United News of Bangladesh

Unlike in previous elections, the BNP has no possibility of forming an electoral alliance with its long-standing ally, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, ahead of the next national election, even if the Awami League participates in the polls, said party Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy. In an interview with UNB, he also expressed doubts about Jamaat's potential to establish an indirect alliance with the Awami League and through the assistance of India, as the Islamist party appears desperate to go to power. The BNP leader, however, said India, as a close neighbour of Bangladesh, should take the initiative to improve its relations with the BNP and the people of Bangladesh, as it has harmed bilateral ties by favouring only one political party. Tarique warns of threats to democracy, vows to uphold country’s secular character During the extensive interview, Gayeshwar also discussed the current political situation, the interim government’s performance and reform initiatives, the upcoming election, the future of the NCP and the Awami League, Tarique Rahman’s homecoming as well as the BNP’s next course of action to force the government to arrange the election by this year. “I don’t see any possibility for the BNP to form an electoral alliance with Jamaat this time. But, there is a possibility of Jamaat forming an alliance with the Awami League if our neighbouring country facilitates or arranges it,” Gayeshwar said. He also said Jamaat may establish at least an indirect alliance with the Awami League, as they did in the past in 1986 and 1996. “The way Jamaat is behaving, it seems they are desperate to come to power. In times of crisis, Jamaat has betrayed the nation. They were with the Awami League during the movement for the caretaker government in 1996 and during the 1986 elections. If Jamaat and Awami League had not participated in the 1986 elections, Ershad would have fallen much earlier,” the BNP leader said. Indian media involved in anti-Bangladesh propaganda: BNP’s Farroque Gayeshwar, however, said the common voters of the Awami League would not vote for Jamaat, even if the party forms an alliance with the Islamist party. He said BNP had an alliance with Jamaat based on elections and movements, and their party wants to continue it, but Jamaat is showing hostility towards BNP The BNP and Jamaat came close to each other during the 1991 national election, but their formal coalition was established in 1999. Since then, they have been together in their political journey. Starting with a four-party alliance and expanding to a 20-party coalition, they remained politically aligned until the dissolution of the 20-party alliance before the 12th national elections. With the Awami League absent from the political stage following the August 5 (2024) political changeover, the two long-standing allies, BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, appear to be drifting apart as they vie for dominance ahead of the upcoming elections, according to political analysts. Gayeshwar also openly talked about his party’s stance on relations with India. “Our relationship with India remains the same as before. We have a foreign policy that encourages having friends abroad, but not masters. We must maintain diplomatic relations with neighbouring countries, so we are open to improving bilateral ties with India,” he said. July uprising and interim govt are outcomes of BNP's long struggle: Khandaker Mosharraf The BNP leader said India must take the initiative to improve diplomatic relations with whoever comes to power in Bangladesh. “India must take this initiative. We have not ruined relations with India. The people of Bangladesh have become dissatisfied with India because it chose to align with a party (AL) they do not support. To mend this, India must take diplomatic efforts,” he said. He also said Indian authorities should change their approach towards Bangladesh, respecting the people of Bangladesh and their wishes. Asked when BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman can return to the country, Gayeshwar said he may come back anytime. “Tarique Rahman will return to the country after considering everything, including his security issue.” He said their party has been pushing for the restoration of democracy through a credible election for the last 17 years. “We’ve been patient, trusting the interim government, but we won’t stay idle for long. Even if we don’t want to, we may have to take to the streets to ensure the election.” The BNP leader said there is no need to buy more time for the election in the name of reforms. “Reform is an ongoing process. We want reforms, but elections cannot be delayed for them. Elections must be held as soon as possible. Necessary reforms should be done to organise a free, fair, and acceptable election and the remaining reforms can be carried out by the elected government.” New conspiracy unfolding against BNP, democracy and Bangladesh, warns Tarique Gayeshwar said the interim government should not treat BNP as an opposition party, pushing it to take to the streets. He said BNP’s main demand over the past 17 years has been a fair election. “There is no reason to deviate from this demand.” Replying to a question, Gayeshwar said that the National Citizen Party (NCP) was supposed to be formed without any support from the government. “The strength of the new political party (NCP) lies within the government itself, as the government is doing a lot to support them, which is causing it to lose its neutrality.” He compared this to the actions of the Fakhruddin-Moyeenuddin government, which tried to create new parties but ultimately failed. When asked about the future of the Awami League, Gayeshwar said he does not support banning any political party, as it is the people who decide the fate of parties. He observed that many once-prominent parties, such as the Muslim League and National Awami Party, have faded into obscurity. Interim govt advisers trying to divide anti-fascist movement: Rizvi “This means many political parties in Bangladesh have been rejected by the people and disappeared. Can the Bangladesh Muslim League be found now anywhere? Has the National Awami Party been banned? But where are they now?” he said. The BNP leader said if the people continue to reject the Awami League in future elections, it may face the same fate as the Muslim League.

