Mirza Fakhrul
Govt softens tone on talks to resolve crisis over next polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday (May 29, 2023) said the government has softened its tone on talks to resolve the political crisis over the next election through talks as its overenthusiasm has waned following the US visa policy for Bangladesh.
Speaking at a discussion, he also said their party wants a peaceful transfer of power through a credible election under a non-party caretaker government.
In an oblique reference to the US visa policy, the BNP leader said, “They (AL) wanted to establish a one-party Baksal rule again under a different cover. But man proposes God disposes.”
He also said the ruling party leaders were trembling with very much excitement just a few days back for holding the next polls under the current government. “But now their excitement has started to wear off. Their tone has come down. They’re now saying the problem has to be resolved through talks as they don’t want unrest.”
Read more: US visa policy reflects people’s long-standing demand for restoration of voting rights: Fakhrul
BNP arranged the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the 42nd death anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman.
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government does not want any more unrest and conflict rather it wants to improve the quality of people's lives.
Fakhrul said the government is inciting violence by attacking different peaceful programmes of the opposition. “But we (BNP) are not obstructing their programmes.”
He said the movement that their party has been carrying out for a long time has come to the final stage.
Read more: BNP’s plot to boycott election failed for US new visa policy: Obaidul Quader
The BNP leader reiterated their party’s demand that the next election must be held under a non-party caretaker government.
The BNP leader said the government must step down, and dissolve parliament by handing over power to a non-party neutral government for holding a credible election.
“You (PM) must quit as the country’s people don’t think the election will be fair keeping you in power. The election must be held under a caretaker government. “Our political culture and previous experiences suggest elections can never be held in a free and fair manner under a partisan government, especially under the Awami League government,” he said.
The BNP leader said there is nothing new to see the elections under the Awami League government as the nation witnessed what happened in the 2014 and 2018 polls.
Read more: AL govt shaken, faces massive debacle in fair election: Ganatantra Mancha
“We would like to say it clearly that we want the transfer of power peacefully. We want to establish a government of people through an election in a peaceful manner. We want to restore the system where people will be able to cast their votes,” Fakhrul said.
He said they also want the election to be held under a neutral caretaker government to be conducted by an impartial election commission so that people can exercise their right to franchise freely to elect their representatives by themselves.
The BNP leader also warned his party colleagues not to fall into the trap to be set by the government by conducting various propaganda and unleashing violence.
“They (govt) will try to shift the blame onto us after carrying out the arson violence by them. They also did the same thing in the past. So, everyone should be very careful. We’ll carry out our movement in a peaceful and democratic manner,” he said.
Read more: New visa policy to help PM Hasina's govt in holding fair elections: US
About the media reports on the sudden rise in the flow of remittance from the US, Fakhrul said it is surprising. “What magic is behind the rise in remittances from America? People are saying the thieves are bringing back the money that they have stolen and siphoned off America.”
Mirza Fakhrul, Rajshahi BNP leader sued for 'death threat against PM'
A case has been filed against BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi district BNP convener Abu Sayeed Chand for making a “death threat” against Prime Minister and AL President Sheikh Hasina.
District Awami League General Secretary Shariful Islam Ramzan filed the case with Natore Police Station around 9:30pm on Monday (May 22, 2023).
Abu Sayeed Chand has been made the main accused in the case. The BNP secretary general has also been accused in the case.
Read more: AL files two cases against 450 BNP men over a clash in Patuakhali
Top leaders of district and municipal Awami League were present.
Nasir Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Natore Sadar Police Station, accepted the case.
Citing BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rajshahi BNP leader Abu Sayeed Chand as traitors, the plaintiff said the “threatening remarks” made by the main accused towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has tarnished the reputation of the country.
The remarks may deteriorate the law and order situation of the country, the case statement reads.
Read more: People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
Earlier on Friday afternoon, Abu Sayeed Chand threatened the prime minister at a public rally of metropolitan and district BNP at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi as part of the central program.
"No more 27- or 10-point demand, just one point now – send Sheikh Hasina to the grave! We will do whatever is necessary to get Sheikh Hasina to resign,” he said.
Meanwhile, a video of the threat went viral on social media, triggering a storm of protests among Awami League leaders and supporters.
Read more: Calling 2018 National Election ‘fair’ in the morning, BNP changed its tune in the evening: Sajeeb Wazed
A case was filed against Abu Sayeed Chand with Puthia Police Station under the Anti-Terrorism Act in this regard.
People have no interest in upcoming city polls: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the people have no interest in the city polls being held under the Election Commission which is regulated by the government.
Speaking at a discussion programme, he also feared that the upcoming elections to the five city corporations will be stage-managed even though BNP is not fielding any candidate.
Also Read: Sheikh Hasina's resignation is the only demand: Mirza Fakhrul
“They (govt) have completely destroyed the election system by using the state machinery. The Election Commission is under the control of the government. People are not interested in the election taking place in the country,” the BNP leader said.
