United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said the national election can be held before December as it is possible to make a decision on reforms within a week. “There is ample scope to hold the election before December by reaching a consensus on reforms and signing the national charter on it,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Nurul Haque Nur-led Gono Odhikar Parishad at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. “Everyone is saying that reforms will be carried out based on consensus. All parties have submitted their reform proposals. So, there is no reason for it to take more than a week to identify where consensus exists on the reforms,” Khosru said. The BNP leader said it is now crucial to fix the election date after signing a national charter of reforms agreed upon by all political parties. “I personally believe it should not take until December to arrange the election. Based on an agreement on reforms, we can sign the national charter, and the election can then be held before December. There is no question of going beyond December—it is fully possible to hold it earlier,” he said. BNP, left-leaning leaders hold talks on election, political situation Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, said the Consensus Commission should prioritise the reforms on which political consensus is reached. “As for the remaining reforms, political parties will seek a public mandate and pass them through parliament.” He said BNP does not see any crisis over the reforms. “But if anyone pretends not to understand something that is clearly understandable, then no solution will be possible.” Earlier, speaking to reporters, Nur said they want two student leaders-turned-advisers, Asif Mahmud and Mahfuj Alam, to resign from the interim government for the sake of its neutrality. He also demanded that the government hold the election by December, carrying out the necessary reforms based on a political consensus. Stating that various conspiracies are underway to put the nation at risk, Nur said Bangladesh is not safe as long as it remains under an unelected and undemocratic government. He said although the student leaders who led the July-August mass uprising have formed a political party, two of their representatives are still serving in the interim government. “They themselves should resign to uphold the neutrality of the government.” Nur said they discussed with BNP that his party would announce action programmes if the two advisers do not step down or if Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus fails to take any steps in this regard.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday alleged that the interim government echoes the rhetoric of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina when they talk about elections and reforms. Speaking at an Iftar gathering organised in honour of journalists at a club in Chattogram city, he demanded the restoration of voting rights and the announcement of an election date without delay. “The only way to ensure the people’s freedom is through a fair election, but under the guise of reforms, the process is being prolonged,” Khosru said. Govt creating confusion over national election, alleges Rizvi He said that previous authoritarian governments deprived people of fair elections by promoting the narratives of development and the current government is following the same path. Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Convener Ershad Ullah, former Member Secretary Abul Hashem Bakkar, and senior journalists Jahidul Karim Kochi, Moazzemul Haque, Jasim Chowdhury Sabuj, Saleh Noman, Riaz Haider Chowdhury, and Saiful Islam Shilpi, among many others, attended the event.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the interim government should proceed with the national election in a manner that leaves no room for doubts about its impartiality. “This interim government should move towards the next election impartially, and no question should arise in anyone's mind about its impartiality. If any question arises, it will be a betrayal of those who shed blood, gave their lives and made immense sacrifices during the 15-year movement,” he said at a discussion on Sunday. National People’s Party (NPP) organised the programme titled “The role of martyred President Ziaur Rahman in establishing a democracy and an independent and sovereign state” at the Jatiya Press Club on Sunday.  Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said they all supported the current government as there was a need for a neutral administration until an election is held following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime. “We didn’t take part in this government. BNP and other political parties have all decided together that no political party should play a role in this government, as its character is neutral,” he said. The BNP leader said political parties must come to power with a mandate from the people through a credible and neutral election. He said the interim government must restore people’s ownership of the country, their voting rights and bring back democratic order through a neutral election. Khosru said people's will would be reflected in the future of Bangladesh through the restoration of democratic order and an elected government accountable to people. “The democratic process is a way of correction and filtration. The mistakes of the past will be corrected and filtered through this process. There is no other way but this,” he said. The BNP leader warned that if any party or quarter attempts to choose a different path, excluding the people, the people of