Fakhrul
Days are numbered for AL govt: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said the days of the current government are numbered as the youth have started waking up against its misrule and repressive acts.
“They (govt) have now no other alternative to resorting to repressive acts and killing, extrajudicial killing and false cases to cling to power….but this massive gathering of the youth has manifested that their days are numbered. They won’t be able to stay in power anymore," he said.
Speaking at a rally, he said the government killed many people and repressed and harassed thousands of opposition leaders and activists over the last 15 years. “The youth in Bangladesh have started waking up. We believe that we would be able to free the country from misrule through the sacrifices and fierce movement by the youth.”
Also read: BNP announces two-day programme to protest fuel price hike
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the ‘unprecedented’ fuel price hike and the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Bhola district unit president Noor-e-Alam and local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim in police firing.
Fakhrul said the country has now been facing crisis in energy, economy and power only because of extreme corruption and plundering by the government. “We have seen how they have looted thousands of crore of taka in the name of quick rental power plants.”
Referring to the statistics of the Export Promotion Bureau, he said US$270.81 billion have been exported from Bangladesh in the last seven years. But the Bangladesh Bank is showing a figure of US$239.96 billion. Where did the remaining $30.40 billion go? The nation wants to know this.”
The BNP leader alleged that the ruling party leaders depleted the country’s resources through widespread plundering.
Speaking at the rally, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said Awami League will no longer be able to remain in power. ‘Their fall is now a matter of time.”
He, however, said BNP will not able to oust the current regime only by holding rallies at Nayaplatan and in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
"We have to come out on the streets with processions and tough programmes like hartal and blockade to ensure the fall of the government. Otherwise, this regime won’t go,” he said.
Also read: AL can't be allowed to cling to power anymore: Fakhrul
Echoing Abbas, another party standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, “If we don't take a hardline and harsher programmes and show our strength, then the government will stay in power as usual. Rather, we’ll only face many fresh cases for holding public rallies. But we won't be able to topple the government."
He said BNP has the strength to wage a fierce street movement with tough democratic and lawful programmes. “We must now work out such programmes to scare the government.”
AL can't be allowed to cling to power anymore: Fakhrul
Stating that the unusual hike in fuel prices has left people in the lurch, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the Awami League government can no longer be allowed to cling to power.
“This regime has destroyed our politics, economy and our potential. So it can’t be allowed to remain in power anymore,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the government has brought a disaster to the country by hiking the fuel price abruptly on Friday night as it will push up the prices of all commodities, fertilizer and other farm inputs and transportation costs.
“It’ll have a very negative impact on our economy and our economic condition will worsen further, “ he warned.
Also read: Make public names of conspirators: Fakhrul to PM
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the unprecedented fuel price hike and the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Bhola district unit president Noor-e-Alam and local Swechchasebak Dal leader Abur Rahim in police firing on July 31.
Fakhrul said the government defended the increase in fuel prices saying state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is incurring losses.
“Why will it go into loss? The BPC made a huge profit of around Tk 39,000 in the previous years. At that time, the price of oil was low in the international market, but you didn’t reduce it. Even, the fuel prices have now started to decrease in the international market,” the BNP leader said.
He slammed the information minister for his comment that the fuel prices are comparatively lower in Bangladesh than in many other countries, saying the ruling party leaders give people wrong information and statistics to confuse them. “Their every information is incorrect. So, we urge people not to get confused by false information.”
“The oil price was $14 in the USA, but it has now dropped to $3 due to the price fall in the international market. It means the other countries lower the oil price when it falls in the international market. But when the price of oil declines in the international market, it increases in our country for plundering public money,” Fakhrul observed.
He said the fresh hike in fuel prices, especially diesel, has left the farmers, common people and bike riders in serious miseries. “But the government is least bothered about it. Because they need police, RAB, BGB and other forces, not people, to run the country. It won’t continue anymore. People of the country will no longer allow this regime to run the country in this way.”
Fakhrul said how will people survive since the government has raised the tariffs of all utility services alongside the fuel prices. “You (AL leaders) have a lot of ill-gotten money in your pockets. Our pockets are running out of money for our own survival.”
Also read: Don't cry, wake up: Fakhrul to BNP activists
He called upon people from all walks of life and all political parties to get united to restore democracy in the country by ousting the current government. “Establishing a people’s government is the only way left for us. Let’s move forward to this end.”
The BNP leader also urged the government to hand over power to a neutral administration by dissolving the parliament, paving the way for holding an acceptable election.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has been illegally staying in power for 15 years by force using the state machinery, including police, RAB and BGB.
