Politics
12-party alliance formed to support BNP’s movement
A new political alliance of a dozen parties has been unveiled to join the BNP-planned simultaneous anti-government movement aimed at unseating the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, organisers said on Thursday.
Previously these 12 parties were part of a 20-party alliance led by BNP.
Mostafa Jamal Haidar, Chairman of a faction of Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), announced the formation of the new alliance at a press briefing at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.
Read more: BNP MP Harunur Rashid submits resignation to JS Speaker
The partners of the new alliance are Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), Bangladesh Kalyan Party, Bangladesh Labour Party, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, NDP, LDP (Selim), Muslim League, Jamiyet Ulamaye Islam, Islami Oikkya Jote, Jagpa, Islamic Party and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal.
“I can firmly say that our understanding and unity with the biggest opposition party of the country BNP will remain the same as before. We are moving forward with the new tactics to build greater unity with participation of those political parties, which are against this fascist government,” he said.
“There is no scope of misunderstanding and we all move together on the path of simultaneous movement,” said Mostafa.
Read more: Samyabadi Dal (ML) welcomes BNP’s 27-point campaign
Labour Party chairman Mostafizur Rahman read out the declaration paper of the newly formed 12-party alliance.
“We have decided to participate in the ongoing anti-government movement to restore democracy and people’s voting rights, and we will be recognised as a 12-party alliance,” said Mostafizur.
“The 12-party alliance will remain active on streets in simultaneous anti-government movement with BNP to force the government to resign and hold the election under a caretaker government through a new Election Commission. We’ll continue our movement until the achievement of final victory,” he said.
The 12-party alliance also considers the BNP’s 27-point outline of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ as a ‘national charter of emancipation’ and expressed solidarity with it, he added.
Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, chairman of Kallyan Party, said, “Before abolition, the 20-party alliance held its last meeting at the BNP Chairperson’s Office on December 9, 2022 where the leaders of the alliance decided not to use the previous name 20-party alliance. The 20-party alliance formed on April 18, 2012.”
There are two registered political parties in the 12-party alliance—one is Bangladesh Kallyan Party and another is Bangladesh Muslim League, he added.
The other parties have filed their petitions to the Election Commission for registration and it is expected that a positive result will come, said Ibrahim.
The alliance is planning to go to the divisional cities after December 30 and they will take their decision about it soon, Ibrahim said.
“We will join all programmes of BNP and as part of the simultaneous movement we will bring out mass processions on December 30. We will gather at the Bijoy Nagar area around 2 pm,” he added.
22nd Nat'l Council: AL to focus on “smart” leadership aligned with Smart Bangladesh goal
Awami League is focusing on youth and “smart” leadership – with the determination to achieve its ‘Smart Bangladesh’ goal – by confronting conspiracies at home and abroad.
Some senior leaders said the 22nd National Council of Awami League is going to present a smart, organised and acceptable leadership to face the imminent challenges.
Awami League will hold its National Council at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan on December 24.
Read more: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina
The main theme of this year’s council is: “Development journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina with the determination to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh of Bangabandhu’s dream”.
According to party sources, the council usually goes on for two days but this time, it will be held for a day. Keeping in mind the global recession, the party has taken this initiative of curtailing the programme.
The budget of the 21st AL National Council was Tk 3.43 crore while the budget for this year’s council is a reduced Tk 3.13 crore.
About 7,000 councillors and lakhs of delegates will participate in this year’s National Council. The party started distributing councillor and delegate cards from Wednesday.
The first session will begin on December 24 at 10:30 am. Leaders and activists will come to Suhrawardy Udyan early in the morning. There will be a break for lunch and prayers.
Party sources said that Awami League will form its executive committee, taking into consideration the 12th national election scheduled for early 2024. Those who will assume leadership will confront all domestic and foreign conspiracies and work to implement the election manifesto of Awami League.
Read more: Awami League never wasted a single taka of Bangladesh’s money: PM
Besides, the leaders will also work to highlight the development and achievements of the government to the countrymen. Awami League intends to go for leaders from among honest, courageous, idealistic and tested activists.
Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a member of the presidium of the party, said that this council is committed to ensuring a smart Bangladesh by 2041. Among the former leaders of Chhatra League, those who have demonstrated maturity in politics and are loyal to the party can be chosen.
He also said the party will give efforts to fulfil the quota of women in leadership.
Saying that Awami League is a “smart party”, Joint General Secretary and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud said the ruling party is always “the first to think what needs to be done to advance the nation.”
“Awami League has established Digital Bangladesh. Now, it will also ensure Smart Bangladesh. Our country lagged behind for decades during the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but now we are not behind in the fourth industrial revolution under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” he also said.
Read more: Awami League is fighting to institutionalise democracy: Quader
Joint General Secretary of Awami League, AFM Bahauddin Nasim, said that the 12th national election will be held after one year. “Awami League will have a strong leadership, consisting the young and elderly, who can work for the party along with Sheikh Hasina to build a smart Bangladesh,” he said.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB that every council brings new faces to lead the party. This trend will continue in this council as well, he said.
Ahead of the 22nd National Council of Awami League, the last executive meeting of the current committee will be held today at 6 pm at Ganabhaban, the official residence of party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Obaidul Quader requested the invited members of the central executive committee of Awami League to attend the meeting in accordance with the health protection rules.
A spectacular stage is being built in the shape of a boat at Suhrawardy Udyan. This will include the development and progress of the current government. The stage is 80 feet long and 44 feet wide.
There will be five gates for entry. One of these is a VIP gate, while the other four are for councillors. The gates will be opened for councillors and delegates from 7 am.
Will act against those trying to create anarchy: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today said that action will be taken if anyone tries to create anarchy in the country.
Political parties have to do politics, abiding by rules, the home minister said at the inauguration ceremony of Upazila Ansar and VDP office in Bagha of Rajshahi.
Read more: There was no lack of security during US ambassador’s Shaheenbagh visit: Home Minister
He said that the law and order situation in the country is satisfactory and the police force is working with patriotism and bravery. “If political parties of the country do not follow rules, they will be held accountable.”
“Every force is working efficiently. Ansar and VDP are among them,” said the minister, adding that when police cannot be deployed in elections, Ansar personnel are deployed.
“Around 2,00,000 Ansar members performed their duties bravely when arson attacks were carried out in the country,” the minister said.
Regarding killings at Bangladesh-India border, the home minister said, “Talks have been held with India to stop border killings. They (India) also do not support such killings.”
Read more: Fardin Noor: Home Minister puts faith in RAB, DB investigation
Besides, India has requested the Bangladesh government to take care of the issue of free movement in the border areas, he added. “The government is also keeping an eye on it.”
If there is a problem at the border, an immediate flag meeting is being held. The home ministries of both countries are also working together to solve various problems and crises, the home minister said.
In order to make the field level activities of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP more dynamic and up to date, construction of upazila Ansar and VDP model buildings is underway in 13 upazilas of Bangladesh.
Construction of nine Upazila Ansar and VDP buildings has been completed.
Join Dhaka rally spontaneously to reply to govt’s ill-motive, says Khandaker Mosharraf
BNP on Friday called upon the Dhaka city dwellers to spontaneously join their party’s rally in Golapbagh field peacefully to give the government a befitting reply to its efforts to foil a democratic programme.
“We will hold the programme in Dhaka peacefully as we did in nine other divisional cities. We call upon people from all walks of life to participate in our programme spontaneously,” said Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, a former cabinet minister and the most senior member of the BNP's standing committee.
He was speaking at a press conference held at the party chairperson's Gulshan office following a virtual meeting of the leaders of the BNP standing committee.
Mosharraf said their party will start the rally at 11am on Saturday on the Golapbagh ground as Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has already given permission to use the venue.
He alleged that the government has created unnecessary chaos over giving the party permission for the venue to hold Saturday’s rally and bought time with an evil motive to foil the programme.
The BNP leader also said the government resorted to violence at Nayapaltan on Wednesday and arrested many party leaders and activists and caused injuries to many others to spread panic among the people so that they don’t join the rally.
“We believe people will give a befitting reply to the government’s evil efforts by spontaneously joining the rally on Saturday,” he said.
