United News of Bangladesh

The agriculture cell of the National Citizen Party (NCP) on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Agriculture urging the government to take immediate steps to address the devastating crop losses suffered by farmers in the haor region due to flashfloods and upstream water. The memorandum, signed by NCP Joint Chief Coordinator and Agriculture Secretary Golam Mortuja Selim, was received by ministry officials in the absence of Agriculture Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid. NCP central members and agriculture cell members Touhid Ahmed Ashik and Md Omar Faruk were also present on the occasion. In the memorandum, the party said thousands of hectares of ripe Boro paddy have already gone under water across vast haor areas in Sunamganj, Habiganj, Netrokona and Kishoreganj districts, while the remaining crops face acute risk. It noted that around 37 percent of the crop is still standing in the fields in an unripe state, with rapid deterioration feared due to sudden flooding. Even harvested paddy is rotting due to inadequate drying and storage facilities, the memorandum said, adding that fodder for livestock has also been destroyed, pushing farming families to the brink. The party identified labour shortages, lack of mechanised support and weak embankments as factors compounding the crisis, warning that many farmers have already lost everything and now face food insecurity. It called on the government to declare flood-affected districts as disaster zones and provide emergency cash assistance and free food aid for affected farmers. The NCP also demanded full waiver of agricultural loans for completely ruined farmers along with easy-term re-financing, and the immediate deployment of mobile drying units and temporary dryers on an emergency basis. It urged the government to launch special paddy-harvesting programmes with Army and administrative support, ensure adequate harvesters and mechanised assistance, and expedite repairs to embankments while constructing durable long-term flood barriers. The memorandum further called for implementation of an integrated master plan for haor management, modernisation of early flood forecasting and warning systems, introduction of crop insurance for farmers, and preparation of a full list of affected farmers to ensure rapid rehabilitation. "If the haor farmers survive, the nation's food security is secured," the memorandum said, calling on the government to act without delay.  

Newly elected BNP MP from reserved seat Nipun Roy Chowdhury on Tuesday said women lawmakers will not remain symbolic figures in Parliament but will actively represent people’s concerns and work across multiple sectors to rebuild the country. “We are not going to Parliament as ornaments. We are going to speak for the people and bring their real-life issues to the House,” she said after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in the capital. BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was also present. Nipun Roy said many women, especially those who are poor, oppressed and vulnerable, continue to face serious challenges, adding that lawmakers must not only highlight these issues but also ensure sustainable and legal solutions. She emphasised the importance of legal awareness from an early age, saying initiatives will be taken so that children can understand the language of law and the Constitution. “We will prove that women are not limited to women’s issues. We will speak on education, healthcare, administration and local government. We will be part of decision-making and help rebuild the nation,” the women MP said. Expressing gratitude, Nipun Roy said she felt honoured to be entrusted with such responsibility and thanked party leadership, including Chairman Tarique Rahman, for their confidence in her. She said she was inspired by the ideals and political guidance of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, particularly their roles in movements against authoritarianism. Nipun Roy also congratulated those elected in the West Bengal assembly elections. She added that Bangladesh’s future politics should be guided by people’s interests and national priorities. “We believe BNP will not take any decision against the interests of the people of Bangladesh. That is where our confidence lies,” she added. Leaders of Dhaka district and Keraniganj BNP, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and other associate bodies were present on the occasion.

