BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday warned that the people will give a fitting reply to the government's repressive acts through a strong movement. "Our seven leaders and workers have so far been shot dead while two others were tortured to death by the Awami League cadres in our ongoing movement. A former MP also lost his life today (Monday) due to their torture,” he said. The BNP leader said people have woken up against the government’s repression and suppression.” We believe that we’ll be able to avenge the death of Shahjahan Khan through the current movement as the people will give the government a fitting reply." The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to journalists after consoling the family members of Khan, the former MP of Patuakhali-3 Constituency, at LabAid Hospital in the city’s Dhanmondi area. read more: Govt conspires to cross election hurdles by putting BNP leaders in jail: Fakhrul On November 4 Khan was injured critically in an attack allegedly by the Awami League activists in Telikhai area on his way to Barishal to join BNP’s divisional rally from Patuakhali. He was admitted to a hospital in Patuakhali and later shifted to LabAid Hospital on November 22 as his condition deteriorated. Khan breathed his last at the same hospital at 10am on Monday while undergoing treatment at the age of 71. Herring the news of his death, Fakhrul and the party’s other senior leaders rushed to the hospital and talked to the bereaved family members. Fakhrul said Khan’s death was not a natural one as the ruling party men beat him indiscriminately, leaving him seriously injured. “One of his kidneys was damaged and the blood of his entire body became toxic due to tremendous beating.” "A serious vacuum for nationalist politics in the southern region has been created through the demise of Shahjahan Khan,” he observed. He also recalled the former MP’s contributions to BNP saying he was a guardian of the people of the southern region as he carried out struggle throughout his life for establishing their rights and ensuring their welfare. On behalf of BNP, its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul expressed deep shock at the death of Khan. He also prayed for the salvation of Khan’s departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. The BNP leader paid homage to Khan by standing in solemn silence for a while in front of his mortal remains at the hospital.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said businesspeople are going through a very tough time due to the economic crisis, mainly caused by widespread plundering and siphoning off money abroad. “Every big businessman is now saying one thing that they’re facing a very bad time and their businesses and factories are shutting down. They are also now in a situation that they even don’t have money to pay the wages of their workers,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the government has been blaming the Russia-Ukraine war for the economic crisis. “Maybe there are some reasons behind it. But TK86 lakh crores were laundered in the last 10 years, including Tk,78,000 crores in the last one year. Can the economy of a country exist where people belonging to the ruling party indulges in widespread plundering and money laundering?” Uttar Banga Chhatra forum and Bangladesh Chhatra Forum jointly arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s 58th birthday. Fakhrul said the businesses now need incentives and facilities from the central bank at this time to overcome the situation. Read: Successful divisional rallies show people turning around: Mirza Fakhrul “But the banks are refusing to open new LCs due to dollar shortage while huge money from the reserves was plundered earlier. The common people, including the rickshaw pullers and hawkers now say this government is a thief," he said. The BNP leader said people have woken up to get rid of the current situation and oust the government. “A struggle has already begun as people have taken to the streets. I’m getting encouraged in this old age from our every rally to wage another Liberation War to defeat the current regime.” Govt must pay price for taking 7 lives: Fakhrul alleged that police shot dead Bancharampur’s Sonarampur Union Parishad unit JCD leader Nayon Miah on Saturday without any provocation and reason. What kind of a country it is. You have to face trial in the people’s court.” He said their party’s seven leaders and activists, including Nayon Miah, were killed in their ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy and people’s voting rights. “We lost our seven warriors and you (govt) must pay a heavy price for it.” Read: BNP’s ideology stands poles apart from Jamaat, it sees India as a special friend, says Mirza Fakhrul in an exclusive interview with UNB Fakhrul also asked the government to quit power safely before time runs out. “Otherwise, the turbulent mass wave that has already been created will sweep you away like a tsunami.” Accusing the government of implicating the BNP leaders and activists in false cases, he urged the judiciary to ensure justice.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government has unleashed the police to try and foil their party’s remaining divisional rallies. “You (govt) are using the police to thwart our rallies. They’re creating trouble in different areas. They opened fire in Sirajganj. They shot the wife of our leader Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. They also shot in Habiganj and Sylhet and created troubles there,” he said. Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the government is afraid of BNP’s rallies as people have woken up against misrule. Jatiyatabdi Krishak Dal, the party’s agricultural wing, arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayaplatan central office, demanding lowering the prices of agricultural inputs, including fertiliser seeds, diesel and pesticides and ensuring the fair prices of all agricultural products. Leaders and workers of the Krishak Dal from  different districts, including Dhaka, joined the rally.  At the beginning of the rally, tribute was paid to  national leader Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, marking his death anniversary. Fakhrul urged the government to resign immediately, dissolve the parliament and hand over power to a non-partisan caretaker government, creating a scope for holding a credible national election to be conducted by a fresh election commission. 

