United News of Bangladesh

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday night said the nation’s expectations have not been fulfilled with the Chief Adviser’s speech regarding the fresh roadmap for the next parliamentary election. In an immediate reaction, Salahuddin told UNB that, “The Chief Adviser’s speech has not met the expectations of the nation.” He said their party Standing Committee is sitting for an emergency meeting at 9pm, to be chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. The BNP leader said they will elaborately discuss the matter and work out the next course of action. Govt resorting to ploys to delay election: Rizvi Salahuddin also said the BNP would come up with a detailed reaction to the Chief Adviser’s announced new election outline after holding discussions with other political parties involved in the simultaneous movement. Earlier, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in his address to the nation, announced that the next national election will be held some time in the first half of April 2026, reaffirming the government’s commitment to reform, justice and democratic progress. “After reviewing the ongoing reforms in justice, governance and the electoral process, I am announcing today that the next national election will be held in the first half of April 2026,” he said in a televised address to the nation in the evening.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will celebrate Eid-ul-Azha at her Gulshan residence, ‘Firoza’, with close relatives on Saturday. “Tomorrow is the holy Eid-ul-Azha. BNP Chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, will be celebrating the occasion at her residence Firoza,” said her personal physician Prof AZM Zahid Hossain. He said a cattle will be sacrificed on behalf of the BNP chief and her eldest son and party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at Firoza. Zahid said another animal will be sacrificed on behalf of the members of the Zia family in Bogura’s Gabtali. Besides, he said, cattle sacrifices will also be made in the names of Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and their family members in several districts by BNP leaders and workers. In the afternoon of Eid, Zahid said Khaleda Zia will spend time with her close family members at Firoza. Tarique Rahman greets people on Eid-ul-Azha "Her sister, Selina Rahman, younger brother, Shamim Eskander, and their families, along with other close relatives, will come to Firoza to offer Eid greetings. It will be a private family gathering during which the Chairperson will exclusively interact with her dear ones,” he said. The BNP leader said Khaleda will also take her lunch with her relatives at her residence. In the evening, he said, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other standing committee members of the party will exchange Eid greetings with Khaleda.  Zahid said Tarique Rahman has celebrated the Eid in London today (Friday) as the festival fell a day earlier there. He said Tarique, accompanied by BNP leaders and activists, offered Eid prayers in London before calling his mother on Friday morning to extend Eid greetings. Zahid said Khaleda Zia also spoke to her daughter-in-law, Zubaida Rahman, and her grandchildren. Tarique Rahman, his wife Zubaida, daughter Barrister Zayma Rahman, and late Arafat Rahman Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, along with his daughters Zahiya Rahman and Zafia Rahman, are all celebrating Eid together in London. National election in April next: Prof Yunus Zubaida Rahman arrived in London on Thursday night after travelling from Dhaka, while Koko’s widow returned to London about ten days ago. Khaleda returned to Dhaka from London on May 6 after receiving advanced medical treatment for four months, accompanied by her two daughters-in-law. Zahid said Khaleda Zia sent her Eid greetings to the people of Bangladesh and the party’s leaders and activists, both in the country and abroad. “She has requested everyone to pray for her and for the well-being of the people of the country," he said. Prof Yunus urges unity, sacrifice to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh Regarding Khaleda Zia’s health status, Zahid assured that she is in stable condition. “Alhamdulillah, her health remains stable, as it was when she returned from London. The medical board continues to monitor her health on a daily basis, with physical examinations being conducted regularly.” Khaleda celebrated the last Eid-ul-Fitr in London at Tarique Rahman’s residence, spending time with her two daughters-in-law and grandchildren.

