United News of Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said there is no scope for ‘engineering’ in the national election as government officials and employees are expected to discharge their duties properly to ensure free, fair and credible voting. “We have finally regained the freedom to express our opinions through independent voting. The election will be neutral, though some concerns always remain. But, we are hopeful that there will be no opportunity for ‘election engineering’ this time,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at his Thakurgaon residence. BNP not to compromise on women rights: Fakhrul BNP has been carrying out a movement for the restoration of democracy for the last 16 years and expressed optimism that the February 12 election would help restore people’s voting rights and democracy, he said. “If the election is held in a free and fair manner, it will create a major opportunity for reforming the state. So far, we believe the overall election environment is favourable,” Fakhrul added. Regarding the acceptability of the election results, the BNP secretary general said his party has always accepted election outcomes.  “Even in 2008, when BNP won only 30 seats, we joined Parliament. This time, we are hopeful that BNP will secure a majority,” he said. Referring to BNP’s rivals, including Jamaat, Fakhrul said Jamaat is a very strategic party and often engages in propaganda using religion. “They are trying to spread disinformation through various campaigns.” BNP believes in positive and constructive politics and never underestimates its opponents, regardless of who they are, he added.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party would remain uncompromising in protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly mothers and sisters. “BNP will be uncompromising in protecting the rights of all citizens, especially the rights of mothers and sisters, regardless of whether they are Hindus or Muslims,” he said while campaigning at Bhagdgazi Bazar in Jamalpur Union of the Thakurgaon-1 constituency. Addressing members of the Hindu community, the BNP secretary general said, “I, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, am always by your side. No one can harm you.” He said fear often prevails among Hindu brothers and sisters as they consider themselves a minority and worry about persecution. But BNP clearly believes that no one is a minority in the country. “There is no minority in this country; everyone is a citizen of Bangladesh,” he added. Mirza Fakhrul alleged that a political party is trying to mislead common people in the name of religion. He said some are claiming that voting for a particular election symbol would ensure entry into heaven. “Nauzubillah (I seek refuge in Allah). Can anyone go to heaven simply by voting for a specific symbol?” he questioned, adding that renowned scholars of the country have rejected such propaganda. He mentioned that Muhibullah Babunagri has said voting for Jamaat-e-Islami is not permissible, while the Pir of Charmonai has termed Jamaat-e-Islami the biggest ‘liar’ party in the world. “We cannot destroy our faith by voting for such a party,” the BNP secretary general said. Urging people not to be misled, he called on voters to cast their ballots in favour of the sheaf of paddy symbol on February 12 and make Tarique Rahman the prime minister to develop the country and restore democracy in line with the spirit of the great Liberation War of 1971.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the country must move forward under the leadership of Tarique Rahman to save the nation. He said a meaningful national election would be held on February 12, through which a creative and effective government could be formed. Mirza Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing an election rally in support of BNP-nominated candidate Farhad Hossain Azad of Panchagarh-2 constituency at Debiganj Devdarutala in Panchagarh in the afternoon. BNP to remain uncompromising in protecting people’s rights: Fakhrul Claiming that a party was trying to foil the election, he alleged that the party was opposed to independence and could not be trusted. He further alleged that those who studied at Rajshahi University were aware of the party’s violent practices, urging people to remain vigilant. Mirza Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh do not trust any party that opposed the country’s independence, adding that such forces cannot be relied upon by the nation. Upazila BNP President Abdul Gani, Election Management Committee President Advocate Golam Hafiz, General Secretary Abul Hossain Md Tabarak Happy, and other BNP leaders from different levels also spoke at the rally. Tarique urges voters to back BNP to rebuild Bangladesh

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said spreading confusion in the name of religion can never be acceptable or proper politics. “They speak in the name of Islam but deceive people. They are saying that voting for the “Scale” symbol will ensure entry into heaven. No true Muslim can believe such claims,” he said in an oblique reference to Jamaat-e-Islami. The BNP leader was addressing a street rally at Kismat Daulatpur Dakhil Madrasah ground in Thakurgaon. Bangladesh to face danger if voters fail to make right choice: Fakhrul Fakhrul said prominent Islamic scholars, including those from Charmonai, have stated that ‘Jamaat-e-Islami is not an Islamic party’. He added that Muslims believe salvation depends on deeds, not symbols. “Only Allah decides who goes to heaven and that depends solely on one’s actions,” he said. The BNP secretary general said a political group, previously unseen in active politics, is now emerging ahead of the election. “There is no objection to anyone taking part in politics or elections but please do not lie, do not spread slander like backbiters and do not defame others,” he said. Referring to media reports, Fakhrul said the Jamaat Ameer had used obscene language against women. “Can a leader who cannot respect mothers and sisters, who speaks offensively about them, ever claim moral high ground or do good for society?” he questioned. The BNP leader said the people of the country had been deprived of their voting rights for the last 15 years.  “InshAllah, this time people will be able to vote and a free and fair election will be held,” he said. BNP believes in constructive politics and criticism, not personal attacks and its politics focuses on development and restoring people’s rights. Fakhrul said BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has emerged very much in the footsteps of his father Shaeed President Ziaur Rahman. He said Tarique Rahman has announced a clear plan, including creating jobs for one crore youths within a year, introducing family cards for women, agriculture cards for farmers, and waiving agricultural loans up to Tk 10,000. If BNP comes to power, he stressed, the new government will take responsibility for repaying loans taken from NGOs. He urged voters to go to polling centres on January 12 and cast their votes in favour of BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged voters not to ‘destroy the country’ by casting ballots for those who had collaborated with the Pakistani force in 1971 and are now seeking to rule the country again. “Those who assisted the Pakistani army even at the last moment are today asking for votes to govern the country. Do not ruin the nation by voting for them,” said Fakhrul, also the BNP-nominated candidate for Thakurgaon-1 constituency. He made the remarks during the election campaign at BD High School ground in Begunbari Union of Sadar upazila in the afternoon. “We want to uphold the spirit of 1971 because that year is our identity. Bangladesh was born due to Pakistan’s exploitation and repression. We fought Pakistan and achieved independence,” he said. About the absence of ‘Boat’ symbol in the election race the BNP leader said, “Earlier, there were ‘Boat’ and ‘Sheaf of Paddy’. This time there is no ‘Boat’. The boat’s helmswoman, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has left you behind and fled to India. She is sitting in Delhi.” He said Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid protests by students while party leaders and activists were left exposed. “We do not want those who run away. We earned our right to vote through the blood of many students. For 15 years, we were denied freedom of expression. Those who wanted to vote were framed in cases and sent to jail,” he said. Addressing the Hindu community, Fakhrul said fear often exists among Hindu community people regarding persecution but there is no reason to be afraid. Begum Khaleda Zia clearly said that there are no minorities here, everyone is a citizen of Bangladesh, he said. He pledged that BNP would protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion and would remain uncompromising in safeguarding the rights of women. Speaking on agriculture, Fakhrul said the sector has not been properly developed and farmers were among the most vulnerable. He said BNP planned to promote agriculture-based industrialisation if voted to power. “Passing BA alone is not enough. Take technical training. Plenty of jobs are waiting abroad,” he added. Sadar upazila BNP President Abdul Hamid and other party leaders and activists were present at the programme.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is showing questionable conduct in a number of areas through its actions. “The Election Commission, through its activities, is engaging in questionable conduct in many cases,” Fakhrul said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. A BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.  Fakhrul said the BNP placed many election-related issues before the CEC during the one-hour meeting. Read More: Fakhrul expresses concern over law and order ahead of polls He alleged that in various election areas, the returning officers, assistant returning officers, superintendents of police, officers-in-charge of police stations and other officials are working in an ‘objectionable manner’ in favour of a particular political party.  The BNP leader said they have received complaints in this regard and brought these matters to the attention of the Election Commission. “In the interest of a free and fair election, we have requested that those involved be investigated and withdrawn.” The BNP secretary general also claimed that complaints have been received against several senior officials of the Election Commission, alleging that they are working in favour of a specific party. “We have urged the Commission to take appropriate action in this regard,” he added. Raising their party’s concerns over postal ballots, Fakhrul said the issue has not yet been fully resolved. “Especially in the case of registered expatriate voters, there are problems in delivering ballot papers and with the way the ballot papers have been printed. We have submitted our complaints to the Commission.” “We believe these ballot papers are not correct, there has been bias, and attempts have been made to give undue advantage to a particular party,” he said, asking the EC to change the ballots.  