Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain
Play key role in establishing polls-time neutral govt: Mosharraf urges students
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday urged the students to play the key role in establishing the polls-time neutral government and unseating the current regime through a strong movement.
“The challenge before us now is to oust this government. Our main demands will be the resignation of the government, dissolution of parliament and the installation of the non-party caretaker government to hold a credible election,” he said
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader recalled that Ayub Khan was ousted during the Pakistan period through a revolution of mass people and students. “The students played a pivotal role in that movement. The same way students saved the people of Bangladesh by ensuring the fall of despotic ruler Ershad in 1990 under the leadership of Chhatra Dal.”
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“The current autocratic regime will not go away easily…So, Chhatra Dal has to play the key role in restoring democracy and establishing the caretaker government by overthrowing this dictatorial Awami League government as they did during the anti-Ershad movement,” he said.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) arranged the programme in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, marking what BNP calls ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ marking the ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 7, 1975.
Though the rally was scheduled to begin at 2pm, thousands of JCD leaders and activists from different parts of the capital thronged Nayapaltan by noon, halting traffic on both sides of the road in front of the BNP office, causing immense suffering to commuters.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said the Awami League government fears BNP and the party’s leaders as it has been staying in power by snatching the votes of people on the previous night of the election day in 2018.
“Awami League has tried to run the country by giving lip services, but it has failed to do so. This party has annihilated democracy and brought the economy to the brink of destruction through plundering,” he observed.
The BNP leader said Bangladesh is now facing a shortage of dollars due to the widespread corruption and looting by the current regime.
“The people have got fed up with the current government’s misrule amid the growing price hikes in daily essentials and fuel and loadshedding of power. So, people of entire Bangladesh have got united to protect the country from the grasp of the current government,” he said.
Mosharraf said people are participating in BNP’s rallies spontaneously braving all obstacles to register their protest against misrule.
Read more: JCD leader’s death: BNP calls hartal in Bhola for Thursday
“No barrier could stop our rallies. We believe the way the people across the country have made all the rallies successful by defying all the barriers, the rally of Dhaka will be successful in the same way,” he said.
Attacks on JCD carried out at behest of govt high-ups: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday alleged that the attacks on the leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) were carried out by Bangladesh Chhatra League(BCL) in Dhaka University areas at the behest of the topmost level of the government.
“The videos containing the cruel attacks on peaceful processions of JCD and repression on female JCD leaders by the goons of Chhatra League and Jubo league have gone viral…we would like to say the perpetrators indulged in such misdeeds at the behest of the highest leader of Awami League and the highest position of the government,” he said.
Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader also strongly condemned the ‘cruel’ attacks on the JCD leaders and activists on the Dhaka University campus and the high court premises by the Chhatra League men.
Also read:Fakhrul voices frustration over CJ's silence about violence on HC premises
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in protest against what it said the attacks on JCD leaders and workers by BCL and the death threat to Khaleda Zia by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
BNP won’t join next polls on foreigners’ advice: Mosharraf
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Saturday said their party’s participation in the next general election will depend on people’s decision, not on the advice of foreigners.
"Our Foreign Minister has requested the US to bring BNP to polls. We think the election will be held in Bangladesh and people here will suggest whether BNP will go to the polls or not,” he said.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said their party will go to the polls only when people gain confidence that there will be a fair and neutral election in the country and they will be able to vote with their own hands, not through machines. “But we won’t join the polls on the advice of foreigners.”
He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the members of the newly formed committee of Sylhet district BNP.
Also read: Cell formed to convict BNP leaders ahead of next polls, alleges Fakhrul
The BNP leader said there has never been a fair election under the government, nor will there be in the future.
He said it is not possible to overcome the country’s political problems by seeking America’s favour for ensuring BNP’s participation in the election. “Resignation of the government and holding the election under a non-partisan government is the only way to get a solution. “
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen recently briefed his US counterpart Antony Blinken about Bangladesh’s “transparent and independent” election commission apparently suggesting him to encourage BNP to take part in the election process.
“Bring them (BNP) to the election process to follow the rules and procedures of the country,” he told Blinken during their bilateral meeting at the US Department of State.
