Awami League
Not worried over allies’ protesting fuel price hike: Obaidul Quader
Awami League is not worried about the protests by allies against the recent fuel price hike, said the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday.
He said this in response to queries from journalists after an emergency meeting of the party at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.
Quader said the partners in the AL-led 14-party alliance have the right to organize their own programmes.
Also read: Next election will be held on time: Quader
“If they want to do it, they will do it. It doesn't matter,” he said when asked about the protest programmes by some alliance partners against the sudden increase in the fuel price amid high inflation.
"Our alliance is an election alliance, it is a strategic alliance. There is no ideal issue here. So why did we have an alliance with the Jatya Party ? You have to think about these things," he said.
Asked whether there was any discussion in the party before the increase in the price of fuel oil, the general secretary said it is up to the government.
Also read: Quader defends sudden fuel price hike as step to halt losses
These party meetings do not discuss such matters. Officially it is decided by the government and here the head of the Ministry of Power and Energy is the prime minister, he noted.
"This has been done considering the whole global situation,” he said reiterating that the government had to raise the price as it had no other option.
The government does not intend to hurt the people, he said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has assured the price will be reduced as soon as the price of oil falls in the world market," he also said.
Quader said that the AL government had reduced the price of electricity four times in the past.
"There is no such example with BNP. It only talks tall. There was no electricity during their time. There were only pillars, but no electricity. People at that time suffered 13-14 hours of load shedding. Can BN deny it? Today they talk about electricity. We have provided 100% electricity. This situation (crisis) is due to the world situation today. We will go back on our promise when the normal time comes."
Quader defends sudden fuel price hike as step to halt losses
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said that the government had no other alternative to raising the fuel price offset the losses amid global energy crunch.
The government will adjust the fuel price accordingly if the price decreases in the international market, said during a briefing at his residence.
Quader, who is also the minister of Road Transport and Bridges, said that owing to the Russia-Ukraine war, the price of fuel oil became unstable in the world market. This, in turn, has affected the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Bangladesh currency forcing the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to count losses.
Also read: Fuel price hike: Another blow to struggling Bhola fishermen
The minister said that due to the high price of fuel oil in neighbouring countries, there was a risk of smuggling from Bangladesh.
BPC, he said, incurred a loss of about Tk 9,000 crore from February 22 to July 22 because of the global fuel price hike.
The AL leader highlighted the current pricing of fuel oil in different countries and said that the price of diesel per litre in Myanmar is TK112.56 in India TK114. 49, in Sri Lanka TK 117.49 , in Arab Emirates TK122, in Nepal TK127.82, in Singapore TK189.78 and TK260.75 in Hong Kong.
He said the government had earlier adjusted the price on November 4, 2021 and before that on April 25, 2016, it had reduced the price of diesel after it fell in the international market. In the future too, if the price falls in the global market, the price will be adjusted by reducing the price in the domestic market.
Also read: Fuel price hike: Govt raises bus fares
Quader admitted that the fuel price increase will impact various sectors of the economy. The government is aware of the and it is trying to keep the negative affects at a low level.
He said that according to experts, the price of energy will start stabilizing in the world market soon, raising hope for Bangladesh.
He said the fuel price rise has led to the increase in the passenger fare in public buses.
The minister warned that legal action would be taken if any transport operator charges more than the coordinated fare.
He responded to BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's allegation that the government has turned into a monster.
In a counterattack he accused BNP of turning the country into a monster by killing people, destroying public property and burning people alive.
Quader stated that those who started politics with killings are the real monsters.
He also said that those who were champions of corruption find the corruption now in all government activities.
Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
Taking a vow to take revenge for the murder of Noor-e- Alam and Abdur Rahim who were killed in police firing in Bhola, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the party rank and file to take to movement instated of shedding tears to save the nation from the 'fascist' rule of Awami League.
"No more crying, we have to wake up now holding back tears as the nation must be saved from the oppression of this horrible authoritarian fascist government,” he said.
Fakhrul made the remarks in a brief address prior to a namaz-e-Janaza of Bhola District unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Noor-e-Alam in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.
