BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Sunday insisted that the student-led mass uprising has resulted in no significant changes other than a shift in government. “If all the cases against the Awami League could be withdrawn during the 1/11 (political changeover in 2007), then why are our cases not being lifted now?” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the members of the interim government had previously acknowledged that false cases were filed against opposition leaders and activists and current Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus was humiliated with false allegations during the Awami League regime. “Then why are so many instances of torture and false cases against us not coming to your attention?” he asked, pointing at the government. Gayeshwar said that their party has been empathetic towards the false cases against Dr Yunus and has been vocal in condemning them. “But after you took over, our cases remain the same as before and we still have to go to court just like before. That’s why I said, while the government has changed, you and I are still the same…The government has changed, but you and I are unchanged, just as we were before,” he observed. The BNP leader stated that the fate of Bangladesh—and of all those who have sacrificed blood, endured repression, and become victims of enforced disappearance, as well as those who have lost children, fathers, mothers, and everything else over 16 long years in the struggle to restore people's rights—has not changed. “Only Sheikh Hasina is not there in power, but everything else continues just as it was before.” BNP’s Farroque demands white paper on those who fled country The Jatiyatabadi Prochar Dal organised a discussion meeting titled ‘Role of BNP in Disaster Mitigation’ at the Jatiya Press Club to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. A documentary showcasing BNP's efforts in addressing natural disasters in Bangladesh was screened at the programme. Gayeshwar said the government still has not reconstituted the Election Commission, which is essential for conducting elections in accordance with the people's wishes. “How can we believe that you will arrange an election when the Election Commission has still not been formed?” He said the government has been forming commission after commission for the reforms of the state. “I think discussions with political parties (over reforms)… Just time killing, nothing more.” The BNP leader urged the government to arrange the election as soon as possible, emphasising that people are eager to exercise their right to vote and elect their representatives. He noted that discussions on state reform are gaining momentum, akin to the period following the 1/11 political changeover, as part of an agenda for depoliticisation. “After 16 years of countless sacrifices, the people now have only one demand: a fair election. They have no other demands. You (the interim govt) simply need to conduct a good election,” the BNP leader said. He said their party has already mentioned that the student-led mass uprising will be in vain if the interim government fails. “We want to see you succeed. We are providing you with our full support and will continue to do so. But please clearly clarify when you will conduct the elections. You must specify the timeframe”

Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky has categorically dismissed the allegations made by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), affirming on Wednesday (January 31, 2024) that the government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was democratically elected by the citizens of Bangladesh. This statement came in response to a journalist’s inquiry about the BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy’s claim. Gayeshwar had controversially stated that the current government was not chosen by the Bangladeshi people but was instead “installed by foreign powers,” specifically naming India, China, and Russia. The Russian Ambassador emphasized that a significant 41 percent of the electorate participated in the last national election. He further asserted that Russia maintains a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations. Russian Ambassador hopes Dhaka-Moscow relations will continue to thrive The ambassador’s remarks followed his meeting with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, where they discussed various bilateral issues of mutual interest. On Sunday, the Foreign Minister said the current government is a “people’s government elected by their votes.” “It is a government elected by the people of Bangladesh,” he said when a reporter drew his attention to BNP’s remarks regarding the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Foreign Minister also highlighted Bangladesh’s foreign policy ethos of “friendship to all, malice towards none,” underscoring the nation’s strong diplomatic ties globally, excluding Israel. “We maintain excellent relationships with major world powers including India, China, Russia, the US, UK, and the European Union, and enjoy good relations with all countries,” he added, further reinforcing the government’s international standing. Only shameless persons can sit in 12th parliament: Gayeshwar

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation can pave the way for holding a fair and credible election and resolving the ongoing political crisis in the country. “Sheikh Hasina (PM) is the main barrier to free and fair elections in the country. As long as she remains in power, the police, RAB, and all the people of the administration will stand in the way of the elections,” he said. Speaking at a human chain programme, the BNP leader said police will become gentle and they will not go to the polling stations on the eve of elections to steal votes while the administration will work as servants of the people if Sheikh Hasina is out of power. “That is why we’re saying that Sheikh Hasina's resignation is a prerequisite for a fair and free election. If this prerequisite is fulfilled then all our conditions will be fulfilled,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said Khaleda Zia will be released unconditionally and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Mirza Abbas, and all other opposition leaders will be released if the current Prime Minister is removed from power. Thakurgaon Jatiyatabadi Forum in Dhaka, arranged the human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia (who is out on parole), Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas and all other political prisoners. Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Fakhrul, Abbas get 6-month HC bail Stating that there is no point in seeking the release of BNP leaders separately, Gayeshwar said their party should go for one-point demand for Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. "We’ll free the country from fascism by restoring democracy. So we have no other alternative to carrying out a movement and struggle,” he observed. Arrests 'unjust' Gayeshwar said the government has unfairly arrested Fakhrul, Abbas and other BNP leaders and activists and kept them in jail unjustly. "We just want to tell the judiciary and the court that we want justice. We don't want any mercy,” he said. The BNP leader alleged that their party chief Khaleda Zia sought justice, but she didn't get it. “There is no person in the history of Bangladesh, except Khaleda Zia, who has not been granted bail in such cases.” He said ruling party MP Haji Salim, who was convicted on a charge of embezzling crores of taka, got bail, but Khaleda Zia did not get bail. “It is injustice… So to whom should we seek justice? Had the judiciary been separated from the executive branch and had the judges been independent, then we could have got justice.” Read more: HC orders speedy disposal of graft case against Gayeshwar Gayeshwar said Khaleda, Fakhrul, Abbas, and other BNP leaders and activists were sent to jail as they wanted democracy and voting rights for the people. “If we can succeed in the current struggle for democracy, then Bangladesh will be free and all the leaders and workers will be free from misrule and, we will be able to establish justice."