He said opposition parties are not fielding candidates in most of the city corporation elections due to the “collapsed’ election system.
”Arif (Ariful Haque Chowdhury) is a very popular two-time mayor in Sylhet and the people of Sylhet want him to see as mayor again. In a public meeting, Arif yesterday (Saturday) said this election will never be accepted as the government has made a blueprint. So, there is no point in going to this election as it will be meaningless,” Fakhrul said.
Also Read: 'Your time is up': Fakhrul to govt
He said the people of Sylhet City shed tears as their beloved leader decided against participating in the election. “He (Arif) clearly said this election will be meaningless and no election will be fair under this government.”
A faction of the Jatiya Gonotantrik Party (Jagpa) arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the party founder Shafiul Alam Pradhan’s sixth death anniversary.
Fakhrul said all the authoritarian and fascistic regimes destroy the election system and use the stage-managed voting a tool to hang onto power.
“So, We would like to say it very clearly that there will be no free and fair elections if the current government remains in power…the election must be held under an impartial caretaker government,” he said.
Also Read: Fakhrul warns govt of 'political storm' if caretaker demand remains unmet
Fakhrul said the government has taken the election system to such a situation that ruling the party’s alliance partner and Workers Party President, Rashed Khan Menon, said a few days back that they do not want ‘planned’ elections.
“The message is very clear that Awami League holds planned elections and he (Menon) does not want such polls. Another state minister said that the ministers create syndicates here and they increase the prices of commodities,” the BNP leader observed.
Also Read: EC doesn’t have capacity to hold fair elections: Fakhrul
Referring to a World Bank report, he said Bangladesh is the champion of default loans. “Bangladesh has even surpassed Sri Lanka in this regard.”
The BNP leader said the number of loan defaulters is increasing in the country as the ruling party leaders, including the ministers, do not repay after borrowing crores of taka.
Fakhrul also warned the BNP rank and file not to be confused by different ‘evil games’ by the government ahead of the national election.
“We must remain united to free our leader Begum Khaleda Zia, ensure the return of our leader Tarique Rahman to the country, restore democracy, people’s voting rights and establish equality…the movement has already begun. We all have to take to the streets with all strengths to take it a final stage for establishing a caretaker government ousting the current regime,” he said.
Govt negligence turns Dhaka into 'explosion-prone’ deadly city: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday voiced concern that Dhaka has become an 'explosion-prone’ and 'dangerous' city due to the government’s extreme negligence and mismanagement.”
“Explosions have been taking place one after another in the country for the past few days. These incidents are happening as there is no supervision of the construction work of the buildings or their maintenance,” he said.
Read more: Blast in Sidddique Bazar not from gas leakage: Titas Gas
In a brief address before launching a rally, the BNP leader said the government organisations that are supposed to monitor and inspect these buildings are not properly doing their duties as they are involved in corruption.
As a result, he said, there is no security in the buildings to prevent explosions and there is no system to prevent fire there.
“So, such terrible explosions are happening, leaving many people dead and injured. In fact, Dhaka has now become an explosion-prone and most dangerous city,” Fakhrul said.
Read more: Gulistan building turned risky after blast: Home Minister
He also bemoaned that the air in Dhaka city is said to be the most polluted in the world.
Besides, the BNP leader alleged that the wind of corruption has now completely engulfed Bangladesh.
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, marking International Women's Day.
The leaders and activists of Mohila Dal took part in the rally wearing purple sarees and holding purple balloons and placards with the photos of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
At least 19 people were dead and over 100 injured in a huge explosion in a 5-storey building in Siddique Bazar of Dhaka’s Gulistan area.
Read more: Reason behind Gulistan blast to be known after examining samples: Rab director
Earlier on Sunday, three people were killed in an explosion in a building in Dhaka's Science laboratory area while seven people were killed and many injured in another explosion and fire at an oxygen plant in Chattogram’s Sitakunda on Saturday.
BNP's allegation over Shaheed Minar incident 'false': Info Minister
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said BNP made false allegations over what happened while placing their floral wreath at Shaheed Minar along with anti-liberation forces and the persons who were against the language.
He made this comment in response to questions from journalists over Mirza Fakhrul's complaint at the meeting room of his ministry at the Secretariat in the capital.
Read more: Ansar al-Islam threatens to bomb Amar Ekushey Boi Mela
"It is a false allegation. Last year, we placed wreaths after them (BNP) and it took over three and a half hours. And this year, we stood in silence for 30 seconds after paying tributes and then left. BNP started late when the Shaheed Minar was crowded. No one obstructed them," Hasan Mahmud said. In fact, "BNP doesn't have the spirit of Amar Ekushey or the Liberation War. They talk about 21st February and the spirit of the Liberation War but they do politics with the anti-liberation forces who tried to do so-called Islamization of the language by introducing Bengali writing in Arabic alphabet and banned Rabindranath's songs in East Bengal," he said.