“You’ve already killed many people and made many others disappear only to stay in power. In continuation of that, you have killed our Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that Bhola Sadar Model Police Station's officer-in-charge (OC Investigation) Arman Hossain opened fire at the BNP rally on March 31, killing Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim on the spot and critically injuring JCD leader Noor-e-Alam who later died at a hospital in the capital.
“We want the government to arrest this police officer immediately and take proper action against him through a judicial investigation into the incident,” Fakhrul said.
‘Mega’ corruption, plundering by govt behind loadshedding: BNP
BNP on Saturday alleged that the county’s people are going through suffering caused by frequent power outages due to ‘mega’ corruption and plundering by the government.
“Bangladesh has now the capacity to generate much more power than it needs. But why loadshedding are occurring now? The reason behind is mega corruption and theft,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a public rally, he alleged that thousands of crores of taka have been paid to 10 companies as capacity charges though they did not produce any power since the government signed such deals with quick-rental and other power plants.
Also read: BNP slams govt for anarchy on roads
Dhaka South City unit BNP arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the ongoing loadshedding, mismanagement in the energy sector and the hikes in fuel and gas prices.
Fakhrul said a fund was created taking surcharge from people for offshore gas exploration. “It’s alarming that the government has taken around 25,00 crores taka from that fund to buy gas (from abroad). “This is another trickery and robbery.”
He alleged that on the one hand, the ruling party leaders siphoned off thousands of crores of taka abroad in the name of electricity production, on the other hand, the Awami League-backed businessmen made huge money by importing LNG and LPG gas as fuel. “In this way, they are ruining the economy of the country.”
Also read: Fuel, forex reserves may run out after power crisis: Fakhrul
Referring to a media report the BNP leader said some public universities have started enrolling students before constructing their infrastructure. “It’s also alarming. You have seen the corruption in the acquisition of land for Chandpur University by the relatives of the Education Minister. Such corruption is going on everywhere.”
He said the ruling party leaders are involved in all sorts of theft, robbery and misdeeds. “Their only goal is to plunder money and destroy everything in the country. The government is confusing people through the myth of development.”
Fakhrul called upon the BNP leaders and activists to prepare for a one-point movement to ensure the fall of the government.
Fuel, forex reserves may run out after power crisis: Fakhrul
Accusing the Awami League government of ruining the country’s economy through widespread corruption and plundering, BNP on Friday warned that the foreign exchange reserves also may get depleted in the days to come after power and energy crisis.
“The bell of the government’s downfall has begun to toll. There’s a now crisis of power and then we’ll face the shortage of fuel oil. After that, you’ll see the reserves are running out,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, Fakhrul said the country’s people are going through immense sufferings since the prices of all essentials have skyrocketed.
“This government is destroying the economy of Bangladesh in a planned way. Their only purpose is to indulge in corruption and looting. So our now one-point demand is the resignation of the government,” the BNP leader said.
He urged the government to dissolve parliament and hand over power to a neutral caretaker government by stepping down, paving the way for holding a credible election under a reconstituted Election Commission.
Read:Power Outages: BNP announces 3-day protest programme
“Wake up as we have no more time in our hands. We must oust this fascist and corrupt regime,” the BNP leader said pointing at his party leaders and activists.
BNP’s Dhaka north city unit arranged the programme in protest against the 'unprecedented' load-shedding and the hikes in fuel and gas prices.
Fakhrul said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal admitted seeking a $4.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), though last week he denied it.
“This is how this government resorts to blatant lies and deceives and fools people. But they are empty inside. They’re making the country bankrupt by depleting the money resources,” he observed.
Narrating a frightening economic condition, he said the government has not more than $16 billion usable forex reserves in the country. “They are turning Bangladesh into a failed state. So, we can’t give Awami League any more time and chance. The more they stay in power, the faster the destruction of the country will accelerate,” the BNP leader said.
He also slammed his ruling party counterpart Obaidul Quader for his comment that there is no shortage of power and fuel oil in the country. “Why are you carrying out load-shedding for even 8 hours, if there is no shortage? Why are you rationing gas? Why are the experts talking about an ominous sign for Bangladesh?
The BNP secretary general alleged that the government has destroyed the energy sector of Bangladesh through corruption and plundering.
"People in cities are now experiencing power outages for two-three hours while people in the rural areas where electricity is needed for irrigation during Boro season are facing this problem for seven-eight hours. But this government looted thousands of crores of taka in the name of electricity generation and siphoned it abroad,” alleged Fakhrul.
