New poll: When do you want the next election to be held?

I have created a new poll. You can find it at the right column of my blog. The poll is:

When do you want the next election to be held? (multiple selections are allowed)

* In may, as demanded by Sheikh Hasina
* Within this year
* Not before having voter ID card, no matter how long it takes
* Not before all the corrupts are sentenced to jail
* Not before it is ensured that neither BNP nor AL will come to power
* Do not want at all, want to continue with current government

Multiple selections are allowed. Please vote.

Poll result: Should Dr. Yunus join politics?

Now that he has announced his political party's name, there is no use of this poll. The result is as below:

Should Dr. Yunus join politics?

Selection Votes Yes 64% 7 No 36% 4 I don't know 0% 0 11 votes total

DU students say no to Yunus as Convocation speaker!!!

True faces are coming up from behind the veil of patriotism. Gradually BNP and AL are uniting. They don't want anybody else in their rotation of plunderage. I think we are going to see the two leaders in the same table soon. So far, they only went together to programs held by army (actually do they have any choice if the generals summon them??). Now, this is going to be changed. They need to unite to hide all the good deeds their party have done to the country.

Dhaka, Feb 24 (bdnews24.com )- Two top student organisations of the country-Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Bangladesh Chhatra League Saturday united in a demand that the authorities not invite Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus as speaker at the Dhaka University convocation.

The rare unity of the student fronts of the country's two arch rival political parties-the BNP and the Awami League- on the Dhaka University campus has become a reality regarding the demand.

Not only these two organisations, but also almost all other student bodies, have raised the same demand. A section of teachers and students have also taken a firm stand in favour of the demand.

They argued that the Grameen Bank chief had lost his acceptability as convocation speaker after announcing formation of a political party.

A group of teachers led by Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, leader of the pro-Awami League Blue panel of the teachers met with the vice chancellor Prof SMA Faiz Saturday noon and requested him not to invite Prof Yunus as the convocation speaker.

Later the leaders of Chhatra Sangram Parishad led by Chhatra League and Progotishil Chhatra Jote, an alliance of pro-left student bodies, also met the vice chancellor on the same demand.

Though the Chhatra Dal leaders did not have such a formal meeting, they made a similar demand through a statement Saturday afternoon.

At 12 noon a group of students under the banner of "University Students" at a press conference at Madhu's canteen announced their rejection of Yunus as convocation speaker.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to attend the 43rd convocation of Dhaka University on February 28 as the convocation speaker where he is also to be given honourary "Doctor of Laws" on behalf of the University.

Entangled in the debate, the fate of the 43rd convocation has become uncertain. The date of the convocation was shifted once earlier due to political instability in the country.

However, the vice chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said that this time there was no possibility of shifting the convocation date.


Former president of Dhaka University Teachers Association (DUTA) Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique emerging after meeting the vice chancellor said, "Dr Yunus wants to do politics, we congratulate him. But by announcing formation of a political party he has made his being convocation speaker controversial. If he participates as the convocation speaker, a big section of the teachers will not join the programme. For the teachers there can be no bigger protest."

He also said, "Doctor of Laws" is a honourary degree. The university authorities usually give this degree to competent persons. If he is competent he can surely accept it. But he has lost the eligibility to be "convocation speaker" by announcing formation of a political party."

Dean of the Social Science Faculty Prof Harun-ur Rashid, dean of the Biological sciences faculty Prof Anwar Hossain, former general secretary of DUTA Prof Akhteruzzaman, Prof Tofael Ahmed Chowdhury, Prof Ashrafuddin Ahmed, Prof Nazma Shahin, Prof KM Saiful Islam and assistant professor Hafizur Rahman accompanied Prof Siddique.

Leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League-led student organisation alliance Chhatra Sangram Parishad came to meet the Vice Chancellor at 3pm. Earlier, Progressive Students Alliance leaders met the VC and made the same demand.

After the meeting, BCL president Mahmud Hasan Ripon told reporters the person who did not come to honour the language martyrs on February 21 could not be convocation speaker.

BNP student front Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal in a statement urged the university authorities not to invite Yunus as convocation speaker.

