Awami-League
Govt to guard against complacency: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister and Awami League joint general secretary Hasan Mahmud on Monday said his party will refrain from enjoying complacency even after being elected by people's vote for five consecutive times, including the fourth consecutive term.
"We will guard the country for the next five years in the same way as we have guarded the ballot boxes and the streets," he said.
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Hasan made the remarks at a party discussion presided over by Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day-2024 at the Dhaka district office of Awami League at Tejgaon in the capital on Monday afternoon.
He said BNP burnt people alive and set trains on fire in their efforts to resist the election, but they could not resist the election.
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"It was a fair and peaceful election. 80 countries of the world, 32 international organizations have congratulated the Prime Minister on her re-election. Seeing this, BNP is expressing their helplessness and distributing leaflets, and wondering what else can be done. Hope they won't go to the path of sabotage like before," Hasan said.
"But we have to be careful. So we are not complacent, we will guard the country for the next five years," he said.
Regarding the ongoing politics, the Foreign Minister said though frogs are small, their voices are loud.
"Some small political parties and abandoned leaders are making loud noises lately. I don't want to take their names, but there are no people with them. Their meetings are are being held with 20 people in front of 100 people on the stage and the rest with the media," he added.
Bangabandhu to remain as source of inspiration always: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said although Bangabandhu is no longer among us but he is always a source of inspiration for the people of the country.
“Bangabandhu's birth means the birth of Bangladesh's independence,” he said.
He expressed his doubt whether Bangladesh would have become independent if a leader like Bangabandhu had not been born.
Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after paying homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32, marking the 104th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation and National Children’s Day-2024.
Calling Bangabandhu the sole beacon of all sorrows of the Bangalees, he said the Father of the Nation will guide the nation to address all disasters and crises.
“Bangabandhu is no more today. We will continue the fight under the leadership of his daughter Sheikh Hasina. Our today's pledge is to continue our journey under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina to build a developed, prosperous and smart Bangladesh,” said the AL leader.
Extortion in transport sector will never stop completely: Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that extortion in transport has been going on for a long time.
"And efforts are underway to bring it under control," he was speaking in a press conference at Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue this morning.
Regarding the prices of essentials, Quader said the government is working sincerely to control the price of goods in the market. "We are working and the result will come one day."
As Ramadan is about to begin, prices of essentials high in Khulna kitchen markets
About BNP, he said that BNP is daydreaming the change of government in a short time.
"There is no alternative to change the government without elections. So, if they (BNP) want to change the government, they have to wait for another election," he said.
Quader said BNP has become isolated. People have no interest in the BNP's movement. People are happy with Sheikh Hasina. Sheikh Hasina's leadership is trusted and the people of this country have accepted her honesty, diligence and leadership, he added.
"There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina as the leader of Bangladesh."
Industries Minister announces special drive to control standard, prices of goods during Ramadan
Whether Dr Muhammad Yunus' sentence will affect the relationship between Bangladesh and the United States, Quader said I don't think it will affect the relations between the two countries.
Among others, Awami League Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, Afzal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan and other central Awami League leaders were present.
Govt investigating whether BNP has connections with syndicates, hoarding: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Thursday (March 14, 2024) said the government is trying to identify those who are involved in market syndicates and investigating whether BNP has any link to the syndicates and hoarders.
The AL leader said this while speaking at an opinion exchange meeting at the Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue.
BNP will get more isolated if it continues movement during Ramadan: Quader
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, expressed worries that such syndicates could attempt to destabilise the government and disrupt the progress of the elected government.
Regarding the surge in commodity prices, the minister said the governmen under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to bring the commodity prices within the reach of common people.
On the issue of commodity price control, Quader referenced his recent visit to Singapore, where he observed a significant rise in commodity prices.
“Efforts are being made to control prices in our country. The government is not inactive here. The Prime Minister is giving time to deal with the crisis. We have no negligence here. The whole world is facing the rise in gas, fuel and commodity prices. This crisis is also going on in the US, Europe, the other developed countries,” he said.
Responding to questions about the recent hijacking of Bangladeshi ship and crew in Somalia, the minister assured that the Foreign Ministry is engaged in securing their release.
He said 23 crew members have insurance coverage, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe return.
Hasan Mahmud says Ganatantra Mancha attacked police to incite chaos
Regarding the negative impact on relation with the US over the conviction of Dr Yunus, the minister said,” Dr Yunus is a person. I want to who he is in the US. He is a citizen of Bangladesh. Bangladesh has its own law and court and law is equal for all.”
BNP will get more isolated if it continues movement during Ramadan: Quader
If BNP continues their movement during the holy month of Ramadan instead of restraining themselves, they will become more isolated from the people, Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Monday.
The minister was speaking at a meeting of the party's secretariat board at the Awami League's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue this afternoon.
At that time, he highlighted the strong position of the government regarding the perpetrators of violence in the Supreme Court bar elections.
Advice to eat plum in Iftar is mockery with people’s religious belief: Abbas
He said that if any crimes and misdeeds are committed under the guard of the government, and if the government does not exempt anyone, then it should be understood that the government has maintained zero tolerance here, he mentioned.
"No one will be spared whether he is Awami League, Jubo League or Chhatra League. No matter how influential the criminal is. Criminals will be treated as criminals."
The Prime Minister is very strict in this regard, he added.
Regarding commodity prices, Obaidul Quader said that the government is very careful and making all-out efforts to keep the prices under control, within the purchasing power of the common people.
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'Even in the context of the global crisis, the price of fuel oil has already been reduced. That did not happen during the BNP rule. They can only increase the price."
