United News of Bangladesh

BNP will observe the 81st birthday of its chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Friday in a simple manner, with special prayers across the country. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme at a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office. He said doa and milad mahfils will be held at BNP offices across the country, including the party’s central office in Dhaka, and in mosques after Juma prayers, seeking Khaleda’s speedy recovery, good health, and long life, as eternal peace for the departed souls of those martyred during the 1971 Liberation War, the 1990 democratic movement and the 2024 mass uprising. Rizvi urged the leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies to take part in the programme spontaneously. He said the birthday observance will be simple, without any cake-cutting or other events. “We will only pray for our leader’s good health and recovery,” he added. The BNP leader said a milad mahfil will be held at 11am at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Rizvi said Khaleda, who has endured years of political persecution, remains a symbol of hope for democracy-loving people in Bangladesh. “Through her uncompromising political leadership, she has inspired the nation in the movement to restore democracy,” he said. As in the last nine years, the party has no plan to cut a cake to celebrate the day in the early hours of her birthday. Since 2016, the BNP has been marking the day with doa mahfils instead of cake-cutting. Born on August 15, 1945 in Dinajpur, Khaleda served three terms as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She was elected as the country’s first female Prime Minister in 1991.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir left Dhaka for Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday for follow-up eye treatment. Fakhrul, accompanied by his wife Rahat Ara Begum, left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Bangkok at 11:15am on a Thai Airways flight, BNP’s media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan told UNB. Fakhrul urges interim govt to declare ‘July Charter’, hails consensus on reforms He said the BNP leader will receive follow-up treatment at Rutnin Eye Hospital in Bangkok, where he had a successful surgery on his left eye for a retina problem on May 14. Sayrul said Fakhrul is expected to return home on August 19. Earlier, on May 13, the BNP Secretary General went to Bangkok for emergency surgery on the retina of his left eye.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s income was almost double that of BNP and its expenditure nearly five times higher in 2024, according to the financial statements submitted to the Election Commission. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP have recently submitted their respective financial statements of the 2024 calendar year. According to the statements, Jamaat reported an income of Tk 28,97,00,299 (almost Tk 29 crore) and an expenditure of Tk 23,73,38,177 (Tk 23 crore 73 lakh) last year.  BNP, on the other hand, showed a total income of Tk 15,65,94,842 and an expenditure of Tk 4,80,04,823 in the same year. BNP said its main sources of income were members’ monthly subscriptions, sales of books and publications, bank interest, and one-time donations. Jamaat’s statement, submitted to the EC, shows that the party earned Tk 16,56,42,162 from subscriptions by workers and members, and Tk 37,87,149 from the executive committee, advisory council, or other subscription categories. It also received Tk 11,86,38,619 in donations from various people and organisations. Sales of the party’s newspapers, periodicals, and books brought in Tk 9,11,290, while income from other sectors contributed Tk 7,21,079.  The party also carried forward Tk 10,49,45,101 from the previous year. Jamaat Ameer recovering well after surgery: Taher On the expenditure side, Jamaat spent Tk 6,57,67,873 on salaries, allowances, and bonuses for its workers; Tk 2,687,495 on housing and administrative costs; Tk 2,46,018 on utilities, including electricity, water, and gas; Tk 8,44,526 on postal, telephone, internet, courier services and newspaper bills; and Tk 10,95,962 on hospitality. It further reported spending Tk 2,70,06,563 on publicity and transport; Tk 1,27,01,776 on travel; Tk 19,38,705 on public rallies, meetings, and indoor gatherings; Tk 11,05,15,420 in donations to candidates; Tk 32,76,850 on special religious programmes; and Tk 1,12,56,989 under miscellaneous heads, bringing total expenditure to Tk 23,73,38,177. The statement, signed by Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, also mentioned that the party maintains no bank account. According to the law, all registered political parties are required to submit the previous year’s financial reports to the EC by July 31 each year.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday urged his party colleagues that they must play a role in ensuring a completely neutral, free, fair and credible election, free from any manipulation of results by force. “Tarique Rahman has done his part by bringing the election forward to early February next year. Now it is our duty to make sure the election is held in a free and fair manner so that no one can point fingers at us and say we manipulated the results by force like Awami League,” he said while addressing a discussion. Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal jointly organised the discussion titled ‘Future Bangladesh: Expectations of Youth Society and BNP’s Plans’ at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on the occasion of International Youth Day. The BNP leader said their party must take this task seriously as it is now the biggest political party while the Awami League is no longer active in politics. “So, we have to play this role in ensuring a completely impartial, free and fair election. We have to work for it,” he said. Fakhrul said BNP’s associate bodies, including Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal and Swechchasebak Dal, will start working in this regard and prepare themselves. He said if they can win the hearts of the people, bring them to their side in the election and form a government led by Tarique Rahman, they will implement their 31-point programme. Fakhrul said there is now an opportunity to rebuild the nation and the state after removing a fascist regime through