Bangladesh will not accept it, and BNP will not accept it either. “If anyone tries to do that, they will make a mistake. Those who attempted it in the past could not survive because the people rejected them,” he said. The BNP leader said their party Chairperson Khaleda Zia proposed reform proposals, including limiting the tenure of any individual as Prime Minister to two terms, introducing a bicameral parliament, and ensuring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister, through placing Vision-2030 six years ago. He said BNP, in consultation with other parties that waged a simultaneous movement, also presented a 31-point proposal for reforms. Khosru said the 31-point proposal will be implemented by forming a national government if BNP wins the next national election. He said the reform proposals must be passed in parliament by winning the election with the mandate of the people. “If any party or quarter thinks they have any reform proposal, they need to go to the people to obtain their mandate.” The BNP leader said there is no scope for some wise people to decide what the future of Bangladesh will be, as only the people can do it. “There’s no scope for anyone to be wiser than the people, who are the owners of Bangladesh.” He, however, said it should not take more than one month to complete the reform proposals on which there is national consensus. “On issues where there is no consensus, we have to go to the people to get their mandate, no matter whether it is the proposal of the BNP or anyone else. No one has the right to reform without the mandate of the people,” the BNP leader said. Khosru, a former commerce minister, said the current government should formulate an interim budget. “It’s a wrong step to implement the budget placed by the fascist and corrupt regime. Rather, the government can cut much expenditure by suspending that budget as it’s more important to alleviate public suffering than that budget.” He said a democratic government is now crucial in Bangladesh, one that will be elected by the people and remain accountable to them, upholding the democratic process. “That’s why the government should move towards an election as early as possible to restore the people’s ownership of the country.” Those discovering 'Ziaism' have bad intentions: Amir Khosru Khosru said the 31-point proposal will be implemented by forming a national government if BNP wins the next national election. He said the reform proposals must be passed in parliament by winning the election with the mandate of the people. “If any party or quarter thinks they have any reform proposal, they need to go to the people to obtain their mandate.” The BNP leader said there is no scope for some wise people to decide what the future of Bangladesh will be, as only the people can do it. “There’s no scope for anyone to be wiser than the people, who are the owners of Bangladesh.” He, however, said it should not take more than one month to complete the reform proposals on which there is national consensus. “On issues where there is no consensus, we have to go to the people to get their mandate, no matter whether it is the proposal of the BNP or anyone else. No one has the right to reform without the mandate of the people,” the BNP leader said. Khosru, a former commerce minister, said the current government should formulate an interim budget. “It’s a wrong step to implement the budget placed by the fascist and corrupt regime. Rather, the government can cut much expenditure by suspending that budget as it’s more important to alleviate public suffering than that budget.” He said a democratic government is now crucial in Bangladesh, one that will be elected by the people and remain accountable to them, upholding the democratic process. “That’s why the government should move towards an election as early as possible to restore the people’s ownership of the country.” No scope for reforms without democratic process: Khosru  

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said those who want to discover ‘Ziaism’ (Ziabad in Bangla) do not have good intentions. Speaking at a discussion on Saturday, he warned that if the interim government has any plans beyond democratic means to achieve its objectives, the consequences will not be good, and BNP’s support for it may not be sustained. Zia Parishad arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, titled “Shaheed Zia's Contributions to the Great Liberation War and the Building of Modern Bangladesh”, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and martyr President Ziaur Rahman. “We have never heard of the coinage ‘Ziaism’…those who oppose the BNP have discovered the term. I would like to clearly say that those who want to discover Ziaism do not have good intentions,” the BNP leader said. Rizvi compares call for reforms before elections to AL putting development before democracy He said BNP neither glorified Ziaur Rahman as a great human being, nor placed his statues on the streets, nor hung his posters in prominent places, despite being in power thrice. The BNP leader said they kept Ziaur Rahman within the framework of party politics, discussing his activities and ideals. Khosru also claimed that even when BNP was in power three times at the state level, they never exploited Ziaur Rahman’s name and reputation for political gains. He said there are few leaders in the world who can be compared to Ziaur Rahman in terms of contributions to the Liberation War, nation-building, and state reform. “BNP was born for reforms. BNP has been reforming the state since its inception. BNP has implemented 90 percent of the reforms that have taken place