[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

[Saif]

Autocrat trying to raise head again: Tarique Rahman

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said deposed autocratic forces are making evil attempts to raise their heads again. “Autocratic Awami League had formed illegal governments thrice in a row, violating the constitution. The democracy-loving people want to know what steps the interim governme

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Autocrat trying to raise head again: Tarique Rahman
FE Online Desk
Published :
May 02, 2025 19:39
Updated :
May 02, 2025 19:39

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said deposed autocratic forces are making evil attempts to raise their heads again.

“Autocratic Awami League had formed illegal governments thrice in a row, violating the constitution. The democracy-loving people want to know what steps the interim government has taken to make those irrelevant in future politics,” he said.

He was addressing virtually a rally organised at Jatiya Press Club here marking the 5th founding anniversary of the AB party.

Tarique Rahman said there is no scope to avoid the responsibility through a blame game. If the interim government fails to take action, the next elected government will take legal action against those accused of violating the constitution, reports BSS.

“As a political party, BNP has always demanded the establishment of people’s right to vote, an elected parliament and an elected government,” he said.

“But, now somebody is out to maligning the demand for election as a crime, which is a pleasure for the fugitive dictatorship,” he noted.

Tarique Rahman urged the interim government to take initiative to make the political parties accountable to people.

“Country’s independence and sovereignty might be consolidated and no one can turn Bangladesh into a subservient state if the parliament and the government remain accountable to the people,” he observed.

He welcomed the new political parties which came into being after the fall of the Awami League regime.

Every political party should have a common objective to serve the country and make welfare of the people, he noted.

The political arrangement of Bangladesh should be such that no one dares to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state in future, and the defeated forces would not rise up again, he said.

Tarique Rahman observed that no reform would be sustainable in the long run if people are not politically and economically empowered.

Any reform ignoring the demands of the political parties for election is of no use, he also said.

Terming the independence of 1971 and the Student People’s Uprising in 2024 as two significant events in the 54-year history of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman said the political message of 1971 and 2024 would remain vivid in the country’s history.

Chaired by AB Party chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, the function was addressed, among others, by General Secretary Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad.​

 

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Excavating canals one of BNP’s political pillars: Amir Khosru

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said that canal excavation is one of the key pillars of BNP's political ideology, evoking the memory of the party's founder and the country's former president, Ziaur Rahman. Khasru also emphasised t

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Excavating canals one of BNP’s political pillars: Amir Khosru
UNB
Published :
May 02, 2025 22:14
Updated :
May 02, 2025 22:14

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Friday said that canal excavation is one of the key pillars of BNP's political ideology, evoking the memory of the party's founder and the country's former president, Ziaur Rahman.

Khasru also emphasised that excavating canals is not only about drainage but also about ensuring the natural water flow of a city.

"Canals can help build a parallel economy along their banks. Recreational spaces can be developed for locals, and walkways can be constructed for pedestrians," he said while inaugurating a canal excavation and cleaning programme undertaken by BNP through voluntary labour and its own financing.

The event was held beside the railway tracks near the Nazir Khal and Kalir Chhara canals in the Kattoli Colonelhat Bazar Ward of Chattogram city.

Amir Khosru noted that real progress would be achieved only when every canal in the city could be reclaimed and integrated through a sustainable process.

He added that proper drainage through canals could also significantly facilitate agricultural activities but stressed the importance of keeping the water clean.

He said BNP has initiated the excavation of two canals from a single ward, calling it a commendable and noble effort. "This initiative should be replicated in every ward of Chattogram city. BNP's politics isn't only about slogans and speeches-it's the politics of Shaheed Zia, of development and production. That's why we need to get involved in these activities."

The BNP leader also said that the involvement of Chattogram City Corporation in this local initiative of canal excavation and cleaning is a first of its kind.

"Today, the people of Chattogram are fortunate to have a competent, qualified, educated, and honest mayor after a long time. Shahadat has emerged from the streets through struggle and has led even in the worst times. So this is an opportunity for us, and we must seize it."

Among others, Chattogram City Corporation Secretary Ashraful Amin, Chief Cleaning Officer Commander Ikhtiar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Chattogram Metropolitan BNP Joint Conveners SM Saiful Alam, Kazi Belal Uddin, Shah Alam, Yasin Chowdhury Liton, Manjur Alam Chowdhury Monju, and former Chattogram city Jubo Dal president Mosharraf Hossain Dipti also spoke at the event.​

 

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Zubaida visits father’s grave, takes mother home from hospital

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman offered fateha at her father’s grave on Wednesday before taking her ailing mother home from Square Hospital. Zubaida left “Feroza,” the residence of her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Zubaida visits father’s grave, takes mother home from hospital
Published :
May 07, 2025 22:27
Updated :
May 07, 2025 22:27

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman offered fateha at her father’s grave on Wednesday before taking her ailing mother home from Square Hospital.

