United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday accused Jamaat-e-Islami of having an understanding with Awami League(activities banned), claiming that his party has already presented documents and evidence to substantiate the allegation. “Just a few days after August 5, when the blood of the martyrs had not yet dried, their Ameer said they would forgive everything the Awami League had done,” he told reporters after taking part in a dengue awareness leaflet distribution programme at Fakirapool in the capital. “They jointly waged movements with the Awami League against the BNP, resorting to arson and violence. These are historical records of their relationship with the Awami League,” Rizvi added. On Friday, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar alleged that the BNP has become moderate after reaching an agreement with the Awami League. Responding to the allegation, Rizvi challenged Jamaat to produce proof supporting its claim. “Show us the proof of the alleged agreement. We have already shown proof concerning them. These are clearly available in the media,” he said. “We speak on the basis of documents, while they are making empty claims without producing evidence,” he said. He also added that Jamaat contested elections alongside the Awami League in 1986, despite previously describing those who participated in elections under HM Ershad as “national traitors”. “The BNP did not betray the people, and Begum Khaleda Zia did not betray them. They were the ones who betrayed the people. When Hasina left, Jamaat quietly went along with her,” Rizvi said. He further alleged that Jamaat is seeking political legitimacy from Awami League. “They need a stamp of legitimacy from Awami League. There are records of an Awami League leader bowing to and greeting their former leader, late Ghulam Azam, by holding his feet. You are media professionals, and those documents are available to you,” he said. Rizvi said questions remained about Jamaat's role in 1971, adding that the party is seeking the Awami League's endorsement for that reason. “Behind the scenes and publicly, they have maintained relationships on various issues. This is acknowledged by history and is an undeniable truth,” he claimed. Rizvi also accused Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar of trying to embarrass the current government through falsehoods and propaganda. BNP working to prevent dengue outbreak Speaking about the BNP's dengue prevention campaign, Rizvi said BNP is working to prevent the disease before more people became infected. He said dengue has spread widely in Dhaka and different parts of the country, with Khulna and Chattogram divisions particularly affected. Rizvi said the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is highly concerned about dengue and are taking various steps to tackle the outbreak. He said dengue tests are being provided free of charge at all government hospitals, describing the initiative as an important measure. He also said the government had kept city corporations alert and prepared to tackle dengue by cleaning stagnant water, drains and sewers. He said party workers had been asked to raise awareness across Dhaka and the rest of the country and take initiatives to keep drains, sewers, canals and other potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes clean.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned that attempts to undermine Bangladesh’s tradition of communal harmony would be resisted, saying the country’s secular-minded and religious people would not allow such conspiracies to succeed. “Some may conspire against this great tradition of Bengal, and some may plot against it. But the secular-minded and religious people of this country will never allow such attempts to grow or succeed. They will resist them, as they have done repeatedly in the past,” he said. He made these remarks during a visit at the Durga Puja mandap at Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University. He said people of different religious communities had lived together in Bangladesh for thousands of years, sharing one another’s festivals and cultural traditions. “We have taken part in one another’s celebrations and considered each other’s joy as our own,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving this tradition. The BNP leader said people of different faiths shared a common national identity, language, food habits, clothing and folk culture, despite their differences in religious beliefs. Referring to the concept of Bangladeshi nationalism introduced by late President Ziaur Rahman, he said it provided space for people of all religious communities. Rizvi also stressed that ensuring the religious rights and security of every citizen was the responsibility of the state. “Everyone may have their own religion and beliefs, but everyone has rights before the state,” he said. He said the government had taken several steps to help Hindu devotees celebrate Durga Puja peacefully and securely. He said the government had extended the holiday period for the festival and increased the rice allocation for puja mandaps and temples. He also said a government initiative to provide monthly honorariums to temple priests and attendants is being implemented. Rizvi expressed hope that communal harmony would be further strengthened through greater practice of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He wished members of the Hindu community a joyful Durga Puja, expressing hope that the festival would strengthen bonds of brotherhood among people.  

