United News of Bangladesh

BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed has started electioneering in his constituency Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria-Pekua). On Tuesday morning, he arrived in Cox’s Bazar on a five-day visit to woo voters in favour of him ahead of the national election. On the first day, Salahuddin visited the grave of Pir Hafiz Abdul Hai in Khuntakhali union under Chakaria upazila and offered prayers around 1:30 pm and began his electoral campaign. He then inaugurated the BNP party office of Khuntakhali union. After completing programmes in Khuntakhali, he took part in various activities in Dulahazara union. He also joined electoral roadshows and public outreaches in wards 2, 4, and 5 of the union. Tarique Rahman likely to return home soon: Salahuddin In the evening, he addressed a party roadshow at Rashid Ahmed Chowdhury High School ground in Fashiakhali union. Seeking votes for himself and his party, he said that the country would be run democratically by respecting citizens’ opinions and that all communities would be included in national development.    

Two specialist medical teams from the UK and China are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday morning to support the medical board formed to ensure treatment of ailing BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Prof Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician and BNP standing committee member, confirmed it on Tuesday night. Her family and party have requested prayers from the nation for her recovery. The former prime minister has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Bashundhara of Dhaka since November 23. Meanwhile, the government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘Very Very Important Person’ and assigned members of the Special Security Force (SSF) to ensure her safety.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday (December 02) said that the return of Acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is entirely a ‘personal and family matter’. Talking to reporters after an event titled ‘Future Bangladesh Challenges 2025’ at a city hotel, Khosru said the ongoing discussion surrounding Tarique Rahman’s possible return to Bangladesh would have no negative impact on the upcoming national election. In response to a question on whether a travel pass could facilitate Tarique Rahman’s return, Khosru said he was not aware of any such process. Read more: Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi “BNP does politics by relying on people’s trust. Given the chance, people will once again prove that BNP still holds their confidence,” he added. The issue of Tarique Rahman’s return has gained renewed attention as his mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 with multiple health complications. She was moved to the CCU on November 27 after her condition deteriorated. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Earlier in the day, her personal physician Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said the medical board, comprising local and foreign specialists, confirmed that Khaleda Zia is responding to ongoing treatment and that there is a possibility she may recover this time. During the 1/11 caretaker government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been residing in London with his wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman. Read more: Army, Navy, Air chiefs visit Khaleda at Evercare

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday said their party would prioritise investment at the grassroots level instead of megaprojects if it returns to power, ensuring that development benefits reach all citizens. “Many megaprojects have already been implemented. Our focus now is on ensuring that a village artisan—someone making tools or crafts—can sell products on platforms like Amazon or eBay. That is where we plan to invest,” he said. Speaking at an event titled ‘Future Bangladesh Challenge 2025’ at a city hotel, Khosru said the BNP aims to empower marginal producers so they can access global markets. BNP’s development agenda will include both demographic dividend and longevity dividend, said Khosru, claiming the party has prepared tailored project packages with detailed implementation roadmaps. “Whenever a project is proposed, implementation becomes a concern. BNP has structured every project with a clear execution plan. The goal is simple—prosperity for all and development that touches every citizen,” he said. Highlighting the need to utilise retirees effectively, he said, “A person retiring at 59 still has valuable contributions to offer the nation. BNP has specific plans on how to engage experienced retirees productively.” On education, the BNP leader said the current system is not aligned with the job market. Citing China, where 60 percent pursue vocational training, he said Bangladesh continues to produce large numbers of graduates who struggle to find employment due to inadequate skill development. “We must think about innovation. In the US, 2,000–3,000 patents are filed every month. That shows their philosophy of progress. Our curriculum needs to shift toward a work-oriented model,” he said. Elected govt to review telecom, all other policies: Khosru Khosru also said BNP plans to create employment opportunities for about 30 lakh persons with disabilities who are able to work, while the government would take responsibility for those who are fully incapable. He said the party will introduce a new economic model focusing on youth-driven innovation. “We want to work with young people, use their innovative ideas, and turn our population into a skilled human resource.”    