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Sunday that the people are turning around against the misrule of the government with desperation to remove the monstrous regime.  Fakhrul made the remark while attending a meeting organised by Nagorik Oikya at the National Press Club on Sunday afternoon. “People have started turning around against the government. Seeing the divisional rallies I have that feeling that the people are ahead of us,” he said. “People have joined the rallies defying all the obstacles in Barishal, Khulna and Mymensingh.” He said that when every mode of transportation was cut off in Barishal ahead of the rally, people have crossed the river by swimming and spent the night under the open sky to attend the rally. “This has inspired us, and we have started believing that people want change,” said Fakhrul. The BNP leader said the government has now started the process of suppressing movement by filing politically motivated cases. He said RAB detained general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal Sultana Ahmed from the city while 110 people including BNP’s foreign affairs committee member Ishraque Hossain have been sued in Barishal. Bhola’s BNP President Golam Nabi Alamgir has also been sued, he said. Fakhrul said BNP is moving forward with the decision to hold a simultaneous movement with patriotic political parties. Read: BNP’s Sylhet divisional rally on Nov 19 instead of 20 “We believe if we want to oust this terrifying monster and form a people’s government, the movement will be much stronger. It is not necessary to form an alliance for that,” he added. He said that it can be decided through discussion whether there will be a caretaker government or  an election-time government. He proposed to form a national government through discussion with all the parties whoever comes through the election after the movement. Later on Sunday, Fakhrul addressed another rally organised by Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal in front of BNP’s Naya Paltan office protesting the arrest warrants against Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said MPs from his party are ready to resign from the current parliament as their main goal is to restore democracy by ousting the Awami League government. “We would like to straightly say that no election will be held in the country under Sheikh Hasina and without a caretaker government. Our only demand is the resignation of this regime.” He told a massive anti-government rally in Rangpur. The BNP leader said the government must dissolve the parliament. “Our MPs Harun, Rumeen and Zahid are ready to resign (from parliament) as per the directive of the party. The government must hand over power to a caretaker government which will form a new Election Commission and a fresh election will be held under it,” he said. He said a national government will be formed after a credible election to repair the state, economy and politics that have been destroyed by the current government. As part of the party’s planned rallies at division level, the Rangpur city unit BNP organised the programme on Rangpur Collector Eidgah ground. Thousands of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies joined the rally, defying a transport strike. An adequate number of police and other security officials have been deployed around the rally venue and at different points in the city to prevent any untoward incident. The organisers said the rally was meant 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.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Wednesday that his party was ready to defy a curfew even to make their upcoming anti-government rally in Khulna a success. He made the remarks in the wake of a decision by transport owners and workers in Khulna to suspend bus services ahead of their party’s rally in the southwestern region’s biggest city on Saturday. “They (govt) also stopped vehicle movements in Mymensingh, but they failed to stop people. In the same way, you’ll see people will join the rally in Khulna to push their demand for democracy, no matter whether the transport service is suspended or not,” he told reporters at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office after talks with two political parties. He said people came to their Mymensingh rally by trawlers, boats, rickshaws and on foot. “Even, many rickshawpullers did not take fare from them (BNP leaders and activists). This is called people’s participation. Even, we won’t concede to any hartal, curfew as we’ll be present there (Khulna) by braving all obstacles,” he said.    