"The Gallows or a Flag — the Choice Is Yours": Chief Whip's Political Message at BNP Workers' Meeting in Betagi

Using the metaphor that the Awami League's "F" stands for the gallows (fansi) while the BNP's "F" stands for a flag on a car, the Chief Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad and MP for Barguna-2, Md. Nurul Islam Moni, called on party leaders and activists to make their choice. His long speech at a BNP workers' meeting in Betagi, Barguna, touched on allegations of corruption in the power sector, promises of farmer and family cards, and warnings to stop extortion, among other issues.

He made the remarks on Sunday afternoon (18 October) as the chief guest at a workers' meeting of the BNP's Betagi upazila branch in Barguna. He said the BNP has given you one "F"; for doing politics with the Awami League, the Awami League has also given you an "F". The Awami League's "F" is the big one and ours is the small one.

Explaining his remarks, he said it was not that he had not done politics with Khaleda Zia; the BNP gave a flag for the car. On the other hand, for doing politics with the Awami League, the "F" they gave means the gallows. In his words: "You will judge with your own knowledge and wisdom which 'F' you stay with. Whether you stay with the Awami League's 'F' and the gallows, or with the flag — that decision is yours."

In his speech he also spoke about politics within the party. The Chief Whip said some people among themselves are maneuvering and saying all sorts of things to mislead Hasina. His question: can they really launch a movement within five months? He said: "We are a democratically elected group. We are together with you. We want to establish democracy."

Conveying a message of democratic accountability, he said that if after five years people do not like Tarique Rahman's work, they simply should not vote; and if they do not like his own — Nurul Islam Moni's — work either, there is no need to vote for him. He urged people to vote for whomever they like.

On the power sector, he levelled serious allegations against the previous government. He claimed that Hasina had passed a law under which no questions could be raised about electricity; under that law, no case could be filed over electricity, no question of amendment could be raised in parliament, and ministers could not even be asked what had happened to the electricity.

He also cited figures. In his words, more than 1 lakh crore taka was taken from the power sector alone; and 30 lakh crore taka was taken and spirited out of the country. He remarked that if this money were spread over the country's soil, the land would rise two feet higher.

The Chief Whip also raised allegations against members of Hasina's family. He said Hasina's son was married, and that divorcing that girl cost nearly many millions of dollars; Joy has no business, so where did he get so many millions of dollars — he asked. Another sister's son lives in Finland, and another sister and one sister's daughter live in London, whose name is Tulip; he commented that she no longer has her MP post because of corruption. In his words, wherever the seed of this family has gone, corruption has spread there.

In the promises section, he said Tarique Rahman will give farmer cards and family cards; Tarique Rahman himself will arrange the money. Solar power will be arranged across Bangladesh, he also said.

Detailing the benefits of solar power, he said that anyone wishing to install solar power privately will not have to pay even one taka in tax until next February; they will not have to pay income tax for three years either. If production is higher, the government will buy it at 10.5 taka per unit. He claimed that by 18 October next year, it will be seen that Bangladesh has no electricity shortage; there will be so much electricity that it can be exported.

He also spoke of Tarique Rahman's plans for education. The Chief Whip said Tarique Rahman has said the education system will change radically and people will become skilled. Mr. Tarique wants children to become such people that they can do something themselves and employ ten more people.

He gave a stern message on local law and order and extortion. Addressing the leaders, activists and locals present at the workers' meeting, he said extortionists will not be able to stay in Betagi; those who are extortionists should try to reform themselves. Work will be arranged; people will have to work to eat; there will be no shortage of work — there is a situation where everyone will get one or two jobs. But extortion instead of work will not be tolerated.

He also set a deadline over juvenile gangs. In his words, within two months either the police station's OC will remain, or the juvenile gangs will remain; the OC has said he will remain. But the OC cannot do this work alone; everyone must cooperate with him. Online gambling will remain closed in Betagi, and within five years there will be no beggars in Betagi, he also said.

All in all, the Chief Whip's speech was a mix of political stance, allegations of past corruption and promises for the future. With the metaphor of "the gallows or a flag" he put the question of choice before the leaders and activists; and with the promises of farmer cards, family cards, solar power and employment, he laid out the programme for the days ahead. The progress in implementing these promises will now remain at the centre of discussion in local politics.