Fakhrul
Govt scripting new drama to divert BNP’s movement: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that the government has been preparing the scripts of new dramas to divert their pro-democracy movement to a different direction.
"We’ve seen many incidents, many ups and downs, and repressive acts, loss of lives, enforced disappearances, murders and false and fictitious cases. We’re seeing now that they (AL) are talking about arson violence. We’ve also seen a new drama of snatching militants from the court premises,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the government has been writing the new drama scripts with an ‘evil’ political motive. “Their main target is to divert the movement that has begun with the core demands of people to a different direction.”
Nagorik Oikya arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.
Fakhrul said the government has also started indulging in the old game of filing fictitious cases against BNP leaders and activists as part of its move to suppress the opposition.
He said a case was filed by police against 150 people of BNP for hurling a crude bomb at Karwanbazar, but no one saw taking place such an incident there. “The witnesses also know nothing about it as there was no sound of an explosion.”
Read more: AL, not BNP, mastermind of ‘arson terrorism’: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said already 96 such cases have been filed against 4,500 identified and 10,000 unidentified accused belonging to BNP. "It means their old game has started. They’ll carry out the incidents and we’ll face the cases and thus we’ll remain busy going to the court and they’ll get their job done.”
New strategies to manipulate polls
He said the ruling party invents new strategies when the election time comes to cling to power in one way or another.
Fakhrul said a strong movement is the only way to get rid of the current situation. "The only way to remove this regime is forging unity of the people and wage a movement for holding a credible and neutral election.
“A new parliament and a new government will be formed through that election and thus a scope will be created to materialise the dreams of the people,” he hoped.
The BNP leader said no fair and acceptable election can be held under the Awami League government. “Our political culture has reached a point where elections are not possible under a partisan government. So, the polls must be held under a caretaker government.”
He called upon the political parties to get united to ensure the fall of ‘usurper’ the Awami League regime.
Corruption institutionalised
Fakhrul said the police, civil and all other administrations are busy flattering the ruling party. “The worst thing they have done by completely institutionalising corruption. There is no sector in which they have not committed corruption."
He said the MPs distributed the allocated money of the Union Parishads among the ruling party chairmen. “Even, the Awami League leaders and workers get 10-20% share of money from different allowances such as old-age and widow ones. Zila Parishad has been set up and its main job is to plunder public money.”
The BNP leader said Awami League has now become a huge burden for the nation. “If we cannot remove this burden from our shoulders, then we will all sink with them. We’re about to sink”.
Dhaka rally surely at Nayapaltan
Fakhrul alleged that the government still did not give their party permission to hold its final rally in Dhaka on December 10. “As we always hold our programmes in front of our party office, we will definitely hold the rally there on December 10.”
Read more: No obstacle can stand in front of BNP now: Fakhrul
He called upon the authorities concerned of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to give permission for the rally without buying time and making any trouble. “Take all steps so that we can smoothly arrange the programme.”
The BNP leader said they want to hold the rally peacefully as they are carrying out their movement in a peaceful manner. “It’s now the responsibility of the government to cooperate with us in holding the rally peacefully.”
Economic, political crises push Bangladesh to serious trouble: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said Bangladesh is on the brink of collapse hit by both the economic and political crisis.
“The country almost reached the ditch. There is economic crisis on one side and the political crisis on the other. It’s a critical moment,” he said.
The BNP leader warned that the country’s existence will be at stake if these crises are not resolved immediately.”
He made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting former MP Rumna Mahmud, wife of BNP standing committee member Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, at her residence in the city’s Asad Gate area.
Read: Power tariff hike to deepen public suffering further: BNP
On November 18, Rumana was injured in an attack reportedly by the ruling party cadres in Sirajganj while she was distributing leaflets to drum up support for BNP’s divisional rally in Rajshahi.
Fakhrul hoped that good sense will prevail upon the government to take steps for holding a credible election by handing over power to an interim caretaker government in the country, putting aside terror and repressive activities.
In response to a question, he said, Awami League has put the country into such a deep crisis that it will not be possible to overcome if the election is not held properly and the public representatives are not elected properly. “How the country will run if credible elections are not held?”
The BNP leader said the neighbouring countries like India, Nepal, and Pakistan have many problems, but they are holding inclusive and acceptable elections and their political parties have confidence in their electoral systems and processes.
Read: Business in tatters due to plunder, money laundering: Fakhrul
“There is an election atmosphere even in Pakistan. Unfortunately, we couldn't do that. Awami League has created this crisis to perpetuate power,” Fakhrul bemoaned.