Noor-e-Alam who sustained bullet wounds during a clash between police and BNP activists on Sunday in Bhola, died at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday, raising the death toll from the incident to two.
Earlier on Sunday, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim died as police fired bullets at a rally of BNP in Bhola.
Fakhrul said their party leaders and activists must continue their struggle by turning their grief into strength to restore democracy, free Khaleda Zia from jail and get rid of 35 lakh cases filed against them.
He said their party will wage a strong movement in a peaceful manner by organising and uniting the entire nation to oust the current government. ”We will take revenge for the killing of our sons, our brothers Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim by creating a mass movement.”
In an emotion-choked voice, the BNP leader said there is no greater pain than bearing the dead body of a son on the shoulder of a father.
“We are seeing in front of us the body of our son Bhola Chhatra Dal President Nur-e-Alam as he was shot dead by the police forces of this fascist Awami League government. Our Bhola District Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim was also shot dead while 19 more people are fighting for lives at hospitals in Dhaka and Barisal,” he said.
Read:BNP withdraws daylong general strike after 6 hrs in Bhola
Fakhrul said the killing of BNP leaders and activists by the current regime is nothing new. “The Awami League government has killed over a thousand leaders and activists of ours and made around 600 others disappear over the last 15 years to cement a one-party rule.”
Hundreds of leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies started taking positions on the road in front of the BNP central office in the morning as the slain JCD leader’s janaza was scheduled to be held at 11am, halting traffic on the busy thoroughfare.
The body of Noor-e-Alam was brought to Nayapaltan central office from the morgue of Dhaka Medical College Hospital around 12:45pm after conducting an autopsy. Many JCD leaders and activists were seen crying as the body arrived there.
Fakhrul along with party senior leaders paid homage to Noor-e-Alam by placing wreaths on his coffin and draping it with the party flag.
Later, his namaz-e-Janaza was held in front of the BNP office and then the body was sent to Bhola for burial.
As part of BNP’s countrywide demonstration programme protesting the ongoing load shedding and mismanagement in the power sector, the leaders and activists of the party gathered in front of their district party office in Bhola on Sunday last.
At one stage, police obstructed them when they tried to stage demonstrations at Kalinath Roy Bazar around 11:30 am, triggering a clash.
Later, police fired bullets and lobbed teargas shells that left Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim dead and some other leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies, including Noor-e-Alam, injured.
There day mourning
Mirza Fakhrul announced a three-day mourning beginning from Friday in memory of Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim.
During the mourning, he said, black flags will be hoisted and the party flag will be kept at half-mast atop all BNP offices across the country. Doa mahfil will be arranged seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the two slain leaders.
Besides, he said JCD, Krishak Dal and Jubo Dal will stage rallies on August 6, 7 and 8 respectively in protest against their killing.
Timely steps taken to face crisis: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said the government has taken timely steps to face the fall-out of the ongoing global economic crisis.
“The current crisis is a global one. Precautionary measures are being taken so that Bangladesh is not hit hard by this crisis,” he said in a statement.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said his party thinks that it would not be difficult to overcome any crisis if the people make a united effort.
He urged the people to be responsible, economical and exercise austerity in the use of state resources.
Read:Impacts of Russia-Ukraine war also affect Bangladesh: Obaidul Quader
Lambasting BNP leaders for raising questions over the country’s reserves of foreign currencies, the AL general secretary said the stock was never above US$ 5 billion during their regime.
He said Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves hit the country’s record highest of more than US$ 48 billion due to the economic development and good governance under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The export income of Bangladesh has exceeded US$ 50 billion under the leadership of Hasina as well, said Quader.
The foreign exchange reserves of many developed countries have fallen alarmingly due to the energy price hike in the world market, he said.
No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader
No conspiracy can stop Sheikh Hasina's trend of development and prosperity, said Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday.
"No matter how much BNP tries and conspires along with its domestic and foreign allies, this country can never be suppressed," he said at a press briefing at his official residence.