As his attention was drawn to the Prime Minister’s previous comment that BNP would be allowed to hold political programmes, Fakhrul said Awami League still could not live up to its any word or promise. “They do the opposite of what they say. So, there’s no reason to believe Awami League.” About Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader’s remark that BNP is daydreaming of another 1/11 like political changeover, he said the Awami League has the habit of doing that. “That’s why they think like that." “We don’t daydream. We dream of seeing a democratic Bangladesh, restoring people’s voting rights, and establishing true democracy," the BNP leader observed. Replying to a question, he said BNP has no objection if the ruling party takes to the streets exercising their democratic rights. “At the same time, the democratic rights of all the opposition parties also must be ensured.  As government, it’s their responsibility to do.” Earlier on Wednesday, Khulna bus-minibus owners association and motor workers’ union decided to keep bus services suspended on October 21 and 22 due to the BNP’s divisional rally on Saturday (October 22). Read: BNP public rally: Bus services in Khulna to remain suspended Oct 21, 22 As part of its divisional rallies, BNP is expected to organise the rally on Sonali Bank premises in Khulna city in protest against the price hikes in fuel and daily essentials and the killing of five BNP leaders and activists in the recent movement and demanding the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. The party has already arranged two massive rallies in Chattogram and Mymensingh. BNP leaders alleged that many BNP leaders and activists were attacked, arrested and implicated in ‘false’ cases in Chattogram and Mymensingh over holding the rally. Talks with two parties Earlier, Fakhrul had separate meetings with the delegations of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal and Bangladesh Islamic Party, two components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, as part of their party’s second round of political dialogue. Fakhrul said that they agreed to some demands of their coming simultaneous movement, including the ouster of the current government, restoration of democracy, unconditional release of Khaleda Zia and withdrawal of the false cases filed against the opposition leaders and activists and holding the next polls under a non-party neutral government. “We’ll initiate a simultaneous movement focusing on these issues.”

BNP Secretary General  Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said to be accepted by the people, the next parliamentary elections must be held under a non-partisan caretaker government. Fakhrul said this while speaking as chief guest at a discussion program held in memory of late BNP leader ASM Hannan Shah on his 6th death anniversary in Gazipur’s Kapashia on Friday afternoon. “Our movement has begun, and it will continue till the current government steps down. The next general election won’t be free and fair with the Awami League (AL) in power. That’s why we’re asking for a caretaker government, and we won’t let any other type of election take place this time,” said Fakhrul. Fakhrul added that the country's judiciary is completely controlled by the executive, i.e. AL government ministers. “While gamblers, robbers and killers are getting bail easily under this government, our leader Khaleda Zia has been languishing in false cases. The AL fears that people will come to the streets and topple the government if Khaleda Zia comes out on bail. That’s why they’re doing everything they can to keep our leader away from the public,” Fakhrul added. Read: BNP to unveil polls-time govt formula at 'appropriate' time: Fakhrul During his speech, the BNP leader also came down heavily on AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader. “Quader has been shouting against the caretaker government. I want to ask him, why is he afraid? He is afraid because he thinks that his party won’t be able to come to power if the election is held under a caretaker government. Our demand is also clear, either a non-partisan caretaker government or no election at all,” said Fakhrul. The discussion was presided over by Fazlul Haque Milon, President of Gazipur district BNP, and was conducted by Khandaker Azizur Rahman Pera, General Secretary of Kapashia upazila BNP. Shah Riazul Hannan, General Secretary of Gazipur district BNP and Khayrul Kabir Khokon, Joint Secretary General of the party’s central command, among others, spoke at the event.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said that what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the UNGA about war and sanctions doesn't suit her while her government has been indulging in killings and enforced disappearances. “She (PM) is telling tall stories going abroad. She’s saying in America that she doesn’t want war and sanctions...but it doesn't suit her mouth. She herself is involved in killings in her country. The government is carrying out killings while more than 600 people have been made disappear,” he said.  Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said several hundred people have been taken to police stations and made crippled while over 1,000 people have been killed by resorting to extra judicial killings. “That’s why sanctions have been imposed on the elite force, RAB, who had earned reputations in the country in the fight against crime earlier, and on its seven officials for executing the government’s unjustified orders.” Fakhrul said sanctions should be first imposed on those who gave illegal orders. “The country’s people have given sanctions on them (govt). People are saying they no longer want to see the current regime in power.” Read: Govt gunning down people for fear of losing power: BNP BNP’s national committee on the celebration of Golden Jubilee of Independence arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club. Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina demanded an immediate end to Ukraine-Russia war and resulting sanctions for the sake of lives and livelihoods of the people throughout the world. "We want the end of Russia-Ukraine war. Due to sanctions, and counter-sanctions, not a single country, rather the entire mankind including women and children is punished," she made the call while delivering her speech in the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). About the murder of Munshiganj Jubo Dal activist Shahidul Islam Shaon, Fakhrul said a section of media are reporting that Shaon was killed by throwing brick chips from behind. “The way media are being regulated, the newspapers don’t dare to speak the truth. The fact is that  Shahidul Islam Shaon was shot dead. He scarified his blood for the entire nation, not for BNP.” Stating that their party has been carrying out a movement all over the country on public issues, he said four leaders and activists of BNP’s different associate bodies, including Shaon in Munshiganj, have already been killed in the movement. The BNP leader said Shaon sustained bullet wounds in his head as police fired on their party programme in Munshiganj and he succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.  “We’re here today with a heavy heart. We’ve been going through suffering, despair and a terrible terror acts for the last 15 years,” he said in an emotional choked voice.  Read: Attackers on BNP’s programmes are being marked: Mosharraf Fakhrul accused the government of completely destroying the history of the Liberation War as the ruling party does not recognise the contributions of most national leaders who played major role in the war of independence.     He also bemoaned that the ruling party always tries to belittle BNP founder Ziaur Rahman  by carrying out ‘false’ propaganda against him.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned on Friday that the movement his party's activists have thrown themselves into can no longer be suppressed by attacks and arrests. “We want to make it very clear that the movement can never be suppressed by such terrorist attacks, by killing, arresting and suing with false cases. BNP cannot be removed from the streets," said Fakhrul. He was speaking in a press conference at the chairperson's office in Gulshan this morning. Read: BNP won't budge from decision to shun polls under AL govt: Fakhrul Fakhrul said, "Yesterday, when the stage was being prepared for the rally in Pallabi zone with the permission of the police, just then the Awami League (AL) terrorists armed with weapons and sticks attacked on our leaders and activists chanting 'Joy Bangla' slogans. This was all covered in the media.” Around 75 of the BNP activists were injured in the attack while eight were arrested, he claimed. The rally was scheduled to be held in the Pallabi Zone at the Eidgah ground in D Block. After the police objected, BNP leaders changed it to two other places, either in front of Old Pallabi Old Police Station or in Mukul Fauj field in front of Pallabi Kitchen Market, said Fakhrul The police finally gave permission to hold this rally at Mukul Fauz field at 1 pm. Yet the attack was carried out just when the activists were preparing the stage for the rally, he added. "The saddest, horrifying incident is when our leaders and activists stood up to resist the attackers yesterday, the police charged batons, tear gas and opened fire on our leaders to disperse them." He said, "We have been saying again and again that the role of the police should be to protect, to remain neutral. But the police are fully working to suppress the pro-democracy movement on behalf of these attackers, the Awami League and the terrorists.” Fakhrul asserted that the ruling party and police's actions reflect they want to provoke a violent situation. Read:Outline of anti-govt 'simultaneous' movement soon: Fakhrul "We think that they are doing these things to create a violent situation, to destroy the democratic atmosphere in the country, to keep the opposition away from politics and away from the electoral field," said Fakhrul. Meanwhile, BNP has announced nationwide demonstrations for Sunday protesting the attack on their programme in Mirpur. On Thursday, at least 100 BNP activists were injured during a series of clashes with ruling Awami League rivals at the capital's Mirpur area over holding a scheduled rally. Earlier on September 10, BNP announced to hold public rallies in 16 spots under its Dhaka south and north city units until September 27 in protest against the increase in prices of essentials, fuel and transport fares. The rallies are also meant for registering the party’s protest against the killings of Bhola Chhatra Dal leader Noor-e-Alam, Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim and Narayanganj Jubo Dal leader Shaon Prodhan.