a 15-year struggle. BNP trusts interim govt advisers’ integrity: Fakhrul “It will not be possible if we do not have proper knowledge and preparation. This is a science. We all know science is moving forward very fast, and politics and political science also change quickly,” he said. The BNP leader said Bangladesh was liberated over 52 years ago with the dream of establishing a truly democratic country. He said those who were supposed to establish democracy and build a democratic nation failed to do so. “They did the opposite by imposing a one-party governing system.” Fakhrul claimed that democracy was never truly practised in Bangladesh except for a few years under BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Stating that the nation once fought for liberation, he said another fight is now needed to prepare the country for nation-building. The BNP leader said a big challenge for the future government will be to provide jobs for millions of unemployed youths. He said their party, under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, has already started working on plans to create job opportunities and engage the young generation in the country’s development. Fakhrul alleged that some political parties are running deliberate propaganda against BNP to damage its image. “It seems that anything bad that happens in the country is blamed on BNP. These are done intentionally to malign BNP. Since BNP is the most likely party to run the country in the future, attempts are being made to undermine it with false campaigns,” he observed. Fakhrul said BNP needs to prepare guidelines similar to those made by its founder Ziaur Rahman during his three years in office to truly move the country forward. “If necessary, we must go to villages, markets, hats, terminals, riverbanks, farms and ports, talk to people directly, inspire them and awaken them again. This will be our task,” he added.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said urged the young generation to come forward with courage and integrity, avoiding the path of revenge and hostility, to harness the country’s future potential for prosperity. “If you move forward with courage and honesty, avoiding revenge and rivalry, I believe that all doors of potential are open for the prosperity of future Bangladesh,” he said pointing at the members of the young generation, while addressing a discussion in Dhaka through a virtual platform. In this context, he said the only determinant of Bangladesh’s success and prosperity can be its population. Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal jointly organised the discussion titled 'Future Bangladesh: Expectations of Youth Society and BNP's Plans' at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on the occasion of International Youth Day. Tarique Rahman said people now want a shift from the traditional politics. “People's aspirations - the aspirations that almost all political parties have spoken about more or less - are not fulfilled by only promises, but rather by the implementation of the promises, which BNP believes in,” he said. The BNP leader said this is why he presented his party’s sector-wise plans and they are now preparing strategies to ensure the implementation of the plans. The BNP acting chairman called upon the country’s youths to present BNP’s people-oriented plans to all the masses. “If the people give BNP the opportunity to govern the state, Inshallah, we will gradually implement these plans in the days ahead,” Tarique said. He also sought votes for the Sheaf of Paddy (BNP’s electoral symbol) from the country’s people of all walks of life, including youths.  Establishing people’s rule now main challenge: Tarique Rahman Tarique also pledged that if BNP wins the public mandate to form a government through the election, it will run the country in unity and harmony. “The interim government and the Election Commission have announced that, InshAllah, the national election will be held next February in a Bangladesh free from fascism after one and a half decades of authoritarian rule. I call on all men, women, students, youth and people from all walks of life to vote for the paddy sheaf in the coming election and give us the chance to build the country,” he said. The BNP leader said he asked for the support of everyone who spoke at the event, as well as party leaders, activists and journalists, to deliver one simple message to the people of the country: “If you vote for the paddy sheaf, we will build the country together.” Outlining his party’s plans to develop a youth community based on reason and logic, Tarique said BNP’s politics focuses on creating employment in the coming days, with the main goal of providing jobs for the unemployed. “When more than half of a country’s total population is of working age, it is called a demographic dividend. With this in mind, our current population can become the main driver of development, as most of our people are of working age. We just need to turn this population into a productive workforce,” he said. Tarique also said BNP believes if the country’s population, especially the youth, are given technical education and skills, it will become a blessing for the nation. He said they also have a plan to train young people interested in sports. “Alongside technology skills, some young people want to develop themselves in sports, and we must give them that opportunity.” The BNP leader said they plan to restart ‘Notun Kuri’ in the near future if voted to power. “We will add a new subject to it that will include sports. This means we will identify those among our country’s future generations who show talent in sports alongside cultural life. For this reason, we can include sports education in the curriculum to help establish these games as a profession.” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku, BNP student affair secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna,  Swechchasebak Dal general secretary Rajib Ahsan, JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib, Chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Junaid Saki, NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, Playwright and July worrier Mabrur Rashid Bannah, Dhaka University’s visually impaired student Md Tafsar Ullah, journalists Mukatadir Rashid Romeo and Shariful Islam Khan, among others, spoke at the event presided over by Swechchasebak Dal president SM Jillani.

BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday alleged that another anti-democracy force is targeting nationalist forces after the fall of the fascist government. “Since August 5, the statements and actions of another anti-democracy force have made us believe that they are targeting nationalist forces,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a food distribution programme among destitute people at Banani graveyard on Tuesday morning, marking the 56th birth anniversary of the late Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and current Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Tarique Rahman urges BNP followers to stand united amid ‘conspiracies’ He alleged that this anti-democratic force supported Awami fascism and strengthened its hand in various ways during 1986, 1994, 1995 and 1996. Rizvi claimed that this evil force is also now using different strategies, often in the name of religion and is conspiring to make the upcoming election controversial. “The defeated fascists are no longer in the country. They are working from a neighbouring country using their black money and illegal weapons. Whenever democratic forces organise any programme, these people come out of the shadows and conspire,” he observed. The BNP leader criticised recent incidents in Chattogram where police were attacked with the slogan ‘Joy Bangla’, creating a violent situation. “Despite this, the entire nation hopes for a free and fair election,” he said. Establishing people’s rule now main challenge: Tarique Rahman Mentioning Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’ declaration of a specific timeframe for the election, Rizvi said the Election Commission will soon announce the schedule. “But it seems that many people are resorting to various cunning tricks and are involved in conspiracies regarding this election,” he warned. Rizvi said they fought for an ideal, and their leader Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman fought relentlessly to uphold this ideal, inspiring the nation and party workers to fully dedicate themselves to restoring democracy. “We have never cared who is on our right, left, front or back. Our goal is to keep our independence intact and protect our sovereignty. This is why the mass uprising on August 5 forced the fascist government led by Sheikh Hasina to flee. But now, efforts are underway to bring back fascism through various means,” he observed. Rizvi also claimed that the death of Arafat Rahman Koko was not natural, calling him a martyr of the democratic movement who died due to the oppression of the Sheikh Hasina government.  

A delegation of the National Citizen Party (NCP) held a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson on Monday afternoon at the Chief of Mission Residence in the capital. The NCP delegation was led by Convenor Nahid Islam, and included Member Secretary Akhter Hossen, Senior Joint Member Secretary Dr Tasnim Jara, and Joint Member Secretary Alauddin Mohammad, according to NCP media cell. NCP passes primary scrutiny for EC registration at second attempt During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on the country’s current political situation, the outline of reforms, law and order, the July Declaration, and the upcoming national election. The wide public response to the NCP’s July March across almost all districts also came up for discussion. From the US side, Political and Economic Counselor Eric Geelan, Political Officer James Stewart, and Political Specialist Firoze Ahmed were also present.

Jatiotabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib has alleged that activists of banned Chhatra League, including individuals from banned factions, continue to occupy residential halls at Dhaka University, posing an ongoing threat to campus safety. Speaking to reporters at the Chhatra Dal council programme at Murari Chand (MC) College in Sylhet on Monday afternoon, Rakib claimed that they have intelligence reports about the presence of 10 to 15 banned Chhatra League members in each hall. “They can commit any kind of crime at any time,” he added. He mentioned that although the era of Chhatra League's "tender manipulation, hall seat trading, and politics of terror" is over, the psychological trauma among general students remains. "Respecting the emotions of ordinary students, Chhatra Dal has initiated a new-age, student-friendly political approach," he said. Rakib stressed that Chhatra Dal has not been involved in any covert or criminal activities in the past year, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to transparency. He also demanded a law banning secret politics, adding that Chhatra Dal "openly engages in student politics" and takes immediate action in case of any untoward incident. The Chhatra Dal leader further said the organization would actively oppose "identified Razakars" and those promoting "anti-human politics of 1971," calling it a moral responsibility of the student community to stand against them. Rakibul Islam Rakib attended the MC College Chhatra Dal council as chief guest, where Khan Mohammad Sami was elected president and Junaidur Rahman general secretary. The programme was chaired by Selim Ahmed Sagar, convener of MC College Chhatra Dal, and attended by central and local leaders.

General Secretary of Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh Saiful Haque on Monday alleged that the achievements of the mass uprising have been lost and the unity among people weakened due to the government’s lack of foresight, wisdom and its biased and wrong actions. “The July-August mass uprising had sparked great hope for changes, but much of this hope has been lost because of the interim government’s lack of wisdom and foresight. Division has grown instead of unity, and extremism has gained ground due to the government’s mistakes and biased conduct,” he said. Haque made the remarks while speaking at a discussion titled ‘Expectations and Achievements of Young People in the Mass Uprising’ held at the Jatiya Press Club, organised by the Revolutionary Youth Unity. Tarique Rahman urges BNP followers to stand united amid ‘conspiracies’ He said the government’s biased role has not only disappointed the people but also led some leading fighters of the uprising to lose their way. “In just one year, no frontline fighter of past mass movements or uprisings has become so controversial. As a result, a sense of despair and political disillusionment has spread among the millions of young people who took part in the uprising,” Haque observed. He said the interim government has failed to embrace the message of the mass uprising. “As a result, they have repeatedly lost their way and unnecessarily become involved in controversies. Their actions have caused division instead of unity.” The Revolutionary Workers Party leader called upon the government to move beyond controversies, ensure impartiality and pave the way for democratic progress through elections and reforms. He also urged young people to stay active on the streets in support of the democratic cause. BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said political parties and politicians must undergo real change in post-uprising Bangladesh to meet the aspirations of the people. Establishing people’s rule now main challenge: Tarique Rahman He said unchecked power could not protect Prime Minister Hasina, and many lost their way after the uprising due to greed. The BNP leader warned young people to avoid being used by others and stressed the need to investigate any political support behind youth gangs.