Before talking about the indemnity in the power sector, did BNP forget - they gave indemnity to protect Bangabandhu's killers, the Awami League general secretary said, adding that Khaleda Zia also gave indemnity during Operation Clean Heart.
Read:Fakhrul’s demand to restore democracy frightens people: Quader
He said the BNP's indemnity was to protect the killers and the Sheikh Hasina government had given indemnity in the interest of continuing development and for the welfare of people.
Terming BNP as a party of money looters and plunderers, he said, "BNP is a terrorist group which has been proved by foreign courts. They want this country to become a failed state, but the people of this country will not allow it to happen."
Quader said that the BNP leaders have revealed their hateful nature by expressing anger against the government on the holy day of Eid.
Their comments made people upset who are passing their Eid holidays with loved ones in a festive mood, he added.
Obaidul Quader claimed that the BNP had plunged the country into darkness and the Sheikh Hasina government has enlightened the country.
PM vows to safeguard people’s voting and democratic rights
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government has been taking all necessary measures to protect the people’s voting rights.
“The people of this country will enjoy all sorts of their rights. Their basic rights, voting rights and democratic rights will remain ensured. It’s our only goal and we’ve been working for this,” she said.
The premier was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected mayor and councillors of Comilla City Corporation in the city’s Osmani Smriti Auditorium through a video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She said the government wants the socio-economic development of Bangladesh through maintaining the democratic environment. “It is our main goal and we’ve been working for it,” she added.
Read: PM mulls area-based specific time power cuts to save fuel
Hasina, also the president of Awami League, said her party has been striving for establishment of rights of the people since its formation. AL had been formed to protest against injustice, she added.
About the recent Cumilla City election, she said the people could exercise their voting rights spontaneously in the very competitive election held amid festive atmosphere.
“They had been able to make the candidates of their choice win with their votes here. I think it is an example in electoral history,” she added.
Awami League leader Mukul Bose passes away
Mukul Bose, a member of the Advisory Committee of the ruling Awami League, passed away at a hospital in India on Saturday. He was 68.
Mukul had been suffering from different diseases and was initially admitted to a hospital in the Mohammadpur area.
READ: Former state minister Gautam Chakraborty dies
He was later shifted to Apollo Hospital in the southern Indian city of Chennai, where he breathed his breath around 5.20am, said Awami League office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua.
Mukul is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
AL govt has become enemy of people: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the Awami League government has become the enemy of the people by resorting to repressive acts and unleashing misrule.
“Awami League has usurped power by snatching people’s basic rights systematically. A horrible situation has been created in the country due to its misrule and misdeeds, including enforced disappearance,” he said.
The BNP leader also said the current government has taken a stance against the country’s people in every aspect. “This regime has been identified as the enemy of the country’s people.”
Fakhrul was talking to reporters after visiting the house of BNP leader Chodhury Alam who was made disappeared on June 24, 2010, from the capital’s Farmgate area.
Also read: Khaleda to return home from hospital today
Fakhrul together with some BNP leaders went to Alam’s Khilgaon residence, marking the 12 anniversary of his enforced disappearance.
He talked to the family members and enquired about their condition.
Fakhrul said those who have been made disappeared have been deprived of their right to life while their family members have been left in the lurch.
He said families of the enforced disappearance victims are not getting the inheritance certificate and property ownership, and they cannot transact money kept in the bank accounts of their missing dear ones. “These families are in dire straits.”
“Chowdhury Alam has been missing for 12 years since the repressive force of the government picked him up. Despite frantic efforts, nether neither his family nor our party could trace him. This regime also couldn’t say anything about his whereabouts.” Fakhrul said.
Also read: Govt indulges in celebration keeping flood victims unfed, alleges Fakhrul
He said many such incidents have taken place since the Awami League government came to power.
The BNP leader said more than 600 BNP leaders and activists, including former MP Ilias Ali, have been subjected to enforced disappearance during the rule of the Awami League.
He said it is clearly mentioned in the United Nations Charter, that enforced disappearance is a crime against humanity. “But the fascist and autocratic regime has resorted to such incidents.”
He said many parents lost their children, while many wives lost their husbands over the last 15 years of Awami League’s misrule.
