United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Tuesday alleged that a conspiracy is underway to delay the national election by deteriorating the law and order situation in a planned way. “There is a clear conspiracy… if the law and order situation can be worsened, it is likely to benefit certain quarters,” he said. The BNP leader made the remark while talking to journalists in front of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh after visiting the venue ahead of the professionals’ planned programme there on July 21, marking the first anniversary of the July mass uprising. He, however, expressed the hope that the election would be held in time foiling all evil efforts. Dr Zahid, a member of BNP’s standing committee, said, “The way the Chief Adviser and the Election Commission are moving forward, we hope that they will fulfill their commitments to hold the election by mid-February.” Referring to the recent brutal murder of a scrap trader in the old part of the capital, he said BNP does not support or condone any kind of wrongdoing or injustice. The BNP leader said their party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, in a press conference on Monday, clearly said that crime is crime, and the party does not justify any wrongdoing. Fakhrul alleges political plot to derail election using Mitford murder He said it is not right to politicise a crime or try to highlight or downplay it in order to blame any party. The BNP leader said unfair activities and injustice must always be treated negatively. “No conscious person belonging to any political party can ever support injustice and wrongdoing. I personally don’t believe that.” Dr Zahid also criticised those who made indecent remarks against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. “We are followers of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the people of Bangladesh are yearning for democracy. We don’t want to be part of any conspiracy,” he said. He urged political leaders and workers to remain patient, speak the truth clearly, and refrain from using double standards. Dr Zahid said BNP never supports or encourages injustice and wrongdoing, and always demands justice. “BNP does not support mob violence.” When asked to respond to comments from a Jamaat-e-Islami leader who claimed people have showed BNP a ‘red card’ after the Mitford incident, he said, “I won’t directly respond to them. I believe those who make such comments often do so out of ignorance. I question their political understanding and experience. People will decide who gets the ‘red card’ or the ‘green card’.” BNP forms probe body over Mitford murder; suspects political motive He also rejected National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam’s allegation that BNP is becoming a ‘protector of Mujibism’. “I saw the news from Jhalakathi. Everyone can see who is doing the rehabilitation (of Awami League) and who is not.”

BNP Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque has demanded that the interim government promptly announce the national election date by upholding the dignity of the July mass uprising. "I request the Chief Adviser of the interim government to immediately announce the election date without any further delay or wastage of time, in order to keep intact the honour of the second independence, earned at the cost of the blood of Abu Sayed and Mugdho," he said while addressing a rally on Friday. Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Dal organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, demanding the announcement of a roadmap for the national election. Stay alert against rift over ‘July Declaration’: Salahuddin to govt Farroque, a former opposition chief whip, said the interim government should not waste unnecessary time holding the polls under the guise of reforms. "Reforms will continue, the election date will be set, and preparations for the election will also go on. I demand the immediate announcement of the election date," he said. The BNP leader recalled that former Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, who was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at that time, arranged a free and fair election in Bangladesh in 1991 within a short time after the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad. He said there is now no need for so many reforms to hold a free, fair and credible election like that of 1991. The BNP leader observed that the nation needs reforms that will provide relief to the people and allow them to purchase rice and other essential commodities at reasonable prices. He slammed the government for increasing value-added tax (VAT) and supplementary duty (SD) on nearly 100 goods and services, making life more expensive. EC waiting for final shape of reform proposal: Commissioner Masud “You came to power through the revolution of students and the masses. You are in government through the students' movement. So, why have you imposed VAT on the tiffin boxes of school students? Why have you immorally imposed VAT on all daily essentials?” Farroque said. He said the country’s common people are facing severe hardships due to the VAT and SD increases. “Where they earlier managed to live on Tk 10,000 a month, now they cannot even make ends meet on Tk 25,000.” He alleged that a syndicate is profiting by buying hundreds of tickets, holding them in offices, and selling them at inflated prices to people intending to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, only because of the government’s inaction. All parties reach consensus on inclusive ‘July Declaration’: Asif Nazrul Farroque called upon the Civil Aviation Advisor to take proper steps to dismantle this unscrupulous syndicate so that people can buy tickets at fair prices to perform Umrah.