BNP has approved a full-fledged committee for its Narsingdi district unit, along with convening committees for Mymensingh South, Sherpur and Manikganj districts. A press release issued on Thursday, signed by the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, confirmed the approval of organisational committees for these four districts. A 151-member full committee has been formed for BNP’s Narsingdi district, with party Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon appointed as president and Monjur Elahi as general secretary. For Mymensingh South district, a 43-member convening committee has been approved, making Zakir Hossain Bablu as convener and Rokonujjaman Sarker Rokon as member secretary. BNP leader Hafizuddin slams Prof Yunus for ‘untrue’ remark on election timeline Meanwhile, a 41-member convening committee for the party’s Sherpur district has been formed, with Sirajul Islam appointed as convener and ABM Mamunur Rashid Palash as member secretary. Besides, Afroza Khanam Rita has been made the convener of the 61-member convening committee for the Manikganj district unit of BNP. The formation of these new committees is part of BNP’s ongoing efforts to reorganise and strengthen its units in preparation for the upcoming national election.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday accused the interim government of 'resorting to tactics' to delay the national election, ignoring the hopes and aspirations of people. “Sheikh Hasina has seemingly relegated free and fair elections to the museum. After her removal, people hoped that Dr Muhammad Yunus would quickly restore their right to vote. But, the issue of the election is merely being stalled through various tactics,” he said. The BNP leader made the remarks while speaking at a doa mahfil and Eid gift distribution programme in the city’s Uttara area, organised by Rashid Group to mark the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Rizvi said the interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, is set to complete one year in office this August, yet no visible reforms have so far been carried out.  He urged the government to implement the necessary reforms promptly in a bid to hold the election by December, in line with the wishes of the people. BNP unveils 180-day economic action plan ahead of national election The BNP leader also said the people of the country are eagerly waiting for the election to choose their representatives, as they have long been deprived of their right to vote. Later, Rizvi distributed Eid gifts to several hundred low-income group of people.  BNP Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, Dhaka North City Unit Member Secretary Mustafa Zaman, Joint Conveners SM Jahangir Hossain, ABMA Razzak, M Kafil Uddin Ahmed, and Rashid Group Chairman and Dhaka North City BNP Member Motaleb Hossain Raton were, among others, present.  Earlier at a press conference at the BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said neither party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, nor their only daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, has any Facebook accounts. “We are deeply concerned to notice that a criminal syndicate is intentionally creating fake and false Facebook accounts in the names of Dr Zubaida Rahman and Barrister Zaima Rahman, posting misleading and fabricated comments. The fraudsters are using AI (Artificial Intelligence) to create and circulate fabricated images and videos of them on social media,” he said.  He strongly condemned and protested such despicable activities on the social media.  BNP wants only national election under 90-day caretaker govt: Salahuddin Rizvi also urged the people not to be misled by such misinformation. He described the creation of fake accounts in the names of Zubaida Rahman and Zaima Rahman as a “malicious and premeditated” activity aimed at creating confusion in the minds of the people regarding the Zia family. Rizvi called for the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible for creating the fake accounts in the names of the Zia family members.

The government formally handed over the mutation documents of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan house, allocated by the state 44 years ago, to her on Wednesday night. Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and RAJUK Chairman personally delivered the mutation papers to Khaleda Zia at her residence at around 9pm, said a BNP leader close to the party chairperson. Housing and Public Works Secretary Nazrul Islam and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Riazul Islam were also present. Book on Zia, Khaleda launched in city Contacted, BNP Chairperson’s personal secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said the adviser and other officials stayed for about half an hour during their courtesy visit to the BNP chairperson. “The adviser brought some documents and handed them over to Madam (Khaleda),” he said. Sattar, however, said he is not certain what the documents pertain to. The house, built on 1.5 bighas of land in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, was allotted to Khaleda following the death of her husband President Ziaur Rahman in 1981. Khaleda Zia urges people to unite for restoration of democracy The house is located near the ‘Firoza’ residence, where Khaleda currently resides. Party insiders said the interim government initiated and completed the mutation process.

