BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday said the people of the country are looking at the interim government with a suspicion due to its delay in announcing a specific timeframe of the national election. Speaking at a programme in the capital’s Demra area, he urged the government to rein in the rising prices of daily essentials by taking action against the Awami business syndicate that controls the market. “I would like to tell Dr Muhammad Yunus that you should carry out the reforms. But why do you hesitate so much to declare the election date? Democracy means that no matter what happens, you must clearly inform people as they have doubts about these matters,” Rizvi said. He said the government has formed various commissions for state reforms, but it did not specify the deadline for submitting reports or how many days it will take to hold a free and fair election. The BNP leader said people have been waiting for a credible election for 15 years to choose their representatives and parties to form the government. “Having clarity and a roadmap are two essential conditions of democracy. You are hesitating regarding the timeframe, and people are viewing this with some suspicion.” Rizvi accuses govt of 'hide and seek' over arrest of Hasina's ministers ‘Amra BNP Paribar’ arranged the programme at Demar’s Konapara to express sympathy to the family members of seven people who were killed by police firing during the recent student-led mass movement. Rizvi said Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is a revered person who has brought international honour for Bangladesh. “But he must first consider what can ease public life and where people find comfort. To ensure that low-income people can eat properly, you must prioritise market control.” “You (govt) have reduced tariffs on many items, but there has been no effect in the market. The prices of sugar, rice, edible oil and onions have not declined due to the market syndicate. Arrest these Awami syndicate members and bring them under the law to control the market,” he said. Otherwise, the BNP leader said, it would be a betrayal of the spirit of democracy, the spirit of the movement, and the blood of those who sacrificed their lives. He noted that Sheikh Hasina had used every possible method to secure her power but had failed in the face of a student-led mass movement. “She had not brought real criminals to justice; instead, she imprisoned those who opposed her. When this failed to prolong her power, she resorted to killings, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, which were particularly evident in July and August,” Rizvi observed.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday questioned how former minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury was granted bail within just 24 hours of his arrest, despite allegations that he orchestrated the enforced disappearance and murder of 11 people. “Law Adviser Asif Nazrul is very close to me. How could a murderer like Saber Hossain Chowdhury be granted bail while he (Asif) is in charge of the Law Ministry?” he said. Speaking at a rally in the capital’s Khilgaon area, the BNP leader said people in Saber’s constituency faced immense repression while many were maimed. He recalled that youths like Nuruzzaman Jonny, General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Khilgaon unit, were picked up from his house and killed by being shot 16 times. “Isn’t Saber Hossain Chowdhury responsible for this? Under his orders, 11 people in the area have been victims of enforced disappearance and killing. He cannot eschew this responsibility,” Rizvi said. The families of victims of enforced disappearance and murder arranged the rally demanding action against Saber Hossain Chowdhury. A team from the Detective Branch of Police arrested Saber from the capital’s Gulshan area on Sunday. Read: Gono Odhikar Parishad holds procession against bails of Saber Hossain, M.A. Mannan He walked out of jail the following day as a Dhaka court granted him bail in six cases, including four with the Khilgaon police station and two with the Paltan police station, mostly over murder allegations. Saber is the first Awami League leader to be granted bail among many politicians and former cabinet members arrested on allegations of killings linked to the anti-discrimination student movement that resulted in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian regime on August 5. Rizvi said five people were killed in the Khilgaon area during the student-led mass movement against Sheikh Hasina's regime. “Sheikh Hasina has committed genocide, and Saber Hossain Chowdhury was her associate. He has been nurtured in Sheikh Hasina's ideology. During their time in power, no one could dare to speak in favour of democracy, the BNP, Begum Khaleda Zia, or Tarique Rahman. This is why he (Saber) has successfully implanted a programme of enforced disappearances and murders,” he said. The BNP leader bemoaned that although the tears of the fathers who lost their sons haven't dried yet, Saber has been released on bail even in murder cases within 24 hours of his arrest. Read more:Ex-minister Saber Hossain secures bail in all 6 cases Rizvi said the Chhatra League leaders and activists indulged in killing, occupying, and other misdeeds, but no cases could be filed against them during Hasina's rule. “The interim government, led by Dr Yunus, is an administration supported by the people through the mass uprising. If they follow the footsteps of Sheikh Hasina, then what does that mean? With a person like Asif Nazrul in this interim government, how is it possible for Saber Hossain Chowdhury to be released on bail within 24 hours? So who is this government protecting?” he said. Rizvi alleged that Saber Chowdhury was an MP for years without people’s votes. “Under his orders, many murders and extrajudicial killings occurred. If he is granted bail, then those involved in financial scandals and the police who engaged in crossfires—who made people disappear, tortured them, and shot them in the head—will likely be released within days. What will the interim government say in response to this?” Later, a procession was held under the leadership of Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, demanding the arrest of Saber Hossain Chowdhury.