BNP
Ailing BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf to be taken to Singapore again Sunday
BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain will be taken to Singapore again on Sunday for advanced treatment as his condition deteriorated.
“My father has suffered a brain haemorrhage. His physical condition is not good,” his younger son Barrister Khandaker Maruf Hossain told UNB on Saturday.
He said the BNP leader is being taken to the National University Hospital in Singapore tomorrow (Sunday) on the advice of the doctors of Evercare Hospital.
Jatiya Party a victim of conspiracies for a long time: GM Quader
“We have completed all preparations to take him to Singapore on a Singapore Airlines flight at 11:30 pm on Sunday,” Maruf said.
He urged the country’s people, including the leaders and activists of BNP, to pray for early recovery of his ailing father.
Mosharraf Hossain is now undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital under the supervision of neuro specialist Dr Prof Khandaker Mahbubur Rahman.
Opposition will not leave streets until democracy is restored: BNP
Mosharraf, the 76-year-old former health minister, was admitted to Evercare Hospital in the capital on June 18 last year after suffering a stroke. He received treatment there for eight days.
On the advice of Evercare Hospital doctors, the BNP leader went to Singapore National Hospital for treatment on June 27 for better treatment.
He was diagnosed with a brain tumour while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
Considering his age, doctors gave him upfront radiotherapy to manage the adverse impacts of the tumour, instead of conducting a surgery.
Govt considering framework to hold those spreading disinformation accountable: Info State Minister
He returned home from Singapore on September 5 after receiving treatment for two months and 10 days.
As he fell ill again, he was admitted to Evercare Hospital on December 5.
Opposition will not leave streets until democracy is restored: BNP
BNP’s senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Saturday unequivocally said that the opposition parties who have been on a movement will not leave the streets until democracy is restored.
"We would like to say clearly that no other system except democracy will ever work in Bangladesh,” he said .
Speaking at a mass signature collection programme arranged by Nagorik Oikya in the capital, the BNP leader also said that the current Awami League government is ruling the country by the power of guns after usurping the state power.
Govt considering framework to hold those spreading disinformation accountable: Info State Minister
“It’s not only us who are saying this now, look at media around the world and look at the statements issued by different countries about the farcical election held on January 7. They echoed what we, the democratic opposition parties, have been saying for last few years about the farcical elections,” he observed.
Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said that it is established at home and abroad that democracy is now dead in Bangladesh.
He said their party’s only goal is to bring democracy back to Bangladesh. “Inshallah, our movement for democracy will continue...we won’t leave the streets until we can restore democracy and the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.”
The BNP leader expressed hope that every people of the country will join Nagorik Oikya’s mass signature programme against the farcical elections. He also urged the people to reject the current regime.
Ziaur Rahman’s 88th birth anniversary observed
Nagorik Oikya launched the mass signature collection programme in favour of democracy and to disapprove the January-7 national election in front of the Jatiya Press Club.
The organisers said the signatures of the people of all walks of life will be collected in various places of Dhaka city and in districts and upazilas, and internationally through online as part of the party’s move to turn down the 12th parliamentary election and to justify the opposition parties’ demand for the restoration of democracy through a fresh election under a neutral government.
Nagrik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said Awami League arranged a lopsided farcical election on January 7 as it is not capable of contesting a fair and inclusive election.
“That is why we have arranged this signature collection programme. We will try to reach not only 10 crore voters in Bangladesh, but also 17 -18 crore people of the country. Our programme—mass signature for democracy—will continue both offline and online,” he said.
TIB report on Jan 7 election mirrors public opinion: BNP leader Nazrul
Manna said they will also organise cultural programmes across the country in favour of democracy and to condemn the government formed by deceiving the country’s people.
Alongside the mass signature programme, he said their party together with other opposition parties will continue democratic programmes simultaneously on the streets.
“There is no reason for anyone to think that we left the streets as were collecting signatures,” he said.
"We are collecting signatures to strengthen the street movement. We are trying to build such a struggle that will force the usurper to bow down,” Manna said.
BNP will continue street protests to restore democracy: Moyeen Khan
BNP Senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Thursday reaffirmed that their party will continue street agitation to restore democracy and people’s right to vote.
“Our struggle is to restore democracy. Democracy refers to a peaceful systematic social system. That is why in principle the struggle to restore that democracy must be peaceful and systematic,” he said.
Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said they will carry out the systematic and peaceful movement together with the unarmed people to face the government's guns and bullets on the streets.
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“We’ll thus defeat this regime. We take this vow on this day. We’ll bring democracy back to Bangladesh, and we will establish a people's government in this country,” he said.
Starting that people are the strength of BNP, Dr Moyeen said their party will oust the current illegal Baksal-II government with that power, braving the powet of guns, the power of bullets, the power of tear gas and the power of water cannons or whatever power this regime has.
Zia’s 88th birth anniversary Friday
BNP arranged the discussion programme at the institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 88th birth anniversary of party founder Ziaur Rahman.