  BNP on Wednesday announced an ambitious economic action plan outlining the steps it intends to take during its first 180 days in office, if voted back to power in the next general election. At a press conference at the party chairperson’s Gulshan office, BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented a summary of the proposed economic action plan. “A transparent, participatory and innovative economic strategy is needed to restore economic stability, earn public trust and lay a strong foundation for the future. The time has come to move beyond outdated conventions and make bold, visionary decisions to open up a horizon of hope, confidence and nation rebuilding,” he said. In many countries, the BNP leader said political parties outline what they plan to achieve in the first 100 days after coming to power. As a party committed to empowering the people, he said the BNP wants to introduce such a realistic political culture in Bangladesh. “Our goals and strategies for the first 180 days (six months) after forming a government through a public mandate will be set before the election. Based on this 180-day plan, an action-oriented roadmap will be formulated. We want to clearly outline the specific steps the BNP will take across various sectors,” Khosru said. BNP criticises budget as 'unilateral, ineffective' amid inflation At the press conference, the BNP outlined 11 priority sectors—education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, recognition of martyrs, agriculture and rural development, industry, information and communication technology, expatriate welfare, urban management, environmental governance and law and order—to focus on during the 180-day period. BNP arranged the press conference at its chairperson’s Gulshan office to give the party’s formal reaction to the proposed budget. Job Creation Khosru announced that creating employment is their party’s top priority, pledging one crore new jobs if BNP is voted to power. Citing past success in labour-intensive industries and overseas employment, he said BNP wants to boost domestic production by 8% and has identified 10 key sectors for job creation, including infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, freelancing, services, green energy, health, education and SMEs. Prioritising Education Khosru said BNP plans to enhance the economic benefits and social status of primary school teachers, bringing them under specialised training programmes. He also announced BNP’s plans to form an expert committee comprising local and expatriate academics, professionals, and experts in this regard. “To make education more practical, the BNP plans to introduce short-term trade courses—such as plumbing, electrical work, mechanics, dental hygiene, and medical technology—under government management. Effective steps will also be taken to promote apprenticeships, internships and industry-academia collaboration,” the BNP leader said. Besides, he said, seed funding or innovation grants will be offered at the district level to commercialise innovative business ideas through a competitive process in colleges and universities. Improving Health Services Khosru said their party will prioritise disease prevention through expanded vaccination programmes, health education and awareness campaigns. He said BNP aims to promote healthy lifestyles, sanitation and nutrition awareness among the public, alongside launching specialised training schemes for doctors and health workers. To ensure safe drinking water, modern purification systems will be installed and reservoirs for rainwater collection will be gradually constructed nationwide,” the BNP leader said. Introducing Family Card Khosru said their party plans to issue ‘Family Cards’ to 50 lakh poor rural families, primarily in women’s names, providing monthly financial or food aid. Rizvi slams govt for retaining black money whitening provision in budget He said they will prioritise women’s safety with strict punishments for offenders, establish dedicated support cells at union levels, and offer low-interest loans to women for small and medium enterprises to boost self-reliance. Recognising Martyrs Khosru said the BNP will prepare lists of martyrs from the July uprising and 16-year anti-fascist movement, naming government institutions after them in their respective areas. “The families of martyrs will receive state recognition and financial support. Those injured, who lost eyes or were maimed in pro-democracy movements will also be acknowledged and provided with job assistance," he said. Introducing Farmers’ Card Khosru said their party will also launch ‘Farmers’ Cards’ containing land and crop data. “The state will take the initiative to purchase directly produced products from farmers at the union level on the basis of fair prices, and the work of building cold storages will begin nationwide.” He said the agricultural sector will be developed into an export-oriented one by creating opportunities for processing agricultural products and improving quality. A local database will support targeted policies, while strict action will be taken against market syndicates to control prices. Large-scale canal excavation will also be undertaken across the country. The BNP leader said an area-based database will be created, and targeted policy support will be provided by determining the data of farmers’ land and the amount of crops produced. “Strict and visible steps will be taken against extortion, middlemen and syndicates left behind by fascism to control commodity prices in the market. Canal digging activities will be started on a large scale across the country,” he said. Targeting $1 Trillion Economy Khosru said their party wants to raise the FDI-to-GDP ratio from 0.45% to 2.5% as part of its roadmap to reach a $1 trillion GDP by 2034. BNP wants only national election under 90-day caretaker govt: Salahuddin "BNP’s aim is to set a GDP target of $1 trillion by 2034. The burden of additional taxes will be controlled to remove pressure from the people's shoulders," he said. To boost industrial growth, Khosru said, the BNP plans to adopt investor-friendly policies to attract both domestic and foreign investment. “Priority will be given to projects that generate large-scale employment. A ‘One-Stop Service’ will be implemented to streamline processes such as company registration and banking support.” He said they also want to promote agriculture, fisheries, and other production-oriented sectors. “A list of closed state-run mills—such as jute, textile, and sugar mills—will be prepared, with visible efforts taken to reopen them.” To ensure safer urban travel, Khosru said BNP will introduce women-only buses with female drivers and assistants on selected Dhaka routes. “Traffic reforms will include AI-controlled traffic lights, strict law enforcement, public awareness, and lane-based vehicle planning—guided by both local and international experts.” He also promised a zero-tolerance policy against crimes like rape, mugging, and robbery, aiming to end the culture of impunity. “Police professionalism will be enhanced through training, motivation and improved monitoring.” Khosru said the party also plans to plant 25–30 crore trees over five years, promote eco-friendly +practices, and increase open green spaces. To boost private sector growth, he said BNP also plans regulatory reforms, SME/start-up financing, and promotion of innovation and infrastructure. The BNP leader also said they will go for modernising fiscal and debt management systems, improving tax transparency and enacting budgetary reforms to ensure accountability and public participation. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Selima Rahman, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah and Economic Affairs Secretary Khaled Jashim Mahbub Shyamal were also present at the press conference.  

