United News of Bangladesh

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan on Friday demanded the arrest of those involved in the attack on Inqilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi within 24 hours, warning that failure to do so should prompt the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser. He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a roadside rally at Holidhani Bazar in Jhenaidah Sadar upazila. Rashed Khan said he was “deeply shocked” by the shooting, describing Hadi as a long-time comrade in what he called the anti-fascism movement. “Hadi is now fighting for his life after being shot by terrorists,” he said. He alleged that “a conspiracy” was underway to target leaders involved in the July mass uprising. “Awami League and India have started a killing mission against anti-fascist leaders. The attack on Osman Hadi is part of that,” he claimed. Criticising the government, Rashed Khan said the attack took place a day after the election schedule was announced. “Hadi is a candidate. This attempted killing raises serious questions about the election environment. The government has failed to ensure the security of July fighters,” he said. Hadi shifted to Evercare Hospital after surgery, no bullet found in head He further alleged that efforts were being made to derail the upcoming national election. “By targeting leaders who were at the forefront of the July uprising, they are trying to disrupt the election,” he said. Seeking prayers for Hadi’s recovery, Rashed Khan said, “Hadi played a strong role against what he called Awami fascism, which is why he was attacked.”He added that a fair election would only be possible when the safety of all candidates is ensured.  

The Jatiya Party’s district committee on Friday distributed party nomination forms among aspirants seeking to contest the upcoming 13th national election from six constituencies in Dinajpur. The forms were handed out during an extended meeting held at the party office in Kalitola this evening, chaired by Ahmed Shafi Rubel, JP presidium member and convener of the district committee. The meeting was conducted by district joint convener and JP central organisational secretary Advocate Zulfiqar Hossain. Nomination seekers who addressed the meeting included Shahinur Islam and Saifullah Chowdhury for Dinajpur-1; Advocate Zulfiqar Hossain for Dinajpur-2; Ahmed Shafi Rubel for Dinajpur-3; Abdul Alim Hawlader and Nurul Amin Shah for Dinajpur-4; Solaiman Sami, Kazi Abdul Gafur and Advocate Nurul Islam for Dinajpur-5; and Jahangir Alam and Advocate Rezaul for Dinajpur-6. Other local leaders who spoke at the meeting included Dr Anwar Hossain, Rokeya Begum Laizu, Laisur Amar Lavlu, Momtaz Alam, municipal unit general secretary Soaib Iftekhar, Sadar upazila joint convener Bidhan Chakraborty Basu, Youth Sanghati district convener Nasim Khan Piro, Volunteer Party district convener Shafik Ahmed and leaders from Hakimpur, Bochaganj, Kaharole, Biral and Nawabganj. Speakers said they are prepared to enter the electoral field and work to ensure victory for Jatiya Party under the leadership of GM Quader once the central leadership gives the green signal to participate in the election.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday described the shooting of Dhaka-8 independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi as a “conspiracy against democracy.” “Today’s attack on Sharif Osman Bin Hadi is not an isolated incident. Similar incidents have happened before. A few days ago, one of our MP candidates in Chattogram also came under attack — this is a conspiracy,” he said. Speaking at the closing session of the sixth day of BNP’s “Plan to Build the Country” workshop at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), the BNP leader urged the people of the country to stand against such a plot. “If we have to stand up against this injustice, then at any cost we must establish democracy. At any cost we must restore our democratic values and our democratic rights,” he said. The BNP leader called upon the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to take responsibility for defending democracy as the “future of the nation.” “The people of this country can stop and resist such conspiracies. This conspiracy can be stopped and defeated only through democratic practice and through democracy itself,” Tarique said. Sharif Osman Bin Hadi was shot on Friday after Jumma prayers on Box Culvert Road in Bijoynagar, Dhaka. He was seriously injured and taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment. Speaking to student leaders during the workshop, Tarique highlighted the party’s plans. “I am presenting our party’s plans to you. I am giving you the responsibility to explain these plans to the people and gain their support. I believe you will be able to do this successfully. Because you have the ability, you have the talent. If you want, you can do it,” he said. The BNP leader said issues such as the farmers’ card, family card and health card had already been unveiled, and he urged Chhatra Dal leaders and activists to take these to people in every household. Salahuddin inaugurated the programme at the KIB auditorium in the morning, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair. Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal joined the programme to receive training on different issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto and promises before the polls.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has condemned and expressed deep concern over the shooting attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, in Bijoynagar on Thursday. In a statement issued Friday evening, NCP Joint Member-Secretary and Media Cell Secretary Mushfiq us Salehin said the attack was “a serious blow to the democratic process restored through public mobilisation.” The party wished a quick recovery for Hadi, who was critically injured, and urged the nation to keep him in their prayers. The NCP said the incident raises significant questions about the country’s law-and-order situation and the overall electoral environment. It expressed concern that no effective security measures were taken despite Hadi publicly reporting earlier threats to his life. The statement also noted previous incidents of crude bomb attacks near the NCP party office and alleged threats made to another candidate, calling the overall security lapses “unacceptable”. The party urged the government to identify and arrest the attackers along with those who may have supported or planned the incident. It also called for a full investigation into the source of the threats issued to Hadi. The NCP appealed to democratic forces, civil society and the public to speak out against violence targeting election candidates and reaffirmed its commitment to participating in the upcoming polls despite threats and intimidation. Hadi shifted to Evercare Hospital after surgery, no bullet found in head The party further demanded stronger security measures for all candidates and citizens to ensure a peaceful electoral process. Hadi suffered bullet injuries during an election campaign on Friday afternoon. He was shot by miscreants around 2:30pm while campaigning, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).  He was later taken to DMCH for treatment.  