Alleging that various plots are underway to derail the process of restoring democracy and people’s voting rights, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged his party leaders and activists to stay united and uphold public trust by refraining from any wrongdoing to foil all conspiracies. “The hopes and plans of BNP are to move the country forward and improve living standards of people. But conspiracies are slowly being hatched to stop these plans from being carried out. At the same time, attempts are being made by various quarters to block the country’s return to democracy and deny people their right to vote,” he said. Speaking virtually at the biennial council of the BNP Naogaon District Council at Naogaon Convention Centre, the BNP leader reminded his party colleagues that just a few days after the fall of the autocratic regime, he warned them the next national election would be the toughest in Bangladesh’s history. “A year ago, I said invisible forces were active and various plots were going on…Yes, the road ahead will be tough. Through newspapers and other sources, many of you now realise that perhaps Tarique Rahman was not so wrong after all,” he said. The BNP leader said their party can lead the country in the right direction successfully, following its plans by overcoming all challenges and foiling conspiracies if every single leader and activist in the BNP family does just two things. “Shall I tell you what those two things are? Keep intact the trust and love of the people, avoid any actions that damage the party’s image, and stay united like a family. If you do these things, we can defeat the conspiracies,” he said. Establishing people’s rule now main challenge: Tarique Rahman Tarique said the real capital and greatest asset of a political party is the support, love and trust of the people, urging all leaders and activists not to do anything that can harm the party's popularity. He said all leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated bodies across the country must be alert to one thing: “We must never do anything that damages people’s trust, faith and love for us. We must refrain completely -- 100% -- from such actions.” The BNP leader also urged his party colleagues to keep an eye on one another to ensure that no one engages in any activity that could harm the party. Tarique reminded party members of past struggles, saying many BNP activists had suffered under previous regimes, facing false cases, arrests, torture, and even losing family members while in jail. State reforms useless without mindset change: Salahuddin “Some were taken to attend their parents’ funerals in handcuffs. We have leaders and activists who died without treatment, handcuffed, in hospital corridors. You are the workers and leaders of such a party. So we should not do anything that can dent the party’s image and reduce the people’s trust,” he said. Tarique also warned BNP leaders and followers about opportunists, whom he called ‘ghughu’ (pigeon), who only appear when the party is close to power. “These people don’t care about the party. They only think about their own benefit. They will come, use you, tarnish your reputations, exploit the party for their personal gain, and then disappear in times of trouble. We must be careful about them.” He urged all to remain vigilant so such opportunists cannot infiltrate the party or misuse it for their own benefit. “Keep these opportunists at bay. They only care about themselves and belong to no one. You must keep a watchful eye on them.” Besides, Tarique said, every soldier of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia must remain united like brothers and sisters to stop the conspiracies against people’s rights and the establishment of democracy, and to implement the 31-point plan for the country and its people. “At any cost, no one should fail to maintain unity. I urge you to take a vow in Allah’s name that we will remain united,” he said. Tarique encouraged Naogaon BNP leaders to work together when selecting new leadership through this council. “Let’s choose leaders who can carry the party forward with honesty, courage and dedication. Today, you made two promises — to stay united and to protect people's trust in BNP. Please keep those promises.” Govt should have presented an interim budget: Khosru He said the party has many plans for the country’s development and ensuring the welfare of the nation, as they do politics for the people. Tarique said ordinary people come to BNP leaders wanting to know about the country’s situation and future action plans as they rely on the party. He said BNP leaders and supporters have always stood beside the people during difficult times, including during Covid, floods and natural disasters. Tarique said while reforms are now being discussed as part of the interim government’s initiative, the BNP presented a 31-point outline containing most of these reform proposals two and a half years ago, during the rule of the autocratic regime. The BNP leader said they, together with other like-minded parties, gave those proposals as the party has experience in governing the country and developing its various sectors. Thinking about the country’s people and their welfare, he said they felt the need for reforms to overhaul all sectors and institutions, as the fascist regime destroyed them for its own interests.