United News of Bangladesh

Swiss Ambassador Reto Renggli and Brazilian Ambassador Paulo Fernando Dias Feres separately paid courtesy calls on BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday. The Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh first met Tarique Rahman at the party chairman’s Gulshan political office around 5pm, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. Later in the evening, the Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh met the BNP chairman at the same office around 6:15 pm. Zia’s 90th birth anniversary Monday During the meetings, Tarique exchanged greetings with the two envoys and discussed issues of mutual interest, including ways to further strengthen bilateral relations with Bangladesh, Sayrul said. BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir was also present at the meetings.

BNP is set to observe the 90th birth anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Monday with due respect. Born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari, Bogura, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated by a group of army officers at the Chattogram Circuit House on May 30, 1981. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978 and later became the country’s seventh president. Meanwhile, BNP announced a two-day programme on Saturday to mark the birth anniversary of its founder. As part of the programmes, party flags will be hoisted at BNP offices across the country, including its Nayapaltan central office, on Monday morning. Party leaders and activists, led by members of the standing committee, will place wreaths at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and offer fateha there at 11:00 am. Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) will organise a free medical camp as part of the programmes. BNP will also hold a discussion meeting on Tuesday at the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies will also mark the day with various programmes, including discussion meetings and the distribution of warm clothes. The party’s city, district and upazila units will observe the occasion with different activities. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message paying deep tribute to Ziaur Rahman. “Shaheed Zia was a visionary statesman. The proclaimer of Bangladesh’s independence, the pioneer of multi-party democracy, the commander of the Z Force during the Liberation War, and the proponent of Bangladesh nationalist ideology—I pay tribute to him on the occasion of his 90th birth anniversary,” he said. Fakhrul recalled Zia’s contributions to the Liberation War, national development and the restoration of multi-party democracy. The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is showing questionable conduct in a number of areas through its actions. “The Election Commission, through its activities, is engaging in questionable conduct in many cases,” Fakhrul said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner. A BNP delegation, led by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin at the city’s Nirbachan Bhaban.  Fakhrul said the BNP placed many election-related issues before the CEC during the one-hour meeting. Read More: Fakhrul expresses concern over law and order ahead of polls He alleged that in various election areas, the returning officers, assistant returning officers, superintendents of police, officers-in-charge of police stations and other officials are working in an ‘objectionable manner’ in favour of a particular political party.  The BNP leader said they have received complaints in this regard and brought these matters to the attention of the Election Commission. “In the interest of a free and fair election, we have requested that those involved be investigated and withdrawn.” The BNP secretary general also claimed that complaints have been received against several senior officials of the Election Commission, alleging that they are working in favour of a specific party. “We have urged the Commission to take appropriate action in this regard,” he added. Raising their party’s concerns over postal ballots, Fakhrul said the issue has not yet been fully resolved. “Especially in the case of registered expatriate voters, there are problems in delivering ballot papers and with the way the ballot papers have been printed. We have submitted our complaints to the Commission.” “We believe these ballot papers are not correct, there has been bias, and attempts have been made to give undue advantage to a particular party,” he said, asking the EC to change the ballots.  Read More: Khaleda an icon of Bangladesh’s democracy, people’s source of trust: Fakhrul He also urged that postal ballots be distributed only after the allocation of election symbols within the country. Raising allegations against Jamaat-e-Islami, Fakhrul said Jamaat’s election workers are going door to door collecting copies of National Identity Cards (NIDs), bKash numbers and mobile phone numbers. “This is a violation of personal privacy and amounts to a criminal offence. We had earlier raised objections over violations of the code of conduct, and we have now called for urgent action on this matter,” he said. Noting that the BNP believes in a level playing field for an election, Fakhrul said the party chairman even cancelled a personal tour in this regard. “Yet leaders and other important figures of various political parties are repeatedly violating the code of conduct by carrying out their campaigns. We have requested the Commission to take immediate action on these issues as well,” he added. Asked whether a level playing field exists for all contestants, the BNP secretary general said, “We believe the Election Commission is trying to ensure a level playing field. There are some minor shortcomings, which we believe they will be able to rectify.” Mirza Fakhrul also alleged that in several constituencies of the Dhaka city, a political party has adopted unethical tactics to ensure the victory of its nominated or supported candidates by transferring voters from different parts of the country and enrolling them as voters in Dhaka constituencies. “We have requested, on an urgent basis, detailed information on how many voters have been transferred, from which areas, to which constituencies in the Dhaka city area, under what reasons, along with the lists and detailed particulars of the transferred voters,” he said.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman’s daughter Zaima Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh cannot afford to sideline half its population through exhaustion and social expectation if the country wants real progress. “For a country facing climate change, economic and political transitions, and demographic pressure, Bangladesh cannot afford to sideline half its population through exhaustion and social expectation,” she said while speaking at a dialogue. Zaima said when women are included rather than sidelined, they transform not only their own lives but also the future of their families and the nation. She said real progress and sustainable national development require that women’s empowerment goes beyond classrooms, offices, or policies. “It must reach our homes, our institutions, and our mindsets, and it must be the responsibility of all of us.” The dialogue, titled ‘Women Shaping the Nation: Policy, Possibility, and Future of Bangladesh’, was organised by Dhaka Forum at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium. Drawing on her personal experience, Zaima highlighted the role of her family in shaping her understanding of women’s potential, and stressed the crucial role of men, particularly fathers, in breaking the cycle of gender inequality. Zaima said she had never been made to feel that her parents wished for a son instead and recalled that her father had once scolded someone for even asking such a question. She noted that while she was treated with respect and care at home, her father understood that the world outside would not always be the same, and he ensured she could navigate it with confidence. She explained that his example was not in speeches but in consistent actions, which showed her what she should expect from the world. Zaima also said this is how real and lasting change can be achieved, and when men confront unconscious bias in their homes and lives and model respect and fairness, they create space for women not only to survive but to thrive. She also spoke about her mother, a cardiologist, who excelled professionally in often patriarchal environments while raising a family, supported by her household. Zaima highlighted her maternal grandmother Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu who in 1979 started a free elementary school for disadvantaged children in her home—a small act that grew into one of Bangladesh’s earliest NGOs, Surovi, transforming countless young lives. She said her grandparents instilled the belief that women’s dignity must be recognised both privately and publicly.

