Jatiya Party’s Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, MP, has said there is no division within the party and it remains unified under party Chairman GM Quader’s leadership. Chunnu said that Rowshan Ershad is a significant figure for them, serving as the chief patron of  the party and a symbol of respect. He affirmed the party's full support if she decides to contest, promising assistance in every possible way, according to a press release signed by the party chairman’s Press Secretary Khandaker Delwar Jalali on Thursday. AL finalises candidates for 72 constituencies in Rajshahi, Rangpur divisions “The Jatiya Party is going to the polls as per the party's decision,” he told reporters at the Jatiya Party chairman’s office in Banani. “We wanted an atmosphere of fair voting. The Election Commission and various sections of the government have assured us that the election will be fair. They have said the election environment will be free at any cost,” he said. BNP, Jamaat, like-minded parties threaten to resist lopsided polls  Chunnu said that the ruling party and the Election Commission promised that voters would be able to come to the polling stations and cast their votes freely. “It is because of this assurance that the announcement of our participation in the election has been delayed,” he said. Replying to a question, Chunnu said the party will contest in all 300 seats with its own symbol. BNP to enforce another spell of 48-hour blockade from Sunday “Because we have not written to the Election Commission to join any alliance. There are different strategies in politics. We will move forward with our own strategy.”

The visiting Election Exploratory Mission from the European Union (EU) is holding a meeting with BNP this morning (July 15, 2023). The meeting began around 9 am at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, said party’s media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The EU delegation and BNP are supposed to discuss various issues related to the next national election. Countdown begins for govt's downfall, says BNP Leader Rizvi BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, party chairperson’s adviser Ismail Jabiullah, Organising Secretary Shama Obaed and Human Rights Affairs Secretary Advocate Asaduzzaman Asad were attended the meeting. Party sources said the BNP delegation may talk elaborately about previous polls held under the Awami League government and provide documents to justify their party’s stance of “not joining the election without a non-party interim government.” They are also likely to discuss the latest political situation in the country, cases against “40 lakh” BNP leaders and activists, jailing of party chairperson Khaleda Zia and other leaders, and the alleged repressive acts by the government against opposition leaders and workers. BNP unveils 31-point outline to 'rebuild, repair' state The EU team is also scheduled to hold meetings with Jatiya Party, ruling Awami League and some other parties today. The EU Election Exploratory Mission arrived here on July 9 on a two-week visit and it has already talked to the Election Communication and various stakeholders of the government as part of their move to assess whether a fully-fledged Election Observation Mission should be sent here by the EU before Bangladesh’s next parliamentary election. No scope to hold ‘acceptable polls’ under AL govt: BNP tells Canadian envoy

Jatiya Party's mayoral candidate for Sylhet City Corporation election, Nazrul Islam Babul, has alleged that BCL and Jubo League leaders and activists are booting out agents for the ‘plough’ symbol from various centres.“I have been getting repeated calls from different centres that ‘plough’ agents are being thrown out from centres and not allowed to enter many centres,” he said. Read: 100% hopeful about victory, says Sylhet's AL-backed Mayor Candidate Anwaruzzaman He made the allegation while talking to reporters after casting his vote at Ananda Niketan School in the city at 9:30 am on Wednesday (June 21, 2023).“I have been saying from the beginning that attempts are being made to influence the election. I have come to cast my vote at Ananda Niketan School. Muscle strength is being demonstrated here,” he said.“I just got the news that all the agents of ‘plough’ have been booted from Sylhet Government Pilot High School centre by the goons of Chhatra League and Jubo League. I strongly condemn this. I'm going to the centre right now. I will file a written complaint with the Election Commission,” said the Jatiya Party leader. Read: Sylhet city polls: Voting peaceful so far"The EVM did not work for an hour in the morning. It could also be part of the plot. The Election Commission, the administration, and the returning officers are all in the pockets of the ‘boat’ candidate,” he added.

BNP made the right decision by boycotting the election as the result was fixed behind the scene, said Jatiya Party's defeated candidate in Barisal City Corporation (BCC) election Engineer Iqbal Hossain Taposh on Tuesday. He termed the election as ‘farce’ and urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to resign because of the election fraud with people. Also Read: BCC polls: 19 BNP leaders expelled for life in Barishal “The government and the Election Commission have staged digital dramas with the people…BNP has taken the right decision by choosing to boycott the election. The election result was made backstage,” he said. He made these remarks at a press conference at the main election office of the plough symbol on Oxford Mission Road in Barishal city. Also Read: AL-backed mayoral candidate Abul Khair Abdullah wins Barishal City Corporation election He alleged that the administration, the presiding officers and the returning officers of the centers made various excuses and delayed in allowing his agents to enter the centers on time. Taposh condemned the attack on the mayoral candidate of the Islami Andolan and demanded speedy justice. Also Read: Islami Andolan Bangladesh rejects Barishal, Khulna city polls results Chief Election conductor of Jatirya Party’s Plough symbol Professor Mohsin-ul-Islam Habul, District Jatiya Party member secretary Advocate MA Jalil, among others, were present at the press conference. Also Read: Barishal city polls: Woman says Islami Andolon supporter attacked her over recording video    