He accused the government of establishing a reign of terror across the country to hang on to power. "Awami League can’t sustain in power without resorting to terrorism. They can’t tolerate their opponents and they want to eliminate their opponents through terror acts. They cannot rule without terror and- this is their old habit.”
About the militant snatching incident in the capital, the BNP leader said it has exposed the 'state of Awami League’s weak governance.
“We see thieves, thefts, hooliganism, and clashes everywhere. They (police) are doing so many things and they shot a day labourer. But how did the militants disappear in front of them (police).”
Stop gunning down opposition activists, Fakhrul asks police
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday asked the law enforcers to stop illegally gunning down opposition leaders and activists, and warned that they will have to be accountable to people someday for their every action.
“Our Chhatra Dal leader Nayon embraced martyrdom in police firing in Brahmanbaria’s Bancharampur…we condemn this killing, and we take a vow to avenge his murder,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said six leaders and activists of their party and its associate bodies have so far been killed in the party’s ongoing movement as they took to the streets to press for their demands.
“From this discussion meeting, I would like to ask police and the law enforcement agencies not to continue such killing unfairly, illegally and violating the constitution. Because, you have to be accountable to people for your every action,” he warned.
Read more: After 7 successful rallies, Fakhrul declares: ‘No election in Bangladesh without caretaker govt’
Ziaur Rahman Foundation arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 58th birthday of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Tarique, exiled in London for 'treatment' since 2008, was born on November 20, 1965. BNP and its different associate bodies marked the day amid various programmes, including discussions and doa mahfil.
Earlier on Saturday, Nayon Miah, 22, vice president of Bancharampur’s Sonarampur union parishad unit JCD, was shot by police during a clash with supports of the party, leaving him critically injured.
He was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where physicians pronounced him dead on arrival around 7:30pm.
Fakhrul alleged that police shot Nayan without any reason and provocation when they were distributing leaflets at a local bazar to drum up support for BNP’s divisional rally scheduled to be held in Cumilla town on next Saturday.
He said a serious adverse situation has been prevailing in the country where people cannot express their opinions. “All the rights of the people, including the right to vote, have been snatched by the government. We’re carrying out a movement and sacrificing lives on the streets for restoring the lost rights.”
The BNP leader said they have been on a very tough struggle since a ‘fascist’ regime is their opponent, which hardly cares about democracy and human rights. “Their only goal is to stay in power by any means.”
Read more: Govt unleashes police to foil BNP’s rallies
“The government has lost ground beneath its feet and it has become a public enemy since it has got isolated from people…They speak in such a language that it is a kingdom or a monarch. But Bangladesh is the People’s Republic which was established through a bloody war.”
Fakhrul said every citizen of the country is the owner of the state but the ruling party has snatched it. “There’re two things in their (AL’s) body chemistry. “One is terrorism as they want to grab everything by indulging in killing, intimidation and the other is plundering as they want to steal everything.”
Fakhrul slammed the government for filing a case against writer and online activist Pinaki Bhattacharya and journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansari, who was a deputy press secretary of the former prime minister Khaleda Zia, under the Digital Security Act.
He said people have got united under the leadership of their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is leading their party from the UK, to get back independence afresh, democracy and all rights through a fierce movement.
People fuming like volcano to force govt to resign: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the people are now eager like a “fuming volcano” to oust the current government.
“Our every rally has been held peacefully without any chaos (on our part) anywhere. But the government is so much coward that it has arrested more than 500 leaders and workers of our party in false cases,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader alleged that the government has again started filing ‘false’ and ‘fictitious’ cases against the opposition leaders and activists.
Read more: Motorcade of Ilyas Ali’s wife attacked ahead of BNP’s Sylhet rally; police detains JCD men
“You (govt) have been implicating us in many cases and killing many people for 15 years. You have made 600 people to disappear, but you could not stop us. People are now fuming again like an active volcano and it’ll erupt to ensure the fall of the government,” he said.
BNP arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 46th death anniversary of Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani.
Bhasani, popularly known as 'Majlum Jananeta' (the leader of the downtrodden), passed away on November 17, 1976.
Fakhrul hoped that BNP’s current movement will turn successful and they will be able to establish a government of the people.
Read more: BNP announces four district unit committees
He said in a new ray of hope common people are joining their divisional rallies with huge enthusiasm. “They’re coming to our rallies wearing lungis, carrying bags and with flattened rice, puffed rice, and molasses for staying three days under the open sky and thus making our rallies successful. It’s unprecedented.”