Govt presents low population to show high per capita income: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday alleged that the government has kept the population low in the country in the just-published '6th Population and Housing Census 2022' only to show high per capita income.
“The country’s population is presented lower (than the actual figure) to show high per capita income. We usually calculate 18 crore people in our country. But it’ll be helpful to show much more per capita income if the population is counted 16 crore,” he said.
The BNP Secretary General made the remarks at a press conference at the party chairperson's Gulshan office in Gulshan reacting to the preliminary results of the census.
He also said the planning minister himself admitted that the census calculation was not correct. “The data was not collected properly by going from house to house."
Earlier on Wednesday, the provisional data of the '6th census was revealed by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
According to the preliminary report of the population and household census, the county’s total population is 16,51,58,616, with a 1.22 per cent growth rate in place of the previous 1.37 per cent.
Fakhrul said a national population census should be conducted properly by collecting authentic information from every house.
“But the government is misleading and deceiving people with incorrect information. The entire government is based on deception. It is a totally fake government,” he observed.
Read: AL's ‘mega corruption’ led country to edge of disaster: Fakhrul
Replying to a question, the BNP leader said the country has long been facing a political crisis as the government has destroyed democracy and the electoral system. “An election is the main road or gateway to democracy. People of the whole country are now saying one thing loudly that there can be no fair election in this country if the Awami League government remains in power."
Even, Fakhrul said, the Election Commission is being forced to say that the election will not be acceptable without the participation of the major parties. “Under such a situation, the government has started taking a strategy to bypass people’s demand and divert the issue to a different direction.”
About Mohiuddin Rony’s recent movement against various irregularities in the Bangladesh Railway, he said it was a part of Awami League’s strategy to confuse people.
“When Rony started the agitation, I said it would be seen very soon that this’s Awami League's strategy and finally it proved true. After ending his agitation, Rony entered the Awami League office. This is their strategy of diversion.”
AL's ‘mega corruption’ led country to edge of disaster: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the Awami League government has led the country to the brink of a dark abyss, through ‘mega’ corruption in mega projects.
In a statement, he said, “Lower and middle-income people of the country have lost all means of livelihood. Every indicator of the country's economy is going down.”
Stating that the government has filled the country with misdeeds and corruption, the BNP leader said, the stories of looting, money laundering, killing and grand corruption of the ruling party are now on people's lips.
Read: BNP won’t even join talks on polls until AL quits power: Fakhrul
“The government has always cooperated (with the looters) in plundering the country's financial sector. Because the masterminds of those involved in the looting are all the agents of the government…Bangladesh has been made bankrupt,” he observed.
The statement was issued denouncing the jailing of Feni district unit Jubo Dal president Jakir Hossain Jasim in a ‘false’ case.
Fakhrul alleged that law enforcers arrested Jasim on Thursday evening from Kakrail in the capital and then brought him to his house in Feni. Later, the BNP leader said Jasim was implicated in a ‘false case’ and sent to jail.
“The illegitimate government has got desperate to stay in power and continue its misrule. That’s why they’re implementing the blueprint of wiping out the opposition parties through repression,” Fakhrul said.
He said the ruling party has snatched all human rights as they consider the country’s people as their enemies. “Freedom of expression is now imprisoned in Awami prison. People's lives are endangered by the poisonous grasp of Nazi rule and everyone is worried about the safety of life and property.”
The BNP leader said the existence of the opposition party has become a threat to the government. “So, their only programme now is to create planned incidents, file false cases for the arbitrary arrest of the opposition activists. The government is shamelessly using the administration and police to implement the programmes”.
As part of that ‘evil’ programme of the government, Fakhrul said Jasim was arrested in a false case and sent to jail.
He demanded the withdrawal of the ‘politically motivated’ case against Jasim and his unconditional release.
BNP hopeful of ‘restoration’ of democracy, says Fakhrul
Accusing the government of shrinking the democratic space for political parties, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday sounded hopeful of restoring democracy this time with the united efforts of the people.
“Political parties are not given the minimum democratic space. Even, we’re being prevented by police from holding a Milad mahfil. We were also not allowed to hold doa mahfil in Munshiganj yesterday (Saturday). All this hypocrisy by the government does not make any sense,” he said.
Talking to reporters at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Fakhrul said the people can understand the hypocrisy of the government. “So, we want to hold the light of hope that the people of this country will definitely restore democracy.”