Abdul Awal Mintoo, a former president of the FBCCI and a senior BNP leader, has stressed that only an elected government can ensure accountability to the people and steer Bangladesh out of its current economic challenges. Speaking at a discussion titled "Current Business and Economic Scenarios: The Way Forward," held at the ERF Auditorium in Paltan on Monday, Mintoo highlighted the urgent need for an elected political government to restore investor confidence and promote economic recovery. Mintoo criticized previous unelected governments for derailing the country’s macroeconomic stability by undertaking unplanned and unproductive mega projects. Bureaucrats appear before people in many forms, it’s a problem: Dr Debapriya He noted that the reliance on costly short-term foreign loans to fund these projects has contributed to inflation and placed a burden on the economy that will take years to resolve. Highlighting the dire employment situation, Mintoo said that around 22-23 lakh youths are ready to enter the workforce each year, but job creation has stagnated due to dwindling investment and reduced private-sector credit flow. The government’s high-value foreign loan repayments are adding to the economic strain, forcing them to borrow from domestic banks. This is further limiting credit availability for private businesses, he explained. Mintoo argued that Bangladesh currently lacks an environment conducive to investment, deterring much-needed foreign investors. Mintoo also criticized some economists for making statements that he believes have exacerbated public anxiety during the ongoing economic crisis.  Indian FS Vikram Misri to brief media this afternoon “These economists do not contribute to asset or job creation. Their irresponsible comments have caused unnecessary panic among the public,” he said. Mintoo called on the government to create a trade- and investment-friendly environment, emphasizing that this is key to increasing job opportunities and fostering economic growth. If the private sector cannot operate in a free and fearless environment, investment will not grow, and neither will job creation, he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday (September 09, 2023) urged everyone to remain alert as the government is plotting to carry out violence and communal attacks to shift the blame onto opposition parties. "They (govt) are conspiring. It won’t work, no matter how much plot they hatch,” he told a rally at Nayapaltan after the party’s two mass processions. As part of that plot, the BNP leader said his ruling party counterpart Obaidul Quader talked about violence and communal attacks two days ago. “By making such attacks by Awami League, they (government) will try to put the blame on the opposition parties. That's why everyone should stay alert,” he warned. Read more: BNP, like-minded parties set to hold mass processions in Dhaka Saturday Fakhrul said the government has no strength to resist the people who took to the streets to ensure its fall. “We must take to the streets with more courage to defeat this demonic government,” he told the opposition leaders and workers. The BNP leader said people from all walks of life, including farmers, labourers and hardworking people, regardless of their party affiliation, have got united to unseat the Awami League government through a united movement. “You’re going through suffering in the rain. You have to endure more pains and suffering in the days to come to establish a people's government through a credible election under a truly neutral non-partisan government by defeating the current regime,” he said pointing at the opposition followers. Read more: Polls experts, politicians say political parties should resolve differences over next elections

A Rajshahi court on Thursday granted a five-day remand to district chapter BNP Convenor Abu Sayeed Chand hours after his arrest in a case over making a ‘death threat’ against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at a recent rally in the district. Rajshahi Judicial Magistrate Court-2 Judge Mahbub Alam issued the remand after the accused was produced before it with a prayer for a 10-day remand, said Additional Public Prosecutor Jalal Uddin. Earlier in the day, police arrested the BNP leader from Hargram in Rajshahi. Later he was implicated in a case filed with Puthia police station in the city. Chand allegedly threatened to kill the prime minister while addressing at a public rally, organised by district unit BNP, at Shibpur High School ground in Puthia Upazila of Rajshahi on Friday. "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. Several cases have been lodged against the BNP leader in parts of the country.  

