United News of Bangladesh

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday alleged that the people of Bangladesh are being systematically denied their voting rights as happened during the dictatorship. Speaking at an event in Belkuchi, Sirajganj, where BNP distributed Eid relief among the destitute, Rizvi said, “Just as under past autocratic regimes, people today are being kept away from voting.” He recalled Bangladesh’s history of student-led movements for democracy, saying, “Student-people movements had overthrown dictators before through struggles to protect democracy.” Rizvi emphasised that political reforms should be a continuous process driven by an elected government in parliament. He alleged that the SP and OC of Comilla are now acting at the behest of an influential advisor to the interim government. Rizvi claimed that the leaders of BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal are being arrested and harassed ahead of Eid. “This government claims to be neutral, yet under its orders, BNP leaders and activists are being arrested and sent to prison,” the BNP leader said. Criticising former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he alleged that she fled the country out of fear during the Moinuddin-Fakhruddin administration and after 1975. “If you (Hasina) were truly courageous, you would have returned to the country immediately after your family was assassinated. Instead, you only returned when you were assured of safety,” he claimed. Interim govt advisers trying to divide anti-fascist movement: Rizvi Rizvi also alleged that Hasina had negotiated with the Moinuddin-Fakhruddin administration to remove BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia from the country, but the plan failed. “Begum Zia’s leadership emerged from the grassroots, and she has never abandoned people or the country. Despite enduring false cases, imprisonment and repression by the Awami League government, she continues to fight for democracy,” he added. During the programme, Rizvi handed over donation cheques on behalf of BNP to two martyred families of Belkuchi. Under the direction of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Eid relief was distributed among 5,000 destitute people. BNP’s Rajshahi Divisional Joint Organising Secretary Amirul Islam Khan Alim, former Belkuchi Upazila BNP President Jamal Bhuiyan, and former convener Nurul Islam Golam were among those present at the event.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday urged the government to arrange the national election soon to thwart Sheikh Hasina’s “dangerous plan”. “Sheikh Hasina is lurking with a dangerous plan. The national election must be held soon to thwart this conspiracy," he said. Rizvi said this after paying tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave along with party leaders and activists from various districts. Claiming that the Yunus government is delaying the election, he said the nation is eagerly waiting for a free, fair, and neutral election. BNP’s Rizvi fears for the future of centrist politics The BNP leader said the demand for holding local government elections before the national election is an ill-motive behaviour from several political parties. He said the government must be given a final deadline for elections to restore democracy for which so many lives were lost. Rizvi said the necessary reforms should be completed quickly before the election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday expressed concern that centrist politics might be faced with a crisis amid discussions on whether local or parliamentary elections should be held first. "Those who are making such statements or being made to say them raise concerns about the future of centrist politics," he said. He made these remarks while addressing a prayer gathering organized by BNP on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat at the party's Nayapaltan office on Friday, February 14. "Dr. Yunus is an internationally renowned figure who has also been persecuted by Sheikh Hasina. He will act justly, and under his leadership, the interim government will make the right decisions and foster democratic political forces," Rizvi said. Abbas calls out Jamaat's delaying tactics over next national election He added, "Time and again, the people of this country have been deprived of their rights. The people will decide who will run the country and which politicians will come to power. The ongoing struggle is to restore these rights to the people." The BNP leader stressed, "A free and fair election must be held where everyone can participate, and voters can go to the polling stations without fear to vote for their preferred candidates. Ensuring this will be a major responsibility of the interim government." "BNP has always maintained that parliamentary elections are of national importance, as they determine which politicians will wield power. The source of power is the people. Returning that power to the people will strengthen democratic forces and facilitate other elections. This is the essence of depoliticization," he said. Rizvi warned, "Distrusting politicians means depoliticization. Continuous efforts to depoliticize the country have shattered democracy, paving the way for fascism. Weakening political forces may lead to the rise of extremism. Extremism does not only stem from the left; it can emerge from the right as well. This must be kept in mind." BNP leaders present at the event included Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal, Rangpur Division's Joint Organizing Secretary Prof. Aminul Islam, and Joint Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shaheen.

Slamming the government for delaying the national election, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has said the advisers’ "reforms first, elections later" remark echoed Sheikh Hasina's "development first, democracy later." Talking to reporters on Friday after paying homage to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko, Rizvi also expressed doubt whether the government has any master plan, as a political party is set to launch with its backing. “The people expect this government to perform its duties impartially and take steps to strengthen democracy. But when we hear 'reform first, then elections,' it sounds like an echo of Sheikh Hasina's words, 'development first, then democracy.' Such statements should not come from any adviser’s mouth,” Rizvi said. He said the country’s people have waited for 16 years, fought on the streets, shed their blood, and sacrificed their lives for the restoration of democracy and ensuring free and fair elections. “Why is there so much hesitation and delay regarding that free and fair election? This is now the question of the people.” No scope for reforms without democratic process: Khosru The BNP leader said it is common for political parties to criticise the government for its inaction in controlling the rising prices of essentials or if its administration fails to operate neutrally. “So, why are you trying to instill fear of a repeat of 1/11?” We have overcome all obstacles, staying on the streets bravely year after year. Now, will the advisers teach the country's wise politicians what we should support, what we should not support, and what we should talk about and what we should not?” he questioned Rizvi said their party has placed its full trust in the interim government since its formation. "But our point is, why is there so much delay, no deadline? Why are Hasina's words being repeated—that development comes first, democracy later? We do not want to hear this. He said some advisers of the interim government have been making negative remarks against BNP, both publicly and covertly. “We are also hearing that some people within the government are trying to form a political party. If that’s the case, the people can question the neutrality of the government. Other political parties, who have fought for democracy, may think the government is involved in some sort of master plan,” Rizvi said. He said the government recently conducted a survey through the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), which revealed that the majority of people in the country want local government elections before the national elections. Interim govt fails to maintain neutrality in some cases: Fakhrul “The BBS is a government agency, and they have conducted the survey under government supervision. If you conduct a survey through a government agency, they will obviously speak in favour of the government. If your actions are not neutral, the people will naturally question the government's impartiality." Earlier, Rizvi, along with party leaders and workers, placed a wreath at the Banani grave of Koko in the morning, marking his 10th death anniversary. BNP leaders and workers marked the 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko with various programmes. The party arranged a doa mahfil at its Nayapaltan central office in the morning. Another doa mahfil was also held at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office in the evening.