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the outline of the 'simultaneous' movement to oust the government will be presented soon. "We'll come up before the nation with the final outline of the simultaneous movement as soon as possible," he said. Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, the BNP leader also said their party has long been working to forge a greater unity with various political parties. “Following the talks with the different parties, our (BNP) standing committee meeting yesterday (Monday) decided to finalise the outline of the simultaneous movement,” the BNP leader said. Read:Ready to take bullets, won’t leave the streets: Abbas Asked about the nature of the outline, he said the main focus will be on forcing the government to quit for holding a free, fair and acceptable election. “This parliament must be dissolved and power has to be handed over to a neutral government under which a new Election Commission will be constituted, and they’ll create an environment for an inclusive election where all the voters can cast their votes smoothly.” Besides, Fakhrul said a national government will be formed after that election with the parties that are going to join the simultaneous movement. About the necessity of the national government, he said it would not be reasonable to repair alone by a single party the damage done by the Awami League to the state system. “For that reason, we want to include other parties in this process so that we can take decisions based on consensus through discussions about various institutions of the state such as the judiciary, administration, parliament and the media,” the BNP secretary general observed. He called upon all opposition parties to join BNP’s planned simultaneous movement to oust the current regime and ensure a credible national election in the country. The BNP leader said that if the political parties take to the streets simultaneously, the movement itself will determine its future course of action. No formal talks with Jatiya Party Responding to a question, Fakhrul said they have not had so far any formal talks with the Jatiya Party about the simultaneous anti-government movement. He, however, said their door is open for any party that wants to join the movement. “We have made it clear that we will wage the movement simultaneously with the parties, individuals and organisations those are against the current authoritarian government and those want to restore democracy and people’s voting rights."  Asked whether BNP had a discussion with Jamaat-e-Islami and about its statement on not being part of the 20-party alliance, Fakhrul said Jamaat has already given a statement on the matter. “We're talking about simultaneous movement now…All parties will carry out the movement from their respective positions. This is what we're talking about." Police not BNP's opponent Fakhrul said their party wants the police to perform its constitutional responsibilities as a state organisation. “We never consider the police as our opponent. The police should be friends of the people and we also consider them as friends.” He, however, alleged that the government is using police to hang onto power illegally by violating the constitution and human rights. The BNP leader urged the law enforcers not to comply with the government's illegal directives that could lead to accusations of human rights violations against them like RAB. Fakhrul alleged that some overenthusiastic police officers are attacking BNP’s programmes across the country and firing on the opposition leaders and activists without any justification. Read:Don’t antagonise people: BNP warns civil servants Extension of rental power plants’ tenure unjustified The BNP leader said when the Power Development Board is not able to produce power from many power plants due to lack of energy and the government is giving subsidies of hundreds of crores of taka without getting any power, the tenure of four quick rental power plants has been extended. “It’ll only increase the amount of losses. We demand cancellation of this decision of the government." He said the main reason behind the move is to plunder public money in the name of capacity charges of the four power plants. Fakhrul also slammed the government for increasing the prices of some essential drugs used in health care. “We strongly condemn it. The prices of the medicines have been hiked unethically only to create a scope for some businessmen to make a lofty profit. We demand immediate withdrawal of this decision.”