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4) and rejected the nominations of BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir and its Cumilla-10 candidate  Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan . The Election Commission rejected appeals from several banks seeking to cancel Aslam Chowdhury’s candidacy over alleged loan defaults. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, passed the order in the afternoon, hearing the petitions filed by Trust Bank, Bank Asia and Jamuna Bank. Aslam Chowdhury was a borrower from Trust Bank, while he was a guarantor over loans taken from two other banks. Cumilla-10 BNP candidate Gofur also loses candidacy Besides, BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan  also lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. The Commission heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 Abdul Gofur Bhuiyan on Sunday lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of the BNP candidate for Cumilla-10 on grounds of dual citizenship, accepting an appeal petition filed by Sanskrit Muktijote candidate Kazi Nurse Alam Siddique in the same constituency. Chattogram-2 BNP candidate loses candidacy The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Gofur Bhuiyan’s nomination was cancelled. The petitioner alleged that Gofur Bhuiyan is an US citizen and he holds an American passport. However, Gofur Bhuiyan or anyone on his behalf was not presented during the hearing Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. EC upholds BNP candidate Aslam Chy’s nomination in Ctg-4 The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).

BNP candidate for Chattogram-2 Sarwar Alamgir on Sunday lost his candidacy following the hearing of an appeal petition by the Election Commission. The EC rejected the nomination of BNP candidate Sarwar Alamgir on the ground of loan default, accepting an appeal petition filed by his rival Jamaat candidate Nurul Amin in the same constituency. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, heard the petition and passed the order in the afternoon, declaring that Sarwar Alamgir’s nomination was cancelled. Earlier, the returning officer accepted his nomination declaring him as a valid candidate in the upcoming national election scheduled for February 12 next. The EC as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal on January 10 started hearing and disposal of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers over the acceptance and the cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).    

The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday upheld the candidacy of BNP candidate Mohammad Aslam Chowdhury (Chattogram-4), rejecting the appeal petitions submitted by several banks to cancel his candidature on ground of loan default. The Commission, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, passed the order in the afternoon, hearing the petitions filed by Trust Bank, Bank Asia and Jamuna Bank. Aslam Chowdhury was a borrower from Trust Bank, while he was a guarantor over loans taken from two other banks. The EC, as the Electoral Appeal Tribunal, on January 10 started hearing and disposing of the appeal petitions filed by aggrieved persons against the decisions of the returning officers on the acceptance and cancellation of nomination papers. The Commission will settle all the 645 appeals by today (Sunday).  