BNP lawmaker and party’s Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s relations with India will remain unchanged regardless of which party assumes power there. He made the remarks after paying tributes to Shaheed President and party founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in the capital. Gayeshwar was accompanying BNP central executive committee member Nipun Roy Chowdhury, who was elected MP from women’s reserved seat. “Which party comes to power in India is not our concern. We believe in independence and sovereignty. So, relations will remain the same whoever is in power there,” the BNP leader said. Congratulating the Indian people for electing their preferred leaders in assembly elections, he said BNP respects the democratic choice of the people of India. Gayeshwar, MP from Dhaka-3, also stressed that BNP does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and prioritises Bangladesh’s national interests. Referring to the current challenging situation, he said the government has taken responsibility amid multiple challenges and expressed optimism that these will be overcome to restore stability in the country. Highlighting the challenges ahead, the BNP leader said the country is facing a fragile economy, a weakened banking sector and massive capital flight. “However, we are prepared to face them,” he added. Recalling the legacy of Ziaur Rahman, he described him as the proclaimer of independence and a proponent of multiparty democracy who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Gayeshwar said after Zia’s demise, Khaleda Zia led the party through long political struggles, ultimately contributing to the restoration of democracy. He said they offered prayers seeking eternal peace for the souls of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, and also prayed for the good health and success of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in fulfilling public expectations. Explaining the purpose of the visit, the BNP leader said 36 BNP alliance women MPs, including Nipun Roy, have recently been elected and so they came to pay respect to the party founder and the former Prime Minister. He said the party expects the newly elected women MPs to play an important role in ensuring women’s empowerment and rights. “Not only for women, but they will also contribute to meeting public expectations in the broader political context and democratic transition,” Gayeshwar added. He said BNP is committed to promoting women’s leadership and aims to ensure more women are directly elected to Parliament in the future.

Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti has been declared elected unopposed to a reserved seat for women in the 13th National Parliament on behalf of the National Citizen Party, according to a notification issued on Sunday. Following a directive of the High Court Division on a Writ Petition, her nomination papers were accepted and scrutinised on May 2, 2026, the Election Commission said. After the scrutiny process, her nomination was declared valid. NCP's Nahid warns BNP of 'another mass uprising' over intransigence to reforms Under Section 12(2) of the National Parliament (Reserved Women Seats) Election Act, 2004, she was formally declared elected unopposed as per the schedule, the notification added. The announcement was issued from the Election Commission Secretariat in Dhaka. The notification was signed by Joint Secretary Md Moin Uddin Khan. Earlier, on April 22, the Election Commission of Bangladesh cancelled Tabassum’s nomination on the grounds that her papers were submitted after the stipulated deadline. The commission also suspended the candidacy of another NCP leader, joint convener Monira Sharmin. April 22 was the final day for submitting nomination papers for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th National Parliament, with the deadline set at 4pm. According to officials, Nusrat Tabassum submitted her nomination papers at 4:19pm—19 minutes after the deadline—leading to the rejection of her candidacy. She later filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking restoration of her candidacy, following which the court issued the directive.

Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said joint initiatives with Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) will accelerate rural development in Bangladesh. He made the remarks when CIRDAP Director General Dr P Chandra Shekara met him at the Secretariat in Dhaka. During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening mutual cooperation in research, training, innovation and the implementation of sustainable development plans in the rural development sector. They also expressed interest in working jointly to address emerging development challenges and undertake effective and innovative initiatives. Fakhrul said CIRDAP could become an important partner for Bangladesh in strengthening research, skill development and innovation in rural development, assuring the government’s full cooperation in implementing such collaborative initiatives. During the meeting, the CIRDAP Director General praised Bangladesh’s ongoing development activities. He particularly described the government’s “Family Card” initiative as a timely and people-friendly programme. Local Government Division Secretary Md Shahidul Hassan and Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Secretary Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.      

BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed hope that newly elected MPs from women’s reserved seats will play a meaningful role in the Jatiya Sangsad. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at their graves at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, along with reserved seat MPs from the ruling party. They offered Fateha at the graves. Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni was also present. Fakhrul expressed optimism that the MPs will contribute to strengthening democratic institutions and making Parliament more effective. “We hope they will perform their responsibilities properly and play their due role in Parliament,” he added. Earlier, around 1:00pm, Fakhrul led the newly elected women MPs in placing wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave. After paying tribute, newly elected MP Arifa Sultana Ruma said she is committed to working for women across the country, especially the poor, helpless and oppressed. A lawyer by profession, she said she aims to provide legal assistance and dedicate her life to the country. Arifa said she is inspired by the political ideals of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, which are now being carried forward by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. She stressed that national progress is not possible without ensuring the inclusion and empowerment of women. The newly elected women MP also highlighted initiatives such as family cards to empower women at the household level, expressing hope that such measures will contribute to self-reliance at the family, social and national levels. Of the 50 reserved seats for women in Parliament, 36 are from the BNP alliance. The newly elected MPs took the oath on Sunday night at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, administered by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan, Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and other whips were present at the oath-taking ceremony.