The BNP leader said their party will surely succeed in freeing the country from misrule and restore the people’s lost rights if it can take the movement to the right direction and keep up the current spirit of the masses.
“We need not pay much attention to who is saying what and where. We let them say who are talking about playing a game. We’ll stick to our goal. We must win the victory this time as we have no alternative to it,” he said.
Fakhrul called Maulana Bhasani a rare politician and urged BNP leaders and activists to follow his ideals. “We’ve been in a tough fight, and we must remember and follow him if we want to succeed.”
Read more: BNP seeks DMP permission to hold Dec-10 rally at Nayapaltan
He said the politics has now changed and the nation is going through a very bad time. “It’s difficult to find people who remember Maulana Bhasani and follow him in this bad time. He (Bhasani) did not want anything for himself. His party was elected in 1954 and formed the government, but Maulana Bhasani did not take charge of any ministry. This is Maulana Bhasani.”
Fakhrul said Maulana Bhasani never compromised with power and he always did politics for people. “Those who are doing politics for people and trying to protect the independence and sovereignty of the country need to take a lesson from him (Bhasani) that we should never compromise on our goal. We have to move forward towards our goal with all strengths without any compromise.”
Canadian envoy discusses polls, rights issues with Fakhrul
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dr Lilly Nicholls on Monday met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed various issues relating to Bangladesh’s upcoming national election and human rights situation.
Nicholls arrived at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 1:30pm and had a 'closed-door' meeting there with a BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obaed were present at the meeting that ended around 3:10pm.
Read more: BNP gears up for its 7th divisional rally in Sylhet
Later, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury briefed reporters about the meeting and subjects they discussed.
“We had a very good discussion. We talked about all issues relating to Bangladesh’s present perspective, especially, human rights, our elections, and the rule of law and security of public life,” he said.
Khosru said Canada attaches great importance to human rights, democratic rights, security of public life, the rule of law, and good governance. “Canada and some other countries always take a strong stance on these issues.”
He said Canada has been bilaterally telling the Bangladesh government at different times that human rights have been violated here in the country.
Like the people of Bangladesh, democratic countries, multilateral bodies, and human rights organisations all over the world, Canada is also concerned over many issues since it gives importance to democracy and human rights.
Asked what Canada said about the next polls, Khosru said he cannot elaborate on what they discussed inside. “We’ve discussed all the issues relating to Bangladesh’s current political perspective. But there is no scope to say elaborately what we discussed.”
He said BNP has no reason to go to the next polls under the current government and BNP is strict on this stance.
Read more: BNP ready to deliver its message in AL's backyard
He said a caretaker government must be established ousting the current government for ensuring a credible election where people will be able to freely exercise their voting rights. “We’re least bothered about what Awami League, the Election Commission and others, say about the next polls.”
Khosru said Bangladesh and Canada have long been maintaining diversified relations.
He said Bangladesh exports goods worth about $2 billion to Canada as the country gave Bangladesh duty-free market access to Canada, for most goods, in 2003. “This facility was given during the BNP government and as the then commerce minister I negotiated it with Canada.”
Besides, the BNP leader said Canada is also an important destination for Bangladesh to import many essential food items, including wheat, and pulses. ”Canada has also now become a popular destination for our children for studies.”
A good number of Bangladeshis have been living in Canada and they are contributing to that country’s economy and society."
AL, not BNP, mastermind of ‘arson terrorism’: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday alleged that Awami League, not BNP, is the mastermind of the ‘arson terrorism'.
“Getting afraid of the continuation of the ongoing movement and its increasing pace, they (AL leaders) are bringing up the old issues. Unfortunately, the truth is that Awami League itself, the government itself, is the mastermind behind the arson terrorism,” he said.
The BNP leader made the remarks while talking to reporters after talks with three political parties at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
Read more: Swedish, Norwegian envoys talk politics and polls with BNP leader Fakhrul
Fakhrul claimed that people belonging to Awami League were involved in all the incidents of arson attacks that happened centring the 10th parliamentary election.
Claiming that BNP is not involved in any terrorism, Fakhrul said, “We’re a liberal democratic party. We believe in (change in power) through elections. We have never come to power by resorting to terrorism or arson attacks in the past, and we don't want to do it now as well.”
He said their party leaders and activists have been subjected to repressions and suppressions over the party’s recent rallies, but there was no provocation from BNP’s side. “They (the ruling party) are trying to trigger violence through the provocations.”