Fakhrul said people have been subjected to extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance and killing in custody only to suppress democratic movements, “It can’t happen in a civilised society.”
About the flood situation, Fakhrul who visited Sylhet on Thursday, said people are crying for help as the government is not standing beside them with adequate relief materials.
“I myself went to Sylhet yesterday (Thursday). If you don't see it with your own eyes, you can't have any idea about its severity,” he said.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has not taken any measures to alleviate the sufferings of the flood-hit people and to provide relief to them and to rehabilitate them."
He called upon the country’s people to get united to force the current government to quit and hand power to a non-party neutral administration.
With Awami League in power, no one can stop Bangladesh’ development, Hasina tells JS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that no one can stop Bangladesh’s march towards development if the country is run in accordance with the plans formulated by the ruling Awami League.
“If the country goes with these plans no one will be able to restrict the forward march of the country. This is my firm believe.” she said told the House speaking at an unscheduled discussion on the occasion of the 73rd founding anniversary of Awami League.
The Leader of the House said that the AL government has formulated the plans to transform Bangladesh into an advanced country in the future.
She mentioned said that her Awami League government has adopted the Delta Plan 2100 and formulated plans to make the country prosperous and developed one by 2041.
“If AL continues in power to serve the people, Bangladesh will surely be a developed and prosperous country in future,” She said.
Hasina said that AL means Bangladesh’s independence, attainment of the right to speak in mother tongue, developed and Golden Bangladesh.
“The birth of Awami League was for a special reason,” she recalled.
READ: Awami League carrying out 'totalitarian aggression': Fakhrul
She mentioned that just seven months into the independence of Pakistan, the Pakistani rulers adopted a hostile attitude towards the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and its people.
She said that the then Pakistani rulers prevented Bengalis from speaking in their mother tongue, exploited the Bengalis socioeconomically and tortured.
“To protest that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman forged Language Movement, established Chhatra League and from the very beginning of AL he was with it,” she said.
She also mentioned that AL since its inception in 1949 engaged in establishing the rights of the people of this country.
“AL is the organisation of the people of Bangladesh. The AL always waged movement for the oppressed and neglected people of the country. For this many AL leaders and activists laid their lives,” she added.
The PM said that the leaders and activists of AL are always beside the people of the country in any calamity.
“To serve the people is the duty and responsibility of ours. This is our ideology,” she claimed.
She said that AL restored democracy in the country after it was snatched by the military rulers following the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.
Bangladesh is developing as democracy continues, she said.
Hasina said that Padma Bridge has been built with the country’s own resources.
“Like this way Bangladesh will be advancing and it will never be dependent on others and never to beg to anyone. With its own dignity Bangladesh will raise its head in the world arena,” she said.
AL lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed also took part in the discussion.
DU Senate expunges 'Bangladesh Zindabad' from teacher's address
Dhaka University Senate has expunged the words 'Bangladesh Zindabad' spoken by a member of the BNP-backed White panel of teachers at the annual session.
The issue came to light when some teachers of Awami League backed Blue panel raised their voice against Prof. Obaidul Islam ending his speech with 'Bangladesh Zindabad' at the annual session of DU Senate.
DU Pro- Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Samad in his remarks strongly protested the address of Dr. Obaidul Islam.
Senate chairman, DU VC also protested and expunged that part of the address of Prof. Obaidul Islam, saying that "any word that is contradictory with the sense and value of Liberation War" shall not be uttered in such a place.
But Dr. Obaidul Islam defended himself saying that he has freedom of speech and it is not unethical to use the word 'Zindabad' as Bangladeshi law and constitution do not ban using this word.
He also asked DU VC to show him if it is illegal to use the word 'Zindabad' and when it was banned?
”Zindabad is related to anti-liberation forces and Pakistanis used to use this word, (so) we shall avoid this word," VC replied.
"Freedom of speech does not mean to say anything you want. Freedom of speech does not give you the right to use words that are contradictory to the values of our liberation," he added.
Also read: Embattled ex-BCL chief resigns from DU Senate