Mosharraf, however, sought cooperation from the police in ensuring security for the rally and cooperation for holding it peacefully.
Demand for immediate release of Mirza Fakhrul, Abbas and other party leaders-activists
Mosharraf strongly condemned and protested the arrest of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas in the dead of night.
Read: BNP’s Dec 10 rally finally to be held at Golapbagh ground
“The arrest of Fakhrul and Abbas is an extreme manifestation of the government’s fascist character.”
He demanded the government immediately release the two top leaders and all other party leaders and activists who were arrested involving the rally on Saturday.
Mosharraf hoped that a mass wave will be created towards their rally as it is going to be held braving various obstacles, repressive acts and arrests of many party leaders and activists. “It’s a programme of people and they’ll make it a success, no matter how many BNP leaders are being arrested.”
As part of the move to continue the pace of its ongoing movement, the BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The party has already arranged rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal, Faridpur, Sylhet, Cumilla and Rajshahi braving various obstacles and transport strikes.
BNP has long been demanding that the next general election be held under a caretaker government, not under any political government — a demand sharply rejected by the ruling Awami League as the constitution does not allow it to happen.
The party is going to conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city tomorrow (Saturday) which coincides with International Human Rights Day.
New programmes to be announced
Mosharraf said from their rally, they will announce a 10-point demand for ensuring the fall of the Awami League government.
“We have already discussed the points of the movement with those who are ready for waging a simultaneous movement with us. We hope they will simultaneously announce the 10 points—that we have formulated-- from their respective positions,” he said.
Read: Mirza Fakhrul, Mirza Abbas picked up by detectives: BNP
Mosharraf hoped that all parties who reach an understanding with them to initiate a simultaneous movement—will move forward and intensify the anti-government agitation based on the points of the movement to be declared from the rally.
Earlier, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) permitted the party to hold their rally at Golapbagh.
BNP vice chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain disclosed the matter to the media after a meeting with Chief of Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Harun Or Rashid on Friday noon.
The DB chief also assured the delegation of ensuring security measures at the venue and asked to take preparations to hold the rally in Golapbagh ground, said Zahid.
BNP in the early hours on Friday claimed that plainclothes police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in Dhaka.
Earlier on Thursday night, a BNP delegation had a six-hour meeting with the DMP commissioner where they talked about holding the rally on Saturday (December 10) either at Kamalapur Stadium or Mirpur Bangla College ground.
Later, Abbas with some BNP leaders visited the two venues. At that meeting, police authorities assured of reopening the BNP office at Nayapaltan, however, the area remained under police control since Friday morning.
On Wednesday, a Swechchasebak Dal leader was killed and around 50 others were injured in a clash between police and the BNP activists in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office ahead of its December 10 rally.
Following the clash, police raided the BNP office and arrested around 300 party leaders and activists from there.
205 BNP leaders, activists sued over crude bomb blasts in Barishal
Police have filed a case against 55 named and 150 more unnamed BNP leaders and activists on Friday over crude bomb blasts at a school ground in Barishal's Babuganj upazila.
Sub-Inspector of Babuganj Police Station Abdul Hannan filed the case under the Explosive Substances Act early Friday, Mahbubur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the police station, said.
Read: Nayapaltan clash: 445 BNP activists including Rizvi, Annie sent to jail, 2 get bail
"They accused tried to create panic among people through sabotage and subversive activities. However, their identities cannot be disclosed right now due to an investigation," he added.
Police have not made any arrests over the crude bomb blasts but a special operation is being conducted to arrest those involved in it, Mahbubur said.
On Thursday night, two crude bombs exploded at Ishwar Narayan Secondary School ground in Babuganj. Police claimed they later seized three more unexploded crude bombs from the spot.
Read: Nayapaltan clash: Over 3000 BNP activists, others sued
However, Abul Kalam Shahin, member secretary of the South Barishal BNP, said the party was not involved in the incident and the blasts were a ploy of the administration to foil the BNP's December 10 rally in Dhaka.
US Embassy issues alert for its citizens in Bangladesh
The US Embassy in Bangladesh on Wednesday issued an alert for its citizens living here asking them to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.
