BNP
BNP ridicules AL's fair election desire
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Awami League’s desire for a fair election is like the "devil listening to the scriptures".
“The Awami League general secretary yesterday (Thursday) said the Prime Minister wants a free and fair election in the country so that everyone can vote. It’s like the devil listening to the scriptures," he said.
Read:Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
Speaking at a human-chain programme, the BNP leader said Awami League is now talking about a fair election after “destroying” the election system and three national elections.
Fakhrul said the election system has now reached such a state in the country that a Shariatpur MP said he would select the chairmen and members in the UP polls.
“We can't imagine such a scenario of our country. We fought for democracy in 1971, but they (govt) have now established a one-party rule by throwing that democracy into the Bay of Bengal.”
Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the growing price hike of daily essentials.
Fakhrul alleged that the current government cannot tolerate dissent and criticisms at all.
He claimed that police attacked their party leaders and activists from behind without any provocation while they were returning home after a peace rally in front of their Nayapltan central office on Tuesday.
The BNP leader said the law enforcers charged batons and opened fire on their leaders and activists, leaving many of them injured.
“But cases are now being filed against our hundreds of leaders and activists. Why are you so sacred? You fear us as you’ve lost the ground beneath your feet. You won’t even get the escape route the day people will take to the streets,” he said.
Read:BNP men clash with police in city
Fakhrul called upon the administration not to take a stand against people by abetting the government that has been indulging in ‘plundering’ and ‘anti-people activities.
He said ruling party leaders are becoming millionaires through ‘corruption and looting’ while people are getting poorer.
The BNP leader said people are going through immense sufferings as the prices of essential commodities, including that of rice, pulses, eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, kerosene oil and edible oil are continuously soaring since the government has lost control over the market.
He said the ruling party business syndicates are hiking the prices of the essentials and making a quick buck. “People are now living in a suffocating situation in the country… there’s now no alternative to waging a strong movement to get rid of it.”
Election only under neutral administration, says BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said their party will not allow any national election in Bangladesh without a non-party caretaker government.
“Our position is clear no election will be held in this country without a polls-time neutral caretaker government,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said the government must quit handing over power to a caretaker government. “An impartial election commission will have to be constituted and then we’ll form a representative government and parliament through a credible election.”
Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal arranged the programme at the Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking its 43rd founding anniversary.
Read: Govt out to clear election field: Fakhrul
Fakhrul said their party wants a change in the government and the youth can bring this change through a movement by organising people.
He said Jubo Dal, the youth wing of BNP, will have to play the main role in overcoming the current ‘crisis' of the country.
The BNP leader urged the leaders and activists of Jubo Dal to organise the young generation across the country to ‘restore’ democracy and free Khaleda Zia by ousting the current ‘monstrous’ government.
Stating that BNP leaders and activists are being harassed by filing ‘false’ cases against them, Fakhrul said, “We must get united and wage a strong movement to overcome the current situation.”
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said Jubo Dal will have to work as a vanguard of the nation at this bad time of the country.
Read: People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
He urged the Jubo Dal leaders and activists to get ready to take to the streets to realise BNP’s demand for holding the next polls under a non-party government.
Another BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said it is an utter failure of their party that it is not being able to oust the current government despite having vast popularity and public support.
“We must get organised in a disciplined manner and face this government on the streets with courage and proper strategy to get success,” he observed.
People looking for a change in govt: Fakhrul
Stating that a change in government is now the demand of people, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday asked the government to hand over power to a non-party neutral government.
"We would like to say it clearly that a change in government is now the demand of people. Awami League has no right to stay in power as they couldn’t solve any problem. They’re now unleashing communal violence and violating human rights,” he said.
Read: Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but 'out of danger': Fakhrul
Speaking at a ‘peace rally’ in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul also alleged that the Awami League government has made people's lives miserable with its ‘misrule' and repressive acts.
"We ask the government to step down immediately, handing over power to a neutral government for arranging a credible election under a neutral Election Commission so that everyone can cast votes and elect their representatives,” he said.
BNP was scheduled to bring out a ‘peace rally’ towards the Jatiya Press Club from its Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
As the government has deployed a huge number of police in Nayapaltan area since morning, the BNP general secretary announced that the programme was over by holding a brief rally on a makeshift stage in front of their party office.
Hundreds of BNP leaders and activists also gathered in Nayapaltan area to join the rally.
Fakhrul said they sent a letter to the authorities concerned earlier to bring out a peace rally towards the Jatiya Press Club in protest against the planned destruction of communal harmony by the government. “But unfortunately our leaders and workers have been arrested here since morning. So, we’re holding a brief rally now.”
He alleged that police arrested around of their 50 leaders and activists centring the programme and demanded their immediate release.