JCD president Azizul Bari Helal and general secretary Shafiul Bari Babu said that Yunus had become controversial by launching a political party after making objectionable remarks about political leaders of the country.

Dhaka University is a universal institution and any controversial politician could not use the institution in the interest of his party, the JCD leaders said.

VC SMA Faiz however ruled out any possibility of deferring the convocation. He said convocation will be held on time by any means.

On whether Yunus would come to the convocation, the VC did not give any answer.

"The decision of making Yunus convocation speaker was taken at the meetings of the Syndicate and the Academic Council. Only five out of 183 teachers in the Academic Council opposed the decision.

The university authorities in a statement sent to news media Saturday evening said the convocation would be held on time. Rehearsal of the convocation will be held on February 27, the statement said.

Falu's dreamland

The lake is built by a government project!!! This is only possible in Bangladesh. I will not be surprised if the pets are fed by government food.

Partial list of corrupt people of Bangladesh

Today, in a bid to make Anti-Corruption Commission effective, it published a list of 50 corrupts. ACC said the listed people or their representatives have to inform the commission in 72 hours from notification about sources of income and movable and immoveable property. Otherwise, their properties will be seized. Those who run production businesses, an administrator on behalf of them will be appointed to run them. Here is the list:

1. Barrister Nazmul Huda (former communications minister/BNP)
2. Salahuddin Quader Choudhury (parliamentary affairs adviser to former prime minister Khaleda Zia)
3. Mohammad Nasim (former home minister/Awami League)
4. Tariqul Islam (former minister/BNP)
5. Mirza Abbas (former minister/BNP)
6. Abul Hasnat Abdullah (AL leader)
7. Salman F Rahman (AL leader and industrialist)
8. Harris Chowdhury (political secretary to former PM/BNP)
9. Giasuddin Al Mamun (Khaleda's son Tarique Rahman's friend and business partner)
10. Dr HBM Iqbal (former AL MP)
11. Mosaddak Ali Falu (former BNP MP)
12. Engineer Mosharraf Hossain (former minister/AL)
13. Ruhul Quddus Talukder Dulu (former deputy minister/BNP)
14. Nurul Islam Babul (businessman/Jamuna Group)
15. Akhteruzzaman Chowdhury Babu (AL leader)
16. Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu (former MP/BNP)
17. Haji Selim (former MP/AL)
18. Shamim Osman (AL leader)
19. Ahmed Akbar Sobhan (businessman/Bashundhara Group)
20. Mir Mohammad Nasiruddin (former state minister/BNP)
21. Amanullah Aman (former state minister/BNP)
22. Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya (former state minister/AL)
23. Joynal Hazari (former MP/AL)
24. Ali Asghar Loby (former MP/BNP)
25. Jahangir Kabir Nanok (Jubo League president)
26. Pankaj Debnath (Sechchhasevak League general secretary)
27. Abdul Wadud Bhuiyan (former MP/BNP)
28. Hafiz Ibrahim (former MP/BNP)
29. AHM Mostafa Kamal (Lotus Kamal) (former MP/AL)
30. Mufti Shahidul Islam (former MP/IOJ)
31. Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir (former state minister/AL)
32. Mirza Azam (Jubo League general secretary)
33. Naser Rahman (former MP/BNP)
34. Salahuddin Ahmed (former state minister/BNP)
35. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku (former state minister/BNP)
36. Ward commissioner Abdul Qaiyum
37. ANH Akhter Hossain (former bureaucrat)
38. Zahurul Haque (former NBR member)
39. Engineer Manzurul Ahsan Munshi (former MP/BNP)
40. Haji Mokbul Hossain (former MP/AL)
41. Ward commissioner Chowdhury Alam
42. Mohammad Giasuddin (former Narayanganj MP/BNP)
43. Ariful Haque Chowdhury (BNP leader)
44. Rashiduzzaman Millat (former MP/BNP)
45. Former Demra MP Salauddin Ahmed (BNP)
46. Mohiuddin Ahmed (Munshiganj) (former MP/AL)
47. Mostafa Rashid-e-Shuja (AL leader)
48. Shahjahan Chowdhury (former Jamaat-e-Islami MP)
49. BM Bakir Hossain (trade union leader)
50. Firoz Mia (trade union leader)

Now, where is the prince?? When is it coming? I am becoming restless each day not seeing him caught yet. I sincerely believe that CTG is trying to find concrete proof to link him with corruption. But why is it taking so long, specially when Giasuddin Mamun is in their custody? If they can't find significant proof in BD, I think they should investigate in Malaysia, Saudi Arab and U.K. They can start with the suitcases which he took to Saudi Arabia.

