[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/bnp-wants-reinstate-caretaker-govt-system-3693156

BNP wants to reinstate caretaker govt system
Says Tarique

File photo of Tarique Rahman

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said their party is willing to bring back the caretaker government system for elections to ensure the restoration of the people's voting rights.

"We want to reinstate the caretaker government system in the constitution to restore the people's right to vote," he said while exchanging views with BNP grassroots leaders and activists of Khulna division.

Stating that Bangladesh belongs to its citizens, the BNP leader said it is the people's justified democratic right to elect their representatives through the independent exercise of their voting rights.

He said the BNP introduced the caretaker government system in the constitution in 1996, replacing a partisan government, to safeguard the people's right to vote and ensure free and fair elections in the country.

"But in order to hang onto power, autocratic [Sheikh] Hasina removed it from the constitution and deprived the people of voting rights in three national elections," Tarique mentioned.

The BNP leader outlined the main objectives of their party's politics as ensuring security of the people, upholding freedom of speech, protecting the right to do business and trade peacefully, providing employment for youth, safeguarding the dignity and security of women, guaranteeing equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion, caste, or creed, whether they live on plains or hills, and establishing the rule of law throughout the country.

Tarique said the BNP's priorities also include ensuring a balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches, providing universal healthcare facilities, ensuring fair prices for agricultural products, and, above all, protecting the country's independence and sovereignty.

The BNP leader warned that their party will not tolerate any imprudent actions by a few wayward individuals within the party, regardless of who they are.

Tarique asked his party leaders to identify and resist those who dent the image of the party by not only expelling them from the party but also taking legal action against them.​

 

[Saif]

Shift focus to elections from other issues

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called upon the interim government to shift its focus to holding a participatory and credible national election from any other issue.

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Shift focus to elections from other issues
Fakhrul urges govt

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called upon the interim government to shift its focus to holding a participatory and credible national election from any other issue.

Speaking at a discussion, he also urged Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to remain alert so that people's affection and respect for him are not diminished.

"We need to give the government time and hope they will use it wisely. Focus on the election without paying attention to other issues," the BNP leader said addressing the government.

Fakhrul sees no alternative to holding a fair, neutral, inclusive and acceptable election to ensure the country's survival and progress because establishing a democratic state is the "greatest" challenge facing the people.

He expressed hope that the government would arrange for the election within a reasonable timeframe, allowing the people to establish their parliament through their votes. "This is what the people want," he said.

The National People's Party organised the programme at Dhaka Reporters' Unity to mark its 17th founding anniversary.

Fakhrul said the interim government formed a search committee to constitute the Election Commission. "Although we do not think this is a major issue, as we hope the committee will fulfil its responsibilities properly, we expected that they (government) would consult political parties before forming it," he said.

The BNP leader hoped that the new commission would arrange the election promptly.

Since the recently resigned Election Commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, arranged the election in three months, the new commission should be able to do the same, he said. "It is certainly possible if there is the will to make it happen."

Fakhrul said his party believed this government had no political agenda, as Prof Yunus had clearly indicated that he had no political ambitions.

"I want to say to Dr Muhammad Yunus that you are highly respected worldwide, and the people of Bangladesh deeply love and respect you. They want that to continue. My request is that you stay vigilant to ensure your position is not undermined," he said.

Fakhrul said the nation is facing a critical time, pointing out that the struggle for democracy continues amid various plots.

He warned that the state would be in great danger if any imprudent actions were taken or mistakes were made out of mere emotion, as many efforts are being made to threaten the nation's existence. "We must remember these words."

He observed that everyone must remain vigilant, as "the fascists are still active". "Merely changing an individual cannot alter the entire structure of fascism."

He said the youth brought change to the country through a bloody struggle and immense sacrifices. "It's also their responsibility to maintain it … we have to resolve many problems we have."

Stating that the interim government is non-political, the BNP leader said it had come forward to help the nation. "But politicians have to resolve the problems, and no problem can be solved without politicians."

Fakhrul thanked the government for forming several commissions for state reforms. "We hope the government will take the reports from the reform commissions, present them to the people, and take it forward. I want to make one thing clear: all reforms must be ratified by the people and accepted by them."