Read more: BNP pays homage to Language Movement martyrs Replying to another query over Begum Khaleda Zia, Hasan Mahmud said if any person is convicted for more than two years, he or she cannot take part in the election as per the law of the country. As she was sentenced for more than two years. So, there is no question of her participation in the election, he added. In addition, the government has given her conditional permission to stay home considering her health and age. As per the condition, she can not do politics, he added.
Read more: Khaleda has no chance to do politics as convict: Quader Earlier, the minister unveiled covers of five books at the meeting room and congratulated the writers. The books are 'Bangabandhur Jiban and Shilpa Bhabna' written by Sowmithra Dev, 'Sheikh Hasina ekti Kaljoyee Upakkhyan' and 'Sheikh Rehana ek Dipto Shikha' written by Shamima Sultana, Swapno Loker Nadi and 'HIV-Aids Risk and 'Gender Relation: Women Sex Worker in Bangladesh' written by deputy secretary of the information ministry Dr Sheikh Muslima Moon.
Mirza Fakhrul hospitalized
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was admitted to United Hospital in Gulshan on Monday afternoon after he fell sick at the party Chairperon’s Gulshan office.
He was admitted to the hospital around 12:30 pm under Professor Muminuzzaman , BNP's Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB.
Fakhrul has been suffering from various health complications, including heart problems, which intensified during his recent imprisonment.
He returned home on Thursday from Singapore after receiving medical treatment there for a week.
Also Read: Bangla Academy created stigmatised chapter by disallowing some stalls, books: Fakhrul
On February 10, Fakhrul and his wife went to Singapore for a follow-up health checkup and treatment.
The 76-year-old BNP secretary general received treatment at Singapore National University Hospital.
In 2015, while incarcerated, Fakhrul was diagnosed with a block in the internal carotid artery of his neck.
After his release, he went to Singapore for treatment. Since then, he needs to go to Singapore every year for follow-up treatment.
He walked out of Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj on January 9.
Also Read: Constitution must be amended to deliver people's aspirations: Fakhrul
On January 8, the Appellate Division upheld the High Court order granting bail to Fakhrul and BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.
On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital, a day before the party’s much-talked about rally in the capital.
Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital's Nayapaltan on December 7, centring the rally. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas.
BNP unveils 4-day march programme in Dhaka from Jan 28
BNP on Thursday announced a four-day march programme in the capital to press home their 10-point demand, including holding the next general election under a non-party caretaker government.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement of the fresh programme for Dhaka at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
He said the leaders and activists of their party’s Dhaka north and south city units will observe the march programme on January 28, 31, 30 and February 1 respectively also to demand the 'restoration’ of democracy in the country.
Read more: BNP to stage rally in all divisional cities on Feb 4
As per the party’s plan, Dhaka North City unit BNP will march from Shahjadpur to Malibagh’s Abul Hotel on January 28 and from Gabtoli to Mirpur-10 intersection on January 31.
Besides, Dhaka South City unit BNP will march from Jatrabari to Shyampur on January 30 and from Mugda to Malibagh on February 1.
Fakhrul hoped that their march programmes will be held peacefully with the spontaneous participation of people from all walks of life.
“We’ll hold the march programmes demanding our 10 points and the restoration of democracy. Our programmes will be completely peaceful,” he said.
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said BNP’s two units in Dhaka city will organise march programmes. “But the like-minded parties also can join the programme simultaneously if they want.”
'Misleading media reporting amounts to stabbing the movement'
Read More: HC grants anticipatory bail to 102 BNP men over clashes in Ctg
Fakhrul alleged that a particular television channel has aired a feature or documentary maligning BNP top leaders which in no way goes with objective and neutral journalism. “It’s like stabbing the ongoing movement for the restoration of democracy by completely taking a position in favour of a party (AL).”
He said when the country’s television channels and national newspapers are covering the ongoing movement and presenting people’s voices and speaking in favour of people, a television channel’s such false campaign is undoubtedly unwarranted.
“I hope that the channel authorities will stop airing this report or documentary and they will be careful so that such hateful propaganda is not spread by them in the future,” Fakhrul said.
Govt lies about Donald Lu’s remarks during Dhaka visit: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday (January 18, 2023) said that the government has lied about the statement made by Donald Lu, US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, during his visit to Dhaka last week.
This government is using the media to force a message in front of the public that the United States has changed its position and will lift the sanction (on Rab), he told the reporters regarding Lu’s visit at a press conference at the BNP chairperson's office in Gulshan.
The government wants to hold elections in a democratic way - such an idea they (the government) tried to convey the public using the media, he added.
