Stating that the unusual hike in fuel prices has left people in the lurch, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said the Awami League government can no longer be allowed to cling to power.

“This regime has destroyed our politics, economy and our potential. So it can’t be allowed to remain in power anymore,” he said.

Speaking at a rally, the BNP leader said the government has brought a disaster to the country by hiking the fuel price abruptly on Friday night as it will push up the prices of all commodities, fertilizer and other farm inputs and transportation costs.

“It’ll have a very negative impact on our economy and our economic condition will worsen further, “he warned.

Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal arranged the rally in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, protesting the killing of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal's Bhola district unit president Noor-e-Alam and local Swechchasebal Dal leader Abur Rahim in police firing on July 31.

Fakhrul said the government argued behind the increase in fuel prices that Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is incurring losses.

“Why it will go into loss? The BPC made a huge profit of around Tk 39,000 in the previous years. At that time, the price of oil was low in the international market, but you didn’t reduce it. Even, the fuel prices have now started to ddecrease in the international market,” the BNP leader said.

He slammed the information minister for his comment that the fuel prices are comparatively lower in Bangladesh than in many other countries, saying the ruling party leaders give people wrong information and statistics to confuse them. “Their every information is incorrect. So, we urge people not to get confused by false information.”

 “The oil price was $14 in the USA, but it has now dropped to $3 due to the price fall in the international market. It means the other countries lower the oil price when it falls in the international market. But when the price of oil declines in the international market, it increases in our country for plundering public money,” Fakhrul observed.

He said the fresh hike in fuel prices, especially diesel, has left the farmers, common people and bike riders in serious miseries. “But the government is least bothered about it. Because they need police, RAB, BGB and other forces, not people, to run the country. It won’t continue anymore. People of the country will no longer allow this regime to run the country in this way.”

Fakhrul alleged that Awami League has been illegally staying in power for 15 years by force using the state machinery, including police, RAB and BGB.

“You’ve already killed many people and made many others disappeared only to stay in power. In continuation of that, you have killed our Noor-e-Alam and Abdur Rahim,” he said.

The BNP leader alleged that Bhola Sadar Model Police Station's officer-in-charge (OC Investigation) Arman Hossain opened fire at the BNP rally on March 31, killing Swechchasebak Dal leader Abdur Rahim on the spot and critically injuring JCD leader Noor-e-Alam who later died at a hospital in the capital.

“We want the government to arrest this police officer immediately and take proper action against him through a judicial investigation into the incident,” Fakhrul said.

- UNB

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said BNP leaders are talking nonsense as they are tired, and their activists are frustrated.
 
"The party (BNP) leaders are now criticizing the government blindly in the name of iftar party. In fact, I don't know whether it is 'iftar party' or 'criticise party'. They are organizing those ifatr parties only to criticize the Awami League, not to praise Almighty Allah," he said.
 
The AL general secretary told reporters after a view-exchange meeting with the leaders of Sramik League and Krishak League of Dhaka south and north units at AL central office in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue.

Quader said, "It is necessary to reply with the rubbish, if the BNP lies. They (BNP) should stop lying, he said.
 
About an allegation of creating conflict and splitting the BNP, he said, "Why will we create a split in the BNP? We have no weaknesses. Awami League has many leaders and activists. The countrymen witnessed a massive crowd during the collecting of AL nomination forms ahead of the last parliamentary polls. The Awami League has no crisis."

Over the 'Kings' Party', the AL general secretary, said the Awami League has no need to create any Kings' Party. There are many people who want to form a political party before the polls to get gratuitous benefits, he said.
 
Over the allegation of the joining of Shakib Al Hasan to 'Kings Party', Quader said, "I noticed the issue in the media. I have no idea about the matter. But, Shakib participated in the election with AL ticket and won. He got the primary membership of the party before seeking nomination."
 
Criticising a comment by a BNP leader, the minister said BNP thinks that some countries will put them in power. But, the reality is that the people are the owners of the country, and they will decide who go into power, he said, adding there is no possibility to change the government without the support of the people.
 
About a report on democracy of an observer team from the US, "We have our own criteria of democracy. No one is perfect in the world. We also know it. A former president of the US has claimed that if he didn't get elected, bloodbaths would have happened in the country. What type of democracy is it? Even the former president didn't accept the elected president of the USA till now. So, it is difficult to understand the criteria of democracy."
 
Quader said military rulers and their allies were in power for 21 years in Bangladesh and there were no practices of democracy. Later, a political party had formed the government, but it is regrettably true that they also did farce election on February 15 in the name of democracy, he said.
 
About the prices of essentials, the AL general secretary said the prices of some commodities have already been reduced. The government is also trying to reduce the prices of other essential commodities, he said.
 
AL organizing secretaries - BM Mozammel Haque and Mirza Azam, office secretary Barrister Biplob Barua, deputy office secretary Sayem Khan, executive members Sahabuddin Farazi and Anisul Islam, among others, were present.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday advised BNP to prepare for the next general election instead of thinking about the next movement.