He warned that reforms would never be sustainable without people's participation. He emphasised that success cannot be achieved by imposing reforms from above. "Ayub Khan tried, Ershad tried, but it was not possible. Nothing can be done that conflicts with our country and the culture of the people."​

 

[Saif]

BNP believes govt has no political agenda

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday expressed confidence in the interim government and said that the party believed that the present government had no political agenda...

www.newagebd.net

BNP believes govt has no political agenda
Staff Correspondent 30 October, 2024, 23:42

New Age photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Wednesday expressed confidence in the interim government and said that the party believed that the present government had no political agenda.

‘The party hopes that the government will organise an election as soon as possible,’ BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said while addressing a discussion on the occasion of the 17th founding anniversary of the National People’s Party.

The NPP organised the discussion at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unit in Dhaka.

‘We will say, people love Dr Muhammad Yunus. They (people) will respect you in future also,’ he said and requested Yunust to remain careful so that the honour people gave him cannot be ruined.

He called Awami League a terrorist party and said, ‘Today I express relief in celebrating the founding anniversary of the NPP. There was fear while holding meetings earlier [under the rule of Awami League]. Awami League is a terrorist party.’

A democratic movement against fascists cannot be won with bare hands, he said, and added that the students and the people had proved that ‘it is possible if the crowd is properly engaged’.

Referring to AL’s repeated destruction of democracy, Fakhrul said, ‘What we need most at this moment is to establish a democratic state, which we dreamed of in 1971. The Awami League then came to power but did not form a democratic state.’

He said that the AL destroyed the country through killings, looting and corruption.

Expressing his hope that the current government will hold elections soon, Fakhrul said, ‘We have created an interim government through the student-people uprising. There is nothing to blame someone else. We hope that the government will organise elections within a very short or reasonable time. This is what we expect and what the people want.’

‘I am noticing the restlessness of our leaders. Give a good election, the people will be happy. If we want to survive as a state, we must organise fair elections with the participation of all. So many lives have been lost in the movement for a fair election,’ he said.

About the search committee to form the Election Commission, Fakhrul said, ‘We hoped that the government would hold discussions with the political parties before forming a search committee. But they didn’t do that. So, we do not consider it to be a big problem. We want the formation of the Election Commission quickly and it will organise the elections quickly.’

Chaired by NPP chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami assistant secretary general Abdul Halim, Labour Party chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, and Nationalist Democratic Party – Jagpa chairman Khandakar Lutfur Rahman.​

 

[Saif]

Only elected govt can make proper changes

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said their party wants the election to be held quickly as only an elected government can make visible changes to the country.

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Only elected govt can make proper changes​

Says Fakhrul asking for polls at the soonest

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said their party wants the election to be held quickly as only an elected government can make visible changes to the country.

Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said conspirators will get the opportunity to render the mass uprising futile and destabilise the country if the election is delayed.

"Why do we want an early election? We want it quickly because we think that without an elected government, no one else can represent the people and utilise them," he explained.

He also mentioned that the government has taken steps for various reforms. "These reform proposals need to be taken to parliament and passed there through debate. The public representatives must accept these reform proposals. So, the sooner the election is held, the better it will be for the country," he said.

Fakhrul also said the earlier the elections take place, the quicker the state can be reformed.

The BNP leader said the enemies of the nation are setting various traps to seize everything and undermine the uprising. "They'll do it if they find opportunities to do so."

He noted that various groups are raising their demands in different places as part of the plots to destabilise the country. "Why haven't they done this before? Why are they bringing it up now? They should wait for a government of the people to come."

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) organised the programme at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 52nd founding anniversary of the party.

Fakhrul said foreign journalists, especially journalists from India, now ask him whether Prof Muhammad Yunus has failed and is unable to run the state. "I tell them there is no question of it. The people of the whole country trust him. He is running the country wonderfully."

He, however, said they get a little worried with the remarks of some advisers. "The advisers who are in the government shouldn't say anything or do anything that can mislead the people."

The BNP leader voiced annoyance over local government Adviser Hasan Arif's comment that the term of the government should be four years.

"That's not what he should say. They [the government] have formed commissions that would propose, and then the people will decide if they accept. But if the person sitting in power says that the tenure of the government will be four years, then there is pressure," he observed.​

 

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BNP demands reinstatement of holiday on Nov 7

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded the reinstatement of a public holiday on November 7, declaring it as National Revolution and Solidarity Day. "November 7 should be declared as National Revolution and Solidarity Day and public holiday should be reinstated on that day," BNP Secretary

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP demands reinstatement of holiday on Nov 7
Published :
Oct 31, 2024 21:16
Updated :
Oct 31, 2024 21:16

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has demanded the reinstatement of a public holiday on November 7, declaring it as National Revolution and Solidarity Day.