Read More: Khaleda an icon of Bangladesh’s democracy, people’s source of trust: Fakhrul He also urged that postal ballots be distributed only after the allocation of election symbols within the country. Raising allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said Jamaat’s election workers are going door to door collecting copies of National Identity Cards (NIDs), bKash numbers and mobile phone numbers. “This is a violation of personal privacy and amounts to a criminal offence. We had earlier raised objections over violations of the code of conduct, and we have now called for urgent action on this matter,” he said. Noting that the BNP believes in a level playing field for an election, Fakhrul said the party chairman even cancelled a personal tour in this regard. “Yet leaders and other important figures of various political parties are repeatedly violating the code of conduct by carrying out their campaigns. We have requested the Commission to take immediate action on these issues as well,” he added. Asked whether a level playing field exists for all contestants, the BNP secretary general said, “We believe the Election Commission is trying to ensure a level playing field. There are some minor shortcomings, which we believe they will be able to rectify.” Mirza Fakhrul also alleged that in several constituencies of the Dhaka city, a political party has adopted unethical tactics to ensure the victory of its nominated or supported candidates by transferring voters from different parts of the country and enrolling them as voters in Dhaka constituencies. “We have requested, on an urgent basis, detailed information on how many voters have been transferred, from which areas, to which constituencies in the Dhaka city area, under what reasons, along with the lists and detailed particulars of the transferred voters,” he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said a new scope has opened before the nation to build a liberal democratic Bangladesh. “People are now hopeful as a scope has been created for building a liberal democratic Bangladesh,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme arranged by BNP for party chairman Tarique Rahman to exchange greetings with journalists. Read More: Nazim Uddin Alam made BNP chairman’s advisory council member He said Tarique Rahman returned to the country from London at a time when the nation is going through a difficult period. He said people across the country are now looking to Tarique Rahman with hope for rebuilding the country as they feel encouraged by the speeches he earlier delivered virtually. The programme formally began around 11:20am with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Earlier, the BNP Chairman arrived at the venue at around 10:52am and exchanged pleasantries with editors and journalists by walking around different tables. In his inaugural speech, Fakhrul recalled the contributions of late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to democracy and the nation. Read More: Tarique Rahman becomes BNP Chairman as per party constitution He also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of Khaleda who died December 30 last year. Fakhrul also paid tribute to the martyrs of different democratic movements and the July mass uprising of 2004 and reaccled their role in paving the way for the restoration of democracy.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday described the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia as “irreparable”, saying the nation would never be able to fill the void created by her death. “We never imagined that we would have to stand before you with this news. We were hopeful that just like before, she would recover once again. But we’re now devastated,” he said in an emotional voice during a briefing at the Evercare Hospital in the morning. Fakhrul further said, “As you have already heard, the head of the medical board Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, announced that at 6:00am today our Mother of Democracy, the guardian of the nation, left us. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un. This grief, this loss, is unusual and irreparable. This nation will never be able to make up for it,” he said. He said Khaleda devoted her entire life to the rights and welfare of the people. Prof Yunus mourns death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia “That leader, who dedicated her whole life to the rights and well-being of people, our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, is no longer with us. For us, her colleagues and political workers, this is something we cannot yet comprehend,” the BNP leader said. He said her death created a huge vacuum not only in Bangladesh’s politics but also in democratic movements worldwide. Emergency Standing Committee Meeting Mirza Fakhrul said the BNP Standing Committee would hold an emergency meeting at 12:30pm to finalise elaborate programmes. “We will also coordinate our programmes with those announced by the government and inform you accordingly,” he said. Earlier, Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, head of the medical board formed for Khaleda Zia’s treatment, formally announced that the BNP Chairperson breathed her last at 6:00am at the ICU of Evercare Hospital. Hope ex-PM Khaleda's vision, legacy will continue to guide our partnership: PM Modi During the briefing, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain and members of the medical board were present. Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23. As her condition deteriorated on November 27, she was shifted to the CCU. She remained on life support until her final moments.  