Jatiya Party chairman Ghulam Muhammad Quader on Tuesday said that the new US visa policy for Bangladesh will be helpful in holding the next general election in a free, fair and credible manner. "The United States expects free, fair and neutral elections in Bangladesh. What is said in the visa policy, all goes in favour Bangladesh and its people", Quader, also the deputy opposition leader in parliament told reporters at the circuit house in the town before attending the bi-annual conference of Sherpur district unit of the party. Also Read: Fair election not possible in current system: GM Quader "We can’t expect a free, fair and impartial election under the current government. This needs to be changed. But we need consensus on the kind of change through discussion with all parties. So we (Jatiya Party) support the US visa policy," he added. GM Quader said everyone wants free and fair elections. "We haven't received any proposal regarding the election-time government from anywhere yet. However, we are working for the welfare of the people of the country. How we will participate in the next election will be discussed later and decided," he added. Also Read: People have no confidence in country’s electoral system: GM Quader    Central leaders, including Jatiya Party Co-Chairman ABM Ruhul Amin Howladar, Secretary General Mujibul Haque Chunnu, Member of Parliament Kazi Firoz Rashid, Presidium Member Mostafa Al Mahmud, were also present. Later, GM Quader and Jatiya Party leaders addressed the bi-annual conference of the district Jatiya Party at Shaheed Minar premises in the Chawkbazar center of the town. Also Read: Assault on on-duty journalists an unpardonable crime: GM Quader  

Jatiya Party (Ershad)-backed mayoral candidate Md Shafiqul Islam Madhu has alleged that his agents are being barred from entering polling centres by supporters of Awami League (AL) candidate as Khulna City Corporation (KCC) election is underway. He made the allegation while talking to the media after casting his vote at the Collegiate School centere, under ward 17 in Sonadanga Residential Area of Khulna city, around 10:30 am. Also Read: Khulna, Barishal city polls: Voting begins amid much enthusiasm, long queues of voters Expressing doubts about a fair election, the Jatiya Party-backed candidate said that a fair election under the current government is not possible, UNB's Barishal correspondent reported from the spot. He said the process to vote was slow at the polling stations, and the environment was not festive. Asked about his next course of action, Md Shafiqul Islam said, “I will officially inform you (journalists) about my stance after visiting a few more centres." Voting in the KCC election began at 8 am and will continue till 4 pm without any break. Electronic voting machines are being used at all the centres to take votes. Also Read: Barishal city polls: Clash between AL, Islami Andolon supporters leaves several injured Five candidates are vying for the mayoral post, 136 for councillors in 29 general wards, and 30 for reserved seats. Awami League-backed candidate Talukder Abdul Khaleque cast his vote at Pioneer Secondary Girls School centre on the city’s South Central Road around 9:10 am. After voting, the mayoral candidate said the election is being held in a free, fair manner. Also Read: Barishal city polls: Voters being barred from coming to polling stations, say 2 mayoral candidates “I will accept whatever result coming from the voters,” he said, hoping that people will vote for him for continuation of the development. Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are carrying out their duty to ensure security in the KCC election along with 8,080 members from police, Ansar and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

A petition has been filed with the Supreme Court seeking a stay on a High Court order that cleared the way for GM Quader to perform duties as the Chairman of Jatiya Party (JaPa). Lawyer Mohammad Sayeed Ahmed Raza, on behalf of Ziaul Haque Mridha submitted the petition on Thursday requesting the apex court to prohibit GM Quader from performing party activities. The chamber judge of the Appellate Division of the SC may hold a hearing of the petition on Sunday, advocate Sayeed Ahmed Raza said. Earlier on Sunday (Feb 5), the High Court cleared the way for GM Quader to perform duties as the Chairman of Jatiya Party (JaPa). The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the temporary embargo on performing duties by GM Quader should not be cancelled. The Appellate Division on December 14 last year upheld the verdict of a lower court that barred GM Quader from performing his duties as the Chairman of Jatiya Party (JaPa). The Appellate Division bench also asked Dhaka Joint District Judge’s Court to quickly dispose of the petition filed by Quader against its verdict that prevented him from acting as JaPa chief. Read more: Criticizing govt can never be seditious: GM Quader Following the rejection, GM Quader filed a revision petition against the court order. On November 30 last year, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division M Enayetur Rahim stayed the High Court order allowing Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader to perform the duties of his post. On November 29, 2022, the HC cleared the way for GM Quader to perform his duties as Jatiya Party Chairman by staying the lower court embargo till January 3 following a revision petition. Ziaul Haque Mridha filed the case against GM Quader on October 4. On October 30, last year, Dhaka Joint District Sessions Judge court-1 issued a temporary embargo on the political activities of Quader. Quader declared himself as chairman of the party through forgery at a council on December 28, 2019 when a writ petition case was pending at the High Court.