Jhorna Roy, wife of BNP National Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, passed away on Sunday. She was 67. Jhorna breathed her last around 4pm while undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), said her daughter-in-law and Dhaka District unit BNP General Secretary Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury. She said her mother-in-law had been suffering from old-age complications for a long time. Jhorna is survived by husband, two daughters, one son, grandchildren and numerous admirers to mourn her death. Remains of freedom fighter Harris Chowdhury to be buried in Sylhet on Sunday: Daughter Meanwhile, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed their deep shock at the death of Gayeshwar’s wife. In separate condolence messages, they prayed for the eternal peace of Jhorna’s departed soul and extended their heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family members.

enior BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said on Thursday said their party will avoid the trap of inciting violence by the Awami League over the December 10 rally in the capital. “As Awami League tried to provoke clashes everywhere during our seven rallies, I think it’s not unusual that they'll try to do the same in Dhaka on December 10…but I want to say clearly that we (BNP) won’t fall into the government's trap. We'll hold the rally avoiding conflict,” he said The BNP leader alleged that the government made various efforts, using the administration and stopping bus services during the party's previous rallies in a bid to provoke the opposition activists to create violence. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after placing wreaths at BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s grave together with the leaders of the party’s newly formed committee of Dhaka district unit. Read more: BNP to launch one-point movement from Dec 10 rally at Nayapaltan Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has already sought permission from the authorities concerned for holding the Dhaka rally at Nayapaltan on December 10. “We’ll hold the rally there if even they (govt) are unable to give the permission. The rally on December 10 will be held atcvenue we have said. We won't wait for permission as we’ll arrange the rally whether we’re given permission or not,” he said. Asked whether BNP will announce the final phase of movement for ousting the government from Dhaka rally, Gayeshwar said they will declare programmes depending on the government’s move. “We’ll definitely give fresh programmes on December 10. We won’t say the game or our movement is over on that day. The government accept people’s demand or come up with a positive decision before December 10…” he said. As part of the move to continue the pace of its ongoing movement, the BNP on September 27 announced a series of public rallies in 10 divisional cities. Read more: Economic, political crises push Bangladesh to serious trouble: Fakhrul The party has already held seven rallies in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Khulna, Rangpur, Barishal and Faridpur, and Sylhet while the eighth one will be held in Cumilla on November 26 while one in Rajshahi on December 23. The party will conclude the divisional rallies through a mass gathering in Dhaka city on December 10. The organisers said the rallies are meant to denounce the price hike of daily essentials and fuels, the death of five party men in previous police action in Bhola, Narayanganj, Munshiganj, and Jashore, and to ensure the freedom of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

