greatest achievement was presenting Bangladesh a stable macroeconomy which is essential to keep the economy vibrant.”
Saifur Rahman Parishad arranged the programme, marking the 12th death anniversary of the former finance minister.
Fakhrul said Saifur founded the basis of an open market economy and expanded it braving all the odds and obstacles. “He’s a professional chartered accountant, but Ziaur Rahman brought him to politics seeing his talent and capability for bringing innovative economic reforms in the economy, and he did it successfully.”
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
He said the late BNP finance minister also accomplished many basic works, including the introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) in Bangladesh amid serious criticism. “In the course of time, it’s proved that was the right decision and Bangladesh’s revenue collection increased significantly because of it.”
The BNP leader said Saifur also introduced old-age allowance, disability allowance and freedom fighters’ allowance, for ensuring social security of people. “He had also made contributions to female education by taking many practical steps as per Khaleda Zia’s direction.”
He said Saifur launched food for education for ensuring school enrolment and attendance of school-aged poor children. “It’s a significant and creative step.”
Fakhrul also said the ex-BNP finance minister tried to build Bangladesh as a manufacturing country by setting up heavy industries alongside the RMG sector. “He initiated this move by setting up EPZs.”
He said Saifur ensured discipline in the banking and the insurance sectors as well as the stock market.
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
Stating that Saifur presented the national budget for the 12th time in parliament, Fakhrul said Bangladesh has not reached the current position overnight. “He (Saifur) reinforced the country's economy gradually in a disciplined manner. We remember him with great respect.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Saifur Rahman was successful as a professional, economist, politician and minister.
He also said Saifur was a patriot finance minister and the country had achieved tremendous growth during his tenure. “BNP is proud of him.”
The 12th death anniversary of Saifur Rahman was observed on Sunday amid various programmers, including, placing wreaths at his grave in Moulvibazar, holding Milad mahfil, Qurankhawanni and distributing cooked food.
On September 5, 2009, Saifur, also a former BNP standing committee member, died in a road accident on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at the age of 77.
Born at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila on October 6, 1932, Saifur was with BNP since its inception as an adviser to late president Ziaur Rahman. He went on to serve in Zia’s cabinet as the first commerce minister and then the finance minister.
Fakhrul takes dig at AL, says now ‘bureaucrats running’ country
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said bureaucrats are now running the country though Awami League is in power.
"If you go to the Dhaka DC office or that of other districts where the meetings of law-and-order committees or on development programmes are held, you'll see the bureaucrats playing the major role of Awami League," he said.
Read Having Khaleda freed BNP's main challenge: Fakhrul
Speaking at a discussion, he also said the Awami League leaders are now nowhere in governing the country. "Where’s Awami League? The role of Awami League is not visible now as everything is under a bureaucratic league or military, or police administration. This is the situation in Bangladesh now.”
Bangladesh Chhatra Forum and Uttaranchal Chhatra Forum arranged the programme marking the day when BNP's current acting chairman Tarique Rahman was released from jail in 2008.
Tarique, arrested on March 7 after the 1/11 political changeover, was released on bail on September 3 the following year.
Fakhrul said social crimes have increased in the country as law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain law and order.
"We see in newspapers that policemen are taking ransom and extorting money after kidnapping people. We also see police officers are being accused of rape...the IGP (Inspector General of Police) said now police will also do journalism," he said.
The BNP leader said police will now do journalism instead of arresting thieves and robbers and maintaining law and order. "It's part of a far-reaching move."
He voiced deep concern that the government is going to control social media after the mainstream media only to suppress the truth.
"Our Information Minister yesterday (Thursday) said all the TVs that are operated here on social media and from outside the country must take permission (from the government here). That means the government will now control those who speak for democracy and the truth through social media," Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader said the government has already ‘destroyed’ the freedom of the press and 'curtailed' freedom of speech through different laws, including the Digital Security Act. "They've already established a one-party rule under a different cover by snatching people's voting rights and the press freedom."
Fakhrul alleged that the government has been making unguarded comments against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, his widow Khaleda Zia and their son Tarique Rahman to misguide people and divert their attention to a different direction from the government's failure to deliver on all fronts.
He said the Awami League government is trying to turn Bangladesh into a 'vassal' state, shattering all the dreams of people. “Basically, it is a puppet government.”
The BNP leader said the current government will not last long as it has isolated itself from people. "We must unite people and defeat this regime through a united movement."
AL 'tainted' independence by distorting history: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the Awami League government has stigmatised the independence of Bangladesh by distorting the history of the country's Liberation War.
"We would like to say it clearly that there'll be no use in falsifying the truth in Goebbelsian style and suppressing the rights of people," he said.
Speaking at a discussion, he said the current government has destroyed democracy by dashing the hopes and aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. "They're now working to establish a one-party system of government.”
Fakhrul urged the BNP leaders and activists to get ready for waging a fearless mass movement to 'restore' democracy by ousting the Awami League government.
BNP arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
READ: Govt must take responsibility of disappeared people’s families: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said the ruling party leaders are constantly spitting venom against BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and his widow Khaleda Zia just out of political jealousy. "They try to belittle Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman and BNP for the same reason.
He called upon the Awami League leaders to ask themselves about their contributions to the country.
"Their contributions are to surrender to the Pakistanis and become leaders fleeing the country to India (during the Liberation War). Their contributions are to destroy democracy and establish a one-party rule annihilating the soul of the nation and Bangladesh," the BNP leader said.
He alleged that Awami League is now trying to mislead people by spreading propaganda against Zia and raising a question about his role in the Liberation War.
Fakhrul said Zia is there in people's hearts as they know his contributions to the country and the Liberation War.' "History has accepted Zia, no matter what propaganda the ruling party spreads."
READ: Fakhrul wants stronger alliance to ‘oust’ Al govt
He urged BNP leaders and activists to work for uniting the country's people and all the democratic forces to defeat the 'autocratic' regime of Sheikh Hasina. "We have to establish a pro-people government and free Khaleda Zia from jail. The victory of the people is certain."
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said their party's main target is now to free the country from the hands of a 'despotic' government and restore democracy and thus free Khaleda from jail. "I call upon all to get ready for a strong movement with a vow to oust the autocratic regime.