Mosharraf criticised the foreign minister for what he said tarnishing the country’s image by currying favour with the USA. “The foreign minister played a subservient role in the USA. He even belittled himself by saying that America gave him shelter when he had no place to stay and eat. ”
He said the Foreign Minister’s statements during a bilateral meeting with Blinken have exposed how weak the government has become.
Also read: Govt starts new game of subduing opposition: Fakhrul
The BNP leader said the country is now grappling with so many problems, including widespread corruption, extortion, enforced disappearance, extrajudicial killings, and repression and soaring prices of essential items, as there is no democracy and people’s voting and other rights. “The autocratic government has failed to solve all these problems.”
‘AL-backed middlemen’ behind price hike: BNP
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday voiced deep concern over the price hike of essentials, and alleged that Awami League-backed middlemen are behind it.
"People have got unnerved with the growing hike in essential commodities, but the government has not been able to take any step to control it due to the middlemen belonging to their party,” he said.
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader alleged that the ruling-party business syndicate is depriving farmers of the fair prices of their produce with the help of the administration. “The government is not willing to take any step to ensure fair prices for farmers as it just wants to benefit its cohorts.”
Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club demanding fair prices for the produce of the farmers and reduction of the prices of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, diesel and electricity.
Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said people are not getting any service from the administration due to its politicisation.
He said there is no point in making any demand to the current government and the administration for protecting the interests of farmers and the welfare of people. “There’s no alternative to dislodging the government to get rid of the current situation of the country.”
The BNP leader urged the leaders of their party and its associate bodies to take the responsibility for ousting the Awami League government as people do not want to see this party in power anymore.
“We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to wage a mass movement by organising the people of the country under the leadership of BNP. In the face of the mass movement, this government of usurper will be forced to quit,” he warned.
Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings
Mosharraf asked the BNP leaders and activists to get ready to take part in the movement and make it a success.
“I want to ask the government to step down immediately and take steps for holding the next general election under a non-partisan and neutral government as per the demand of the country’s people. The sooner this fascist government is removed from power, the better for the country.
BNP calls for simultaneous anti-govt movement
BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday urged the opposition political parties to reach a consensus on launching a simultaneous movement against the current government as they did in the 90s to ‘restore’ democracy.
“Our main task is now to restore democracy, but it won’t be possible as long as Sheikh Hasina’s government is in power. So, we must oust this autocratic regime to restore democracy and people’s rights,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader said the opposition political parties have different opinions and ideologies, but he thinks they do not have disagreement when it comes to ousting the Awami League government as people want to get rid of it.
Also read: Saifur behind macroeconomic stability in Bangladesh, claims BNP
“So, let’s either form a united platform or launch a simultaneous movement to restore democracy by ensuring the fall of this government. This is now a demand of the time. We also have the history of waging such a movement in the past (against HM Ershad),” he said.
Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its founding anniversary.
Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said opposition political parties should now have only one target -- freeing people from the hands of the current 'autocratic' government. “Can’t we reach a consensus on the issue? I call upon all to get united as per people's aspirations.”
He alleged that the ruling party has been 'ruthlessly distorting' the history of the Liberation War and making 'false' comments on BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s role in the Liberation War and his grave and dead body to misguide people and hush up the truth.
“We believe that had there been a genuine democratic practice in the country, no government, party and individual could distort history this way,” the BNP leader observed.
Also read: Any plan to remove Zia’s grave to invite dire consequences: BNP
Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said any attempt to suppress the historic truth will turn futile.
He said the ruling party leaders are trying to create a controversy centring Ziaur Rahman as part of their move to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the country’s real problems.
Buy Covid vaccines urgently with money from mega projects: BNP
BNP on Monday called upon the government to procure Covid vaccines on an emergency basis by diverting money allocated for mega projects as the pandemic has turned critical in the country.
“Our specific proposal is to identify the corona crisis as the number one problem at the national level and buy vaccines on an emergency basis by diverting required money from other sectors, especially from the money allocated for mega projects,” said party standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, he also said it is necessary to procure vaccines from different sources, including pharmaceutical companies, across the world. “We must take steps to collect crores of jabs immediately and then it will be possible to contain the virus in four-six months.”
Also read: Lockdown just ‘eyewash’, says BNP
Mosharraf, also a former health minister, said it is the responsibility of the government to buy vaccines and protect people from deadly virus infections and fatalities. “If they fail to do so, they must step down shouldering the responsibility for their failures.”