“U.S. citizens should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Review personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates,“ it said in a statement.
The next general election in Bangladesh is anticipated to be held before or during January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced, it added.
Read more: US Trade Show in Dhaka to demonstrate “commitment to support Bangladesh”
“Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Two of Bangladesh’s largest political parties have announced rallies in different areas of Dhaka for December 10, 2022, “ said the statement.
BNP ready to hold rally in Dhaka on December 10 braving all obstacles
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said their party is ready to hold a rally in Dhaka on December 10 defying all sorts of repressions and ‘terror activities’ unleashed by the government.
"None of our Dhaka city leaders now can stay at home as the government has created such a terrible situation here by resorting to terror activities. But our activists are not afraid of it,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office.
He said they will make the rally a success by tackling the repressive acts. “We urge the government not to create any obstacle in our peaceful rally.”
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member who is overseeing the party’s preparatory activities for arranging the rally, once again said they may consider holding their programme at any suitable venue inside Dhaka other than Suhrawardi Udyan and the bank of the Turag River.
Read: Rab ready to tackle ‘any situation’ arising over BNP’s Dec 10 Dhaka rally
He strongly condemned the attack on BNP executive committee member Ishraque Hossain by the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League BCL) near Jagannath University (JnU) on Sunday while distributing leaflets for the party’s December-10 rally
"By attacking Ishraq, they (Awami League) proved that they not, BNP, are indulging in terrorism. This’s not an isolated attack, but they are carrying out such incidents one after another,” the BNP leader said,.
He said the ruling party ‘cadres’ attacked the house of BNP leader Barrister Nasir Uddin Asim' a few days back and carried out a crude bomb explosion in front of the BNP office at Nayapaltan.
Abbas said the government itself has been propagating that there will be terrorism centring BNP’s rally. "I would like to know why the ruling party is attacking us when we’re going to hold a peaceful rally from where our next course of programmes will be announced.”
The BNP leader said they will not respond to any kind of provocation by the government as their main goal is to hold the progranmme without any chaos.
Read: People are afraid of BNP’s Dec 10 rally: Obaidul Quader
He said their party has no plan rather than holding the rally peacefully. ”We’ll just hold the rally from 12pm to 4pm and then our leaders and activists will return to their homes.”
The BNP leader alleged that police encircled his Shahjahanpur House since morning. “There was a workers’ meeting at my house today (Monday) where I was supposed to give them directives for arranging our rally in a peaceful manner, but I was not allowed to do that. My house was surrounded by police.”
He questioned whether the country has been in the grasp of terrorists that BNP leaders are now not safe both at their home and office.
Don’t trust people who mislead, spread rumours: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said a vested quarter continues misleading people by spreading various rumours, but there is nothing for the people to be misguided.
“Today some words are being propagated in many ways and it will continue for many days. Many people can be misled. I would like to say there is nothing to be misguided,” she said.
The premier was addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence Course-2022 and Armed Forces War Course-2022 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Mirpur Cantonment.
Hasina said it is unfortunate for Bangladesh that when the country advances to economic progress amid a peaceful environment, all people don’t like it.
Talking about the world economic crisis induced by the war and economic sanctions, she said her government has still been able to keep Bangladesh stable.
“A quarter continues misleading the people through saying many things and injecting fear among the people,” she said.
Read: No problem with movement, but don’t go for violence: PM Hasina warns BNP
The PM said her government has been able to raise the reserve of foreign currencies to $ 48 billion during the Covid-19 period from only $ 5 billion in 2009. Then the money from the reserve was spent to procure Covid-19 vaccines and testing kits, food and others, she added.
She said her government’s goal is always to develop Bangladesh socio-economically. “We’ll continue to make socio-economic development of Bangladesh keeping its people free from terrorism, militancy, terrorism, drug and corruption. We don’t want war with anyone,” she added.
Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman framed a foreign policy where he said friendship with all, malice towards none.
“We’ve friendly relations with every country. We’re marching forward. Because, we don’t want war, rather we want peace. We witnessed the consequences of the war. If there is any problem, we solve it through negotiation,” she continued.