Dr Moyeen, a BNP standing committee member, said their party does not do the politics of logi-baitha (sticks-oars). “Civilised people do the politics of BNP. This is the difference between Awami League and BNP.”
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Claiming that there is no democracy in Bangladesh, he said it may take long-time to get the ultimate success, but they will not budge from their street movement for the restoration of democracy and people’s voting and other rights.
Dr Moyeen urged the BNP leaders and workers to move ahead with the movement being imbued with ideal of Ziaur Rahman.
Zia’s 88th birth anniversary Friday
BNP will celebrate the 88th birth anniversary of its founder Ziaur Rahman on Friday with due respect.
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman, founded BNP in 1978 and became the country’s seventh president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
BNP leader Khasru secures bail in 4 more cases
BNP on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to mark the birth anniversary of its founder.
As part of the programmes, the party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on Friday morning.
Besides, the party leaders and activists, led by its standing committee members, will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am on Friday.
TIB ‘giving weapon’ to anti-democratic forces with its report: Hasan Mahmud
Meanwhile, BNP arranged a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon in memory of Zia.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
'BNP agent’: Quader calls TIB
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia.
He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the country’s development and restoration of ‘multiparty democracy’.
The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.
'BNP agent’: Quader calls TIB
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (January 18, 2024) said that the report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) is “one-sided and anti-government.”
“They (TIB) are agents of BNP,” he said at a press briefing at the Awami League president’s office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi this afternoon.
“TIB speaks in the tune of BNP. History says that they were always against Awami League. They speak for BNP. We could not find impartiality of their research,” said the AL leader.
“There are some organisations that talk about accidents. If a hundred die, they say five hundred died. TIB is like them. TIB and CPD said Padma Bridge is impossible. Filing a case doesn’t solve everything. Some are said for public perception. They will be dealt with politically,” he said.
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TIB in its report on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary election was “not free and not inclusive.”
Quader acknowledged the existence of political tactics and conflicts within parties, asserting, “Conflicts are inherent in politics, and Awami League navigates through them under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. The party remains united in addressing challenges wherever they arise.”
Addressing upcoming local government elections, Quader said, “Decisions regarding local government elections, including upazilas, and the use of party symbols will be finalized in the Awami League board meeting.”
When asked who would be the opposition party in the parliament, Quader responded, “Clarity on the opposition party will emerge once the session commences.”
Regarding commodity prices, Quader noted, “Sheikh Hasina has provided instructions on commodity prices. Ministries are formulating action plans based on the ground reality, including price control measures.”
Read more: Even if action can’t be taken now, strong measures will be taken after election: Quader on those whose wealth saw abnormal increase
The press briefing was attended by AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, SM Kamal Hossain, Sujit Roy Nandi, among other leaders.
Election train reaches its destination: Quader
The train for the 12th parliamentary election has already reached its destination, so the BNP will have to wait for another five years for the next train, said Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader.
He was speaking at a joint meeting organised with central leaders and top leaders of the AL's Dhaka city units and its affiliated bodies at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital on Wednesday.
He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has introduced the process of holding free and fair elections in the country.
Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out 2-day programme
"In this election, we saw that the candidature of a ruling party candidate was cancelled and some candidates were issued show-cause notices for breaching the electoral code of conduct. Sheikh Hasina has established a new example through this election. It is possible to hold fair elections in this country only under Sheikh Hasina," he said.
Quader, also the road, transport and bridges minister, said that many countries have congratulated the newly elected government except a party of Bangladesh.
Even the US Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Haas congratulated the new government, he said.
How new MPs took oath when tenure of outgoing parliament not yet expired, questions BNP’s Farooque
BNP did not join the elections sensing its defeat and those who boycotted the polls are saying different things, he added.
The election was a competitive one where many independent candidates were elected, while the AL had to take a new strategy as the opposition party boycotted it, he said.
The election was held following the constitution and it was peaceful except for a couple of isolated incidents, Quader said.
The AL general secretary said that the country's people have no involvement with the BNP and that is why it has been turned into a party of frustrated ones.
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AL presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Qamrul Islam, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, joint general secretaries Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Dr Dipu Moni, and organizing secretaries BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, Afzal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, among others, were present at that time.
Zia's birth anniversary: BNP chalks out 2-day programme
BNP on Wednesday announced a two-day programme to observe the 88th birth anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office.
How new MPs took oath when tenure of outgoing parliament not yet expired, questions BNP’s Farooque
As part of the programmes, Rizvi said their party flags will be hoisted atop its offices, including Nayapaltan headquarters, on the morning of January 19.
Besides, the party leaders and activists will place wreaths at Zia's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 11am on Friday.
BNP-Jamaat’s evil designs will go in vain: Hasan Mahmud
The party will arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon on Thursday in memory of Zia.
BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes.
The party’s city, district and upazila units will also observe the day with different programmes.