"November 7 should be declared as National Revolution and Solidarity Day and public holiday should be reinstated on that day," BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a press briefing after coming out of a joint meeting of the party at its central office at Naya Paltan in Dhaka, BSS reports.

"A new Bangladesh had commenced through the November 7 Soldier-People Revolution and multi-party democracy was introduced, free economy and free media were established under the leadership of Ziaur Rahman. Bangladesh came out of hegemony on that day. . .So, November 7 is very significant for us and this day should be brought before the new generation," Mirza Fakhrul added.

The BNP secretary general also demanded that the interim government announce a specific date for holding general elections as soon as possible.

Earlier, the Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over a joint meeting of the party, where senior joint secretary general, joint secretaries general, divisional organizing and assistant organizing secretaries, convener and member secretary of Dhaka South city unit BNP, leaders of Dhaka North city unit and leaders of all the city units under Dhaka division and district were present at the meeting.​

 

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Don’t think about ‘minus 2 formula’ again: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday warned that no one should think of the so-called “minus two formula” again or engage in any actions excluding the party as part of a plot.

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Don’t think about ‘minus 2 formula’ again: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday warned that no one should think of the so-called "minus two formula" again or engage in any actions excluding the party as part of a plot.

Speaking at a memorial meeting, he said there were failed attempts to depoliticise and implement the "minus two formula" during the 1/11 political changeover of 2007.

"No one should even think about following that path. We want to make it clear that you should not try to do anything to exclude the BNP as part of any plot because the people of Bangladesh will never accept it," Fakhrul said.

He said the Awami League had tried to split the BNP in various ways but failed, and no one will be able to do so in the future.

Without naming anyone, he said an adviser to the interim government made an "unexpected and unwarranted" comment suggesting that politicians are restless to go to power. "This is very unfortunate. We do not expect an individual of his stature to make such remarks."

The Dhaka South City unit of the BNP organised the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, to mark the fifth death anniversary of Sadeque Hossain Khoka, the former mayor of the undivided Dhaka City Corporation and BNP vice-chairman.

Earlier on Saturday, Road, Transport and Bridges and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said, "There's no money in the banks. Politicians seem desperate to go to power, and we, too, wish to return to our work."

Fakhrul said politicians not only aspire to return to power, but they have also sacrificed their lives, endured repression and suppression, and worked tirelessly to free Bangladesh from Sheikh Hasina's grip.

He said they are advocating for the prompt restoration of democracy by holding national elections, as the longer the government delays the polls, the greater the chance Hasina and her cohorts will have to revive.

"I would like to repeat it: create an atmosphere for holding the elections quickly by removing garbage from the state institutions. You have been given that responsibility, and we are cooperating with you. Now, you should cooperate with us. Don't try to mislead people by claiming that we are anxious to return to power," the BNP leader said.

As a political party, he said, the BNP aims to return to power, with its leaders and workers actively engaging in politics to run the country and ensure the welfare of the people.

Describing how BNP leaders and workers faced repression and sacrificed their lives during Awami League rule, Fakhrul said the immense sacrifices of the BNP cannot go in vain.

He urged the BNP leaders and workers not to engage in any actions that could tarnish the party's image or lead to criticism of the party. "Don't let anyone do that. Keep it in mind."

The BNP leader observed that Bangladesh still seems to be trapped even after the fall of Hasina since "the government of the people has not yet been established".

"We have been freed from the grasp of an awful monster, but there is no relief," he said.

Fakhrul said they have extended their support to an interim government headed by a respected figure like Professor Muhammad Yunus, which will oversee the government until the election is held.

He said the BNP and its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, like the entire world, have always respected Chief Adviser Yunus.

"You (Yunus) have been entrusted with the task of restoring democracy in Bangladesh, which means you must hand over power to an elected parliament and government by conducting a fair and acceptable election," Fakhrul said.

He said the Awami League has devastated the country and its economy over the past 15 years by plundering and siphoning off public funds abroad.

"The greatest damage has been done to the morale of the people of Bangladesh, and now thieves are everywhere, from banks to other offices."

He recalled Khoka's contributions to the country's Liberation War, nation-building, and the strengthening of the BNP.

From head to toe, Fakhrul said, Khoka embodied the spirit of a politician genuinely friendly and approachable to his workers.

The BNP leader said they feel the absence of a charismatic leader like Khoka during any national and political crisis.​