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster on Sunday had a “closed door” meeting with BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. The 45-minute meeting that began around 3:00 pm was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. After the meeting, Amir Khosru briefed reporters about the talk. Read more: BNP’s Khosru for preparing lists of overenthusiastic cops, AL cadres “The German Ambassador along with an official of their foreign ministry came here to our office to talk to us. But we don’t want to disclose what we discussed since it was a private meeting,” he said. He said it is the responsibility of the foreign diplomats to report at their headquarters about the political, social, economic and cultural affairs of the countries they have been given postings. “As part of that responsibility, the German Ambassador held the meeting with us,” the BNP leader said. Read more: BNP to intensify movement for Khaleda’s release: Khosru BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaed was also present at the meeting.

BNP executive committee member Ishraque Hossain was attacked on Sunday allegedly by the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League BCL) near Jagannath University (JnU) while distributing leaflets to drum up public support for the party’s December-10 rally. Talking to UNB, Ishraque alleged that the BCL activists from Jagannath University carried out the attack at noon, leaving six-seven BNP leaders and activists. The BNP leader said the BCL men first started throwing brick chips when he along with BNP leaders and activists were getting into his vehicle after completing the leaflet distribution programme. Read more: BNP demands withdrawal of check post outside Khaleda’s house “Later, they attacked us with rods and hockey sticks. They also vandalised my vehicle,” he said. Ishraque,  the son of late BNP leader Sadeque Hossain Khoka, said four injured BNP activists were admitted to a hospital. Contacted, JnU unit BCL president Ibrahim Farazi said they chased Ishraque and his followers as the BNP leader was making provocative remarks while distributing the leaflets He claimed that some BCL activists were injured as the ‘cadres’ of Ishraque attacked them. Read more: 75 sued over crude bomb blast in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan office Earlier on Nov 5, the motorcade of Ishraque came under attack by miscreants at Mahilara Bazar in Gouranadi upazila on his way to BNP’s divisional rally in Barishal. A number of vehicles were vandalised while nine BNP activists were injured in the attack.

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.

The High Court (HC) on Monday cleared the way to resume the trial of BNP’s Rangpur division  organizing secretary Asadul Habib Dulu in a corruption case filed 12 years ago for amassing wealth beyond known sources of income. The HC bench of Justices Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Khijir Hayat cancelled its previous ruling that stayed the trial proceeding against the BNP leader. It also asked the judicial court to dispose of the case within one year. During the hearing, Deputy Attorney General AKM Amin Uddin Manik stood for the state, while Md Khurshid Alam Khan and Abdur Razzak Khan represented the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the accused, respectively. Read: Arresting govt employees: Appellate Division clears way for regular appeal against HC verdict On January 21, 2009, the ACC filed a case against Dulu with Lalmonirhat Sadar Police Station, accusing him of amassing wealth illegally. The anti-graft watchdog also submitted a charge sheet the same year. Dulu lodged a petition with the HC which then issued a rule staying the trial of the case on August 25, 2010.

Barrister Abul Hasnat, the first mayor of Dhaka City Corporation and a founding member of BNP, passed away on Friday at his residence in London. He was 82. Hasnat breathed his last around 5am local time due to old age complications, said his son Rajib Hasnat. Read: BNP pays tribute to Shah Moazzem He left behind his wife Nasreen Begum, a son and a daughter. Hasnat, a senior Supreme Court lawyer, went to the UK in 2019, but could not return to the country due to Covid pandemic. He served as the first mayor of Dhaka City Corporation during 1977–1982 and again in 1990. He was a founding member of the BNP standing committee. Read: BNP Vice-Chairman Shah Moazzem Hossain passes away He also served as the minister of housing and public works in the Cabinet of President Justice Abdus Sattar and Hussain Muhammad Ershad. He joined the Jatiya Party in 1990 and was elected to parliament from Dhaka-9 seat in a by-election as a candidate of the party. He returned to BNP after Ershad was overthrown in 1990.