Jewels of Bangladesh

These are the jewels of Bangladesh. Recently, Anti-Corruption Commission asked them to submit their wealth report. We are proud of them!

M Nuruzzaman: A brave man!

Today, I was very excited going through the news of M Nuruzzaman. I am very very proud of him. He is a brave person. People, who were oppressed by the godfathers days after days, should immediately follow him. Government must ensure their security and the cases must be processed as quickly as possible. I don't know how long this immensely popular CTG will be able to stay in power as I see political parties (who could do nothing for the country when they were in power for years; they only succeeded in plundering) and their hypocrite ardent supporters are becoming more restless each day. Before this government's departure, all the godfathers should be given either capital punishment (many will qualify for that according to our law as they are murderers) or sentence for life. Facades of people like Saifur Rahman must be teared down. Now is the time. I don't know when we will get this opportunity again. Every oppressed should come forward with his story now. Government must provide security to itself and the plaintiffs. There is very good chance that the corrupt political leaders of different parties will join hands to remove this government, though they were bickering like hell only a few days ago and ruining the county (what else they can do for the country? :D) in the process. They will forget that they were trying to kill each other (it is nothing new in BD politics, few days ago we saw son handshaking with the killer of his father) and will agree unanimously to get rid of CTG. I seriously apprehend that they will try to kill the chief adviser or some other advisers. I don't think they will dare to kill the army generals who are backing the government, they know its consequences. We are having a unique opportunity to get things straight for the first time after out independence. None can tell when we will get this opportunity again once the power goes to any of the current political (or plundering??) parties. May we be able to avail this opportunity fully!

http://www.prothom-alo.org/index.news.details.php?nid=Mzg5Mg==
http://www.prothom-alo.org/index.news.details.php?nid=Mzg5Mw==
http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/02/18/d7021801169.htm

The poll result

I am closing this poll today. The result is not surprising. A.L. is the most probable winner in the next election.

Who is going to win the next general election?

Selection		Votes
B.N.P. led alliance	17%	5
A.L. led alliance	67%	20
Other	10%	3
I don't know	7%	2
30 votes total

Mail to professor Yunus

Dr. Yunus has asked every Bangladeshi to express his/her opinion on whether he should join politics or not. Anyone can email, call, send sms or fax him. Here is his contact info:

Dr Muhammad Yunus
HAL Mars
6/D, 66 Outer Circular Road
Moghbazar, Dhaka 1217
Fax: 88029334656
Cell: 8801713082277, 8801717760870
Email: prof.yunus@gmail.com , dryunus2006@yahoo.com

Bangabandhu on the front page of Wikipedia

Today, Wikipedia's featured article in the front page is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The article can be later found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Mujibur_Rahman.

Eternal Love

The hugging couple are the first double burial found from the Neolithic period:

Sajeeb Wazed Joy opens a blog

This is an excellent news, the first of this kind for any Bangladeshi politician. Blogs are now powerful tools to express opinion, do constructive discussion and healthy debates. Politicians can use it to communicate with people directly. More politicians are coming in the blogosphere recently, at least we can see that in U.S. I don't know how much Joy can affect the political decisions and actions taken by Awami League but I hope he will convey some of the input he will get from this blog. And he must welcome and tolerate all the criticism in his comments and must not suppress the criticisms, which he does not like, by moderation. I hope that his blog will be a very active area for all the Bangladeshi bloggers to express their views and directly communicate with him. His blog address is http://www.sajeeb.blogspot.com/.