BNP
Has interim govt actually become a ‘government’ in a year
Just two days before the anniversary of the July uprising, on the afternoon of August 3, at a rally organised at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital to declare the manifesto of the 'Second Republic' or New Bangladesh, several leaders of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) expressed discontent and criticism over unfulfilled expectations in various sectors over the past year. Yet the NCP is considered the main stakeholder or participant in the interim government. The government itself has, at various times, indicated its special preference or support for this party. One reason may be that the NCP was formed through the initiative of some youths who were at the forefront of the July uprising.
Extortion: A postmodern revolutionary culture
The very word 'extortion' evokes a mixed feeling. As if it is a folk tradition unique to Bengal, which, through sweat, blood, and the dust of the streets over generations, has taken on a distinct form in today’s modern society. There are numerous types of extortion: hall gate extortion, procession extortion, iftar party extortion, and the latest addition—movement extortion.
Why is embezzled money not being returned
The interim government has published a white paper on the corruption that took place during the Awami League’s tenure. The white paper states that over the past 15 years, $234 billion have been illegally laundered from Bangladesh abroad through 28 different means. Eminent individuals of the country prepared this white paper in a very short time. This valuable white paper is full of speculative information and inconsistencies. These capable experts described the history of corruption in a 400-page white paper within three months; yet, even after six months of publishing the white paper, the government has not managed to detain a single thief. The Awami League government had started catching thieves even without a white paper, and the corruption records of IGP Benazir Ahmed and National Board of Revenue’s Matiur Rahman were widely reported in the media. But have only Benazir and Matiur stolen the entire $234 billion? If not, there must be more thieves.
Consensus Commission: What if BNP does not agree
The National Consensus Commission is holding continuous dialogues with political parties on various issues of state reform; but on July 11, after a meeting of the commission, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed expressed his anger about not being given a turn to speak before the media and was about to leave without speaking to journalists. His question was, "Is BNP the 5th party that it has to speak 5th?"
Politics in Bangladesh becoming increasingly complex
Politics in Bangladesh is becoming increasingly complex, confused and decaying. Leaderlessness, lack of ideology, and a decline in morality are now the inevitable features of the country’s political landscape.
Where is interim government headed!
Where is present-day Bangladesh headed, and on which path is the interim government taking the country? Such questions are deeply troubling everyone. Over the past 10 months, a series of decisions made by the government that harm the interests of the country have pushed us into fear and anxiety. It is hard to believe that the government's intentions are noble. Instead of moving away from a one-party regime, we have ended up with another undemocratic, unconstitutional government that curtails freedom of expression. Public trust in the government is already declining due to numerous activities beyond its jurisdiction.
Why this dirty politics over a tragic air crash?
On 21 July, when lifeless bodies and severely burned children were being pulled from the rubble at Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara, law enforcement personnel were frantically engaged in rescue operations, ambulances were rushing the injured to hospitals, and doctors and nurses were doing their utmost to treat these pain-stricken children—at that very moment, a number of politicians showed up at hospitals, crowding the premises. Their presence further intensified the congestion, making it difficult to transport the injured. A wave of criticism instantly erupted on social media. Many people asked: What were the politicians doing at the hospital at such a time? Were they there for publicity?
Clear the path for reform and economic progress
“Reform, reform, reform”—Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government, repeated the word three times to emphasise the importance of reform. He called upon everyone to jump into reform initiatives and repeatedly urged for more and more discussion and review on the subject. Driven by a strong desire for reform, he quickly formed several reform commissions. These commissions submitted their reports, and opinions from various political parties have been taken—and are still being taken—regarding several of the commissions’ recommendations. Based on these opinions, the “July Charter” will be formulated, which will include the signatures of political parties. But all these activities are unrealistic and dreams that cannot be implemented. The ideological difference between the left and the right is as vast as the distance between the North Pole and the South Pole. Therefore, the reforms that come through the “July Charter” will be very limited and will not be able to prevent the emergence of an autocratic government.
Why did a shooting situation arise in Gopalganj?
Even if all 63 districts of Bangladesh become devoid of the Awami League, there is still ample reason to believe that the party will continue to exist—and remain in a strong position—in Gopalganj, the birthplace of Bangabandhu and the location of his mausoleum. That is why Gopalganj is referred to as the "fortress" of the Awami League. The violence that erupted in that fortress or stronghold centring the programme of the National Citizen Party (NCP) has raised several questions. Some are even calculating who gained or lost from this incident. However, regardless of who may have benefited politically, no one suffered more loss than the parents, relatives, and friends of those who were killed. And those who lost their lives are now beyond all worldly gains and losses.
Stop mafia circle surrounding garbage trade
Political leaders are finding "honey" in garbage. That a mafia circle can grow around garbage trade is only possible in Bangladesh. During the previous Awami League regime, Awami League leaders enjoyed the "honey" from garbage, and now BNP leaders are taking their share. According to media reports published on Monday (July 14), BNP leaders will pocket Tk 418 crore from the garbage trade. According to available information, in the last fiscal year, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) collected Tk 131 crore in cleanliness fees for household waste collection.