[🇧🇩] 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.​

 

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Fakhrul sees increased chance of fascism's return

He questioned why those who had fought against fascism are now creating division among themselves.

en.prothomalo.com

Fakhrul sees increased chance of fascism's return
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 28 Nov 2024, 20: 37

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir speaks at a programme at the National Press Club in Dhaka on 28 November 2024.

The secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has expressed concern that recent developments in the country have heightened the risk of fascism re-emerging.

“A dire situation is being created in a planned way, while the movement (July-August) is being diverted to a different direction. Some activities are taking place that are increasing the possibility of fascism's return,” he said while addressing a programme at the National Press Club on Thursday.

The Jatiya Kabita Parishad hosted the view exchange meeting with focus on the role of writers and artists in reforming the state.

Mirza Fakhrul disclosed his observation on recent developments and said the fallen fascism is creating a dire situation in a planned way.

He questioned why those who had fought against fascism are now creating division among themselves. He also noted ongoing efforts to divert the entire movement to a different way.

The BNP leader expressed disappointment that the handover of state power has not been peacefull even after 53 years of the country’s independence. Fight and blood shedding are always taking place.

He warned of the looming risk of fascism's return, saying, "Unfortunately, we are doing some activities that heightened the possibility of a return to fascism."

Regarding questions over the BNP's stance on ISKCON, he explained that their (the critics) only question is about the BNP's actions concerning ISKCON. This is a deliberate question. They want to create a situation. After failing in the first round, they are now trying again.​

 

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BNP iterates call for vigilance over recent incidents

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday called for a thorough review of the recent incidents, alleging that they were occurring behind the facade of religion, and urged all to remain vigilant.

www.newagebd.net

BNP iterates call for vigilance over recent incidents
Staff Correspondent 30 November, 2024, 17:28

Bangladesh Nationalist Party senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury. | File photo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Saturday called for a thorough review of the recent incidents, alleging that they were occurring behind the facade of religion, and urged all to remain vigilant.

‘We must look deeply into the incidents happening in the name of religion. We need to be alert,’ BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said at the 7th National Council of Gonoforum, held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Referring to recent developments in Chattogram and other parts of the country, the BNP standing committee member expressed his concern, terming the incidents totally unexpected.

Those who had not taken to the streets in the past 16 years were now staging demonstrations, he said, adding that other driving forces were behind them, and it should not be ignored.

Highlighting the challenges facing the country, Khasru stressed that moving towards a vision of a democratic and peaceful Bangladesh was imperative at the moment.

‘We need to take the country to the place we have always dreamt of. In the past, when this vision was not pursued, it gave rise to monsters. The only way forward is through a peaceful transfer of power,’ he said.

Khasru reiterated the need for democracy for restoring people’s ownership over the country.

He also pointed out that his party’s 31-point state reform outline was a significant contribution to future governance.

The BNP leader assured that after the next election and formation of a national government, implementation of the 31-point reform plan would be prioritised.

‘There is no need for others to worry about reforms,’ Khasru said, adding that the focus should be on electoral reforms to ensure the country’s return to its rightful owners—the people.​

 

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২১ আগস্ট গ্রেনেড হামলা মামলায় তারেক রহমানসহ সব আসামি খালাস

 

[Saif]

Tarique acquitted in two sedition cases in Sylhet

A Sylhet court today dismissed two sedition cases against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, acquitting him of the charges

www.thedailystar.net

Tarique acquitted in two sedition cases in Sylhet

File photo

A Sylhet court today dismissed two sedition cases against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, acquitting him of the charges.

Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Court's Judge Sagir Ahmed dismissed the cases filed in 2014 by the then Chhatra League leaders, confirmed Sylhet District BNP General Secretary and lawyer Emran Ahmed Chowdhury to The Daily Star.

The court dismissed the cases as they were filed to politically harass Tarique, he added.

On December 22, 2014, two cases were filed against Tarique Rahman with the Sylhet Metropolitan Magistrate Court on charges of sedition.

