[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

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BNP 'got hypocrisy' for showing generosity to Jamaat, says Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party received “hypocrisy as a gift” for showing generosity to Jamaat-e-Islami. “BNP allowed Jamaat to engage in politics despite the Awami League’s post-independence ban on the party. In return for this ge

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BNP 'got hypocrisy' for showing generosity to Jamaat, says Rizvi
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Published :
Feb 12, 2025 20:24
Updated :
Feb 12, 2025 20:24
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Ruhul Kabir Rizvi -- File Photo

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the party received “hypocrisy as a gift” for showing generosity to Jamaat-e-Islami.

“BNP allowed Jamaat to engage in politics despite the Awami League’s post-independence ban on the party. In return for this generosity, we received hypocrisy,” Rizvi told an event in Rajshahi on Wednesday.

Rizvi recalled that during the movement against military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, opposition parties had protested together.

“At the time, [BNP Chairperson] Khaleda Zia had declared that she wouldn’t participate in elections under Ershad, but the hypocritical Jamaat joined the polls with Awami League,” he said.

BNP Central Health Secretary Rafiqul Islam, Central Committee Member Saiful Islam, and other local leaders attended the event.​

 

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Only elected govt can bring about necessary reforms, says Hafiz Uddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has said that governing a state is a highly challenging task. "To manage it effectively and ensure peace and order in public life, a neutral and fair election is essential," he told a public meeting organised by the Khulna District BNP a

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Only elected govt can bring about necessary reforms, says Hafiz Uddin
UNB
Published :
Feb 12, 2025 23:25
Updated :
Feb 12, 2025 23:25

BNP Standing Committee Member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has said that governing a state is a highly challenging task.

"To manage it effectively and ensure peace and order in public life, a neutral and fair election is essential," he told a public meeting organised by the Khulna District BNP at Shahid Hadis Park in Khulna on Wednesday.

The BNP leader said that only elected representatives have the authority to amend the constitution. "Only an elected government, chosen by the people, can bring about necessary reforms in the country," he said.

So, he called for free, fair and impartial national elections within this year.

He also reflected on the democracy for which the great Liberation War of 1971 was fought, asserting that the Awami League had replaced it with a one-party rule. "The independence declared by the martyred President Ziaur Rahman, fully aware of the danger to his own life, must be realized in practice," he added.

He also emphasised his party's commitment to fight for equality, social dignity, and human dignity.

Former Minister Hafiz Uddin expressed hope that the genocide case against Sheikh Hasina would be tried by October.

"The people of Bangladesh remain hopeful; let no international conspiracy shield those responsible for the suffering of thousands of mothers during the July mass uprising," he added.​

 

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BNP’s Rizvi fears for the future of centrist politics

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today expressed concerns that centrist politics could face a crisis amid ongoing discussions on whether local or parliamentary elections should be held first.

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BNP’s Rizvi fears for the future of centrist politics

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. File photo

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today expressed concerns that centrist politics could face a crisis amid ongoing discussions on whether local or parliamentary elections should be held first.

"Those who are making such statements -- or being compelled to do so -- raise serious concerns about the future of centrist politics," he said.

Rizvi made these remarks while addressing a prayer gathering organized by BNP on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat at the party's Nayapaltan office.

He also spoke in support of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, stating, "Dr Yunus is an internationally renowned figure who has also been persecuted by Sheikh Hasina. He will act justly, and under his leadership, the interim government will make the right decisions and foster democratic political forces."

Highlighting the people's struggle for democratic rights, Rizvi added, "Time and again, the people of this country have been deprived of their rights. The people will decide who will run the country and which politicians will come to power. The ongoing struggle is about restoring these rights to them."

The BNP leader emphasised the need for a free and fair election, stating, "An election must be held where all parties can participate, and voters can cast their ballots without fear. Ensuring this will be a major responsibility of the interim government."