He made the suggestion at a joint meeting of the party held at the Awami League central office in the capital this morning.

Regarding BNP's movement until victory, Quader said Mirza Fakhrul has become overwhelmed with daydreams after getting out of jail.

At the time, the AL leader stated that, “BNP should recognise that the issue of issue-based movement in the country cannot be found while the people's administration is in power.”

In his introductory speech at the joint meeting, Quader said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has brought great honour to the country by participating in the Security Conference in Germany. Today, the democratic world has unhesitatingly accepted the importance of Bangladesh.”

"The geopolitical position of Bangladesh is fertile ground for many of our enemies. Many falcons have eyes on the Bay of Bengal and St. Martin. However, Sheikh Hasina's government has led to the success of balanced diplomacy", he added.

At this time, Quader said that the party president instructed the divisional in-charge to resolve the internal disputes of the party, including the formation of the expired committee.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said this year's January 7 polls were the freest, fairest and most credible in Bangladesh after 1975.

"I think the election that was held in Bangladesh on January 7 this year was the freest, fairest and most neutral since 1975," she told a view exchange meeting with Tungipara Awami League leaders and activists at her official Ganabhaban residence.

Sheikh Hasina said the BNP-Jamaat wanted to foil the January 7 polls by doing various misdeeds. But the most important thing of the election is that the people spontaneously went to the polling stations and cast their vote, she said.

Mentioning that the journey ahead is not so easy, the Prime Minister said "Many obstacles have to be overcome. Many conspiracies surround this Bangladesh."

The people of Bangladesh have become financially secure today, she said, adding, people of Bangladesh are getting food today and are receiving treatment easily.

She went on saying, over 30 types of medicines are given free of charge through community clinics and today there is no need to bring old clothes from abroad.

Sheikh Hasina said that they have arranged rice and clothes as well as ensured medical treatment and education for the country's people. "In this way we are working for the welfare of people."

Regarding the commodity prices, she said that global food prices have increased, and that is why the government has to pay a huge amount of money to buy fertilisers, seeds, wheat, fuel oil, edible oil and gas.

"We have to buy many things from abroad. As the price of everything has gone up, the cost of transportation has gone up because of the Ukraine-Russia war," she added.

The head of government noted that there is a little difficulty for those who have a fixed income, saying "if we all cultivate the uncultivated lands, then there will be no shortage of this food. Moreover, we can make more surplus, we can also give to the people."

Laying emphasis on brining uncultivated land under cultivation, she said "wherever there is fallow land, we should bring it under cultivation. We will do whatever we can to help. At the same time, we will make arrangement for marketing through cooperatives."

 Sheikh Hasina said, "We have a plan to store food grains in every district; When there is a surplus. We have already made arrangements to this end."

She urged everyone to be frugal in the use of electricity and water.

Addressing the chairmen and members of Union Parishads, the Prime Minister said that the government gives many projects and works, and those should be implemented properly.

"People should not be ticked off (seeing the bad work), rather they can bring confidence by seeing the work, and this trust is most needed," she added.

-BSS

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the armed forces and paramilitary border guards of Bangladesh to have patience regarding the recent war-like situation in Myanmar between their government forces and insurgents.

Law Minister Anisul Huq, in absence of Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, on Monday said this while responding to a supplementary question from Opposition Chief Whip Mujibul Huq Chunnu in the parliament.

“Bangladesh is observing the situation closely and steps will be taken,” he said.

He said that today (Monday) some 78 Myanmar Border Police members entered Bangladesh, some of them with injuries.

He mentioned that these personnel have been kept in a school there and the injured persons were given treatment.

The law minister said that Instructions have been given to initiate dialogue with Myanmar through foreign ministry and send them back.

“If they are not able to send them back the next course will be taken,” he said.

The minister said that government is aware of this matter in Myanmar and steps have been taken to close down schools in areas close to Myanmar frontier.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury today said Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will give top priority to research in its funding.

 He said research needs to be increased in the country to solve various problems, and it is not possible to depend on research from other countries.

 For this reason, he said, all-out assistance will be provided to researchers and scientists for their research work in the development of science and technology.

The environment minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research (BFDR) of the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology (USET) at the National Press Club in the capital.

The function was arranged to felicitate Dr. Mohammad Mazharul Islam, a senior researcher in the Department of Chemistry at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, for receiving the prestigious 'IChemE Global Award 2023' in Chemistry.

Saber Hossain said Dr. Mohammad Mazharul Islam's achievement is a testament to the growing interest of the global community in the contributions of Bangladeshi scientists to the field of knowledge and science.

He said Dr. Mazharul Islam's research work will not only enrich the knowledge of chemistry but also play an important role in the development of our country.

The minister also called upon everyone to work together to improve the environment of the country.

Chaired by Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Patron of the University of Skill Enrichment and Technology, the meeting was also addressed by Professor Dr. Md. Fazlul Haque, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of USET; Dr. M. Asaduzzaman, former Research Director and Economist of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)n and columnist Dr. Monayem Sarkar, among others.

-BSS