A total of 36 newly elected Members of Parliament of the BNP alliance from the reserved women’s seats of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad paid tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The MPs placed floral wreaths at their graves at Chandrima Udyan in the capital around 1 PM. BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present. Following the laying of wreaths, a special prayer (munajat) was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Forty-nine newly elected women MPs took oath on Sunday to represent their respective parties from the reserved seats. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, administered the oath at the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The 36 BNP alliance MPs are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arly, Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Shakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Zeeba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sunsila Jabrin, Sanjida Islam (Tulee), Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Subarna Shikdar, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Jerin, Mansura Akter, Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

National Citizen Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam on Sunday declared the first session of the national parliament ‘a failure’, saying the government sidelined reform discussions in favour of running the house on its own terms, betraying the core spirit of the July Uprising. “The first session was supposed to deliberate on how the various reform proposals would be implemented. Instead, the government conducted parliament as it pleased. If this continues, taking to the streets with the people will be our only option,” Nahid said at the closing session of NCP's national convention on ‘Energy, Economy, Human Rights, Reform and Referendum’ at the Diploma Engineers Institute in Kakrail. Reflecting on Bangladesh's democratic deficit, he said the country has been struggling to fulfil its democratic aspirations for 54 years. “After the Liberation War, democracy was supposed to take root. Instead, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman buried it by establishing BAKSAL. BNP spoke of multiparty democracy, but after the election we see they are deceiving the people.” On constitutional reform, Nahid reiterated NCP's firm position on establishing an upper house and power balance in parliament. “Every government that comes to power amends the constitution to suit itself. That is why we need checks and balances in parliament, including a referendum mechanism for constitutional changes. Constitutional bodies must not be partidised, and the prime minister should not hold unilateral appointment powers. A caretaker government must be formed with consensus across parties, and the judiciary must be separated. But even these alone will not establish a truly democratic state.” He warned that piecemeal amendment of the constitution would not be durable. Criticising BNP's approach, he said altering the constitution's fundamental principles without structural reform risked reversal at any time. “I said in parliament, Ziaur Rahman made this historic mistake. As a result, the door remains open to bring back Awami League's ideology and politics in the name of continuity from the 1972 constitution.” He also argued that notes of dissent attached to the July Charter undermine its effectiveness as a binding document. “Since this is meant to be a historic document, notes of dissent were separately appended on the very day it was signed. If whichever party comes to power implements it according to its own manifesto, the charter loses its force, and that is precisely why the referendum demand emerged.” Nahid called on all stakeholders to enshrine the July Charter in the constitution without delay and to implement the ideals of July without disrupting the country's democratic transition.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar has urged the government to take effective steps to ensure press freedom, safety of journalists and transparency in the flow of information. He also called on the media to present news in a responsible, objective and ethical manner. In a statement on Saturday ahead of World Press Freedom Day, he said the media is the fourth pillar of the state. He further said that independent, impartial and responsible media plays an important role in establishing democracy, human rights and justice. “There is no alternative to a free media to reflect the hopes, aspirations, problems and prospects of the people,” he added. He said, “It is sad but true that at various times in the country, journalists have been obstructed in carrying out their professional duties, harassed, attacked and sued, and have faced barriers to their freedom of expression. We believe it is very important to ensure a safe working environment for journalists and the right to freely express the truth in order to build a democratic and welfare state.” He added that on World Press Freedom Day, they expect a Bangladesh where there will be no obstacles to the truth and where the media can speak freely for the people. He extended greetings and congratulations to journalists, media workers and all those involved in the newspaper industry.  

Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has arrived in Japan on a seven-day visit. He landed at Narita International Airport in Tokyo at 3:45pm local time on Saturday. At the airport, central leaders of Islamic Mission Japan, led by its Central President Hafez Saber Ahmed, along with expatriate businessmen and professionals from various sectors, warmly welcomed him. Govt pushing country towards political, constitutional crisis: Jamaat SG Jamaat's central executive council member Saiful Alam Khan Milon and Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Ameer Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman MP, are accompanying him. During this visit, Shafiqur Rahman will participate in a reception organized by the Bangladeshi community, various seminars, and courtesy meetings with high-level officials of the Government of Japan. Earlier, the Jamaat Ameer departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 2:45 am on Saturday for his visit to Japan. He is scheduled to return to Dhaka on May 9.