The cases were filed by M Raihan Ahmed Chowdhury, the former general secretary of the Sylhet District unit of Chhatra League, and Shamim Mollah, the former president of the Sylhet Agricultural University unit of Chhatra League.

According to the case documents, on December 15, 2014, Tarique, while speaking from the UK, made defamatory remarks about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The court accepted the cases and instructed the police to investigate the matter.

Earlier in the day, the High Court acquitted Tarique, former BNP state minister Lutfozzaman Babar and all other accused in two cases over the August 21, 2004 grenade attack.​

 

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Unite against politics of vengeance

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for national unity to end the practice of political vengeance and pave the way for a new chapter in Bangladesh's history

www.thedailystar.net

Unite against politics of vengeance
Says Tarique after acquittal; BNP satisfied, AL protests

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for national unity to end the practice of political vengeance and pave the way for a new chapter in Bangladesh's history.

"Let us unite to end political vengeance and open a new chapter in history, where no one's life or family will be destroyed because of political differences," Tarique said in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page last night.

He put up the post following his acquittal in the two cases related to the August 21 grenade attack.

"The beauty of truth is that it inevitably triumphs over propaganda and conspiracy, giving us faith that, eventually, justice and fairness prevail."

He also reiterated the BNP's commitment to fostering democratic values in the country, highlighting the need for diversity and inclusion.

"We pledge to uphold the spirit of democracy that thrives on diversity of faiths, beliefs, and ideologies, empowering the people of Bangladesh to define their own fate through electoral participation," he said in a statement.

Highlighting his vision for the nation, Tarique expressed his aspirations, saying, "In that journey, we aspire to establish the rule of law, human rights, and freedom of expression, safeguarding the rights and liberties of every citizen and building an inclusive, tolerant, and rules-based society."

BNP REACTION

The BNP expressed satisfaction over the High Court verdict acquitting Tarique and other accused in the August 21 grenade attack cases.

The party leaders also viewed this verdict as proof that all the cases filed against Tarique were politically motivated and part of conspiracies.

At a press conference at the party's Nayapaltan central office, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi hailed the verdict, saying, "Justice has been served... Tarique and other accused in the two cases had been deprived of justice under the Awami League government."

Rizvi said that the cases were manipulated during the tenure of the Awami League, specifically accusing retired police officer Abdul Kahar Akhand, who was reappointed as the investigation officer, of having "malicious intentions."

Following the announcement of the verdict, party leaders and activists brought out a celebratory rally in the Nayapaltan area.

In a statement issued from London, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "Through this verdict, it has been proven that all the cases filed against Tarique Rahman were part of a political conspiracy."

In a separate programme, the party's standing committee Member Mirza Abbas said the grenade attack was a "planned act by a foreign power" and had no connection to the BNP.

"A foreign power carried out this heinous act to frame Begum Khaleda Zia and our leader, Tarique Rahman," he said in a programme at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Abbas called the verdict "good news for justice" during the month of victory and expressed hope for Tarique's safe return to Bangladesh.

AWAMI LEAGUE PROTESTS

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of the Awami League central committee, condemned and protested the acquittal of all individuals sentenced to death and life imprisonment in the cases.

"Today's verdict proves that the government has completely hijacked the judiciary," he said in a statement yesterday.

Hanif said, "We have seen the practical implementation of Dr Yunus's 'reset button' through this verdict. He wanted to erase everything from our memories. This is a part of the ongoing conspiracy to completely erase an incident like the horrific massacre of August 21."

"This farcical verdict is a disgrace to the nation, despite having clear and specific evidence. In November 2008, Mufti Abdul Hannan, a leader of Harkat-ul-Jihad, was arrested. In his statement presented to the court, Hannan confessed that with the assistance of top figures in the BNP-Jamaat government, he carried out the grenade attack on the Awami League rally," he said in a statement.

"Today's verdict once again demonstrates that this government has completely held the judiciary hostage. The culture of impunity and mob justice prevalent in the country will soon demand a heavy price," he added.​