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday for advanced treatment by a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday. “You have already heard that we have received a highly advanced air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, on his own initiative and out of his generosity. It will arrive here tonight and, most likely, very early in the morning, they will take our leader Begum Khaleda Zia to the United Kingdom,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Khaleda Zia to be flown to London: Dr Zahid He said all necessary procedures for Khaleda’s travel have already been completed. “You may have also come to know who will be accompanying her. A team of doctors will travel with Madam.” The BNP leader said the royal air ambulance is equipped with very modern facilities. “It has everything available, even an operation theatre.” Fakhrul said the medical board formed with local and foreign specialists has recommended shifting Khaleda to a specialised hospital in the UK for better treatment, and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has given his consent to the decision. Seeking prayers from the people, he said, “We pray to Almighty Allah to ensure her safe journey and good health, and that she returns to us fully recovered.” Fakhrul urged the people of the country to pray for the recovery of “the most popular leader of the nation — the uncompromising leader of democracy — who is seen as a guardian by people across the country, no matter their political views.” BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan was also present at the press conference. Earlier in the day, Khaleda’s personal physician and party Standing Committee Member AZM Zahid Hossain said she will be flown to London for advanced medical treatment. Khaleda Zia only VVIP entitled to prescribed state facilities: Adviser The decision was made unanimously by a medical board including local and foreign specialists, he told reporters at a briefing in front of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. “She will be taken to London by a Qatar royal air ambulance. We have selected a hospital in London for her treatment and, InshAllah, we will take her there,” he said. He said several specialist doctors and two foreign physicians will accompany Khaleda Zia during her trip to the UK. Regarding her current condition, Zahid said every step has been taken strictly as advised by the medical board. “They advised that sending her to London at this stage is the most appropriate. We hope she will recover and return to us.” On 8 January, Khaleda Zia travelled to London in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar for advanced medical treatment and returned home on 6 May by the special air ambulance. The former prime minister has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since 23 November after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she is still under close observation. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. A medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, is supervising her treatment with support from specialist physicians. The government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and deployed members of the Special Security Force to ensure her safety.  

Newly appointed German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday and discussed issues related to the upcoming national election, trade, investment and broader bilateral cooperation. The hour-long meeting, which began around 10:30am, was held at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Acting Chairman’s Adviser on International Affairs Humayun Kabir, and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were also present. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Amir Khosru said the discussion covered future cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany beyond trade and investment, including cultural exchange and skills development. “We discussed how we can work together on skills development in the coming days, how to expand existing trade,” he said. Khosru said they also discussed increasing German investment in Bangladesh. “You all know that one of BNP’s main plans, if it comes to power, is to create jobs for 10 million people within 18 months. To make this happen, our key focus is skill development. People need proper skills to get jobs in different sectors. We are giving special importance to technology and artificial intelligence because, without technology, the economy cannot move forward. In this area, Germany’s support is very important,” he said. The BNP leader said Germany has already invested in China and India and now considers Bangladesh a promising destination for future investment. “We expect to see German investment in Bangladesh as they have both initiatives and interest in this area,” he added. Khosru said the BNP has already sent its action plans on improving the investment environment to every embassy. Referring to the political situation, the BNP leader said everyone, including Germany, is waiting for a free, fair and credible election in Bangladesh. Like other countries, he said, Germany wants Bangladesh to hold the election as soon as possible so that an elected government can take office and make short-, medium- and long-term decisions. “So, they are all waiting for that — for an elected government and parliament to be in place as early as possible through a fair and credible election that will be accountable to the people and widely accepted internationally,” Khosru said. Responding to a question about three foreign envoys meeting an Awami League leader, he said BNP is not at all concerned about where diplomats hold their meetings or with whom. “Such meetings are not important in politics. Many meetings take place that you don’t even hear about. They make little difference in politics. What truly matters is bringing back a democratic order in Bangladesh’s future,” the BNP leader said. Speaking about the July Charter, he said, “Whether it is called a referendum, reform, or consensus commission—whatever issues we agree on, we will move forward with those. Where there is no agreement, every political party has the right to take those matters to the people. Beyond that, there is no further discussion.” Khosru said it is the people of Bangladesh—not any political party or leader—who have the full authority to decide the country’s future. “If there is consensus, that’s fine; if not, take your proposal to the people and seek their mandate in the next election. No party has the right to impose anything on others.” Replying to another question, the BNP leader said the party will make well-considered decisions when choosing its candidates. “It is natural for a big political party to have several aspirants, but once nominations are finalised, everyone will work together. We’ll announce the list of our candidates at the right time,” he added.