He said Awami League leaders are talking about arson attacks to divert the ongoing movement and peaceful rallies to a different direction and to foil it. “But it won’t work as people are watching who is doing what.”
Fakhrul said all the tricks of the Awami League to cling to power will go in vain because the only demand of the people is now the resignation of the government.
Read more: Get ready for more sacrifices to oust AL govt, restore democracy, Fakhrul tells BNP members
About the ruling party leaders’ comment that no more concessions would be given to BNP on the streets, Fakhrul said, “Concessions are not given to anyone (in politics), it has to be earned.”
Replying to a question, the BNP leader said the body language of a fascist regime never changes till the last moment. “But it’ll collapse like a house of cards hit by the movement. HM Ershad’s body language also remained unchanged until December 5, 1990, but collapsed the following day.”
As part of their party’s second phase of talks to forge national unity for a united movement, Fakhrul sat with the delegations of the Minority Janata Party, Bangladesh NAP, and Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal.
Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of BNP and 20-party coordinator, was also present during the meetings with the three parties.
BNP began its second phase of dialogue on October 2 to finalise the demands of the planned simultaneous movement.
Earlier, BNP had discussions with 23 parties during its first phase of talks that began on May 24 to work out the outline for launching a united movement to 'restore' democracy and people’s voting rights
Swedish, Norwegian envoys talk politics and polls with BNP leader Fakhrul
The ambassadors of Sweden and Norway to Bangladesh on Tuesday had a ‘closed-door’ meeting with BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and discussed various issues relating to the country's next national election.
Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg Von Linde and Norwegian envoy Espen Rikter-Svendsen sat in the meeting with Fakhrul at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 3;10 pm and it continued until 4:30pm.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury was present at the meeting.
Also read: Get ready for more sacrifices to oust AL govt, restore democracy, Fakhrul tells BNP members
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Khosru said the two envoys mainly discussed the latest political situation, recent political incidents, and the country’s electoral system.
He, however, declined to elaborate on what they talked about the next election and the political situation. "I can't go into detail about what was discussed inside. I can only say all the matters related to the current political context of Bangladesh have been discussed."
Asked whether there was a discussion about the next election, Khosu said, "Of course, we talked about the election. Because the election is now on everyone's mind. The election is very important to everyone in the country and outside the country. “
Read more: BCL, BNP activists clash in Jhenaidah, several hurt
He said the international community wants an elected government and an elected parliament to be in place in Bangladesh through a fair election.
During the discussion, Khosru said the two ambassadors wanted to know what could be the future of Bangladesh's politics and the situation of the country’s democracy and human rights rule of law, and public safety.
Get ready for more sacrifices to oust AL govt, restore democracy, Fakhrul tells BNP members
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday urged his party leaders and activists to prepare for 'more sacrifices' for making the current pro-democracy movement a success by ousting the Awami League government.
Speaking at a discussion here he also said they will not retreat from the street agitation until their goal is achieved.
"Our one point demand is the resignation of the government and Sheikh Hasina,” the BNP leader said.
He said the state power has to be handed over to a caretaker government and then an election must be conducted under a new Election Commission so the country gets a genuinely elected government of the people.
"We have already sacrificed a lot. Many of us are being arrested, jailed, and killed. We have to make more sacrifices,” Fakhrul told BNP rank and file.
He said their party leaders and activists will have to move forward by making sacrifices to get back democracy, and people’s rights and protect the country’s independence.
Read more: Police–BNP clash in Kishoreganj: 29 including 11 cops hurt
“Let us take the oath on November 7 that we won’t go back home from the streets without achieving our goals, ensuring the fall of this government, restoring democracy and people's rights,” the BNP leader said.
BNP arranged the discussion in front of its Nayapaltan central office, marking what the party said the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day'. Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment on 7 November 1975, paving the way for his coming to power. BNP has long been observing the day as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day’.
The BNP leader said November 7 is a very significant day for the nation as the country’s independence was consolidated for the second time on this day in 1975. “Soldiers and mass people created a new history by freeing proclaimer of independence Ziaur Rahman from captivity through their unprecedented revolution on this day.”
He said this revolution also paved a new chapter of a truly democratic, happy and prosperous Bangladesh. “Our leader Ziaur Rahman united the entire undivided nation in just four years.”
Fakhrul said Zia Introduced a free economy and multi-party democracy removing one-party rule, and restoring freedom of speech, freedom of expression, rights to freedom of assembly, and all fundamental rights in the country.