The atmosphere in Parliament became very heated for some time over an apparently derogatory remark by a ruling party MP on Jatiya Party founder and ex. president, late HM Ershad. Ruling party MP from Lalmonirhat Motahar Hossain, while speaking at the thanksgiving motion on President’s speech, claimed that Ershad lost his security money in the January 5, 2014 election against him. His comments created anarchy in the House for some time. Jatiya Party MP Firoz Rashid stood and started to speak without the microphone and protested what he called the ‘derogatory remark’ from the ruling party MP. At one stage Deputy Speaker Shamshul Huq Tuku, who was in the chair, asked him to sit down and wait to be given the floor. But Rashid did not stop and at that time shouting from different directions was heard in the House. Motahar, who still had the mic, asked how Rashid expects to speak while another MP is speaking. Deputy Speaker at that time turned off all microphones, and gave the floor to Firoz Rashid for one minute. The Jatiya Party MP accused Motahar of lying. “His (Motahar Hossain) speech should be expunged and he should seek apology,” he said. Opposition Chief Whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga also threatened to leave the House, shouting without the mic. Deputy Speaker asked him to sit down and speak later on point of order. But Ranga did not pay heed to him and continued shouting. Read more: Parliament now a one-party club: Fakhrul At that stage, deputy speaker assured him that if there is anything objectionable it will be expunged. He also asked Motahar to stick to the agenda and gave the microphone back to him. At this point, speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was seen to enter the House hurriedly and taking her seat. She asked for calm and all to sit down. “There is a decorum in the House, now discussion on the President’s speech is going on, one person is speaking, if there are any objectionable words in that speech you can raise that and it will be expunged after scrutiny. For that you have to wait for sometime,” she said. She gave the floor to Motahar Hossain, and now he claimed that he did not say anything untrue. Standing on point of order, Firoz Rashid said that it is indecent to say anything derogatory against a dead person. “Mr Motahar should know that Mr Ershad never suffered defeat in the land of Rangpur,” he said. He also said that Ershad did not participate in the 2014 election. “There is no one in Rangpur who can inflict a defeat on Mr Ershad in Rangpur where he loses his security money, in any election. There should be a limit of audacity, we demand full expunge of this speech, otherwise he will face problems in the land of Rangpur,” he said. Read more: 21st Parliament session to continue till Feb 9 In the controversial 2014 election, Motahar got 189,814 votes in Lalmonirhat-1 constituency while Ershad got 5381 votes. Lalmonirhat is in Rangpur division.    

An opposition Jatiya Party MP on Monday heavily criticised the government for inclusion of Darwin’s theory of evolution in a new class 7 textbook. Golam Kibria Tipu, lawmaker from Barishal-3, while participating in the thanksgiving motion on the President Abdul Hamid’s speech in parliament said it is an anti-religious propaganda that humans 'came from monkeys'.  “As Muslims we are children of Adam. There is no chance of being monkeys. It is an insult to Islam. A blasphemy law should be enacted in this regard,” he said.  The JP MP in his speech demanded that the government form a commission for finding out who was behind inclusion of such controversial topics in the textbook. “We saw Darwin’s theory. Humans came from monkeys. This is an anti-religious propaganda. They hurt Islam. We are Muslims. We believe that we are children of Adam. Blasphemy law should be enacted in this country.” Read more: NCTB gives corrections for 9 mistakes in 3 textbooks of new curriculum The MP from the opposition party also said that Germany has a blasphemy law.  “If necessary, we can shortcut that blasphemy law to be applicable in our country. Those who are involved in anti-religious activities should be prosecuted under this blasphemy law. Otherwise there will be anarchy in the country.” He also said that no devout Muslim could accept this.  “I don't know whether the government hears such sentiment (of people against Darwin’s theory). We go out and listen to what people say about human beings coming from monkeys. People are very aggrieved, the situation is like volcanoes. This has hurt every Muslim.”   The JP MP said this was done deliberately to put the government in a controversial position.

Speaking in parliament, Jatiya Party MP Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Sunday placed a question for Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on whether news published in different media recently about overseas property  and assets owned by Bangladeshis, including MPs, is true or false. He also demanded that the government investigate these matters. Chunnu was speaking on a point of order. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, however, was not present in the house. Chunnu said news was published that the WASA MD owns 23 houses in USA. Such questions are coming about two members of parliament as well. "I request the finance minister to tell us whether all these news are true or not. Because our foreign minister said earlier that there are many bureaucrats among those who are making their homes in Begum Para in Canada. There should be an inquiry into all these things. These allegations should be resolved,” Chunnu said. Also read: JP’s Rustum Ali Faraji blasts Finance Minister for his silence on state of economy Urging the finance minister to open his mouth on these issues, Chunnu said that different media are publishing such news ahead of the next election which is tarnishing the image of the government as well as their (JP's) image as the opposition party.  The JP MP said such news is sending the wrong message among the people of the country that MPs and ministers earn hundreds of crores of taka and making houses in From in home and abroad. He said the finance minister should open his mouth about this. The Finance Ministry along with the Bangladesh Bank should conduct an investigation and make a clear statement on the matter, he added.