Quader said, like last time, there will be no iftar party on behalf of Awami League in Ramdan. Instead, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to distribute Iftar and relief items among the poor and common people on behalf of Awami League, he said.
Quader returns home tomorrow after regular health checkup
Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader will leave Singapore for Dhaka after a routine health check-up at Mount Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday.
A Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying the minister will land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 6pm, said a media release signed by Sheikh Wahlid Fayez, information officer of the ministry.
Quader, also general secretary of Awami League, left Dhaka for Singapore on Sunday (March 3) for going through his health check-up, reads the release.
BNP has become isolated: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said BNP has become isolated from people.The minister said this while talking to reporters before attending a community policing and anti-drug rally at Kurigram Government College ground on Thursday.“On October 28 they went on a rampage. Their leader gives direction from England, but does not think about what will happen to their workers. If they do not realise the mistake, they will be extinct.”“In the 2008 election, they got only 30 seats. In 2014, they started destruction without participating in the election and burned people to death,” he said.Regarding the role of foreigners in the last general election, the home minister said, "Many countries talk a lot, everyone knows how democracy is practiced there. In some developed countries, 20 to 25 percent votes are cast. We have 42 percent of the votes cast. Even if someone says the election was not fair, then we have nothing to say.”The Prime Minister is thinking about maintaining a healthy democratic trend in this country and trying to take the country forward, he added.Kurigram-2 MP Hamidul Haque Khandaker; Soumendra Prasad Pandey of Kurigram-3 and Biplab Hasan Palash of Kurigram-4 were present among others.
Resist BNP-Jamaat for joining hands with Israel: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday urged the people and Islamic parties of the country to resist the BNP and Jamaat accusing them of becoming Israel’s friends instead of uttering a single word in favour of the Palestinians.
“BNP and Jamaat have become friends of Israel. They have joined hands with Israel,” he said while speaking at a protest rally at central Shaheed Minar as the chief guest.
Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organized the rally protesting Israeli killings in Gaza.
In its staunch support to the Palestinian cause Bangladesh says Israel, through its denial of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, has violated peremptory norms of international law.
Hasan Mahmud says Ganatantra Mancha attacked police to incite chaos
These violations include persecution, racial discrimination, and apartheid against Palestinians, as well as the occupation, colonization, and annexation of Palestinian land, according to Bangladesh position.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh will reiterate its firm stance in favour of Palestine through Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha made oral pleading, on behalf of the OIC, at the International Court of Justice where he reviewed the crimes committed by Israel, the occupying authority, against the Palestinian people, in particular, its war in the Gaza Strip.
He also averred that Israel continues to pursue apartheid policy against the Palestinians.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary, said BNP and its acting chairman are facing challenge within the party as they boycotted the last national election following an imposed decision. “There were also efforts to foil the polls.”
Hasan Mahmud says Ganatantra Mancha attacked police to incite chaos
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday accused the Ganatantra Mancha of attacking police forces in an attempt to incite chaos.
“Awami League formed the government after a peaceful election in the country. They (Ganatantra Mancha) tried to create chaos,” he said.
Fakhrul condemns police action on Ganatantra Mancha procession
The Foreign Minister said US President Joe Biden, the President of the European Commission and the Heads of Government of 78 countries of the world congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“This global acknowledgment, along with accolades from 32 international organizations like the United Nations and Commonwealth, has seemingly provoked Ganatantra Mancha to act vindictively,” Mahmud stated during a response to media queries after a Chattogram Samiti, Dhaka event.
PM says no to large Iftar party at govt level
Highlighting the sequence of events, Mahmud said that Ganatantra Mancha supporters exceeded their permitted demonstration area and breached police barricades. “Upon being halted by law enforcement, they not only disobeyed orders but also apprehended a police officer, prompting the police to resort to force to manage the situation,” he explained.
Countering claims by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi of detainment of their party members, Mahmud asserted that, in reality, these individuals are being released daily.
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Additionally, Mahmud commended the newly elected officials of Chattogram Samiti, Dhaka, a 112-year-old community organization. Mohammad Muslim Chowdhury and Engineer Ujjwal Mallick were announced as the new President and General Secretary, respectively, in a ceremony attended by notable figures including former Secretary Muminur Rashid Amin, the Prime Minister's former Principal Secretary Dr. Abdul Karim, and former Information Secretary Didarul Anwar, with the event moderated by Mohammad Sahadat Hossain Hero.
Govt wants foreign friends but won’t let them dominate: Quader
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said the government wants friendship with foreigners, but it will not allow it if anyone wants to dominate the country.
“We want friendship with foreign friends. But we will not tolerate if they want come to the role of master instead of friend,” he said at a press conference at the Awami League president's Dhanmondi office in the capital.
Quader laments for BNP for not joining Jan 7 election
Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said during the recent visit of a US delegation, they talked about taking forward the relations with Bangladesh.
He said, “BNP has nothing to be optimistic about what they said. They didn't say anything about the government’s downfall, their failures, or the action against the government. That's why they are silent now,” he said.
They (BNP) didn't get what they wanted from the United States, said Quader adding, “They wanted to hear that the government would be sanctioned but the US delegation expressed their commitment to advance relations with Bangladesh.”
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Regarding the price hike of commodities, Quader said, “People understand that it is not the government's fault. The hike in commodity prices is not the problem of Bangladesh only. Prices are rising all over the world. Show me one country in the world where prices are normal. But our people still have purchasing power. We hope that there will be enough supply of products in the coming Ramadan.”
“There is definitely an issue of extortion. The Prime Minister herself gave strong statements against this extortion,” he added.