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that the Awami League government is showing its arrogance after usurping power through the last month’s ‘dummy’ election. “They (govt) are now showing their arrogance after the farcical dummy election held on January 7 which was turned down by the country’s people. They’re also trying to flaunt the power they've usurped to people,” he said. BNP leader Moyeen Khan meets Peter Haas He came up with the remarks before distributing BNP’s leaflets in the city’s Fakirapool area as part of the party’s fresh programme demanding the cancellation of the 12th parliamentary polls and a fresh election under a non-partisan government. The BNP leader said the country's people have woken up against the government to ensure its fall through a united movement. “We all must take to the streets together in the movement to demand the cancellation of the dummy election...We have started the leaflet distribution programme with that goal,” he said. BNP stuck in quicksand of wrong politics: Quader Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent comment that there were many crackdowns on the army and many were sent to the gallows during the tenure of Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi said their party founder did everything through a legal process against those who worked against the army. “But you (PM) have made military officers disappear. Where is Brigadier General Abdullahil Amaan Azmi? He was subjected to enforced disappearance during the tenure of your government,” he said. He said that the Awami League government killed about 20,000 leaders and workers of (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) JSD and other opposition parties and dissidents in 1972-1975. “Similarly, countless opposition leaders and workers have been killed during the tenure of this regime. Many people, including Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, have been made forcibly disappear." 15 BNP men died in police custody 'for lack of care or torture': Rizvi Later, Rizvi along with some party leaders and activists distributed leaflets among the pedestrians, shop owners, transport workers and rickshaw pullers in the area. The leaflet titled 'Save the country, save the people' demanded the cancellation of the January 7 one-sided by-election, the resignation of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the establishment of an impartial election commission under a caretaker government, the release of jailed BNP leaders and activists, including its chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. As part of the party’s countrywide programme, BNP leaders and workers distributed leaflets in all metropolitan cities on Tuesday also to mount pressure on the government to reduce the prices of essential commodities. BNP on Sunday announced a six-day fresh programme, including mass contact and leaflet distribution, across the country beginning Tuesday.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that the ruling party's business syndicates have become more desperate to indulge in looting by increasing commodity prices after the January 7 election. Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he said the country’s people are going through a serious ordeal to cope with the skyrocketing prices of essential items. BNP announces six-day fresh programme beginning Tuesday “The syndicates of the ruling party have become more reckless to plunder public money. The prices of daily necessities such as rice, pulses, oil, sugar, vegetables, fish and meat are increasing at an alarming rate,” the BNP leader said. He also said that no vegetables are now available below Tk 80 to 100 per kg in this peak season for winter vegetables. The BNP leader also bemoaned that fish and meat have gone beyond the purchasing capacity of the poor and ordinary people. AL has to pay for Jan 7 election: Farroque the rising commodity prices, the poor people are now buying pieces of sliced Pangasius fish from the market keeping meat and other fish out of their menu. “I have given an example of what terrible situation the low-income people and middle class are facing now…people are also buying chicken skin and legs to eat.”Rizvi said the government has increased the tariffs on gas, electricity and water several times illegally without considering the public interest. He said the landlords are increasing the rents of their houses at a geometric rate, leaving the middle class and working people in the lurch. India wants to see weak democracy in Bangladesh: Rizvi BNP leader said their party’s one-point movement demanding the resignation of the current government and an election under a non-party neutral government will continue.“The one-point movement is marching towards victory by ensuring the fall of the usurper Awami League government with the unity, determination and heroism of the people. Sheikh Hasina won’t be able to suppress the political awakening that has been created. The victory of the people is certain.”

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday alleged that India wants fragile democracy in Bangladesh since it has extended support to last month's election which was rejected by the people and the most democratic countries. “The foreign minister said (Thursday) that India has supported the election (held on January 7) to maintain the continuity of democracy," he said. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi questioned whether India wants plastic democracy in its neighbouring countries. Bangladeshi citizens in extreme insecurity along Myanmar border: Rizvi He claimed that it was recognised by the entire world that the stage-managed and rigged 12th parliamentary election in Bangladesh was rejected and boycotted by the country’s people.  “If that election is fair... if that election helps maintain the continuation of democracy and if India supports that election as per the assertion of the foreign minister, then we have to think that India wants a steel-like strong democracy in its own country, but it wants a plastic democracy in Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi said, the government is loudly saying which countries are congratulating them and supporting the election. “It has manifested that they’re an isolated government without public support. Khaleda undergoes health checkups at Evercare, returns home He also said the ministers of the government are bragging about the support of other countries out of their fear of losing power as people boycotted the last polls. The BNP leader said the current Awami League government is unable to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country as it was not formed with public support. “It is now visible. In the age of technology, every person is now watching how the mortar shells are coming (from Myanmar), killing the people of Bangladesh. But the government is silent. It even can’t give a statement (protesting the border incidents)." He said the government could not set an example of keeping the independence and sovereignty of the country intact through diplomatic efforts and lodging strong protests. "It has proved once again that the world doesn’t care about a government which lacks public support." Rizvi alleged that BNP leaders and workers are being subjected to various repression and harassment in jails. Khaleda taken to Evercare Hospital for health check-ups “The country's jails are overcrowded with BNP leaders and activists and the jails are accommodating inmates several times more than their capacity. Prison cells have been turned into suffocating concentration camps,” he observed. The BNP leader alleged that over-enthusiastic officials are oppressing the jailed BNP leaders and workers by depriving them of all the facilities they deserve as per the jail code.