A total of 68 women submitted nomination forms to the BNP on Saturday for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The forms were submitted throughout the day at the BNP’s central office in Nayapaltan, said BNP Assistant Office Secretary Tarikul Islam Tenzing. He said interviews of the nomination aspirants would be held on Monday (October 19) at the office of the BNP chairman in Gulshan. Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with members of the party’s National Standing Committee, will be present at the interviews. The committee will serve as the party’s nomination board. Party sources said the women who collected nomination forms included former BNP lawmakers, central leaders and organisers at the district and metropolitan levels. The party’s National Standing Committee meeting effectively served as its nomination board. According to sources at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, the women who submitted forms included BNP Assistant Secretary for Human Rights Affairs and former MP Syeda Asifa Ashrafi Papiya, and members of the party’s National Executive Committee, Shahana Akter Sanu and Ayesha Siddika Moni. Others included Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Central Office Secretary Shahinur Nargis, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal Central Joint Secretary Shahinur Begum, Mohila Dal Central Secretary for Human Development Affairs Khandaker Farhana Atika, Barishal Metropolitan BNP Senior Joint Convener Afroza Khanam, Chapainawabganj District Mohila Dal General Secretary Masuda Afroz Haque, Dhaka North Metropolitan Mohila Dal President Runa Laila and Dinajpur District BNP Organising Secretary Hasnahena Hira. Veteran women’s leader Jelly Chowdhury also collected a nomination form, along with BNP National Executive Committee members Sabera Alauddin Hena and Shimki Imam Khan. Former Chattogram Metropolitan Mohila Dal Publicity Secretary Dewan Mahmuda Akter, Syeda Adiba Hossain, who was among the aspirants discussed for nomination in the 13th parliamentary election, and Eden Mohila College Chhatra Dal Convener Rehana Akter Shirin were also among those who collected forms. The nomination aspirants said they had actively participated in street movements and struggles in the past, and many of them had faced repression at different times. They expressed hope that the party’s top leadership would nominate them in recognition of their sacrifices. Earlier, on Friday, a total of 70 women collected BNP nomination forms for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. According to the Election Commission’s schedule, October 26 is the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the by-election to reserved women’s seat No. 23. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on October 27, the last date for withdrawal of candidacy is November 1, and voting will take place on November 12. Earlier, on October 1, BNP reserved-seat MP Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti resigned after being instructed to step down by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The Parliament Secretariat subsequently issued a gazette notification declaring the seat vacant under Article 67(2) of the Constitution. The development came amid allegations of her involvement in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur. The health centre was attacked and vandalised around midnight, with allegations that ruling party leaders and activists at different levels were involved. Mishti, however, denied any involvement in the incident.

BNP on Thursday announced its schedule for distributing and submitting nomination forms for the by-election to the vacant reserved women’s seat No. 323 in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The party invited women aspiring to contest the by-election to collect nomination forms on Friday (October 16). The information was disclosed in a notice signed by BNP Assistant Office Secretary Muhammad Munir Hossain. Candidates seeking BNP nomination for the reserved seat can collect nomination forms from the party’s central office in Nayapaltan, the notice said. The filled up forms must be submitted to the same office on October 17, between 10am and 5pm. The Election Commission (EC) on October 12 announced the schedule for the by-election to the reserved women’s seat that fell vacant following the resignation of Ferdousy Ahmed Mishti, setting November 12 as voting day. According to the schedule, the deadline for submitting nomination papers to the returning officer at the Nirbachan Bhaban is October 26. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on October 27, while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 1. Voting will be held on November 12. Mishti was elected as a lawmaker from a reserved women’s seat with nomination from the BNP. Under the law, only the BNP can nominate a candidate for the vacant seat. If more than one candidate contests the election, only lawmakers from the BNP alliance will be eligible to vote. However, reserved women’s seats generally have a single candidate, requiring no voting. Mishti resigned from her parliamentary seat on October 1 following instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman amid allegations that she was involved in an attack, vandalism, looting and demolition at the Radda MCH-FP Centre, a maternal and child healthcare facility in Mirpur, Dhaka, on September 24.