in Bangladesh,” Khosru said. Six years ago, he said, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia presented Vision-2030, outlining various reforms, including limiting the tenure of any individual as Prime Minister to two terms, introducing a bicameral parliament, and ensuring a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. BNP leader Altaf calls for institutional restructuring to ensure fair elections “We developed these reform proposals with the post-Hasina era in mind. Yet, those who are now talking about reforms are essentially lecturing us with our own words,” the BNP leader observed. He said the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, was established with the support of the entire nation and all political parties. The BNP leader said they would continue to support the current government as it will ensure the peaceful transition of power to the next elected government. “This is the only purpose we’re all supporting and cooperating with this interim government. There is no other agenda beyond this.” He said those who run the government should keep this in mind before making any decisions or statements, as it would help prevent any problems from arising. The BNP leader, however, said, “If there is any plan to achieve anything beyond democracy regarding the restoration of the people’s ownership of Bangladesh and the transfer of power through elections, that probably will not be good. We’ll continue our support for bringing back democracy. But, if you want to do anything beyond that, the support is not going to last long.” The BNP Standing Committee member said a strong national unity is needed if Bangladesh is to emerge from the crisis it is currently facing. “We have to pull the nation out of the ditch it has fallen into with united efforts, upholding our unity.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that reforms are not a new concept for BNP and the party does not require lessons on reforms. Speaking as the chief guest at a divisional dialogue titled "Political Commitment to Economic Recovery" in Jashore on Tuesday, Khosru emphasised that reforms must be based on the public mandate, otherwise people will not accept it. "Reforms may seem new to some, but not for the BNP. We do not need lessons on reforms. Over 90 per cent of Bangladesh's progress has been achieved under BNP’s leadership," he said. Election after minimum reforms, not seeking it now: Fakhrul Khosru criticised the previous government’s budget, describing it as “corrupt” and unnecessary in the current economic context. He alleged that the proposed budget is inflated with undue allocations and should be withdrawn to alleviate public suffering. “We have asked the interim government to repeal these excessive taxes and the budget presented by the previous autocratic government. A budget of Tk 10,000 crore has been inflated to Tk 30,000 crore, while Tk 1,000 crore has ballooned to Tk 3,000 crore. Such expenditures are unwarranted under the current circumstances,” he said. Khosru urged the authorities to suspend the existing budget and introduce an interim one that is people-centric. “Why has an interim budget not been proposed yet, even after five months? The current situation demands a budget that prioritises the welfare of the people,” he said. The dialogue, organised at a local hotel, was presided over by Mizanur Rahman Khan, president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce. Prominent figures, including former MP and industrialist Salimul Haq Kamal, former BGMEA vice president Mahmudul Hasan Babul and Shamsur Rahman, president of the Benapole C&F Association, also spoke at the event. Business representatives from 10 districts of the Khulna division attended the dialogue.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said reforms in the country must be carried out in Parliament with people’s mandate through a democratic process. “There is no point in telling us about reforms. Reforms must be implemented through the democratic process with people’s mandate in Parliament,” he said told a discussion. The Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) organised a programme titled "Martyr President Ziaur Rahman and Today's Bangladesh" at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said if any changes are to be made through reforms in the future, they will be achieved through correction and filtration within the democratic process. CPD emerged as a vital platform for public interest beyond political boundaries, Amir Khosru says “Reforms will continue as it is a democratic process.  Reforms belong to the people of Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader also said the party will form a national government with people’s mandate in the near future and fully implement its 31-point reform proposal in Parliament. Speaking at the programme, another BNP standing committee member, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, said the BNP carried out reforms at different times in line with the hopes and expectations of the people. Amir Khosru optimistic about fair elections under new EC He said BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman initiated the state reforms from the very first day in office to restore order and ensure the country's economic progress. “All the good things and reforms in Bangladesh have come through the hands of BNP. No matter how much others talk about reforms, we must learn from BNP how to reform the country,” the BNP leader said. Dr Zahid called upon BNP leaders and activists to garner more public support for the implementation of the party’s 31-point reform proposal.