He reiterated BNP's stance on parliamentary elections, saying, "Parliamentary elections are of national importance, as they determine who will wield power. The source of power is the people. Returning that power to them will strengthen democratic forces and facilitate other elections. This is the essence of depoliticisation."

Rizvi also warned against the dangers of depoliticisation, stating, "Distrusting politicians leads to depoliticisation. Continuous efforts to weaken political institutions have shattered democracy, paving the way for fascism. A weakened political landscape may give rise to extremism, which can emerge from both the left and the right. This must be kept in mind."

Among the BNP leaders present at the event were Volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Religious Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam Jamal, Rangpur Division's Joint Organizing Secretary Prof. Aminul Islam, and Joint Publicity Secretary Asadul Karim Shaheen.​

 

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BNP hopes for quick polls after minimum reforms

Meeting sources said some political parties, mainly the Islamist ones, emphasised the need to hold the local body election before the national election

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BNP hopes for quick polls after minimum reforms

Meeting sources said some political parties, mainly the Islamist ones, emphasised the need to hold the local body elections before the national election. However, the majority of other parties opposed this proposal

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today expressed the hope that political parties will reach a 'minimum consensus' on state reforms through talks to facilitate the quick holding of the national election.

"There will be discussions on the reports provided by the reform commissions. The political parties will engage in talks with the commissions, and efforts will be made to reach a consensus," he said.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, the BNP leader said political parties participated in initial discussions with the Consensus Commission. "Different political parties made various remarks there."

"We (BNP) hope that a minimum consensus on this reform will be reached very soon and that the national elections will be held very soon based on that. This is our expectation," he said.

Fakhrul said the chief adviser, along with the National Consensus Commission, held the first meeting with the political parties and he talked about the necessity and importance of reforms. "In the meeting, he [Yunus] mentioned that political parties will discuss each of the reports submitted by the reform commissions in the coming days," the BNP leader said.

In response to a question, the BNP leader reiterated that they have already made it clear that the national parliamentary election must be held first, and then the local government elections will be held.

He, however, said they did not engage in any in-depth discussion about the elections during the meeting. "There was only a preliminary discussion today ... You could say the discussion was introductory. Different political parties expressed different views, and that reflected their own opinions," Fakhrul said.

Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said they told the meeting that reforms are necessary and should be implemented first before holding the election.

"The chief adviser mentioned that the national elections will be held by December. We are observing how this progresses," he said.

The Jamaat leader said the members of the National Consensus Commission will hold separate discussions with different parties and stakeholders to implement the reforms.

"Jamaat-e-Islami will welcome all positive decisions…we have stated that the election will be held as soon as possible after the final decisions of the reform commission are made," he said.

Amar Bangladesh Party (AB) Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said they informed the meeting that the government's authority in the administration has not yet been clearly established.

In such a situation, he warned, organising any election would be dangerous.

Meeting sources said some political parties, mainly the Islamist ones, emphasised the need to hold the local body elections before the national election, but the majority of others opposed this proposal.

The National Consensus Commission meeting began at 3:00pm at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

This was the first meeting between political parties and the commission.

Delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Jatiya Party (Kazi Jafar), Nagorik Oikya, Islami Andolan, Khilafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonoforum, Biplobi Workers Party, Jagpa, NPP, Labour Party, BJP Bangladesh JSD participated in the meeting. Jatiya Nagorik Committee also attended it.

Around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present.

A six-member BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul, attended the meeting. The other BNP delegation members were Jamiruddin Sircar, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed.

A seven-member 'National Consensus Commission' was formed on February 12 under the leadership of the chief adviser. This was the first meeting of the commission.​

 

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ন্যূনতম সংস্কার শেষে জাতীয় নির্বাচন হবে, আশা মির্জা ফখরুলের​

 

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Tarique urges party leaders, activists to gain people’s trust

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday called on party leaders and activists to pledge to rebuild the country by gaining the trust of people and to advance the party in a new direction through restructuring.