Zubaida left “Feroza,” the residence of her mother-in-law and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in the afternoon and first went to the Banani Military Graveyard to visit the grave of her father and former Navy Chief Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali Khan, said BNP media cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon, UNB reports.

She offered Asr prayers at the designated prayer point for women there and then offered fateha at her father’s grave, he said.

Rumon said Zubaida was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Syeda Shamila Rahman, wife of late Arafat Rahman Koko.

Following the grave visit, he said, Zubaida proceeded to Square Hospitals in Dhanmondi, where her mother, Iqbal Mand Banu, had been receiving treatment since 1 May.

After doctors discharged her mother in the evening, Rumon said Zubaida took her to “Mahbub Bhaban,” their residence in Dhanmondi.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Zubaida visited Square Hospitals in the capital to see her ailing mother, just hours after returning home from London, creating an emotional reunion between mother and daughter.

She spent around two and a half hours at the hospital and later stopped briefly at Mahbub Bhaban before returning to Feroza.

Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu has long been suffering from various age-related complications. A few years ago, she was taken to a hospital in Bangkok for treatment.

Earlier on Tuesday, Zubaida, along with Khaleda Zia and Shamila Rahman, returned home, ending her 17-year exile in London.

Tarique Rahman, Dr Zubaida, and their daughter Zaima Rahman have been living in London since 2008.​

 

[Saif]

BNP targets 10m new members in two months

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), buoyed by momentum after the political changeover last year, has set an ambitious goal to enrol more than 10 million new members within two months. Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the campaign w

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP targets 10m new members in two months
bdnews24.com
Published :
May 08, 2025 19:57
Updated :
May 08, 2025 19:57

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), buoyed by momentum after the political changeover last year, has set an ambitious goal to enrol more than 10 million new members within two months.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the campaign will be held from May 15 to Jul 15.

The decision came at a meeting of the committee on the party’s primary membership renewal activities at the BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan on Thursday.

Rizvi said, “The renewal and the member enrolment campaign will be held from May 15 to Jul 15.

“To implement the programme nationwide at a fast pace... we have targeted to take in more than 10 million primary members this time.”

The BNP gained traction following the fall of the Awami League government in the face of a mass uprising on Aug 5, 2024. The party held an extended meeting on Feb 27 after a gap of seven years.

The party plans to hold a national conference this year, and to this end, committees have been formed across all districts. BNP’s last national conference, the 6th National Council, was held on Mar 19, 2016.

Rizvi said, “No regular political activities could be carried out during the Awami League’s fascist era. You witnessed that they frequently attacked this party office and destroyed things needed to run it, like computers, typewriters, fax machines, etc.”

He said, “The institutions that exist for establishing democracy in the country, like political parties, are formed through a fair rule of law. They [Awami League] have relentlessly attacked the opposition parties to completely destroy that rule of law and to maintain the one-party authoritarianism.”

The campaign will help to figure out how many people are interested in the BNP, according to Rizvi.

“We hope that people from all walks of life, who love the BNP and cherish the spirit of nationalism, will be interested in joining the party.”

On a query over whether anyone from the Awami League could join the BNP, he replied: “Why can’t those who did politics for a long time or left the Awami League due to the party’s misrule, barbaric activities, looting and money laundering join?”

The aspirants will have to buy the membership form at Tk 20 each and submit it with an application which is mandatory per the BNP’s constitution. These forms will be scrutinised later before enrolling new members, he added.​

 

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Fakhrul doubts quick return to democracy

Stating that the country’s situation was being made complicated with various conditions and statements, Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday voiced doubt over whether the restoration of democracy...

www.newagebd.net

Fakhrul doubts quick return to democracy
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 09 May, 2025, 00:48

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. | File photo

Stating that the country’s situation was being made complicated with various conditions and statements, Bangladesh Nationalist Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday voiced doubt over whether the restoration of democracy will be possible within a short time as desired by people.

‘We have been fighting for 15 years. The main issue of our struggle was the restoration of democracy, but unfortunately we have not yet been able to achieve it,’ he told a discussion.

BNP organised the programme at the Supreme Court auditorium to mark the first death anniversary of the party’s vice-chairman and former attorney general AJ Mohammad Ali.