The High Court (HC) on Thursday ordered the trial court to dispose of the case against BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The HC bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Khizir Hayat passed the order rejecting a petition filed by Gayeshwar Chandra in 2010 seeking cancelation of the case. The court cleared the way for resuming trial in the case  lifting the stay order on the trial proceedings. Lawyer Nitai Roy Chowdhury appeared for the petitioner in court while Advocate M Khurshid Alam Khan for the ACC and Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik for the state. read more: It’s not administration’s duty to help govt to perpetuate power: Gayeshwar On January 5 in 2009, the ACC lodged a complaint with Ramna police station against Gayeshwar for amassing illegal wealth of Tk 2.86 crore and concealing the information. ACC submitted a chargesheet to the court on July 5 of the same year. Later in 2010, the High Court stayed the trail proceedings in the case in 2010 as Gayeshwar filed a petition to quash the case. At the same time, the court issued a rule in this regard. read more: People will make movement a success this time: Gayeshwar

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday said the party will soon unveil the outline of a united movement for the ‘restoration’ of democracy. "BNP, the lead party of the largest alliance, will unite all through a statement centring on this idea (national unity) and move forward", he said at a discussion in the city. Also read: Not EVM, BNP’s main focus on polls-time neutral govt: Fakhrul "I think that efforts are going on. We’ll present it before the nation at any time,” he said. The BNP leader also said the party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman will come up with a call for waging a united movement soon in absence of Khaleda Zia. “He (Tarique) will present the outline of the future movement. We’ve almost completed the preparations in this regard. A faction of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) arranged the discussion programme titled “Acceptable Election the Only Solution to the Crisis” at the Jatiya Press Club. Also read: AL wants EVM in next polls in new plot to rig votes: BNP Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party is going to unite all parties with whom they have differences of opinions for the sake of the country and its people. “The conspirators will be weakened when a strong unity among the nationalist forces will be forged. If the nationalist forces remain divided, the opportunists will be strong and plundering and corruption will increase,” he observed. The BNP leader said the government’s ‘fascist’ activities are encouraging the opposition parties to come together and move together putting aside the differences among them. “It’s visible from the statements that the opposition leaders made over the last one month.” He said BNP's stance is clear that no national election can be held under the current Awami League government. “We want the fall of this government. The current parliament also has to be dissolved.” Stating that their party has been on a movement, Gayeshwar said they will intensify it at a right and favourable time as per their movement outline. “Now our strategy is to hit back if we are attacked.” He said no election can be held in a credible manner under the current Prime Minister. “Sheikh Hasina is a big obstacle to a fair election. She must be removed from power before the election. That is what the BNP is talking about.” The BNP leader said their party will not only boycott the election under Sheikh Hasina, but also resist a name-only election to be held under her.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday alleged that the ruling party leaders and activists were directly involved in the recent communal violence as part of a ‘blueprint of the government’. “We visited some temples that came under attack and talked to eyewitnesses and other people concerned. The direct involvement of the leaders and activists of Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League in these attacks can be found through a proper investigation,” he said. Gayeshwar, the chief of the committee formed by BNP to look into the sectarian violence, came up with the remarks at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office. The committee earlier inspected some violence-hit areas. Also read: Arrest warrants issued against BNP leaders Rizvi, Dulu He alleged that the government has not taken any step to bring the attackers under trial and punish them. “An initiative has been taken to pick up or arrest and harass BNP leaders and activists by implicating them in false cases and thus hiding the attackers as part of a blueprint. Undoubtedly, it can be said the government has created an issue in a planned way to harass the leaders of the opposition political parties,” Gayeshwar said. He said though intelligence agencies and police have ideas about the attackers, innocent and peace-loving people have been made accused in the cases filed over communal violence. "We won’t say only the Hindus have been affected through these attacks (on temples and puja mandaps) as we think the entire nation has been attacked. We must make a concerted effort to resist these attackers,” the BNP leader observed. He urged the media to take a stance against the real perpetrators and be vocal to ensure justice. Earlier on October 17, BNP formed two committees for, what it said, standing beside the victims of recent communal attacks and investigating the incidents to find out the facts. One of the committees was formed headed by BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy to visit the violence-affected temples and puja mandaps in different areas of the country. Also read: ‘Invisible’ force controlling Bangladesh: Fakhrul On October 23, the Gayeshwar-led committee visited three temples in Cumilla and Chandpur and talked to victims, including priests and eyewitnesses. Gayeshwar said, "Chandmani Raksha Kali temple in Cumilla was attacked thrice in one day on October 13. He said police had also come to the spot thrice after the attackers and left the spot. The BNP leader said even a temple came under attack in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s electoral area in Gopalganj. “From this, it can be assumed that the government is making a despicable attempt to divert public attention through a large-scale communal riot and thus prolong its autocratic power.” He called upon people of all strata, irrespective of religion, to get united and raise their voice against communal violence in a bid to uphold the non-communal culture of Bangladesh.

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.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday questioned whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to Bangladesh as part of a campaign of West Bengal Assembly elections.

Jatiyatabadi Swechhasebok Dal held a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday amid obstructions by police.

Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday said the fall of the incumbent government is imminent as its ‘misdeeds and misrule’ have got exposed both in the country and aboard.