A BNP delegation led by its standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury met the diplomats of three Nordic countries –-Sweden, Denmark and Norway-- here on Sunday. The meeting was held at the residence of Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks in the city’s Gulshan area in the morning.  Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Hakon Arald Gulbrandsen and Deputy Head of Danish Embassy Anders B. Karlsen were present in the meeting. Two other members of the BNP delegation are Shama Obed and Barrister Kayser Kamal. BNP seeks election roadmap, new EC based on political consensus Talking to reporters after the meeting, Shama Obed said it was a breakfast meeting. “They invited us. They actually wanted to know the situation in Bangladesh following the August 05 student-people revolution,” she said. The meeting discussed what BNP thinks regarding the future of Bangladesh and how it can make a recovery from the current destroyed economic situation, said Shama Obed. 15 injured in BNP factional clash in Khulna; 4 expelled  

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday (June 4, 2023) said the country’s people, not the Prime Minister, will decide whether they will go to the USA or not. “It is her (PM’s) personal matter whether she will go to any particular country or not. It’s also a matter of their decision whether the 17 crore people of Bangladesh will go to that country or not,” he said. Talking to reporters after a meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Khosru also said the people of Bangladesh will decide whether they will go to the USA for their personal, business, professional, family and educational purposes. “The Prime Minister can’t take a decision in this regard,” Khosru, also the chairman of BNP’s foreign affairs committee, observed. Also read: Japan wants to understand what’s happening in Bangladesh and where it’s headed, BNP says as ambassador meets Fakhrul Earlier on Saturday (June 3, 2023), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said it does not matter at all if someone does not go to the USA crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a 20-hour- plane journey. “There are other oceans and other continents in the world and we’ll make friends with those continents crossing the other oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant,” she added. The PM also said Bangladesh will run on its own feet and the government will build the country. “We will not be dependent on others, who will not give us visas, who will impose sanctions on us.” Meanwhile, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the Prime Minister is not worried about the US sanctions or visa restrictions but a neutral election. Read more: BNP’s complaints to foreign countries didn’t yield any results: Quader “The Prime Minister becomes ill and suffers from headache when any country talks about fair elections under a neutral caretaker government,” he said. Speaking at a food distribution programme arranged by Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal’s Dhaka south city unit on the ground floor of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office marking party founder’s 42nd death anniversary, Rizvi said the Prime Minister said it matters little if anyone does not go to the USA. “Then why don't you keep your son in the country? Why do your sons and daughters live abroad? Why did you keep your son in the United States instead of any other friendly country of yours?” he questioned. He said Sheikh Hasina will not take any steps for holding a fair election and establishing a caretaker government as she considers the country’s people as her enemies. Read more: Govt to blame for US’s disrespectful visa policy: Fakhrul “If an impartial caretaker government is established, the people of the country will be able to vote freely and fairly. She knows people won’t ‘vote for her party. So, doesn’t want a neutral caretaker government to come,” the BNP leader said.

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said their party’s 27 points for the state reform are 'parts of the ongoing movement’  to unseat the Awami League government. “I have been saying repeatedly that these 27 points are parts of the ongoing movement. It's not different,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said the philosophy behind the 27 points is to make the people understand what Bangladesh will look like in the future and also for encouraging them to involve with the current movement. About the significance of the 27 points, he said it will not be possible to run the country in the future without implementation of these points. “The country will be destroyed if we can’t reform it. So, we must implement these 27 points for the sake of the country,” the BNP leader observed. Dhaka north city unit of Doctors Association of Bangladesh (DAB) and BNP Media Cell jointly organised the discussion titled “Explanation and Analysis of the State Structure Repair Framework” at the Jatiya Press Club. Khosru, a BNP standing committee member, said many people are asking as to why BNP has been discussing the 27 points when the party has been on a movement to oust the government. Through the discussions on the 27 points, he said they are trying to give people an idea about what they will gain when the current “fascist, corrupt and usurper” regime is removed from power. The BNP leader called upon the people who are still confused about the movement and its positive outcome to take to the streets reviewing the 27 points. On December 19, BNP unveiled a 27-point outline of ‘Structural Reform of the State’ — proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature. The outline of the ‘Structural Reform of the State’ has been prepared in line with the late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman's 19 points and BNP's 'Vision-2030'. About Awami League’s “Smart Bangladesh” slogan, Khosru said smartness has both positive and negative meanings. He said the ruling party’s smartness means how to steal professionally, loot banks, stock market and rig votes sometimes during the day and sometimes at night smartly. "AL’s smartness also means to use the country’s people like subjects to plunder lakhs of crores of taka through mega projects. You must have the smartness to siphon off 10 lakh crores of taka abroad.  We’re not talking about that smart Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. He said their party is focusing on the 27 points to bring Bangladesh out of the deep hole in which it is.  “If you can get it out of that hole and put it on the tack, then you can run the country." The BNP leader accused the ruling party of doing and promoting politics of corruption by establishing their control on the state institutions. He said Awami League has created a group—comprising businessmen, corrupt politicians and government officials—to stay in power using money and muscle. “They all created the regime together.  I do not call it the government since it’s not elected by the people.” Khosru said this regime has created its own 'Awami model' of economy in the name of  free market economy, “That is the economy of plundering. So, the country should be brought back on track through the implementation of the 27 points.”

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.