He said though Awami League is in the driving seat, it did not keep any scope for resolving the country’s political crisis through discussions. “She (Prime Minister) has to do everything when there is a major political crisis in the country. Most of the political parties are saying that they don't want to go to the election under a partisan government.”
About the communal attack on the Hindu community in Narail over a Facebook post allegedly belittling Islam, Fakhrul said, "We strongly condemn and protest this incident. We feel that communalism is not desirable in the country in any way and it never brings anything good to the country. It’s also unfair”
Read: Don’t run away from election, CEC urges the political parties
He also urged everyone not to make any comment or post any status on social media that hurts the religious sentiments of people of other communities.
The BNP leader alleged that the Narail incident took place due to the government's failure. “We think it is a total failure of the government. The communal incidents marked a rise during the tenure of the current government.
Voicing his concern about the country’s economic situation, he said indulging in corruption is Awami League’s basic characteristic. “Whenever they come to power, they indulge in extreme corruption.”
Fakhrul said the government has been implementing mega projects by borrowing money but commodity prices and inflation are increasing.
He also questioned the justification of some mega projects when the country’s 42 per cent of people are living below the poverty line and 21 per cent of people in many areas cannot manage two meals a day.
About his recent meetings with newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis and European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, Fakhrul said they just talked about the bilateral issues relating to the interests of the people of Bangladesh.
New UN Resident Coordinator meets Fakhrul
Newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday.
The meeting was held at the BNP chairperson's Gulshan office.
BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and organising secretary Shama Obayed were also present at the meeting.
Contacted, Amir Khasru said it was just a courtesy call with the newly appointed UN envoy.
Read: No conspiracy can stop country’s development spree: Quader
He declined to give any details about what they discussed in the over hour-long meeting.
This is the first meeting between Gwyn Lewis and the BNP leaders since she was appointed as the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Bangladesh.
Fakhrul’s demand to restore democracy frightens people: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday said the demand of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for bringing democracy back frightens the people of the country.
“Because, the terrible fire violence they carried out on the people in the name of the movement to bring back democracy is still fresh in the minds of the people,” he said in a statement sent to the media.
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridge Minister, protested and condemned the ‘regular false, baseless and fabricated’ remarks of Fakhrul.
Also read: AL won’t be allowed to retain power by’rigging’ votes again: Mintoo
He said Fakhrul is committing the crime of violating the constitution by calling the present government, which is constitutionally valid and elected by the votes of the people, as an illegal government frequently.
Quader said the AL, manifested in the spirit of the Great War of Liberation, is determined to strengthen the democratic values of this country. Democracy has not been lost in the country and so, it doesn’t need to be restored, he said.
Rather, all the activities of the BNP have been running against the democratic values since its formation. BNP had formed not only by the destruction of democracy but also by spoiling the spirit of the great Liberation War, said the AL general secretary.
He said Fakhrul is making ill-attempt to raise hollow voice in politics by talking about the ‘fictitious cases’. “During the tenure of the present government, the law enforcement agencies of the country did not file any fictitious case against anyone,” said Quader.
While in power, BNP was identified as a political party alienated from the people due to its anti-people stance by spreading corruption and boasting of power, he said.
Also read: AL in favour of using EVMs in national election: Quader
He further said that the democracy of Bangladesh stands on a solid foundation under the leadership of successful statesman Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina.
All the activities of the Awami League government are being run reflecting the aspirations of the people through which the rule of the people and the democratic journey is moving forward, he said.
“No conspiracy of any evil force can obstruct the progress of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of the daughter of Bangabandhu, we’ll be able to build the country as a happy, prosperous, developed and welfare state for the next generations,” said Quader.
BNP leader Fakhrul recovers from Covid-19
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has tested negative for Covid-19, eight days after contracting the virus.
“The BNP secretary general underwent the Covid test on Saturday and his report has now come out negative,” said party vice-chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain.
Also read: Mirza Fakhrul contracts Covid-19
He also said though Fakhrul recovered from the Covid infection, he is still feeling weak physically.
The BNP leader will start participating in the party’s programmes on Tuesday, said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of BNP's media cell.
He said Fakhrul will join a programme of the party's relief committee as the chief guest at its chairperson’s office at 12noon on Tuesday.
On June 25, the BNP leader tested positive for Covid-19 for the second time and received treatment in isolation at his Uttra home under the supervision of medicine specialist Dr Raihan Rabbani.
Also read: AL govt has become enemy of people: Fakhrul
Earlier on January 11 last, Fakhrul and his wife Rahat Ara Begum were infected with coronavirus.