BNP men clash with police in city
BNP activists and police clashed with police in the capital's Nayapaltan area on Tuesday, leaving over 60 people, including six law enforcers, injured.
The clash took place around 11:30am when some BNP men brought out a procession towards Kakrail crossing after the end of a ‘peace rally' in front of their office.
As police tried to obstruct the procession, BNP activists locked in the clash by throwing brickbats towards police.
At one stage, police charged batons on the BNP men and fired teargas canisters at them.
Several hundred BNP leaders and activists gathered in front of BNP’s central office since morning to join the peace rally in protest against the recent communal violence in the country.
Read: AL behind’ communal violence, alleges BNP
Huge cops were deployed in the Nayapaltan area this morning.
BNP was scheduled to bring out a ‘peace rally’ towards the Jatiya Press Club from its Nayapaltan central office at 11am.
Khaleda undergoes biopsy test, but ‘out of danger’: Fakhrul
Eds: Updates with more info
Dhaka, Oct 25 (UNB) – BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party chairperson Khaleda Zia is doing well and out of danger though she has undergone a biopsy test.
“I want to assure you that our leader Khaleda Zia is absolutely fine,” Fakhrul told a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
He said their party acting chairman Tarique Rahman talked to Khaleda. “Her brother (Shamim Iskander) also talked to her. Her doctors have assured us that she’s out of danger. They think there’s no sign of any danger to her.”
As his attention was drawn to media reports on Khaleda’s critical health condition, he said it was wrong information. “It’s very unfortunate. Why should the media be so irresponsible? They should have confirmed it by talking to the people concerned.”
READ: Ambassadors from the Netherlands and Thailand present credentials to President Hamid
Khaleda has a lump
Khaleda’s personal doctor Prof AZM Zahid Hossain said the BNP chief has a small lump in one part of her body.
“She was taken to OT (Operation Theater) today (Monday) for a small biopsy test to detect the nature of origin of the lump,” he said.
After the biopsy at Evercare Hospital, Zahid said all her health parameters are stable at the moment. “She’s undergoing treatment at the surgical ICU.”
Replying to a question, Dr Zahid said biopsy does not mean any treatment. “A biopsy is part of a diagnostic process which will determine the base of the next treatment.”
Asked when the biopsy report would be available, he said, "Scientifically it takes 72 hours to get the results of a biopsy. In some cases, it may take 15 to 21 days in a place like America. So, we’ve to wait for the biopsy report.”
AL behind’ communal violence, alleges BNP
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.
‘Invisible’ force controlling Bangladesh: Fakhrul
Stating that a plot is there to turn Bangladesh into a “communal state”, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday alleged that an “invisible” force is now controlling everything.
“We’re always under surveillance… the power of an invisible force that now actually runs the country is so deep-rooted that they’re now controlling the country and its people and our society,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader said their party has been fighting for democracy amid an adverse situation in the country.
He called upon all the opposition political parties to get united putting aside misunderstanding and divisions among them to restore democracy and people’s rights through a united movement.
"We (BNP) are on a movement. We expect you to come together in this fight on one issue – the restoration of democracy. Let's fight together to free the country from the current terrible situation. We’ll overthrow this fascist government and establish a democratic one,” Fakhrul said.
OLi Ahad Smriti Sangsad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 9th death anniversary of language veteran Oli Ahad.
Read:No more game over election to be allowed: Fakhrul -
Price hike
Earlier speaking at a human-chain programme, Fakhrul criticised the government for what he said its failure to control the unbridled price hike of daily essentials.
“They had promised to provide people with rice at Tk10 per kg, but now its price is Tk 70. The prices of soybean oil, sugar, salt, vegetables and pulses have also gone up,” he observed.
The BNP leader said the government is least bothered about public sufferings caused by the price hike as ruling party men are busy making their own fortunes. “They’re indulging in corruption and siphoning off money abroad and making second homes there.”
He demanded the government take effective steps to control the market and reduce the prices of essentials.
Dhaka south city unit BNP arranged the programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club protesting the rise in the prices of the essentials.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has snatched people’s basic rights by destroying democracy.
Read: It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
He said people have started now turning around as they want to get back their rights, including the right to vote. “We want to see the release of Khaleda Zia and the withdrawal of 35 lakh cases filed against our leaders and activists.”
The BNP leader said people joined the Liberation War in 1971 with a goal to establish an independent and democratic Bangladesh. “But this government has destroyed the country and its achievements in a very well-planned way. They (AL) want to restore a one-party system of government.”
He urged the government to stop oppressing people and hand over power to a non-partisan and neutral government paving the way for holding a credible election.
Quader blasts BNP for creating religious division in Bangladesh
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that those who use religion for political gain want to create division among religious communities.
He made the remarks while speaking at a briefing at his residence this morning.