In this context, she mentioned solutions to maritime disputes with neighbours in a peaceful way and implementation of land boundary agreement through discussions.
Read: ‘Why did Bangladesh not see development in 29 years?’ – PM Hasina asks
The PM stressed the need for attaining economic independence. “Unless we can attain economic self-reliance, we won’t be able to uphold our independence and its spirit. So, we’ve been working to accomplish the goal," she said.
She said today Bangladesh has got the status of a developing country thanks to the continuation of an uninterrupted democratic trend and her government’s special attention paid to socio-economic development.
She put emphasis on upholding the recognition of a developing nation.
The PM said the Armed Forces stand always beside the people in any disaster and trouble. They earned public trust and confidence inside the country. The armed forces and police are getting acclamation from the United Nations for playing their roles efficiently in the peacekeeping missions in foreign lands, she added.
The PM extended her sincere thanks to the armed forces for upholding the image of the country.
She also congratulated the fresh NDC and AFWC graduates on their successful completion of their respective courses.
Later, the prime minister attended the 19th joint governing body meeting of National Defence College (NDC) and Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) as the president of the joint governing body of both institutions there.
PM Hasina reaches CTG’s Polo Ground to address enormous rally
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has arrived at the Polo Ground to address an enormous rally. This is her first public rally in Chattogram city after a gap of ten years.
The port city has been gripped by enthusiasm and fanfare, as thousands of people were rushing towards the rally venue to see and hear the Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.
Chattogram City and North and South District AL organised the huge mass rally at the railway Polo Ground.
It is Sheikh Hasina’s second appearance at a public gathering outside Dhaka, following the rally in Jashore on November 24 – after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak.
The arrival of Sheikh Hasina has energized AL leaders and activists not only in Chattogram, but also the entire southern region.
Read: AL rally in Ctg: Leaders, activists throng Polo Ground wearing colorful shirts
Hundreds of thousands thronged the rally ground in Chattogram since early morning and within a few hours, the venue was packed to the brim.
The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty spaces – turning into a human sea before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:05pm.
Earlier, since morning, masses – men, women and AL supporters – were seen marching towards the venue in procession, shouting “Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu”, holding placards, banners, wearing colourful T-shirts and caps, beating drums, carrying the boat symbol as well as national and party flags.
Women, in large and small groups, waited in queue at the entrance. Leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different districts of Chattogram division and adjoining areas joined the rally with a fleet of reserved buses, pickup-trucks, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.
Read: Ctg ready to welcome PM; AL rally this afternoon
Decorated arches and gates have been constructed on the roads with posters and banners of the Prime Minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the party chief in various areas of the city including Kazir Deuri, Halishahar, Lalkhan Bazar, Tiger Pass, Dewan Hat, Kadamtali, New Market, Anderkilla and other areas.
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has carried out beautification work on the roads ahead of the rally, including cleaning and painting footpaths, decorating flyovers with lights and repairing dilapidated roads in different areas.
AL having nightmares of losing power: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that the government is having nightmares of losing power since it has no confidence in the country’s people.
'We want to hold a rally at Nayapaltan peacefully on December 10. But they (AL) have lost sleep in fear of losing their power. They themselves are saying that their thrones will be overturned,” he said.
Speaking at a massive rally, the BNP leader also BNP had many rallies at Nayapaltan, even in presence of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, earlier without any chaos.
“You (AL) know you’ve committed many misdeeds. You have no confidence in people. So, you are also sacred and having nightmares that Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman are coming (to power),” he observed.
Fakhrul said the government has been carrying out various occurrences and filing false and fictitious cases against the BNP leaders and activists.
“They’ve now started staging the drama of militants. They create militants for their own needs. They also set fire to buses and indulge in arson violence for their own interests. This is the Awami League.”
As part of the party’s divisional programme, BNP’s Rajshahi city unit arranged the rally on Rajshahi Madrasa ground in the city.
No polls without caretaker govt
Fakhrul categorically said the next national election must be held under a neutral caretaker government. “Otherwise, no election will be held in the country.”
Referring to Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark that the election will be arranged as per the constitution, the BNP leader said the ruling party has repeatedly amended the constitution to hang onto power.