'Low turnout indicates the pulse of the people': Rizvi
Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura, Ziaur Rahman founded the party in 1978 and became the country's seventh president.
Zia was assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
How new MPs took oath when tenure of outgoing parliament not yet expired, questions BNP’s Farooque
BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abdin Farooque on Wednesday questioned the legitimacy of having 600 members of Parliament in the 300 seats of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS).
Speaking at a human chain programme, he also said the country’s people will oust the Awami League regime through a strong movement.
“There’re 600 MPs in now Bangladesh. The MPs of the (11th) parliament will in place until January 29. How is that possible?,” Farroque said.
BNP-Jamaat’s evil designs will go in vain: Hasan Mahmud
He said how the new MPs took oath when the tenure of the outgoing parliament is not yet expired. “Which law is written in the constitution that can allow them (new MPs) to be sworn in.”
The BNP leader said the Awami League government does not obey the constitution though it talks about the constitution to hold the election under a partisan administration.
“I would like to tell you (govt) do not insult the people of Bangladesh by talking about the constitution. Please, follow the constitution, step down and restore democracy,” he said.
'Low turnout indicates the pulse of the people': Rizvi
Gonotantra Forum arranged the human chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club to demand the unconditional release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and other jailed leaders and activists of the party.
Farroque, also the Opposition Chief Whip in the 9th Parliament, said the election that was held on January 7 was not an election as people boycotted it.
“The voters did not go to the polling stations.. It has been widely presented by the media in the country and abroad. It's a shame,” he observed.
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The BNP leader alleged that the government has been trying to subdue the opposition leaders and workers by resorting to repressive acts.
He said their party is committed to restore democracy and people’s all rights, including the right to vote by carrying out a movement on the streets.
“You (govt) will gain nothing by filing cases against our leaders and workers and jailing and repressing them. This regime can’t stay in power by holding such a fake and staged election, no matter how many tricks they resort to. People must unseat them through the movement,” he said.
The Jan 7 election ensured democracy and people's right to vote: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the absolute win of Awami League in the January 7 election was the victory of Bangladesh, its people, and continuation of democracy and development.
The prime minister was addressing several hundred expatriate Awami League leaders from across the globe gathered at her official residence Ganabhaban to congratulate her on her party's fourth consecutive win in the parliamentary election
Hasina, who is also the chief of ruling Awami League, said that her government has been able to ensure people's right to vote in this month's election.
“We have ensured the constitutional right of the people,” she said.
She also said that the election was highly competitive as Awami League has opened the contest to all.
Read: Don’t allow the ‘looters’ to come to power: PM Hasina tells Bangladeshi expatriates in South Africa
“We have given our electoral symbol boat to our candidates and asked others from the party to participate in the election whoever were interested,” she said.
Talking about BNP which did not participate in the election, she questioned how will they come to the election.
“In 2008 election BNP with their 20 party alliance got 30 seats only while AL alone bagged 233 seats,” she added. That election was held under a neutral caretaker government.
In this connection, she mentioned that many people thought in 2008 that BNP is equal to Awami League considering the organisational strength.
“But it was proved wrong in 2008 election,” she said.
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After that, she said, BNP never wanted election. They insread unleashed arson attacks killing people and set fire to trains to foil the elections.
“The more they (BNP) unleash the arson attack the more people will reject them. They know that they were rejected by the people,” she said.
The prime minister said that's why BNP does not want to participate in the election.
“Rather they wanted to spoil the election and looked to the illegal way to be in the power,” she said.
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No dialogue with those who burn people to death: Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today (January 15, 2024) firmly dismissed the possibility of engaging in discussions with those who instigate violence and anarchy in the nation.
"Dialogue is pointless with individuals who burn people alive and incite anarchy, rather than practicing legitimate politics," he declared to the press.
This strong statement came in response to inquiries about the Awami League's strategy to address challenges from the opposition party, BNP, in the upcoming days.
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Dr. Mahmud, who also serves as the Awami League's joint secretary, emphasized the importance of this issue during a scheduled meeting of the Awami League central working committee, which will be attended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In a broader context of regional cooperation, Dr. Mahmud met with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Pranay Verma. They discussed mutual support, particularly India's consistent backing of Bangladesh in maintaining a democratic trajectory.
“During the elections of 2014 and 2018, despite external attempts to stir controversy, India's support for our democratic process was unwavering,” Dr. Mahmud remarked.
Read: Indian, Sri Lankan FMs greet Hasan Mahmud; eye deepening ties with Bangladesh
Looking ahead, the Foreign Minister revealed plans for his first bilateral visit to India, accepting an invitation from his Indian counterpart, Dr. S Jaishankar. The visit aims to further strengthen diplomatic ties, with the exact date to be decided later. Additionally, Dr. Mahmud is set to embark on a multilateral tour to Uganda.
The meeting with the Indian High Commissioner marks Dr. Mahmud's first diplomatic engagement since assuming the office of Foreign Minister, highlighting his proactive approach in foreign affairs and regional cooperation.