NCP
Is Jamaat's strength in changing colour
No third political force has emerged in Bangladesh after the Awami League and BNP. The Jatiya Party has effectively acted as the Awami League’s B team. Since the July uprising, there have been murmurs in the public sphere that Jamaat-e-Islami might form the next government. The results of student union elections at several public universities appear to hint at that possibility.
Clear doubts surrounding July Charter
At yesterday’s signing ceremony of the July National Charter, leaders from 25 of the 52 parties registered with the Election Commission took part.
Why such large entourage when only 7 can attend UNGA
Chief Adviser of the Interim Government Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus went to New York in the United States to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Along with seven advisers and officials of equivalent rank, six leaders from three political parties accompanied him—BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the Acting Chairman’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and Dr Nakibur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain and Joint Convener Dr Tasnim Zara. Initially, Dr Nakibur Rahman and Tasnim Zara were not included in the delegation; they were later added at the request of Jamaat and NCP.
Expatriates struggling to live amid unhealthy political culture
After independence, the people of any country need to learn patriotism, civic responsibility, human duty, self-reliance and the use of conscience. But in Bangladesh we were taught politics. Where all those words are almost absent. And because they are absent, we cannot escape partisan political activities even abroad. Not only us, but our country too is being tarnished. Even while living in highly developed countries such as London and America, our overly patriotic politicians want to preserve or have preserved the unhealthy domestic political culture instead of practising advanced politics. This causes me deep pain. What more can be said about the country’s unhealthy politics. We all have some experience of this sick politics. Therefore, my advice to our over-enthusiastic and patriotic expatriate politicians would be that it is good to engage in politics, but let it be above party politics and in the interest of the country and the nation.
Why ‘anti-discrimination coordinator’ adviser and politician show district bias
Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan became Adviser to the Local Government through the Anti-discrimination Student Movement. But after being appointed adviser, he himself has been engaging in discriminatory behaviour, showing clear favouritism towards his own district. The cabinet secretary is also linked to this.
UNGA, egg throwing, and few questions from conscious citizens
Every September, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meets in New York. Heads of state and government from almost every country gather there. They present their country’s position, challenges and priorities, seek international support, and take part in various meetings. For Bangladesh too, this visit has never been an exception. Since independence, almost every government has given special importance to the UNGA trip and highlighted it heavily.
Govt must prove thru action, not words, what election will be like
Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus has said, “The election will be held in the first half of February. It will be a festive election, if we can reach a decision through consensus. This election is not just an ordinary election; it will be the rebirth of the nation.” On 14 September, at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, during ongoing dialogue with political parties organised by the National Consensus Commission, he once again declared his firm stance on the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Why unity of political parties only in words, not in action
In the politics of our country, full unity is still absent. On many important political issues, enough conflict among political parties is becoming visible. Besides, political unrest is also increasing significantly. It is not unusual for ordinary people to be worried about these matters. Naturally, the subject of elections has become everyone’s main expectation. Yet, disunity remains among political parties over the method of elections. There is even considerable doubt as to whether political parties are properly reaching the people or even trying to do so. Yet, in a democratic state, the main function is a change of government through elections. According to the constitution, elections are held in Bangladesh with the objective of changing government. Of course, at times this continuity has been disrupted in the context of the country’s political situation and conflicts among political parties.
Which party will get the swing votes
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, has won a landslide victory in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. For the first time, Shibir got the chance to do politics openly at Dhaka University, and with that chance, it crushed all the other student organisations in the election. The main rival was the BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. But it would not be right to call Chhatra Dal a rival; they were sure of winning, just as the Awami League had expected in the 1991 general election.
Take early measures to ensure violence-free election
The winds of election have begun to blow. The campus is already heated up over the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election. A few days ago, Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus announced that the 13th National Parliamentary Election would be held in February next year. Since then, political parties have been rushing to make their final preparations. In line with that, on Thursday (28 August), Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the roadmap for the upcoming national election. According to the roadmap, the parliamentary election will be held in the first half of February and the schedule will be announced in the first half of December.