He said their party is deeply worried over the current corona situation. “We condemn the government’s failure to tackle the corona situation.”
The BNP leader demanded the government made public its plans to deal with corona and the roadmap for the collection of vaccines and their proper distributions. “BNP believes that the only way to control the situation is vaccination of 70-80 percent of the country's population as soon as possible. The government must take immediate steps to procure adequate vaccines and inform people about its roadmap on it.”
He alleged that people are dying and getting infected with the virus alarmingly due to the government’s negligence, corruption and failures to control the situation. “We do not see any sign of improvement in the situation until most people are vaccinated.”
Also read: Vaccines start arriving in fulfilment of prime minister’s commitment, says Quader
Mosharraf also urged the country’s people to wear masks and maintain the health safety rules to keep them protected from the virus.
He said the virus situation has come under control in the countries where 70/-80 percent of the population has been vaccinated. “But only 2.5 percent or 42, 81,776 have so far received two doses of vaccines in Bangladesh till June 27 due to the government’s utter diplomatic failure, irregularities in the purchase of vaccines and its waywardness.”
BNP vice-chairman DR AZM Zahid Hossain, party chairperson’s adviser Dr Farhad Halim Donar, Doctors Association of Bangladesh’s president Prof Harun Al Rashid, secretary general Dr Abdus Salam and BNP’s health affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam also spoke at the press conference.
Also read: Ensure treatment of Covid patients: BNP
BNP leader Mosharraf, wife infected with Covid-19
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and his wife Bilkis Akhter have been infected with coronavirus.
The couple was admitted to Square Hospitals in the city on Wednesday night, their son Barrister Khandaker Maruf Hossain told UNB on Thursday.
Also read: No step in sight to tackle Covid transmission: BNP
He said his parents have been receiving treatment for the virus infections at the isolation centre of the hospital.
Maruf said Moshharf and Bilkis underwent Covid tests on Tuesday and their report came out positive on Wednesday. “As they’re suffering from fever, cough and some other complications, we took them to the hospital for proper healthcare.”
Also read: BNP's Rizvi hospitalised with Covid-19
He urged all, including BNP leaders and activists, to pray for the speedy recovery of his parents.
A former teacher of Dhaka University, Mosharraf was the health minister during the rule of BNP-led four-party alliance.
Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programmes chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, also the convener of the party's national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee, came up with the announcement at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
“The Covid-19 situation in the country has now taken a dangerous turn. The number of coronavirus infections and deaths is surging seriously throughout this week,” he said.
The BNP leader said the risk of transmission of the virus has increased through welcoming foreign guests and holding various programmes.
Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes
“Considering the overall corona situation in the country and giving importance to the protection of public health and people’s worry about the rise in corona infection, BNP's Golden Jubilee programmes have been postponed till March 30.”
He said they will reschedule their programmes taken to mark the Golden Jubilee and implement those if the Covid situation improves.
Speaking at the press conference, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said as a responsible political party, BNP thinks all meetings and rallies should be postponed immediately due to the severity of corona transmission.
Also read: Bangladesh begins birth centenary, golden jubilee of independence celebrations
He urged all of their party leaders and activists across the country to wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing and health safety rules. “You please don't put yourself in danger by going to the crowded places and mass gatherings.”
Fakhrul also called upon the party leaders and workers to encourage people to abide by the health hygiene rules.
Earlier on February 24, BNP announced a 19-day programme for the month of March to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
As part of the programmes, the party had plans to bring out a Golden Jubilee rally in the capital on March 26 and hold a grand rally on March 30 at Suhrawardy Udyan.
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Fakhrul urged the government to take immediate steps to slow down the corona transmission by postponing all the state programmes. “We’re calling upon the government to stop all programmes and events by giving focus on Covid preventive measures,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has failed to involve people with the Golden Jubilee celebration programmes. “They’re holding various events in the name of the Golden Jubilee only to appease their foreign masters.”
Not possible to prolong power depending on police: BNP
Accusing the government of snatching freedom of expression, BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Sunday said it will not be able to stay in power for a long time depending on the police.
Golden jubilee of independence: BNP’s grand rally on March 30
BNP on Wednesday announced a 19-day programme, including a grand rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, for the month of March to celebrate the golden jubilee of the country’s independence.