BNP leaders on Wednesday paid tribute to the party’s veteran leader and former MP Salahuddin Ahmed in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office. After the second namaz-e-janaza following Zohr prayers, senior leaders led by BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi placed the party flag over Salahuddin’s coffin and paid tribute to him. BNP Vice-Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu, chairman’s adviser Abdus Salam, Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel and Abdus Salam Azad, Dhaka South BNP Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu, and the deceased’s son and Dhaka South BNP Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, among others, were present. Earlier, they along with leaders and activists of the party’s different units and affiliated organisations, attended the second janaza for Salahuddin. A munajat was offered after the janaza praying for the salvation of the departed soul. Earlier, the first namaz-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the morning. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam, Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, cabinet members, whips, and current and former MPs attended the prayer. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s military secretary, Major General ASM Bahauiddin, placed a wreath on the coffin on behalf of the president. The prime minister, the speaker, the deputy speaker, the chief whip and other whips also paid their last respects by placing wreaths separately. Salahuddin Ahmed died at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka at around 8pm on Tuesday while undergoing treatment for lung problems and other health complications. He was 80. Family members said his third and final janaza would be held at Lal Mosque in Shyampur at 3pm, after which he would be buried beside his father’s grave in Jurain.  

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of former MP Salahuddin Ahmed, who died at a hospital in the capital on Tuesday night. In a condolence message on Wednesday, the President prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. Salahuddin, BNP commerce affairs secretary, breathed his last at Evercare Hospital Dhaka at 8:10pm on Tuesday, said his son Tanvir Ahmed Robin, member secretary of Dhaka South City BNP.

BNP acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Monday warned party leaders and activists against sacrificing their long political struggle for personal benefits such as fertiliser dealership and government contracts, saying the party must maintain public confidence through tolerance and responsible conduct. “If we sell out our long political struggle to obtain fertiliser dealerships and contracts, we will not be able to achieve anything significant. We will fail to secure our greater goals. General people, who are the voters, should see that BNP leaders and activists are extremely tolerant,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while addressing a commemorative meeting marking the 10th death anniversary of former minister and BNP National Standing Committee member Brig Gen (retd) A S M Hannan Shah. He said BNP leaders and activists should not remain preoccupied with what they gained or failed to gain personally, but should instead focus on the broader responsibilities of the party and government. “After 17 years of hardship, we have secured a BNP government through a free and fair election under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He is working day and night to make the country prosperous,” Rizvi said. Despite the difficulties, the government is trying to provide relief to people and meet their essential needs, Rizvi said. He said industrial mills and factories have been at risk of shutting down amid the gas and electricity shortages, but the situation was gradually improving under Tarique Rahman's leadership. “By the grace of Allah, we are gradually getting these services back in many places. Gas stoves in our kitchens are burning again. I believe the situation will gradually return to normal in the coming days,” he said. Rizvi said every party leader and activist should consider themselves part of the government, regardless of the positions they had received. “What matters is that the government maintains a good image and continues to run the country with sincerity. We must all cooperate in this effort,” he said. He urged MPs to maintain peace and stability in their respective constituencies and asked party leaders and activists to support them. He also called on lawmakers to stand beside people in both good times and difficult situations.“We have all been involved in politics. We did not enter politics to become wealthy overnight.” Rizvi said BNP leaders and activists are not behaving like those who are involved in what he described as the fascist rule of the past. He alleged that during the previous regime, those in power looted public money, occupied people's land and even took cattle from cowsheds and fish from ponds, plunging the country into disorder to establish a system of plunder. “The BNP will not repeat those practices. The party has no such commitment. The BNP stands for peace, stability and the rule of law,” he said. He stressed that even grassroots-level party workers are part of the government and must act with restraint to preserve peace and stability. Rizvi said various conspiracies and attempts to create instability are continuing, adding that police have arrested two retired army officers on Sunday over suspected plans for sabotage. He urged party leaders and activists to remain alert, particularly ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja. He said party leaders and activists should voluntarily perform these duties on a voluntary basis, without waiting for specific instructions. “If we understand our responsibilities and work accordingly, the people of this country will continue to support the nationalist forces,” he said, warning party members to ensure that their conduct never resembled that of activists of the previous regime. Rizvi concluded this part of his speech by praying for the eternal peace of the late Hannan Shah. The event was attended by BNP Gazipur district president Fazlul Haque Milan, BNP National Executive Committee Organising Secretary for Dhaka Division Saiful Haque Bablu, Hannan Shah's son and BNP leader Reazul Hannan, former central Chhatra Dal leaders and BNP lawmakers.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday has formed a 12-member monitoring committee ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community. BNP Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon has been made convener of the committee, while another Joint Secretary General of the party, Syed Emran Saleh Prince, has been named its member secretary. The names of the committee members were announced in a press release signed by BNP Assistant Office Secretary Muhammad Munir Hossain on night. The other members of the committee are BNP National Executive Committee Assistant Organising Secretary Jayanta Kumar Kundu, Assistant Secretary for Marginalised People Development Aparna Roy Das, Assistant Secretaries for Religious Affairs Amalendu Das Apu and John Gomes, and National Executive Committee members Advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury and Ramesh Dutta. The committee also includes Jubo Dal central committee Labour Affairs Secretary Partha Dey Mondal, former Vice-President of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal Joydeb Roy, former student leader Milton Baidya, and Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas, president of Dhaka University Chhatra Dal.

BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday called for an end to the “mafia rule” in the road transport sector, saying longstanding extortion, syndicates and irregularities must be eliminated to restore discipline and ensure a comfortable environment for ordinary people. Rizvi made the remarks at a tribute programme organised by the newly formed committee of the Jatiya Sarak Paribahan Sramik Federation at the graves of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and former BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Rizvi said he hoped the new federation would remain active and vocal in putting an end to the longstanding anarchy and illegal extortion on the roads. The BNP leader expressed confidence that the new federation leadership would use fresh ideas and approaches, drawing on its members’ backgrounds in student politics, to address longstanding disorder in the road transport sector, bring activities within the bounds of law and make a significant contribution to passenger services. He said the leaders has taken on the responsibility with a commitment to improving the sector, He said responsible performance in one sector could positively influence other sectors, encouraging them to improve through healthy competition. Rizvi expressed hope that the new federation leadership would help replace the deteriorated road transport management that had developed during what he described as fascist rule with a new system that would strengthen public trust and make people feel safer and more comfortable while travelling.

Nahid Islam, opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), said on Saturday said BNP, since coming to power, has been curbing people's rights and undermining democracy. Those who have destroyed democracy in the past have ultimately ended up in "the dustbin of history," Nahid said while addressing the inaugural rally of the 11-party alliance's Dhaka-to-Rangpur long march at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman must now decide the manner in which he steps down from power, under pressure or through a dignified process. "Tarique Rahman has to decide now whether he will flee by helicopter or hand over power through a dignified process," he said. Nahid said the government passed an enforced disappearance law and a human rights law in the last parliamentary session, and that RAB had been renamed SRB. While protecting human rights is the government's responsibility, he alleged the current government is instead creating condition conducive to rights violations across the board. He further alleged that the incumbent government has begun using the same laws and institutions that Sheikh Hasina's administration had used to suppress people's rights. Noting that a wave of public support has built up behind the long march, Nahid Islam alleged that banners and festoons of the 11-party alliance have been torn down along the march route since Friday night, claiming BNP leaders and activists carried this out with the involvement of the city corporation. Tearing down banners and festoons will not stop the tide of public support for the long march, he said, adding that the opposition's list of demands keeps growing but will ultimately converge into a single demand, called on 11-party alliance leaders and activists to prepare accordingly.