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Tarique urges party leaders, activists to gain people’s trust
Staff Correspondent 17 February, 2025, 00:46

Tarique Rahman. | File photo

Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday called on party leaders and activists to pledge to rebuild the country by gaining the trust of people and to advance the party in a new direction through restructuring.

‘In the face of a student-led mass uprising, dictator has fled the country, giving the people an opportunity to choose their future leadership through a democratic process,’ he said while addressing the council of the BNP’s Narail district unit virtually.

‘We must take two oaths: the first, advancing the party in a new direction through restructuring, and the second, rebuilding the country based on 31 points by earning the trust of people,’ Tarique said.

The BNP acting chairman said that the fascist regime had destroyed all the institutions in the country in the past 15 years.

Tarique urged all to engage themselves to rebuild the country and said that it was important to reform education, strengthen economy, support agriculture, develop industry and improve healthcare for marginalised people.

He said that the people of Bangladesh had turned to the BNP with expectation that the party would guide the nation as it had done in the past and to lead Bangladesh forward on the global stage.

‘The opportunity has come to establish the democratic, political and economic rights of the people and the people will choose their leadership through voting,’ he added.​

 

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It won’t work without elected reps: Tarique

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said the initiative for state reforms will not work until elected representatives are entrusted with the responsibility of running the country.

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It won’t work without elected reps: Tarique

Photo: UNB

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday said the initiative for state reforms will not work until elected representatives are entrusted with the responsibility of running the country.

"Those who believe reforms should come before the election must understand that for those reforms to be successful, people who are truly connected to the masses are needed [in power]. Without them, no reforms will be possible," he said while addressing a programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh virtually.

He also warned that any delay in election would only deepen the conspiracy against both the country and the government.

"Amra BNP Poribar" organised the programme aimed to provide financial assistance to photojournalists who were injured during the July uprising.

Tarique said it was politicians, not anyone else, who presented the reform proposals to the nation over two years ago.

"If real reforms are to be made in this country, they must be carried out by real politicians," the BNP leader said.

He said politicians must seek suggestions and opinions from professionals, intellectuals, and members of civil society to effectively run the state.

"Based on those suggestions, we will gradually move the country forward. But until the direct representatives of people are entrusted with the responsibility of running the country, no reform will be fully implemented in any way," he said.

Tarique also said those who have a good connection with people can understand their desires and move the country forward in line with the people's wishes.

He said the public wants a Bangladesh where basic rights and economic freedom are ensured.

He said political freedom is essential for economic freedom and to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh. "To achieve this, voting rights and the guarantee to exercise that right must be ensured."​

 

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Zaima meets prominent US women leader Rebekah Wagner

Barrister Zaima Rahman, representing BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, had a productive meeting with Rebekah Wagner, a prominent leader of the Women’s Fellowship Foundation, and other members. The meeting was held in Washington, D.C on Friday, according to s post on the party's verified Fa

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Zaima meets prominent US women leader Rebekah Wagner
Published :
Feb 08, 2025 08:04
Updated :
Feb 08, 2025 08:04

Barrister Zaima Rahman, representing BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, had a productive meeting with Rebekah Wagner, a prominent leader of the Women’s Fellowship Foundation, and other members.

The meeting was held in Washington, D.C on Friday, according to s post on the party's verified Facebook page.

It said the discussion covered a broad range of topics, including Bangladesh-U.S. relations, international cooperation, and the pursuit of global peace and prosperity.

Earlier on Thursday, a three-member BNP delegation, including Tarique's daughter Zaima, who qualified as a barrister from the UK, attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States.

The traditional event, held every February, was held at the Washington Hilton this year, following the election of new US President Donald Trump.

The other two members of the delegation were BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

They also held meetings with Robert Destro, the former US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, and former South Carolina Governor David Beasley on Wednesday.

