Leaders of several political parties have warned of street protests if the government moves forward with the plan to hand over the New Mooring Container Terminal of Chittagong Port to foreign companies. Speaking at a protest rally organised by 'Desh Bachao, Bandar Bachao Andolan' in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday, they accused the government of conspiring to lease key national assets to foreign interests. The rally drew participation from leaders of various political organisations, including the Biplobi Workers Party, Gono Adhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, Gono Forum, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Bangladesh LDP, and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh. Ctg port, airport to fully operate from today Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Biplobi Workers Party, criticised the ongoing activities concerning the Chittagong Port, saying that thousands of crores of taka are transacted daily through the New Mooring Container Terminal, generating significant revenue for the state. He alleged that there is a conspiracy to hand over control of this vital infrastructure to foreign entities. Issuing a 72-hour ultimatum to the interim government’s shipping adviser, Saiful Haque demanded the suspension of any agreements with the Dubai-based company allegedly involved. He warned, "As an independent nation, we cannot hand over Chittagong Port to foreign companies. The government must prioritise national interest and the well-being of the people." Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Adhikar Parishad, expressed dismay that such discussions were even necessary following the mass uprising that led to the formation of the interim government. He called for local companies to continue managing the ports, stating, "Domestic companies are still operating the ports effectively—there is no need to bring in foreign firms, which would result in significant job losses." Other speakers also echoed similar sentiments. Syed Ehsanul Huda, Chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, warned that handing over Chittagong Port to foreign interests could lead to long-term economic and political consequences. He also criticised the perceived influence of foreign powers on the current government, particularly India. HC stays enlistment process of operators by Ctg Port Authority for 6 months Subrata Chowdhury, Co-Chairman of Gono Forum, pointed out that both the High Court and Appellate Division have previously ruled against leasing Chittagong Port to foreign companies. He also mentioned that Mongla Port faces similar threats. Mujibur Rahman Manju, Member Secretary of the AB Party, stressed the port's importance as a national asset, urging the government to focus on improving local capabilities instead of outsourcing operations. "If we lack the skills, we must develop them. Thousands of jobs will be at risk if foreign companies take control," he said. Shahadat Hossain Salim, General Secretary of Bangladesh LDP, called on the shipping adviser and the Chittagong Port Authority to stop any further talks of foreign leasing, adding that such actions would not be tolerated by the people.    

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party will hold its December-10 rally in the capital at any cost, braving all barriers and adversities. “Alongside the people of Bangladesh, the entire world is keeping an eye on our rally in Dhaka on December 10. We must make this rally a success at any cost,” he said. Speaking at a views-exchange meeting, Fakhrul also said the BNP leaders are working tirelessly and going to people amid serious obstacles and arrest dives by police to successfully hold the rally. “We must hold a peaceful and successful rally on December 10 if we want to protect the nation, the country’s independence and sovereignty and if we want to get back democracy,” he said. Read: Action as per law if BNP holds rally in Nayapaltan: DMP Chief Bangladesh Smmalita Peshajibi Parishad arranged the programme at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office ahead of the BNP’s rally. Fakhrul called upon the professionals and intellectuals to join their party’s December 10 rally and intensify the current movement for the restoration of democracy and voting rights of people.  He recalled that the intellectuals and the professionals came forward and played outstanding roles whenever the country faced crises in the past. “We hope they’ll do the same this time as well.” “Our backs are now against the wall and we’re at the very edge of the gorge. The existence of our nation is now at stake and the dreams for which we liberated the country have got shattered,” the BNP leader said. He alleged the Awami League government has destroyed both the country’s political and economic structures by staying in power without the people’s mandate. Read: BNP ready to hold rally in Dhaka on December 10 braving all obstacles “This regime has established a reign of plundering in the country as looting is Awami League’s basic characteristic. Whenever Awami League comes to power they indulge in two things--looting public money and spreading fear among people to continue its misrule,” Fakhrul Observed. Narrating Awami League’s misrule during 1972-1975, he said, this party has established one-party rule Baksal as the party does not believe in democracy. “They can’t move forward together with people. They come to power by deceiving people and resorting to tricks. Their real coulour gets exposed when they come to power which is now evident.”  The BNP leader said entire Bangladesh has now woken up to restore people’s voting rights through their party’s nine divisional rallies. “Out of 10, we’ve already held 9 divisional rallies and people made these programmes complete success with their spontaneous participation overcoming many obstacles. They joined rallies for the restoration of democracy in the country.”  

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday asked the members of the ruling Awami League (AL) to stay alert during the upcoming rally in Dhaka by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on December 10. “BNP has been demanding resignation of the government for 12 years. We know what may happen on December 10 as we’ve seen their recent divisional rallies. The number of people who attended the rallies is nothing compared with the number of people who attended our party programmes at district level,” Hasan said. Read more: BNP wants rally at Nayapaltan with aim to anarchy: Hasan Mahmud The Minister added that the government is trying their best so that BNP can organise their programmes peacefully. “We couldn’t hold any political programmes when BNP was in power. We had to sustain grenade attacks, while no such incident has happened during BNP’s programmes under our rule. It has been possible because the government has ensured security for them,” he said. Read more: BNP to launch one-point movement from Dec 10 rally at Nayapaltan He also said that Purbachal, not Nayapaltan, is the perfect place for BNP’s upcoming divisional rally in Dhaka. “Even if we block all the roads adjacent to BNP’s Nayapaltan office, no more than 50,000 people can gather there. But BNP is saying that millions will join their Dhaka rally. There is no place inside Dhaka city, which can accommodate such a huge number of people except Purbachal. That’s why BNP will have to organise their rally there if they want to make it successful,” Hasan said.