BNP on Wednesday described the proposed national budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year as ‘unilateral, traditional and non-participatory’ and said it fails to offer concrete strategies to address long-standing economic vulnerabilities, including soaring inflation and rising poverty. “BNP has been cooperating with the interim government in every possible way. We expected that the interim government would formulate the budget through discussions with the political parties involved in the movement to establish a minimum level of national consensus,” BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdury told a press conference.  He said the interim government could have sought opinions from various segments of society -- experts, civil society members, business leaders and youth representatives. “If that had happened, the budget would have symbolised a coordinated economic vision. It would have reflected the voices of different sections of the country. But that opportunity was not utilised. As a result, the budget formulation has been one-sided, non-participatory, and conventional. It lacked the reflection of new thinking,” the BNP leader said.  In the current special circumstances, he said this dialogue was even more urgent for the interim government before finalising the budget since an elected government will come into power in the 2025-26 fiscal year.  BNP arranged the press conference at its chairperson’s Gulshan office to give the party’s formal reaction to the proposed budget. On Monday, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed unveiled a Tk 790,000 crore national budget for the 2025–26 fiscal year, which begins in July. Rizvi slams govt for retaining black money whitening provision in budget Stating that the budget should be formulated keeping in mind the standard of living of the common people, Amir Khosru said the proposed budget does not reflect the principles of a discrimination-free society for which the movement was carried out.  He pointed out that the budget did not provide clear solutions for ongoing economic problems like high inflation, growing poverty, low private investment and fewer job opportunities.  The BNP leader criticised the budget for focusing on unnecessary, corruption-prone projects while cutting allocations for important sectors like education, health and agriculture. Khosru said the main objective of the budget should have been to present a roadmap for increasing private investment. For economic recovery, he said it was necessary to prioritise the establishment of industries, job creation, as well as investment in education, healthcare and agriculture. “It was urgent to support the creation of new entrepreneurs through assistance to the small, cottage and medium enterprises. The combination of high interest rates along with increased taxes and duties will place significant pressure on the industrial sector.” The BNP leader said productive sectors in particular will be adversely affected, with the risk that many businesses may shut down and employment could decline. “If the financial burden on the middle and lower-income classes increases, it may lead to greater economic instability. Progress in poverty alleviation could also come to a halt.” BNP wants only national election under 90-day caretaker govt: Salahuddin He criticised various budget proposals, including bringing private universities, medical colleges and schools under the tax net, increasing duties on online businesses and offering no incentives for general investors in the capital market. If the BNP comes to power in the future, Khosru said educational institutions will be fully exempted from taxes. He also opposed the provision allowing the whitening of black money, saying, “This opportunity rewards tax evaders. It is unjust towards regular, honest taxpayers.” "Such policies may erode public confidence in the taxation system. Changes in the income tax slabs will negatively impact the majority of taxpayers. Rather than tackling tax evasion, fraud, or expanding the tax net, the government has again shifted the tax burden onto ordinary citizens through increased VAT. This has led to rising prices of goods and a declining standard of living,” Khosru observed. Stating that current inflation is nearly in double digits, he said the Finance Adviser’s claim that it will be brought down to 6.5 percent seems unrealistic. “The rising poverty rate could have been contained. According to World Bank data, over 2.7 million people have fallen into deeper poverty during the tenure of the caretaker government… With both domestic and foreign investment stagnating, employment opportunities have declined across almost all formal and informal sectors, further contributing to the growing number of people living in poverty,” the BNP leader said. National election possible before December with quick reforms: Salahuddin According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, he said GDP growth for the 2024–25 fiscal year was 3.97 percent. “Yet, in this year’s budget, it has been projected at 5.6 percent, an unrealistic and paper-based figure, much like those of the previous government.” Noting that food security is under threat, Khosru said public allocation for social protection remains insufficient. BNP Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Selima Rahman, Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Ismail Zabihullah and Economic Affairs Secretary Khaled Jashim Mahbub Shyamal were also present at the press conference.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday strongly criticised the interim government for keeping a provision in the proposed budget that allows the whitening of black money. “You (interim govt) have presented a budget of Tk 7 lakh 90 thousand crore. What is the difference between this budget and Sheikh Hasina's? She also allowed black money to be whitened, and now you have given the same opportunity,” he said. Rizvi made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a distribution event of Eid essentials among underprivileged people, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Tanti Dal in front of BNP's Nayapaltan central office, marking the 44th death anniversary of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. Referring to Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus heading the interim government, he said people are questioning why wrongdoing would be carried out under such an administration. Rizvi said the looters and bank robbers, who hold vast amounts of black money, are now being given the opportunity to legalise it under the government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. People first, not mega projects: Interim govt unveils first national budget The BNP leader questioned how the interim government would ensure people’s welfare when it had not allocated adequate funds for health, education, and other important sectors, including the social safety net. Of the total Tk 7. 