Zaima travelled to the US capital from London on Tuesday to represent her father, while Mirza Fakhrul and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury went from Dhaka for the event, reports UNB.​

 

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BNP won’t accept local polls before national election: Fakhrul

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday warned that BNP would not accept local government polls ahead of the national election. “The collaborators of fascist Hasina would raise their ugly heads if the local elections are held first, which the people of the country would

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BNP won’t accept local polls before national election: Fakhrul
UNB
Published :
Feb 18, 2025 21:40
Updated :
Feb 18, 2025 21:40

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday warned that BNP would not accept local government polls ahead of the national election.

“The collaborators of fascist Hasina would raise their ugly heads if the local elections are held first, which the people of the country would not accept,” said Fakhrul while addressing a rally at the Town Hall ground in Jashore, organised by the district BNP to press home their various demands, including bringing down the prices of essentials to a tolerable level.

They also demanded improvement in the deteriorating law-and-order situation, quick announcement of the election roadmap and prevention of conspiracies to reestablish fascism.

Fakhrul urged the interim government advisers to resign if they want to stay in power and then contest the elections.

“If you want to stay in power, step down first and then contest the election. (You) form a new party outside the government—we have no objection. But any such activity while remaining in power will not be tolerated,” he said.

The BNP leader pledged that if his party comes to power, it will reopen closed factories in Jashore’s Noapara and ensure a permanent solution to waterlogging in Bhabadaha.

“Fascist Hasina tried many times to break the BNP but failed. BNP is a party of people, and we have fought alongside people against fascism for the last 17 years. The mass uprising on August 5 was the ultimate victory,” Fakhrul said.

He said the government’s current talks for reforms are nothing new as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had proposed similar reforms in 2016.

“Implement the necessary reforms for holding polls and hold the national election without delay. We are hopeful that the Yunus government will do so soon,” he added.

Expressing concern over rising prices of essentials, Fakhrul said, “I wish I could say we are all doing well, but we are not. The prices of rice, lentils, oil, salt and other daily essentials have skyrocketed. Law and order have deteriorated.”

“Even though fascist Hasina has fled, we are still not safe. Under her regime, 6 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced cases, several thousand were killed, and over 700 were victims of enforced disappearance. At least 84 BNP leaders and activists from Jashore were killed. Hasina’s regime created torture cells to detain and kill our leaders and activists,” he said.

“The July revolution aimed to establish a democratic state, restore voting rights, and ensure a truly democratic Bangladesh. Yet, 54 years after independence that dream remains unfulfilled,” he said.

The rally was presided over by Jashore district BNP convener Prof Nargis Begum.

BNP Khulna divisional acting organisational secretary Anindya Islam Amit, assistant religious affairs secretary Amlendu Das Apu, assistant health affairs secretary Jahanara Siddiqui, former office secretary Mofiqul Hasan Tripti were, among others, present.​

 

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No scope to waste time on reform talks: Khasru

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said there is no opportunity to waste time discussing reforms.

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No scope to waste time on reform talks: Khasru

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said there is no opportunity to waste time discussing reforms.

"I am hearing new things. Sometimes they say proportional representation elections, sometimes local government elections, then national elections. Then they will carry out reforms, finish the trial of Sheikh Hasina. There is no opportunity to say all these things. No one has given them that responsibility in that place," he made these comments at a rally organised on District Judge Court Road in Maijdee, Noakhali this afternoon.

Noakhali district BNP organised the rally.

Addressing the interim government, he said, "People have doubts about your impartiality."

He said the words of the government and its advisers suggest a bias. "If that doubt is a concern, you will no longer have any acceptance from the people of Bangladesh. To run this country, you will have to take the mandate of the people," he said.

Khasru said BNP is committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He added that BNP's politics depend on the people of this country and that their only responsibility is to hand over power to the elected government through national elections in the coming days.

"And if they have a strong desire for reforms, then we are willing to present the reports of the commissions they have prepared to the next elected parliament. After discussing in parliament, everyone will do the reforms where necessary. Most importantly, we will implement our 31-point plan. We are committed to the nation. No one needs to worry about reforms," he added.​