Read more: US will condemn violence – from opposition or govt security forces in Bangladesh: Donald Lu
“But the statement made by an official of the US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday (January 17, 2023) in this regard is enough to explain matter. It has been cleared in that statement of the embassy.”
“It is a shame that this lie was made as soon as US assistant secretary of state left Dhaka and the embassy immediately protested against it," Fakhrul said.
Regarding Lu’s visit, he said democracy can never be established depending on foreign power. Democracy has always been restored here on people’s power.
Read More: US will condemn violence – from opposition or govt security forces in Bangladesh: Donald Lu
“This time too you have noticed that the people are fuming against this government, the people are protesting in a peaceful manner, ignoring all obstacles.”
“So the US, China or Russia or India whatever they say, there is definitely a geo-political situation. But what we have noticed is that the US commitment to democracy has been expressed very strongly during the visit.”
They have made the commitments regarding a fair election, an acceptable election, a participatory election, he added.
Read more: US did not impose new sanctions as human rights situation has improved: Law Minister
“Lu didn’t say anything about lifting the sanctions on Rab. How the ministers could say the sanction will be lifted.”
Fakhrul said, “This sanction should be imposed on the government. All these issues have been committed on the instruction of the government….This is not a matter whether the US imposes it or not. The people are imposing the sanction on the government now.”
Asked whether Lu had any programme to meet with BNP, he said, "No, he did not have any programme with us. This time, however, they did not have any meeting with any political party.”
Read More: We want fair, credible election: Momen tells Donald Lu
SC upholds bail of Fakhrul and Abbas, no bar to release
The Appellate Division this morning (January 08, 2023) upheld the High Court order granting bail to BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Mirza Abbas in a case filed over the clash between police and the party activists at Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.
A four-member bench of the Appellate Division led by Chief Justice Hasan Foyez Siddiqui passed the order disposing of the state’s petition challenging the HC order.
The court also ordered to dispose of the High Court rule on a maintenance ground.
Read more: State files petition challenging HC bail to Fakhrul, Abbas
On January 4, Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division Justice Jahangir Hossain fixed today (Sunday) for the hearing of the petition at the full-bench of the Appellate Division.
The petition was filed on the same day with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court seeking stay on the High Court order granting bail to the two BNP leaders in the case.
The High Court granted six months' bail to Mirza Fakhrul and Mirza Abbas, in the case on January 3.
The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain why the two BNP leaders should not be granted permanent bail.
Read more: Nayapaltan clash: Fakhrul, Abbas get 6-month HC bail
On December 21 last year, Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Asaduzzaman rejected the BNP leaders’ bail petitions for the fourth time.
On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital.
Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas.
Read More: With or without BNP, election to be held on time: Razzaque
Nayapaltan clash: Fakhrul, Abbas get 6-month HC bail
The High Court on Tuesday (January 03, 2023) granted six months bail to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan on December 7 last year.
The HC bench of Justice Md Selim and Justice Md Riaz Uddin granted the bail.
The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the two BNP leaders should not be granted permanent bail.
Advocate Joynul Abedin stood for the BNP leaders while Additional Attorney General SM Munir represented the state.
Also read: Nayapaltan clash: HC to hear Fakhrul, Abbas’s bail pleas on Tuesday
Earlier, on Monday, the High Court fixed Tuesday for hearing the bail petitions of the BNP leaders.
Lawyer Sagir Hossain Leone filed separate petitions seeking bail for them.
On December 21, Dhaka Metropolitan Session Judge Asaduzzaman rejected the BNP leaders’ bail petitions for the fourth time.
On December 9, a team of Detective Branch (DB) of police picked up Fakhrul and Abbas from their homes in separate raids in the capital city.
Read More: BNP paying for "imprudent" decisions: Hasan Mahmud
Later, they were shown arrested in a case over the clash between police and the party activists in the capital’s Nayapaltan. A Dhaka court sent them to jail rejecting their bail pleas.
On December 12, a Dhaka court rejected the bail petitions of 224 leaders and activists of BNP, including Fakhrul and Abbas.
On December 15, the bail petitions of the two BNP leaders were rejected again.
A Dhaka court ordered to give division facility to them on December 9 and then they were given the division facility from December 13.
Read More: Now Ashuganj BNP declares Abdus Sattar persona non grata
They were accused of instigating, planning and directing an attack on police.
On December 7, a Swechchasebak Dal leader was killed and around 50 others were injured in a clash between police and the BNP activists in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office, ahead of its December 10 rally.
Police filed four cases at Ramna, Shahjahanpur, Motijheel and Paltan police stations against 720 BNP activists and over 2400 unnamed people in connection with the clash with BNP.
Of the BNP men, 450 were accused in the case filed at Nayapaltan police station, 20 in Motijheel police station case and seven in Shahjahanpur police station case.
Read More: Implementing 10 points a key New Year’s challenge for BNP: Mosharraf