The BNP on Wednesday denounced the government's decision to double the charge for residential prepaid gas meters, saying it is an unjustified and anti-people move. “The rent of the prepaid meter has been doubled overnight from Tk 100 to Tk 200. It’s said that this decision has been taken by adjusting the cost of running and maintaining the meter. It’s an illogical move,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. He made the remarks while addressing a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.    The BNP leader said the charge has been raised at a time when the gas supply situation at the residential level has already seriously deteriorated.  He said there is no gas supply in the houses most of the time, day and night, but the 'illegal government' is collecting money using various tactics from the gas users. BNP's black-flag processions foiled in capital amid police obstructions “Doubling the meter charge without ensuring gas supply and putting the common people in misery (by suddenly raising the charge) is a manifestation of the government’s anti-people attitude. I, on behalf of BNP, strongly protest and condemn this anti-people decision.” The state-owned gas distribution companies recently hiked the prepaid meter rent to Tk 200 from 100 without any prior notice. In a statement on Monday, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said the meter charge was increased as per the government’s decision to adjust the cost of the installation and maintenance of the meter. Rizvi said the government has been plundering public money as it has no accountability to the people - since it was formed without a mandate from the voters. “They (govt) know they won’t have to be accountable to people and they won’t have to go to people in another election or any election as they subdue the people with guns and the state’s all apparatus. So, they can take anti-people policies and implement them as per their whims,” he observed. Only shameless persons can sit in 12th parliament: Gayeshwar He alleged that the government has punished people by increasing the charge for residential prepaid gas meters for boycotting the 12th parliament election and silently witnessing the government's election ‘circus’ on 7 January. Voicing concern that the dollar crisis has already badly affected export growth, the BNP leader opposed the government’s decisions not to provide cash incentives to the ready-made garments and textiles sector. “The orders for RMG products from buyers have already halved. Cash incentives for leather, jute products, and agro-processing products have also been reduced a lot. So, the export of all these products will decrease drastically,” he said. The BNP leader said the government is cutting funds from the export sectors only to continue the looting in the name of so-called development and mega projects. He also slammed Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud for downplaying an open letter of 242 global leaders expressing alarm over the "continuous judicial harassment and potential jailing" of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. He also criticised the Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for calling the TIB report on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) politically motivated. BNP leader Moyeen Khan picked up; released after several hours "Obaidul Quader yesterday (Wednesday) said corruption exists all over the world but only Bangladesh is vilified. We can say corruption may exist more or less all over the world, but we don’t know whether the Awami-styled corruption stain exists anywhere else in the world,” the BNP leader said.

BNP on Sunday night said the victory of the democracy-loving people was ensured as almost all voters rejected the 12th parliamentary election responding to the opposition’s call for boycotting the lopsided voting. In a statement, signed by its Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the party also said it is the trait of all autocrats to show high voter turnout in the election that was rejected by people. Hasina wins Gopalganj-3 “People responded to the call of the opposition parties and showed their solidarity. So, the victory of the democracy-loving people was ensured as they firmly rejected today's (Sunday’s) fraudulent election,” BNP said. It also said the rejection of the election by the people is a spontaneous support for the ongoing movement of pro-democracy forces and a strong reflection of the popular demand for Sheikh Hasina's resignation. “Almost all of the country's 12 crore voters boycotted this farcical election…this heroic stand of the people of Bangladesh is mainly for the restoration of democracy. BNP congratulates the countrymen for the way the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh unitedly and bravely rejected the dummy election,” the party said. Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan elected by 140,000 votes Magura-1 constituency The BNP thinks the flawed election was a complete insult to the democratic aspirations and enthusiasm of the people of Bangladesh. It also said the ruling party cadres could not bring out voters to the empty polling stations even outside Dhaka despite various manipulations, threats, and persuasion. The BNP said the way Awami League resorted to manipulations and irregularities in every seat and center in the election that was boycotted by 63 democratic parties, it was proved once again that no free, fair, participatory, competitive, and peaceful election is possible under Sheikh Hasina. Abul Hasnat, Menon won in Barishal-1 and 2 “The state suffers badly if the constitutional institutions are not independent and strong. The current election commission is proof of that. As they (EC) were subservient to Awami fascism, they played a game in the name of election,” the party said.