90 lakh crore budget outlay, he said 23 percent would go solely towards the salaries of the administration. “So what have you allocated in the social safety net for the poor people?” Rizvi said the government allocated less to vital sectors like health and education. “We need adequate allocation for these sectors to ensure quality education and minimum healthcare.” The BNP leader said Dr Yunus has spoken on many global platforms about various issues and has always advocated for the well-being of the poor. “He (Yunus) once said, ‘I will send hunger and poverty to the museum’. Now we see that a scope is being given to whiten black money through his hands,” Rizvi said. He said every pro-democratic political party in the country extended its support to Dr Yunus with the hope that he would steer the country in the right direction. The BNP leader questioned why the budget under Dr Yunus’ leadership lacked clear measures to reduce inflation and prevent the poor from becoming even poorer. Budgetary allocation for education and technology remains almost unchanged Instead, he pointed out, the burden would increase on the middle class, lower-middle class, and low-income people if the budget is implemented. “This is what economists are saying, not what I am saying.” Rizvi said BNP and other parties want to see Bangladesh move in the right direction and the government holds a free, fair, and credible election. “But when asked about the timing of the election and how long the delay would be, the advisers remained silent.”

BNP on Tuesday said it wants only the national election to be held under a non-party caretaker government and supports the 90-day tenure for such a non-party election-time government. “Our party does not want local government elections to be held under a caretaker government,” BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters during the lunch break of Tuesday's discussion of the second phase of talks with the National Consensus Commission at the Foreign Service Academy. “BNP thinks that the tenure of the caretaker government should not exceed three months, although the Commission has proposed four months,” he said. Regarding Article 70 of the Constitution, Salahuddin said BNP has proposed that MPs be allowed to vote beyond party lines except on matters related to vote of no confidence, finance bill, constitutional amendment and the issues concerning national security. National election possible before December with quick reforms: Salahuddin “If a wartime situation arises, MPs should be able to vote on it (national security issues). This needs to be included in Article 70,” he said. The BNP leader also mentioned that BNP disagrees with the proposal that all parliamentary standing committees be headed by the opposition MPs. “Some committees may be led by the opposition MPs, but making all committee heads from the opposition is not a practical proposal,” said the BNP leader. Tuesday's session of the second round of talks began at 11am with Commission Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. Nearly 30 parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), joined Tuesday’s session. On Monday, Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus opened the second phase of the dialogue. The Consensus Commission started its first round of talks with political parties on March 20 to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The Commission held talks with 33 parties and alliances including BNP, Jamaat and NCP before concluding the first round of dialogues on May 19. No justifiable reason to delay national election beyond December: Salahuddin Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Tuesday proposed that both national and local government elections be held under a non-partisan caretaker government. “Our proposal is that both national and local elections must take place under a caretaker government,” Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher told reporters during the lunch break of the second round of talks with the National Consensus Commission. Jamaat-e-Islami also proposed amending Article 70 of the Constitution to allow MPs to vote beyond their respective party lines except on issues related to finance bill, vote of no confidence and constitutional amendment. But BNP, in its talks with the Commission, supported allowing MPs to vote beyond the party lines except the four matters that include the three matters and also issues of national importance. When his attention was drawn on Jamaat's stance regarding Article 70, Taher said, “We’ve shared our views on the three proposed exceptions regarding Article 70.” Elections before reforms may not meet people's expectations: Jamaat Ameer The second day of the second round of talks began at 11am with Commission Chairman Prof Ali Riaz in the chair. Nearly 30 parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), joined Tuesday’s session. On Monday, Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus opened the second phase of the dialogue. The Consensus Commission started its first round of talks with political parties on March 20 last to forge a national consensus on state reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The Commission held talks with 33 parties and alliances including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) before concluding the first round of dialogues on May 19 last. Jamaat holds meeting with CA at Jamuna as tensions cool down Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, the Commission was tasked with shaping a unified national stance on critical reforms.