United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (November 16) urged people and political parties to resist the ‘vested quarter’ that, he alleged, is trying to create anarchy ahead of Monday’s (November 17) verdict in the case filed against ‘fascist Sheikh Hasina for committing genocide’. “The verdict in the trial over the genocide committed by fascist Hasina will be delivered tomorrow (Monday). Extreme uncertainty and fear are now prevailing across the entire country because of this,” Fakhrul said. Speaking at a discussion, he also said a vested quarter is conspiring to use this moment to push Bangladesh back into chaos. “We must stand firm and resist them,” he said. The BNP leader said the country’s people, particularly the students, have created an opportunity to restore democracy and people’s rights. “We must not waste this opportunity. We have to work to make the path towards democratic transition easier.” Read more: Tarique hails Australian MPs’ call for democracy, election integrity in Bangladesh He urged all political parties to unite on the question of establishing democracy and move forward towards the coming election. “Guided by the ideals of Maulana Abul Hamid Khan Bhasani, we must work to establish democracy in this country.” The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) is set to deliver its verdict on Monday in the case against deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her two top aides, who face five counts of alleged crimes against humanity linked to last year’s deadly student-led uprising in Dhaka during July–August. BNP arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club marking the 49th death anniversary of Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, a legendary politician and one of the dreamers of Bangladesh’s independence. Fakhrul said the country’s politics has now fallen into a state of confusion, with ‘contentious’ elements entering the political arena that the people of Bangladesh could never imagine. He said it is unfortunate that the country is now facing a critical crisis due to bad politics practised by some parties. Read more: BTV to broadcast live verdict on Hasina in July Uprising case The BNP leader reiterated that elections are the only path to a transition to democracy. “An election is the only way through which we can move towards democracy and reflect the people’s aspirations.” Despite confusion, frustration and uncertainty, he said a possibility has now emerged that the national election will be held on 26 February. Fakhrul, however, warned that certain quarters are still deliberately trying to create uncertainty in the country by raising various demands with the intention of obstructing, halting or delaying the election. “But the people of this country now need one thing above all — an elected government that has public support,” he said. Fakhrul urged all political parties to support the election process instead of making efforts to derail the polls, for the sake of the country and its people. “Support the election so that the people can express their opinion, their belief, and elect their representatives through this vote.” He warned that the economic situation is deteriorating day by day and will worsen further without an elected government. “The law-and-order situation is already bad, and without an elected government it will deteriorate even more.” Fakhrul recalled how Bhasani devoted his entire life to fighting for the rights of the oppressed and deprived, living very simply as a lifelong champion of the people. BNP to reinstate ‘faith in Allah’ in constitution if returns to power: Salahuddin He urged BNP leaders and workers to read books on the life and work of Bhasani and follow his ideals. Fakhrul also recalled that Bhasani had recognised in Ziaur Rahman a leader capable of changing the country’s fate, and blessed him, and had encouraged NAP leader Mashiur Rahman Jadu Mia to work alongside Zia.

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on Monday warned that a vested quarter has been trying to oust her Awami League government despite its stellar success in putting the country on the road to development and prosperity. "Why do they want to thwart the Awami League government? What is its crime? She wondered during a meeting with leaders and activists of Tungipara and Kotalipra upazila Awami League, its front and associate bodies at Kotalipara upazila AL office in Gopalganj district. The premier, who is also the president of Awami League, arrived in Tungipara early in the day on her first visit to her hometown through the Padma Bridge since its opening by her on June 25. Also read: Cheerful PM’s photo with Joy, Putul from Padma Bridge takes netizens by storm She told the meeting that her government has been working tirelessly to transform Bangladesh  into a developed and prosperous nation free from poverty and hunger as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She asked her party leaders and activists to make sure that none of the people including her party members and workers would have to suffer pain owing to Covid-19 outbreak and Russia-Ukraine war. "Make sure that not a single activist of mine and the people has to suffer pain," she told the party leaders and activists. She urged the AL leaders and activists to stand beside the people to pursue the government move that none will remain poor, homeless and hunger anymore. "Each Awami League leader and worker has to work for changing the mindset that of enjoying everything alone," she said. The PM said that the world is now going through a critical juncture due to the double blow of the ongoing Coronavirus and Russia-Ukraine war and reiterated her call for all to exercise austerity in every sector particularly in using energy and electricity. "We're still in a good position and trying to be well. It requires help from all the citizens," she said. Hasina again asked all to bring every inches of land across the country under cultivation to grow foods so Bangladesh does not suffer such crisis. She said her government has built the Padma Bridge, supplied electricity to every house and is giving home to every landless and homeless people and ensuring food security for all. The Awami League president described grassroots activists as the lifeline of her party saying,  "The grassroots activists always take right decision and uphold the party." Also read: PM Hasina's first trip to Tungipara by Padma Bridge, pays homage to Bangabandhu She asked the party leaders to inquire about the wellbeing of every party member and stand by them if required. In this connection, the she recalled the inhuman torture on the leaders and activists of Awami League during the regime of Zia, Khaleda, Ershad, Ayub and Yahiay Khan. On her day’s visit to Tungipara Hasina was accompanied by her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed. The PM offered prayer at Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's mausoleum in Tungipara there seeking eternal peace for his departed soul of  and of other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre. She also placed a wreath at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu. After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence, who was brutally killed by some disgruntled army men on the dreadful night of August 15, 1975 along with most of his family members. On her way to Tungipara, Hasina with her son and daughter spent some time on the Padma Bridge and took rest for a while at Jajira point's service area. She left Tungipara for Dhaka this afternoon The PM, who became the first national to pay toll to cross the country's longest Padma Bridge during its opening on June 25 last, also  paid toll this time too on both legs of her visit. Hasina said that all post-1975 governments except the Awami League-led one o served only their own interests. Referring to the pandemic and flood, she praised the leaders and workers of her party saying they came forward to help people affected by Covid-19 and now the floods. machineries. About the opening of the 6.15km Padma Bridge the prime minister said it will now ease long-distance traffic and transportation of commodities from the southern region. It will also play a significant role in helping the southern region of the country thrive economically, she said adding that only two and a half hours are needed now to come from Dhaka to Tungipara. She however requested the people in the southern region to make efforts to be self-dependent using the benefits of the Padma Bridge.  Hasina urged them to be engaged in various productive works to supplement the efforts of the government to increase production. She said like other countries, Bangladesh is also passing through a critical time due to the crisis in the world. She also asked AL and its associate bodies to plant saplings during this rainy session to make the country greener. She said though she is now aged she will continue to work for the cause of the country and its people as long as she lives.