He said Zia also showed the nation a new dream in a short period of time to stand as a strong nation.
Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Ziaur Rahman restored democracy and people’s rights by freeing the nation from one-party Baksal rule.
Also read: Sylhet BNP politician stabbed to death
“Awami League now again created a Baksal-like situation in the country by snatching people’s all rights and annihilating democracy. So, we take a vow on this day being imbued with the spirit of November 7 to restore democracy by ousting those who established Baksal.”
Earlier in the day, senior BNP leaders and activists, led by Mirza Fakhrul, placed a wreath at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 11am.
They also offered fateha there and a munajat seeking salvation of Zia’s departed soul.
While BNP and its alliance partners celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of ‘Killing of freedom fighters”.
AL trying to snatch votes again, just like they did in 2014 and 2018: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday said their stance is clear that no election will be held under Sheikh Hasina; she has to resign and dissolve parliament.
“She has to hand over power to a caretaker government. That neutral government will hold a free and fair election,” he said while addressing the crowds at Bangabandhu Udyan during BNP’s Barishal Divisional rally.
He said that Awami League is trying to snatch votes again, like they did in the elections of 2014 and 2018.
“They are trying to show that the new Chief Election Commissioner is neutral who said the election will be held using electronic voting machines. But we have strongly opposed it,” he added.
Also read: BNP divisional rally begins at packed Barishal venue
He said the government keeps saying that Bangladesh is self-sufficient in food production and there is development everywhere.
“But the reality is 42 percent people in Bangladesh are still living under the poverty line,” said Fakhrul.
He said the ongoing movement of BNP is not only to save its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman or any leaders but also for saving the people of Bangladesh.
He acknowledged and praised party activists and leaders who started arriving to the venue from Thursday, defying all obstacles amid no vehicular movement.
Tens of thousands of BNP activists and leaders joined the divisional rally in Barishal city, demanding the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and national election under a non-party neutral government.
Also read: Ishraque says motorcade attacked on the way to BNP’s Barishal rally
The rally began around 11 am at the city’s Bangabandhu Udyan. The crowd spilled out onto the surrounding roads.
Saturday’s rally is be the fifth by the BNP at the divisional level. The first one was held in Chattogram, the second one in Mymensingh, and the third and fourth in Khulna and Rangpur, respectively.
Mass uprising to be created through BNP's divisional rallies: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday predicted that a mass uprising will be created across the country through their party’s rallies in divisional cities scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
"We hope there will be a mass uprising through the rallies. People in their thousands will participate in the rallies. We’ll topple this regime through our peaceful programmes,” he said.
Fakhrul came up with comments while talking to journalists after the dialogue with the Islami Oikya Jote and the Democratic League, the two components of the 20-party alliance, at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.
As part of the party’s planned divisional programmes, Chattogram city unit BNP is going to organise a rally on Polo Ground in the port city tomorrow (on Wednesday) where Mirza Fakhrul will speak as the chief guest.
This will be the first divisional rally in protest against the ongoing power crisis, unusual price hikes in daily essentials and killing of five opposition activists in police firing in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj and Jashore during BNP’s agitation.
Read: BNP determined to build non-communal Bangladesh: Fakhrul
As part of its move to continue the pace of the ongoing movement, BNP on September 27 announced to hold public rallies in 10 divisional cities.
The party will conclude the divisional rallies through a huge mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10.
Talks with two parties
About the discussions with the two parties, Fakhrul said they have been holding dialogues with different political parties for forging national unity against the current unelected and looter regime that has snatched democracy and human rights.
“We’re now holding that second round of talks and we’re talking about the core demands of the simultaneous movement,” he said.
Fakhrul said they have already sat with 11 parties in their second phase of political dialogue. “We’ve agreed to initiate a simultaneous movement to force the current regime to step down.”
Islami Oikya Jote Chairman Advocate Maulana Abdur Rakib and Democratic League General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Moni led the delegations of their respective parties in the talks.
Nazrul Islam Khan, a standing committee member of BNP and 20-party coordinator, was also present during the meetings with the two parties.
BNP began its second phase of dialogue with the first meeting with the Kalyan Party on October 2 last.
The party also sat in talks with the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) and Oli Ahmed’s LDP, Kalyan Party, Labour Party, National People’s Party, Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) and Muslim League to finalise the demands and issues of the anti-government movement.
Earlier, BNP had discussions with 23 parties during its first phase of talks that began on May 24 to work out the outline for launching a united movement to 'restore' democracy and people’s voting rights.