Denouncing the arson attack on the Benapole Express Train that killed four passengers, BNP on Saturday said the government is playing with fire to make political gains by blaming the opposition. “The government has again started playing with fire. They've resorted to the old game as they played in the past to hold a one-sided national election,” said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. He made the remarks while picketing in support of their party’s 48-hour hartal that began 6m today to protest against Sunday’s 'dummy' election. Rizvi claimed that the ruling party tried to gain political advantage earlier by resorting to a hellish rampage of arson. 48-hour nationwide hartal called by BNP underway “People believe that yesterday's (Friday's) Benapole Express train fire and casualties were part of the government's old game,” the BNP leader said. As the people have come up with a massive response to the movement of the BNP and other opposition parties for democracy, he said the ruling quarter is playing with people's lives by indulging in arson violence, and terrorism. “The government has been hatching plots one after another to arrange the election like an authoritarian country, and putting the blame onto the opposition,” Rizvi alleged. He said the government aims to stay in power by eliminating the opposition parties, especially BNP. US visa policy should be applied on BNP leaders: Momen Stating that the arson on the Benapole Express Train was an ill-motivated, the BNP leader once again demanded an international investigation into the incident under the supervision of the United Nations. On the first day of their 48-hour hartal, Rizvi along with some party leaders and workers brought out a procession from Shahbagh crossing towards Banglamotor in the capital around 7:3pm as part of picketing to enforce the shutdown. At this time, the BNP activists set fire to tires and staged a demonstration there in support of the hartal. A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow, is underway. The hartal began at 6 am and will end at 6 am on Monday. The night before the scheduled hartal, miscreants torched the four coaches of the Benapole Express train at 9:05pm on Friday, killing at least four people. Govt out to show artificial turnout in Jan 7 polls: Dr Moyeen Khan .BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration. Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers. However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29 amid the incidents of violence like setting fire to public vehicles and passenger trains.

A 48-hour hartal, called by BNP and like-minded opposition parties to protest the 12th parliamentary election to be held tomorrow (January 07, 2024), is underway. The hartal began at 6 am today (January 06, 2024) and will end at 6 am on Monday (January 08, 2024). A large number of people have left Dhaka city ahead of the January 7 national parliamentary election. The number of vehicles on the street are fewer compared to other days, but despite fear of arson attacks, public vehicles were plying the streets. Four people were killed as arsonists burnt four coaches of the Benapole Express train in Dhaka last night. Read: Govt to face crushing defeat on Jan 7: Moyeen Khan  BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the hartal at a virtual press briefing on Thursday. He said their programme is meant to drum up public support in favor of the party’s call to boycott the January 7 election. BNP along with nearly three dozen opposition political parties have been carrying out a simultaneous movement since December 10 last year to force the current government to quit and hold the 12th parliamentary election under a non-party neutral administration. Read: BNP to hold processions, conduct mass contacts Friday to protest Jan-7 polls Many senior leaders, including BNP’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were arrested while many others went into hiding in the face of a crackdown by the law enforcers. However, BNP and like-minded parties enforced countrywide blockades for 23 days in 12 phases and hartals for five days since October 29. The opposition party came up with the call for a non-cooperation movement on December 20.

An unidentified individual attempted to enter the cabin of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital on Saturday (December 23, 2023) evening. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi expressed deep concern over this incident. “The intrusion attempt by an unknown youth into the cabin of our ailing chairperson, a respected three-time former Prime Minister, is not only worrying but raises serious questions about the security measures in place,” Rizvi stated. Read: BNP to form human chains on Dec 10 in protest against injustice: Rizvi  The BNP leader highlighted the gravity of the situation, given Khaleda Zia’s high-profile status and her current health struggles. People are astonished at how the security of such a prominent figure, particularly in her vulnerable state, could be compromised in a reputedly safe environment like Evercare Hospital, he added. Rizvi further questioned the implications of this incident, suggesting a potential deeper conspiracy. “The mysterious nature of this attempted breach has sparked widespread concern and speculation among the people. It is imperative to ascertain whether this was an isolated incident or part of a more sinister plot.” The incident has led to calls for heightened security for the 78-year-old Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized since August 9 for multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, and heart complications. Recently, she underwent a specialized hepatic procedure known as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), performed by a team of US specialists from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Medicine. Read: EC’s show-causes for violating electoral code are a joke on the people: Rizvi  Since her conditional release from jail in 2020, Khaleda Zia has been under medical supervision. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the government extended her release, mandating her stay in her Gulshan residence and prohibiting international travel.