Jamaat-e-Islami has changed its candidate for the Lalmonirhat-3 (Sadar) constituency, a day after announcing a similar reshuffle in Habiganj-4. Advocate Abu Taher, the party’s Lalmonirhat district Ameer, has been nominated to contest the election for the seat in place of former Rangpur Metropolitan Chhatra Shibir president Harunur Rashid. Taher, who previously served for six years as president of Chhatra Shibir in Lalmonirhat and Rangpur districts, currently practises law at the Lalmonirhat Judicial Court. The announcement was made at a meeting held at the district office on Tuesday, attended by local leaders from Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila and the municipality. Presided over by District Naib-e-Ameer Maulana Habibur Rahman, the meeting was attended, by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and Rangpur-Dinajpur Regional Director Maulana Abdul Halim as chief guest. At the meeting, Taher was formally approved as the party’s new parliamentary candidate for Lalmonirhat-3 and included as a member of the central Majlis-e-Shura. Party sources said BNP’s Rangpur divisional organising secretary, Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, is expected to contest the seat. Dulu was elected MP from the constituency in 2001, defeating Awami League’s Abu Saleh Mohammad Saeed, and later served as Deputy Minister of Communications in the four-party alliance government. Jamaat has historically performed poorly in Lalmonirhat-3. Since the 1990s, the party has only fielded candidates in the 1991 (5th) and June 1996 (7th) parliamentary elections, where its nominee Mosharaf Hossain Khandakar finished fourth with 3,505 and 1,829 votes, respectively. In more recent elections, the constituency was allocated to the BNP under the four-party alliance. On Monday, Jamaat also announced a change in its candidate for Habiganj-4. The district Ameer, Maulana Mukhlisur Rahman, confirmed through Facebook the nomination of journalist Oliullah Noman as the party’s new contender for the seat.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday (December 02) said not only BNP leaders and activists but people across the country are deeply worried and sympathetic over the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. “We will pray only to Allah for the recovery of our leader Khaleda Zia. She is the symbol of people’s trust in this country,” he said while supervising a Qurankhwani and the slaughtering of goats as sadaqah-e-jariyah at his residence in the capital. Rizvi said Khaleda had led the nation through many critical junctures, never left the country, and remained beside people with courage and determination despite repeated attempts to remove her from the political landscape. Read more: Govt ready to provide special security to Tarique Rahman: Home Adviser “Today, it is not just the BNP or its associate and front organisations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sechchhasebak Dal and Mohila Dal—who are worried. People outside the party are also gripped by deep concern and sympathy. It is difficult to express in words the emotions surrounding her critical illness,” Rizvi said. Speaking about the religious activities held for her recovery, he said orphans and madrasah students had been reciting the Holy Qur’an since morning under the guidance of an imam present at the event. “We firmly believe Allah will accept their prayers, Qur’an recitation, and this sadaqah-e-jariyah,” he added. Under the supervision of Kofil Uddin Ahmed, joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, goats were slaughtered as sadaqah-e-jariyah seeking Khaleda Zia’s recovery, and the meat was distributed among the poor and destitute. Read more: No specific information over Tarique’s return, says Foreign Adviser Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations.

Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said on Monday that the ‘eight-party alliance’ does not want victory only for itself, but for the 180 million people of Bangladesh. “We want to keep fighting for a corruption-free society, justice, economic freedom and an independent country free from any kind of control,” he said while speaking at the Khulna Divisional Rally organised by the Jamaat-led alliance. Mufti Syed Md Rezaul Karim, the Ameer and Charmonai Pir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, presided over the rally. Since the day after August 5, Dr Shafiqur Rahman said, a particular group has been attacking people to spread its influence. He said extortion, corruption and disorder continue, and some people are showing power even without being in government. They are influencing the administration and people now feel that the situation has become worse although things were not good before. He also claimed that Islamic parties were not accused of extortion during that time. Speaking to people aged 35 and below, who could not vote in the last three national elections, he said, “If anyone tries to steal your vote this time, we will not allow it. On that day, I will also stand with you like a youth and fight for your voting rights.”