Mirza Fakhrul said that Bangladesh was going through an uncertain situation, as the country was then in a very fragile state with an interim government.

‘We are still in an uncertain situation as to whether the restoration of democracy will be possible in the short term because every day new conditions, different statements, and arguments are given, making everything more complicated,’ Fakhrul said.

The BNP leader said that some people were talking about delaying the election for the completion of reforms and presenting various arguments.

He said that some people were making statements in such a way that it gave the impression that BNP was an anti-reform party and did not want reforms, whereas BNP first spoke about reforms in 2016 through the Vision-2030 and the 31-point reform outline in 2022.

‘I would like to make it clear that BNP surely wants to come to power. We engage in power politics with that objective. We have clearly stated in our constitution and declaration that we want to be elected by the people and come to power through the election to implement our manifesto,’ he said.

The BNP leader also said that their party sought the election with the goal of forming a government and parliament to work for the people and resolve their problems.

Fakhrul also questioned the government about what changes they have made to reinforce the economy and strengthen the banking sector. He also alleged that the government has failed to reduce the growing rate of inflation. Fakhrul pointed out that the academic atmosphere on university campuses was badly affected, with no discipline, while people continued to suffer in public hospitals due to a lack of efforts to improve services.

The BNP leader described AJ Mohammad Ali as a man of principle, with integrity and professional honesty, recalling his contributions to democracy and the judiciary.

He called upon lawyers to raise their voices for the restoration of democracy and work towards building a new democratic Bangladesh suitable for future generations.

Speaking at the programme, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said that if the party returned to power, it was committed to reforming the state structure and the constitution and to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions.

He said that 30-32 cohorts of the fascist Awami League regime, who were sitting in the High Court, had to be removed.

Fakhrul expressed his hope for the success of the interim government but cautioned that any decision made should not be detrimental to the nation or the people of Bangladesh.​

 

[Saif]

Doubts growing about interim govt’s capability to govern: Tarique

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said some recent incidents, including former President Abdul Hamid’s departure from the country, are increasingly raising doubts among people about the interim government’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities. “If we observe recent

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Doubts growing about interim govt’s capability to govern: Tarique
UNB
Published :
May 09, 2025 19:57
Updated :
May 09, 2025 20:26

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday said some recent incidents, including former President Abdul Hamid’s departure from the country, are increasingly raising doubts among people about the interim government’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities.

“If we observe recent developments, doubts are gradually growing among various sections of people and professionals for various reasons about the interim government’s ability to carry out its duties,” he said while virtually exchanging greetings with members of the Christian community.

The BNP leader, however, said their party has still continued to cooperate with and support the current interim government in every aspect with the aim of establishing a representative government accountable to people through public mandate.

Bangladesh Christian Forum organised the programme, marking the Easter Reunion at an auditorium in the capital’s Farmgate Khamarbari area.

Tarique expressed sorrow, mentioning that RAB members abducted Dhaka city unit BNP leader Sajedul Islam Sumon in December 2013, leaving him disappeared.

“We still have not received any information about the whereabouts of our colleague. During the time of autocratic rule, it was not just Suman, but countless others across Dhaka and the entire country were abducted, tortured and murdered,” he said.

The BNP leader noted that Sumon’s sister, Sanjida Islam Tuli, founded a social organisation in 2014 called Maayer Daak(Call of Mother), bringing together the families of those who disappeared during the autocratic rule.

“This is a matter of great concern and astonishment that the police administration raided Sumon’s sister’s house last evening in an attempt to arrest him,” he said.

Tarique said the police later claimed they were unaware of Sumon’s disappearance.

“For the sake of argument, let’s assume they were unaware of Sumon’s case. But a former president, who served during the autocratic regime, was able to leave the country through the airport yesterday (early Thursday),” he said.

The BNP leader said former president Abdul Hamid fled the country in a manner almost similar to that of Sheikh Hasina, who escaped on 5 August of the previous year.

Tarique said the interim government is now claiming to have known nothing about Hamid’s departure. “Since yesterday, I have spoken to many people, and each one is questioning what the interim government truly knows.”

At the same time, he said, allegations are emerging that the interim government is wasting time under the guise of reform, possibly to create opportunities for the fleeing autocrats and their associates to leave the country safely.

“On the other hand, it may be trying to create grounds to subtly sow division within the unity of anti-autocratic or anti-fascist political parties through various issues. These issues are repeatedly raising questions in the minds of the people,” Tarique said.​