BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Monday said the deposed Awami League will not be able to stage a comeback in Bangladesh politics if BNP and Jamaat and other parties remain united. Speaking at a memorial meeting, he also said BNP is willing to rebuild the country together with its longstanding ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, in the days ahead. "We ousted the Awami League in the past… let’s strive to remain united at all times and work together to rebuild this country beautifully," the BNP leader said. Abbas made the remarks during a discussion organised by the Dhaka south city unit of Jamaat at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of those killed on that day in 2006 with oars and sticks. Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, recalled the severe repression and suppression faced by opposition leaders and workers during the Awami League rule. “We endured many pains, but now we feel relieved that we reaped the results of our suffering and struggle on August 5," Abbas said. He also said the nation achieved a Bangladesh without Hasina on August 5, after a long struggle and immense sacrifices over 17 years. Hasina trying to trigger violence in Bangladesh: BNP  “We now desire a Bangladesh without the Awami League... the Awami League and decent people, the Awami League and democracy cannot coexist. The Awami League is actually devil's friend,” he mentioned. The BNP leader said that although the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina has fled the country to India, her associates remain here. "There’s no reason to be happy about the ousting of the Awami League, as their cohorts and supporters are still in the same positions throughout Bangladesh's politics, culture, Secretariat, police and BGB." He emphasised that fully reestablishing democracy in Bangladesh will not be possible while Hasina's associates hold various positions, as they continue to devise different plots. The BNP leader urged all democratic parties to unite and avoid making conflicting remarks to thwart plots of Hasina’s associates and the neighbouring country, India. "Otherwise, our neighbour will continue to manipulate us, and we can't allow that to happen in any way." On behalf of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, he extended greetings to the leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami. Abbas said those who killed people with oars and sticks in 2006 must be brought to justice. "If the trial for the murder of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman can be held after 40 years, the trial for these killings can be conducted even after 80 years." He also prayed for salvation of the departed souls of Jamaat leaders, including Moulana Motiur Rahman Nizami, who, he said, were unjustly executed. "Those responsible for their deaths, including judges, police, and magistrates, should also be held accountable."

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday (June 4, 2023) said the country’s people, not the Prime Minister, will decide whether they will go to the USA or not. “It is her (PM’s) personal matter whether she will go to any particular country or not. It’s also a matter of their decision whether the 17 crore people of Bangladesh will go to that country or not,” he said. Talking to reporters after a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Khosru also said the people of Bangladesh will decide whether they will go to the USA for their personal, business, professional, family and educational purposes. “The Prime Minister can’t take a decision in this regard,” Khosru, also the chairman of BNP’s foreign affairs committee, observed. Also read: Japan wants to understand what’s happening in Bangladesh and where it’s headed, BNP says as ambassador meets Fakhrul Earlier on Saturday (June 3, 2023), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said it does not matter at all if someone does not go to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour- plane journey. “There are other oceans and other continents in the world and we’ll make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant,” she added. The PM also said Bangladesh will run on its own feet and the government will build the country. “We will not be dependent on others, who will not give us visas, who will impose sanctions on us.” Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the Prime Minister is not worried about the US sanctions or visa restrictions but a neutral election. Read more: BNP’s complaints to foreign countries didn’t yield any results: Quader “The Prime Minister becomes ill and suffers from headache when any country talks about fair elections under a neutral caretaker government,” he said. Speaking at a food distribution programme arranged by Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal’s Dhaka south city unit on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office marking party founder’s 42nd death anniversary, Rizvi said the Prime Minister said it matters little if anyone does not go to the USA. “Then why don't you keep your son in the country? Why do your sons and daughters live abroad? Why did you keep your son in the United States instead of any other friendly country of yours?” he questioned. He said Sheikh Hasina will not take any steps for holding a fair election and establishing a caretaker government as she considers the country’s people as her enemies. Read more: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul “If an impartial caretaker government is established, the people of the country will be able to vote freely and fairly. She knows people won’t ‘vote for her party. So, doesn’t want a neutral caretaker government to come,” the BNP leader said.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said their party’s 27 points for the state reform are 'parts of the ongoing movement’  to unseat the Awami League government. “I have been saying repeatedly that these 27 points are parts of the ongoing movement. It's not different,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the philosophy behind the 27 points is to make the people understand what Bangladesh will look like in the future and also for encouraging them to involve with the current movement. About the significance of the 27 points, he said it will not be possible to run the country in the future without implementation of these points. “The country will be destroyed if we can’t reform it. So, we must implement these 27 points for the sake of the country,” the BNP leader observed. Dhaka north city unit of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and BNP Media Cell jointly organised the discussion titled “Explanation and Analysis of the State Structure Repair Framework” at the Jatiya Press Club. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said many people are asking as to why BNP has been discussing the 27 points when the party has been on a movement to oust the government. Through the discussions on the 27 points, he said they are trying to give people an idea about what they will gain when the current “fascist, corrupt and usurper” regime is removed from power. The BNP leader called upon the people who are still confused about the movement and its positive outcome to take to the streets reviewing the 27 points. On December 19, BNP unveiled a 27-point outline of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature. The outline of the ‘Structural Reform of the State’ has been prepared in line with the late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's 19 points and BNP's 'Vision-2030'. About Awami League’s “Smart Bangladesh” slogan, Khosru said smartness has both positive and negative meanings. He said the ruling party’s smartness means how to steal professionally, loot banks, stock market and rig votes sometimes during the day and sometimes at night smartly. "AL’s smartness also means to use the country’s people like subjects to plunder lakhs of crores of taka through mega projects. You must have the smartness to siphon off 10 lakh crores of taka abroad.  We’re not talking about that smart Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. He said their party is focusing on the 27 points to bring Bangladesh out of the deep hole in which it is.  “If you can get it out of that hole and put it on the tack, then you can run the country." The BNP leader accused the ruling party of doing and promoting politics of corruption by establishing their control on the state institutions. He said Awami League has created a group—comprising businessmen, corrupt politicians and government officials—to stay in power using money and muscle. “They all created the regime together.  I do not call it the government since it’s not elected by the people.” Khosru said this regime has created its own 'Awami model' of economy in the name of  free market economy, “That is the economy of plundering. So, the country should be brought back on track through the implementation of the 27 points.”