The Election Commission (EC) has reinstated four parliamentary seats in Bagerhat and five in Gazipur following an Appellate Division order, ahead of the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum on the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order 2025, both scheduled for February 12 next year. The Appellate Division on Wednesday upheld a High Court verdict declaring the Election Commission's gazette—reducing the number of parliamentary seats in Bagerhat by one—as illegal. On September 4, the Election Commission finalised the delimitation of 300 constituencies, bringing changes to the boundaries of 46 parliamentary seats in 16 districts. The changes reduced the number of seats in Bagerhat from four to three and increased Gazipur’s seats from five to six. In compliance with the court order, the EC on Thursday night published a revised list of the country’s 300 constituencies. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday announced the schedule to arrange the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum simultaneously on February 12, 2026. According the latest demarcation, Bagerhat-1 constituency is comprised of Fakirhat, Mollarhat and Chatalmari Upazilas; Bagerhat-2 is of Bagerhat Sadar and Kachua Upazilas; Bagerhat-3 is of Rampal and Mongla Upazilas; and Bagerhat-4 is of Morrelganj and Sarankhola Upazila. Besides, Gazipur-1 constituency is comprised of Kaliakair Upazila and Gazipur City Corporation (GCC) Ward No. 1-18; Gazipur-2 constituency is of GCC Ward No. 19-39 and 43-57 as well as Gazipur Cantonment Area; Gazipur-3 is of Sreepur Upazila and Mirzapur, Bhaoalgarh and Pirujali Unions of Sadar Upazila; Gazipur-4 constituency is of Kapasia Upazila; and Gazipur-5 constituency is of Kaliganj Upazila, GCC Ward No. 40-42 and Baria Union of Sadar Upazila. According to the election schedule, the deadline for the submission of nomination paper is December 29, while the scrutiny of nomination paper is on December 30-January 4 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidature is January 20. The election campaign will start on January 22 and continue till 48 hours before the balloting period (7:30am on February 10). The last date for submission of appeal against the decisions of the returning officers is January 11 and the appeals would be disposed of on January 12-18.  The returning officers will publish the final lists of candidates and allocate electoral symbols on January 21. The balloting will be held from 7:30am to 4:30pm without any break on February 12. According to the final voter list published on November 18 last, a total of 12.76 crore (127,695,183 –64,814,907 males, 62,879,042 females and 1,234 third-gender) voters will have the opportunity to vote in more than 42,000 polling stations under the country's 300 constituencies in the 2026 general election and referendum.

The shooting of Osman Hadi in the capital’s busy Bijoynagar area is a “grave warning sign ahead of the national election,” Islami Andolan Bangladesh said on Friday, demanding the immediate arrest of the shooter as well as those who ordered the attack. In a statement issued today, the party’s Joint Secretary General and spokesperson, Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman, said Islami Andolan Bangladesh strongly condemns and expresses deep anger over the incident in which Osman Hadi of Inqilab Mancha was shot. He said the party’s Amir expressed concern immediately after hearing the news and has been closely monitoring the injured leader’s treatment. “We have repeatedly urged the government to restore law and order and crack down firmly on criminal elements. Such groups will undoubtedly attempt to disrupt the upcoming election. The government’s weakness in confronting the remnants of a fallen fascist regime is clearly visible,” Maulana Ataur Rahman said. He added that the shooting of Osman Hadi has heightened their concern. “Top political leaders will soon be campaigning across the country. This incident further amplifies questions about their safety.” Calling for swift action, he said the government must immediately arrest everyone involved in the attack, including the mastermind. “This is not only about the upcoming election—this is about the country’s overall future. The authorities must treat the matter with utmost priority.” He also urged law-enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to recover illegal weapons.