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 Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Wednesday said their party’s ongoing agitation is just a rehearsal for the ‘final' movement to oust the Awami League government. "Obaidur Quader (AL Secretary General) often says we have no strength to wage a movement…why do you talk so much? This is just a rehearsal and our leaders and workers have not started the final movement yet," he said. Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader called upon party leaders and workers to keep their current 'fearless' spirit to initiate an all-out movement in the days to come. “The way you are waking up and bravely standing up before police instead of running away, just keep it up.” Mirpur zone of Dhaka north city unit arranged the rally on a road near Mirpur-6 kitchen market protesting the price hike of fuel, daily essentials and the killing of three opposition leaders in Bhola and Narayanganj in police firing. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party leaders and activists will not return home from the streets without ensuring the voting rights of  people. “Those who sacrificed blood in the movement will not go in vain. We’ll restore democracy through the sacrifice of blood. He said the freedom fighters who liberated Bangladesh through a war would not allow anyone to run the country in a despotic manner. “We’re on a movement not to go to power, but to free people from the chains of autocratic rule.” Read: BNP forms convening committees for Dhaka’s south, north The BNP leader also called upon his party colleagues to get ready for a hit back if they are attacked by their political opponents. He also urged the law enforcers to discharge their responsibilities impartially. “We call upon the democratic world to stand by the people who are on a movement. We seek your support as members of the democratic world for the restoration of democracy and our right to vote. You don't have to bring anyone to power. Let people decide who will be there in power,” Gayeshwar said.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Sunday said a 'do or die' movement is needed with the determination to hit back against the Awami League government to ‘restore’ democracy in the country. “We didn’t think that we would return to our mothers when we took part in the Liberation War in 1971. Many didn’t return. The character of the current government is worse than the Pakistanis. So, we need another war for democracy,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader urged his party colleagues to consider their ongoing movement as a war for democracy. “So, we have to stay on the streets with the determination to hit back if we’re hit anywhere.” Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said mothers got consolation getting the country’s independence by losing their children in 1971. “If we can restore democracy and people's ownership of the country, mothers who have lost their children, wives who have lost their husbands and those who have lost their brothers in the struggle for democracy, will find solace and then our sacrifice of blood, facing cases and suffering imprisonment will be fruitful,” he observed. The BNP leader also said their all sacrifices will go in vain and no one will show sympathy to them if they fail to make their movement a success this time.  Read: Khaleda Zia to be taken to hospital again Sunday  Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Projonmo 71, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 17th founding anniversary. Gayeshwar said people are going through serious ordeal due to unbridled price hikes of daily essentials. ”The commodity prices will continue to increase every day as the government is doing what is needed to push up the prices.” Under the circumstances, he said their party needs to work out programmes to ensure the fall of the government. “We’re committed that we won’t participate in elections under this government to be conducted by the current Election Commission.” The BNP leader also said their party must remain strict to its position this time that they will not join any polls without having Khaleda Zia freed unconditionally. He also said people are getting confused as a quarter is spreading a rumour that BNP will go to polls under the current government without Khaleda Zia as the party did in 2018. “But we have to remove this confusion by intensifying our street movement.”