"Those who could not accept the independence of this country, development and prosperity, they want to divide the nation, weaken it and tarnish the image of the country. BNP and its allies want to create this dividing line," he said.
Describing BNP as politically communal organization Quader said BNP leaders have turned lies into an art by claiming that the government is involved in communal attacks.
Read: Stay alert against communal forces, says Quader
Referring to the BNP as an enemy of the minorities, he further said that they thought that attacking the puja mandaps would increase the distrust of the Hindu community in the government and destroy Bangladesh's existing friendship with India.
The AL leader said the BNP carried out the propaganda that mosques will turn into temples in the past as well.
Quader said BNP’s atrocities against minorities surpassed even the attacks in 1971 after it came to power in 2001. He said that BNP has not been able to quit communal politics yet.
Read: No tolerance for communal attacks: Quader
Referring to the observance of Eid-e- Miladunnabi being observed on Wednesday Quader said that the day is sacred and glorious for the Muslim Ummah.
He urged Muslims of the country to follow the ideals of Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH).
Quader also greeted the members of the Buddhist community on behalf of the Awami League on Prabarana Purnima, being celebrated on Wednesday.
BNP for strong resistance against sectarian violence
BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Tuesday said there must be a strong resistance against communal violence and the plot to dent the country’s image.
“If we can’t resist it (communal violence), our independence and sovereignty will be at stake…we have to strongly prevent it,” he said.
Abbas, a BNP standing committee member, made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfil arranged by Dhaka south city unit of Jatiyatabadi Swechchasebak Dal at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office seeking divine blessings for the speedy recovery of party chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He said a vested quarter is trying to brand Bangladesh as a communal country by unleashing a riot in the country. “The ruling party is trying to tarnish the image of the country by placing the Holy Quran at a puja mandap in Cumilla and attacking worship places of the Hindu community in different places.”
The BNP leader said Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony and the people of different religions have been living here peacefully for a long time showing respect to the religion of each other. “When our leader Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister, Ramadan fasting and puja were observed together thrice in this country. There was no communal violence at that time.”
He accused the government of inciting the communal violence to arrest BNP leaders and activists and thus divert people’s attention to a different direction from growing price hike of daily essentials, utility services and public sufferings.
Also read: US for opposing targeted violence, orchestrated hate
“Our around three hundred leaders and activists have already been arrested. "We would like to make it clear that it won’t be possible to suppress BNP with all these attacks and filing cases,” Abbas said.
He questioned the reason behind Awami League’s 'Harmony Rally and Peace Procession', saying it is the responsibility of the ruling party to protect communal harmony. “To whom they’ll seek an explanation for the violence and place their demands.”
READ: Communal attacks: BNP forms two committees
Abbas said Awami League should step down handing over power to a neutral government instead of taking to the streets, paving the way for holding a credible national election. “We’ll accept whoever will come to power through the election under a non-partisan neutral government.”
Communal attacks part of ‘AL design’ to overcome next election hurdle: BNP
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday night alleged that the recent communal incidents in different areas of the country are part of Awami League’s “evil design” to get over the next election hurdle.
"We think it’s not possible to incite riot and destroy communal harmony without patronage of those in power,” he said.
Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has started adopting various “evil tactics” to prolong its power. “They’re devising the evil designs to overcome the next elections hurdle. These incidents (sectarian violence) are the proofs of such a plan.”
READ: Communal attacks: BNP forms two committees
He made the remarks while exchanging greetings with members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. BNP arranged the programme at its chairperson’s Gulshan office.
The BNP leader said the Hindu community members know those who made the attacks on them, and their worship places do not belong to opposition parties, including BNP.
"We want to make it clear that the BNP always believes in the freedom of all religions and the party has already proved that,” he added.
He critiicised Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader for what he said pointing finger at BNP soon after the communal violence in Cumilla without any investigation.
He said BNP leaders and activists have been implicated in every case filed in connection with the communal violence. “Hundreds of our leaders and activists have been made accused in those cases. Our 90 people have been arrested in Noakhali's Chauhamuni, and cases have been filed against those who can play a role during the election.”
Fakhrul said the main motive behind these cases is to suppress BNP and using the cases as a weapon to weaken BNP ahead of the national election.
Accusing Awami league of doing the politics of deception, he said the ruling party is again trying to indulge in a game in the name of election by spreading the “politics of hatred”.
He urged the Hindu community members to get united to ensure the fall of the current “monstrous regime” to establish a pro-people government. “This country belongs to all. We won’t allow anyone to harm this country.”
READ: Silence of police helped violence escalate: BNP
Around 150 members of the Hindu Community from different parts of the country joined the programme.
Some Hindu community members narrated how they and their worship places were attacked by criminals in Cumilla, Noakhali, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazr and other areas of the country.