BNP-nominated Dhaka-8 constituency candidate Mirza Abbas was barred from visiting bullet-injured Inqilab Mancha spokesperson and independent contestant Sharif Osman Hadi at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Friday afternoon. Hadi, who was admitted to the hospital with bullet injuries, is now in critical condition and has been kept at the operation theatre, according to doctors. Abbas arrived at the DMCH emergency gate around 4pm to see Hadi. As he attempted to enter, several agitated Inqilab Mancha activists rushed toward him, prompting army personnel present there to escort him inside safely. He left the hospital around 4:45pm but struggled to move through the heavy crowd gathered outside. Leaders and activists of Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal eventually guided him to his vehicle, assisted by army members. Despite tensions, no major untoward incident occurred due to the presence of security personnel. Independent candidate Osman Hadi injured in Dhaka gun attack Earlier, news of Abbas’ visit drew hundreds of BNP activists to the hospital premises where many chanted slogans welcoming him. Hadi was shot earlier in the afternoon while traveling by rickshaw on Box Culvert Road in the capital’s Bijaynagar area. Police said an unidentified motorcyclist fired at him and fled. No one has been arrested yet.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Friday expressed deep concern over the shooting of Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8 and spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha. The party called on the government to investigate whether the attack was part of a “planned conspiracy by fallen fascist forces” aimed at derailing the upcoming national election. In a statement, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar said the attack raised serious questions about election-time security.  “A candidate and a July fighter being shot in broad daylight immediately after the election schedule was announced clearly reflects an attempt to create fear,” he said. He urged law enforcement agencies to urgently identify and arrest the attackers, review CCTV footage from the incident site, and ensure the safety of all candidates, political activists and citizens in the lead-up to the 13th national election. Parwar said Hadi had earlier written on social media that he received death threats from 30 foreign phone numbers, along with threats of rape against his mother, sister and wife.  “It is evident to the nation that the administration has failed to ensure his security. This is a grave dereliction of duty,” he said. Calling the attack a blow to the country’s peaceful political environment and democratic process, he urged authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.  He also wished Osman Hadi a speedy recovery and expressed solidarity with his family and colleagues. Dhaka-8 candidate Osman Hadi suffers bullet injuries during electioneering Hadi suffered bullet injuries during an election campaign on Friday afternoon. He was shot by miscreants around 2:30pm while campaigning, said Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the police camp at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).  He was later taken to DMCH for treatment.

BNP on Friday announced nationwide protests for Saturday, demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the gun attack on independent Dhaka-8 candidate Osman Hadi. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme on Friday afternoon while speaking at an event titled “Plan to Build the Country” at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium. Rizvi said the attack on Hadi was part of a planned conspiracy. “Miscreants shot Osman Hadi. This is part of a deliberate plot. We demand a proper investigation into the shooting and the quick arrest of those involved,” he said. He said the BNP and all its affiliated bodies would hold protest programmes in Dhaka and across the country on Saturday to press home the demand.

BNP on Friday expressed deep concern over the attack on independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi and demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack. In a statement issued on Friday, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the incident is part of a “dangerous and far-reaching plan”. “There is no doubt that this is part of a blueprint to destroy the election environment by spreading acts of terrorism. A certain quarter is trying to take advantage of the situation through such violent activities, attempting to fish in troubled waters. They are deliberately spreading fear and panic in society to gain benefit. Violent groups driven by narrow political interests are active across the country,” he said. The BNP leader strongly condemned the incident and demanded the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the attackers. He also wished a quick recovery for the seriously injured Sharif Osman Hadi. Referring to the July–August 2024 student–public movement, Rizvi said a “vicious quarter” is again trying to push the country into chaos to obstruct the journey of democracy. “The brutal gun attack on independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka-8 is a clear reflection of such destructive activities,” he said. Rizvi urged the country’s people to remain alert against acts of sabotage. “Such incidents are being carried out to block the path to democracy and hinder the upcoming national election. These violent elements must be stopped with a firm hand.” He called upon people from all walks of life, irrespective of political affiliation, to unite in protecting democracy, voting rights and public safety. “If the nation does not stand together, these lurking forces may endanger the very existence of the country.”