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Saturday threatened that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be dumped in the Bay of Bengal before the next general election. “Even animals and birds will get embarrassed to hear that a fair election is possible under the current government and the Election Commission,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government wants to set an example that a fair election can be held using EVMs under it through the Narayanganj city polls. “People don’t believe it at all. The EVMs will be thrown into the Bay of Bengal before the next election.” Zia Nagorik Forum arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 27th founding anniversary. Read: People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said their party has been on a movement to ensure people’s voting rights. “We want people to go to polling stations and cast their votes freely and willingly at day time.” He said there is an honour in accepting a loss in a fair and credible election. “But there’s no honour in winning polls by stealing votes. Those who’re now in parliament are openly called by people as vote thieves. What could be a greater humiliation than this?” The BNP leader urged the government to take a step towards holding a credible election to stay in peace in the days to come. "Arrange an election under a neutral government by resigning voluntarily and dissolving parliament. If you do it, then you may get a little bit of sympathy from people.” Read: Current constitution “contrary” to democratic practice: GM Quader Gayeshwar alleged that the government has been using the Coronavirus as a political shield getting scared of the mass wave created in favour of BNP. "The government has cooled down the situation by imposing coronavirus restrictions...even in an extreme cold, people die. It’s also a matter of consideration whether the government collapses in a very cool situation,” he said.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Wednesday said their party is least bothered about the draft law on the Election Commission (EC) formation as their main focus is on polls-time neutral government. “Our demand is meant for a (polls-time) neutral government, not for the Election Commission,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said the national election in 2001 was held with the Election Commission formed by the Sheikh Hasina government and BNP won 193 seats in that polls under a neutral government. Read: BNP shrugs off allegation of hiring lobbyists “So, we don’t have any headache with the Election Commission or the draft law on it,” he said. Gayeshwar came up with the comments while inaugurating a free medical camp arranged by Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, marking its founder Zaiur Rahman’s 86th birth anniversary. As per the draft law, he said one of the major conditions is that no one can be an EC member without having experience in important government or semi-government offices or in the judiciary for 20 years. “This means no one other than a government official will be appointed to the Commission. The government officials are Sheikh Hasina's employees.” Besides, the BNP leader said the civil society members, educationists and jurists cannot be the members of the EC. He said the search committee was not lawful but it will now come under a legal frame if the law is passed. “It means the illegal thing will become legal through the law.” On Monday, the Cabinet approved the draft of the ‘Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner Appointment Act, 2022’ to have a law in this regard as per the Constitution. As per the proposed law, a search committee will be formed taking approval from the President over the constitution of the Election Commission and the search committee will recommend the names of suitable candidates before the President to appoint the CEC and other election commissioners. Read: BNP trashes draft law over EC formation The move came just one month before the expiry of the five-year tenure of the incumbent Election Commission, led by CEC KM Nurul Huda, as it is going to complete its five years in office in mid-February. Gayeshwar urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to get ready to quit power and hold the next election under a non-party administration. “You (PM) have no other alternative. It’s now just a matter of time for you to quit power.” From the medical camp, doctors gave free treatment to 180 poor patients and distributed medicines among them.

BNP senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Monday asked their party leaders and activists to prepare for taking to the streets with ‘bamboo sticks’ to ensure the fall of the Awami League government. "We’ve to be there on the streets with unclean bamboo as cleaned bamboo is probably not enough to intensify the movement,” he told a discussion meeting. Zia Mancha arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking its 29th founding anniversary. Also read: BNP trying to make next general election controversial: Hasina The BNP leader said their party leaders and activists must move ahead with a one-point demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instead of thinking of the strength of the current government. "I hope Sheikh Hasina won’t mind. Because on March 7, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urged all to take to the streets with sticks and whatever they had, even with brooms. “If our female leader Bilkis comes up with a broom, this is enough. I don't think much more things are needed,” he said. Gayeshwar, a BNP standing committee member, said there is no alternative to a united movement to oust the current government. “Everyone now needs to get united to restore democracy and get rid of fascism. If democracy is not protected, then individual’s freedom, freedom of writing and freedom of speech remain at stake. When the freedom of expression is obstructed, then something else comes (to power) which people do not like,” he observed. Also read: Caretaker is a must, no more game: BNP Stating that all the state institutions of the country have been politicised, the BNP leader said the government is even ‘controlling’ the judiciary like administrative rulers. “The current administration does not want to understand that the government and state are two different words.” He said any minimum attempt to interfere or control the judiciary is a punishable offence. “Morally they can’t do it under any law.” The BNP leader alleged that ministers used to talk about any subjudice matters and their remarks are reflected in the verdict of different cases. “It’s forbidden to talk about any subjudice matter. But they’re constantly doing it.” Gayeshwar alleged that the government is repressing the opposition leaders and activists by ‘influencing’ law enforcers and courts.

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.