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has urged the public not to pay heed to any rumours or misleading statements regarding the health condition of party Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, saying she remains under treatment at the CCU as before. Speaking at a special prayer event in Mohammadpur on Monday seeking the BNP chief’s recovery, Rizvi said, “Various rumours and misleading claims are being spread about Khaleda Zia’s medical treatment and physical condition. I call upon everyone not to believe any of these. The entire nation is passing through a moment of deep anguish over the condition of the three-time former prime minister.” He said Khaleda Zia is currently in a ‘very critical condition’ and undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital Dhaka. “We all pray to the Almighty for her quick recovery so that she can return once again to the people of this country,” he added. Sharing the latest update about her health, Rizvi said she remains in the CCU, receiving the same treatment as in previous days. “There is no new update beyond this. Whatever others may say, no one should be misled.” Rizvi described Khaleda Zia as a leader who has become a ‘beloved figure of the nation’, noting that she lost her son while in captivity and endured immense oppression and suffering. “Despite all conspiracies and attempts to remove her from her own country, she remained steadfast. She was kept in a crumbling prison for years. Today, the entire nation is praying for her,” he said.  

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia has been placed on ventilation on Sunday night (November 30) as her health has taken another critical turn. “Begum Zia’s condition has turned critical again. She has been on ventilation support since last night,” BNP Vice-Chairman Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan told reporters on Monday (December 01). Read More: Mirza Abbas blames ‘mistreatment’ in jail for Khaleda’s illness Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since she was admitted on November 23 with multiple health complications.

The health condition of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who is receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, remains largely unchanged, party leaders and members of her medical board said on Sunday. A member of the medical board, who wished to remain anonymous, said Khaleda Zia has not shown any major improvement, but her condition has also not worsened. He said the BNP chief is responding to treatment and has even been able to speak a few words. “Alhamdulillah, Madam is a little bit better. There has been no new deterioration. We consider this as a very slight improvement. She is cooperating with the doctors,” the board member said. He also said Khaleda Zia has been taking liquid food, served by her daughter-in-law at her bedside. The physician said if her condition improves further, she may be taken abroad for advanced treatment, possibly to Singapore or London. “For now, she will remain under close observation in the CCU for a few more days.” He said the medical board, which includes both local and foreign specialists, monitors her condition daily and decides collectively on her treatment. “Doctors from the London Clinic, where she received treatment earlier, as well as experts from the United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, China and other countries, are participating virtually in the board’s discussion.” Earlier in the day, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the health of the BNP Chairperson remains unchanged. “From the latest updates we have received today, her condition is unchanged,” he said at an urgent press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Rizvi also said doctors have not yet advised sending her abroad. Quoting the medical team, he said, “Her condition has not deteriorated, but we have not heard of any major improvement either.” When asked about the possible return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Rizvi said he will return “at the appropriate time. We have no update on this. When the time is right, he will come back.” He said Tarique Rahman is in regular contact with the doctors and is closely monitoring all matters related to Khaleda Zia’s treatment, including the possibility of taking her abroad. On Saturday night, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain told reporters that she is able to receive treatment from the medical team, but her condition is not yet suitable for travel abroad. Preparations have been made to take her overseas once the board advises it. Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since her admission on 23 November with multiple health complications. Meanwhile, prayers and doa mahfils continue across the country for her speedy recovery. On Sunday, the BNP’s Dhaka South City unit organised a doa mahfil at the Anand Community Centre in Nayapaltan, attended by senior BNP leaders, including Mirza Abbas and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, along with party members. Special prayers were also offered at the Gulshan Society Mosque, the Bangladesh Medical University central mosque, Pallabi-2 Community Centre, and Baitul Aqsa Jame Masjid in Segunbagicha. Student organisations and professional groups, including the Bangladesh Photojournalists Association, also held prayer gatherings for her health. A special prayer was held at the Dhakeshwari National Temple for the speedy recovery of the BNP Chairperson. The programme was organised jointly by the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and the Dhaka City Sarbojanin Puja Committee.