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday said his party plans to create a separate department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to support the families of martyrs and fighters of the July 2024 mass uprising, if it comes to power. Speaking at a views-exchange programme with the families of those killed in the July uprising and people seriously injured during the movement, Tarique also said the upcoming national election is ‘extremely important’ for building a safe and democratic Bangladesh. “When BNP was in power earlier, we created the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to look after the families of those who were martyred or injured in the 1971 Liberation War—in short, the families of freedom fighters,” he said. Tarique turns emotional as children of disappeared BNP activists recount years of waiting Tarique said the party has now decided that if BNP forms the government in the future with public support, it will try to address, at least to some extent, the sufferings of the families of July martyrs, July fighters and those injured during the movement. “We cannot bring back those we have lost. But we can and must take care of the family members they left behind and look after their needs and difficulties. “That is why we will create another department under the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to ensure the welfare of the families of these people.” ‘July Fighters Also Freedom Fighters’ The BNP chairman said those who were killed or injured in the July uprising should also be recognised as freedom fighters. Tarique Rahman, family convey greetings to Chief Adviser “In 1971, the freedom fighters gave their lives to achieve independence. In the same way, the fighters of 2024 fought to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty,” he said. Tarique said independence and sovereignty were achieved in 1971 and protected again in 2024 through the mass uprising against fascism. “For this reason, we will establish a new department within the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to ensure their welfare. When we heard your pain, suffering and sacrifices, Nazrul Islam Khan and I took this decision,” he said. The programme was organised by BNP at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate in honour of the families of those killed and injured in the July uprising. BNP Chairman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman sat alongside the families of the martyrs as a guest and was seen speaking with several victims and their relatives. Family members broke down while sharing their grief, creating an emotional atmosphere at the programme. At one point, Tarique Rahman stepped down from the stage, went closer to the families, listened to the injured and offered them consolation.  ‘Genocide in July’ Tarique said many people were killed, disappeared or tortured during more than a decade of fascist rule under the Awami League. “More than 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising alone, while hundreds were injured, many of them permanently disabled. Many lost their eyesight or limbs. The killings during the July uprising can only be described as genocide,” he said. The BNP chief said the state has an undeniable responsibility towards those killed and injured during more than one and a half decades of continuous anti-fascist movements, including the 2024 uprising. “As a responsible political party, BNP feels this responsibility deeply. If BNP is given the mandate to govern, we will gradually fulfil our duties, commitments and promises before the people, InshaAllah,” he said.  ‘2024 Uprising Belongs to People Tarique said the 2024 mass uprising did not belong to any individual, party or group. “It was a true mass uprising of democratic people who were deprived of their rights,” he said. If the achievements of 2024 are to be consolidated, he said political and economic freedom must be ensured for all men, women and every citizen of the country. He warned that people must remain alert against attempts to turn the mass uprising to protect independence into a movement for partisan interests.  Two Forms of Compensation The BNP chairman said the pain and suffering of the families of martyrs and the injured cannot be erased by anything. “However, we can try to compensate the injured in two ways—first, by ensuring the best possible medical treatment through state initiatives, and second, by fulfilling the goals for which they took to the streets: political and economic rights for all, regardless of party affiliation,” he said. Tarique also recalled several martyrs and injured persons from different professions and regions, including students, labourers, shop workers, drivers and even children. “People from all walks of life—irrespective of party, religion or profession—took to the streets during the 2024 uprising. Every image captured that day bears witness to this truth,” he said. Election Crucial Turning to the next parliamentary polls, the BNP Chairman this election is ‘extremely, extremely and extremely important’ for establishing a safe and democratic Bangladesh. “Those who were martyred and injured in the mass uprising ignored the threats of fascism. Their goal was to build a self-reliant, safe and democratic Bangladesh. If we fail to establish a safe democratic Bangladesh in the coming days, the nation will continue to witness mourning gatherings and stories of grief. There should be no more mourning. Instead, democracy-loving people must write the story of democratic victory in future Bangladesh, InshaAllah,” he observed. The programme was chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan and conducted by BNP Assistant Office Secretary Abdus Sattar Patwary. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Amra BNP Poribar Convener Atikur Rahman Rumon, family members of martyrs and injured persons also spoke.  

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of BNP, on Sunday continues its demonstration in front of Nirbachan Bhaban protesting the Election Commission’s ‘biased and controversial’ role ahead of the upcoming national election slated for February 12 next. JCD activists staged a sit-in programme at 10:00am in front of the Nirbachan Bhaban in the city’s Agargaon area, protesting the EC’s role and raising three allegations against the commission related to the issues including the postal ballots and the SUCSU election. The JCD leaders accused the EC’s biased and questionable decisions on postal ballots, which have raised serious doubts about the impartiality of the election process.