Calling upon the public servants to discharge their duties neutrally, BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Thursday said it is not the responsibility of the administration to help an ‘anti-people’ government to perpetuate power. "I would like to say to those who are in the administration or partners of the government or its partners of plundering and beneficiaries you won’t lose your job (if Awami League loses power). But from now on do only the normal work which is your duty,” he said. Speaking at a discussion meeting, the BNP leader also urged the public servants both in uniform and plainclothes to stand by people before time runs out. “If you work for protecting the government instead of taking people’s side, then the consequences won’t be good. You do your job…but if you play a role in prolonging the power of a government which people do not want, then there will be no scope to spare you, no matter who you may be,” he warned. Swadhinta Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club in memory of BNP Vice Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain who died on September 14 last. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has been working on waging a united movement by forging the unity of the political parties to protect people’s voting rights. ”We all are trying to work with a common goal to protect the country together.” He said they will first realise their demand for holding a credible election under a non-party administration by ensuring the fall of the current regime through a united movement. “After that, we’ll form a government to be accountable to people and to repair the state through united efforts” The BNP leader also recalled the colourful political life of Shah Moazzem Hossain and paid tribute to his memory.

BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Saturday warned that there will be a mass upsurge in the country if anything bad happens to Khaleda Zia for lack of treatment as people will not remain silent. "People won’t play the role of a silent spectator, if you (govt) kill the most popular leader of the country, Begum Khaleda Zia, without treatment,” he told a human-chain programme. The BNP leader said people will not accept the conspiracy of the government against Khaleda Zia as they did not accept the Agartala “conspiracy” case in the past. “There’ll be a mass uprising, and the movement will be carried out in a democratic process.” He urged people to get ready to intensify BNP’s current movement in a peaceful manner. Read: Khaleda needs to go abroad for immediate liver treatment: Fakhrul Jatiya Party (Qazi Zafar), one of the allies of the 20-party alliance, arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad. Nazrul, a BNP standing committee member, said physicians at the largest hospital in Bangladesh are saying Khaleda has some complications that cannot be treated here while prominent lawyers are saying there is no legal bar to sending her abroad for advanced treatment under the current situation. “But the government, which has been in power without people’s votes, won’t allow our leader to go outside the country for advanced treatment. Where the law is not a barrier and humanity is needed, what’s the justification of obstructing her (from going abroad)?” he questioned. Read: Rumour mill goes into overdrive over Khaleda’s health: Fakhrul The BNP leader alleged that the government is not willing to let Khaleda go abroad for advanced treatment out of political vengeance. “They (govt) are now using the state machinery and the state power to take their political revenge.” Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital for various health complications, including that of liver, cardiac and kidneys, since November 13.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that 17 files have been concealed from the health ministry at the behest of the minister concerned to hush up the evidence of corruption. “There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t understand as to why 17 files have gone missing. It seems to me that the Awami League leaders and ministers are trying to flee the country. So, 17 files have been concealed to remove documents (of corruption),” he said. Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader also said the files have been removed as per the instruction of the health minister so that no one can know under any circumstances about how much money has been spent on “providing percentage”. Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the soaring prices of daily essentials. Also read: Harassment started ahead of election, alleges BNP According to media reports, 17 files have recently gone missing from the Health Ministry's Medical Education and Family Welfare Division and a general diary has been filed with Shahbagh Police Station in this connection. Rizvi alleged that the handloom and weaving industry is on the verge of destruction during the tenure of this government for lack of patronage. The BNP leader said huge money has been misappropriated from the Labour Welfare Fund. “We demand from this human chain that a white paper be published on the embezzlement of money from the fund.” He also criticised the government for what he said its failure to control the skyrocketing prices of the daily essentials. Also read: Dhaka now a poisonous-gas chamber: BNP “There’s no reason for increasing the prices of commodities. But Awami League leaders need a percentage from every place. To ensure this percentage, their syndicate, their looters have spread everywhere to make their pockets heavier,” the BNP leader said. He said the ruling party leaders and activists are indulging in violence and bloodletting over the lopsided Union Parishad polls with an aim to plunder public money after becoming chairmen. Stating that their party chairperson Khaleda Zia is very sick, Rizvi urged the government to allow her to go abroad for advanced treatment.

BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf on Saturday hinted that their party has been trying to float a greater platform of opposition parties to wage a strong movement for ousting the current government. “We’ll create a greater united platform on one-point demand to restore democracy by ousting the current government through a strong mass movement,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their one-point demand is the restoration of democracy and people’s voting rights and the release of Khaleda Zia. "Our only goal is to protect the rights and interests of the people of this country.” Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), one of the components of the BNP-led 20-party alliance, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club in memory of its late joint secretary general Mohsin Sarker. Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP Mosharraf, a BNP standing committee member, said people are ready to wage a tougher movement to ensure the fall of Awami League government. “People are criticising us as we’re not taking to the streets to oust the government.” He said it is now the responsibility of the political parties to protect the country and restore people’s all rights, including voting one, through a united movement. The BNP leader said the fall of the current government through a movement will pave the way for holding a credible national election in the country under a neutral administration. Also read: BNP won’t join election with AL in power: Abbas He called upon the opposition political parties that are out of the 20-party alliance to come under a united platform for waging a mass movement. "Here (in the discussion meeting) some of you have said our 20-party alliance has become inactive. It happened due to the coronavirus. Our party also kept all organisational activities suspended due to the same reason. But this situation won’t remain in the days to come,” he said.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday threatened that their party is thinking of launching a one-point movement to oust the current government. "I think it's better not to talk about the election. All we need now is a one-point movement to ensure the fall of Sheikh Hasina and her government,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, came up with the remarks at a discussion meeting arranged by Jatiyatabadi Projonmo Dal at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. He said the current government is the main barrier to resolving the problems the country and its people are facing now. “If we can force this regime to quit, it will pave the way to resolve all the problems of people.  So, we need a one-point movement.” Read: BNP policymakers in another closed-door meeting About the reconstitution of the Election Commission, he said the Commission will not function if this government stays in power, no matter with whom it is formed. “If the Election Commission is constituted with five angels keeping a devil in government, then the angels will become helpless, and they won’t be able to do anything. So, we need not spend time by joining the debate over the formation of the Election Commission,” Gayeshwar observed. He warned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that the consequence of staying power ‘by force’ will be dire if there is no safe exit route. “You (PM) have done so many things. If you voluntarily resign and call for a fair election by walking towards the path of democracy, then the people who are angry with you will calm down for a while. Because, the people of Bangladesh can forgive,” the BNP leader said. Read: BNP plans series of party central leaders’ meetings Stating that BNP has long been fighting for democracy enduring a lot of pain, he said if the Prime Minister now ‘restores’ democracy, their party may not reflect its hostile attitude towards her in the future. “That is the best way…restores people’s democratic rights, and don’t push the country towards a dreadful situation.” Gayeshwar urged BNP leaders and activists to get ready for a one-point movement to ensure the fall of the government. “You please forget the intra-party conflicts and disliking each other. Our only dislike is Sheikh Hasina and her government. We have no other choice now. That is why we want a one-point movement. Don’t point a finger at any other leader and do your own duty,” he told BNP leaders and activists.

Questioning the reason behind launching a fresh investigation against Mirza Abbas by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday feared that the government will try to take their party to the next general election by setting various such traps. “As the 2023 election is approaching fast, the government will work from now on to suppress us and take us to a stage-managed election like the 2018 one,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, he said, “The ACC suddenly initiated an investigation against BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas after 13 years. They (govt) will lay various such traps to force us to join the polls in 2023.” Also read: Barishal incident exposes govt’s internal feuds: BNP Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, urged the party high command to take a prompt decision whether they will join that polls or not under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “We also need to make preparations to implement our plans if we don’t want to participate in that election.” He warned that the next election will not be held in a free and fair manner even with the appointment of an 'angel' as Chief Election Commissioner under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 41st founding anniversary. Gayeshwar said BNP must launch a one-party movement to force Sheikh Hasina to quit power. “All problems can be solved only through a one-point movement as people’s struggle never turn futile.” Also read: Govt 'extremely harming' future of students: BNP He said they will not wage the movement to make Khaleda Zia or Tarique Rahman the Prime Minister. “We’ll launch the movement to restore people’s voting rights, democratic governing system, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.” The BNP leader urged the party leaders and activists to get ready to sacrifice their blood on the streets for the sake of democracy instead of dying of coronavirus sitting at home.

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.