United News of Bangladesh

At least ten people were injured in clashes between two factions of the BNP in Gazipur on Sunday evening over the party’s nomination for the Gazipur-1 constituency. Supporters of Dr. Barrister Ishraq Ahmed Siddiqui, who was denied the nomination, also saw their election office attacked and vandalized during the clashes. A torch procession was held demanding a cancellation of the nomination. According to local sources, Siddiqui, the member secretary of the district BNP, called for a protest procession on Sunday afternoon. When his leaders and activists gathered at various points in the Palli Bidyut area of the upazila, miscreants suddenly attacked them. At least ten people from both Siddiqui’s camp and supporters of BNP-nominated candidate Mujibur Rahman were injured. Some of the injured were later taken to hospitals for treatment. Several motorcycles were set on fire, but firefighters quickly extinguished the flames. Supporters of Siddiqui alleged that Mujibur Rahman’s followers carried out the attacks, with some caught red-handed. Mujibur Rahman’s supporters, however, claimed that Awami intruders staged the incidents to create controversy over the nomination. Earlier, on Saturday night, Siddiqui’s supporters held a torchlight procession in the Konabari area, demanding that BNP cancel Mujibur Rahman’s nomination in his favor. Last Thursday, BNP nominated Mujibur Rahman, a former mayor of Kaliakair Municipality and a member of the BNP executive committee, for the Gazipur-1 seat. Several central BNP leaders had been seeking the nomination.

BNP senior leader Mirza Abbas on Sunday warned that there will be ‘no compromise with terrorism, extortion or drugs’ if he is elected, vowing to free public spaces and tackle growing drug abuse in the capital. “Drug use has marked a rise in recent years as playgrounds, recreational spots and even community spaces have been occupied or destroyed,” he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting and doa mahfil at Malibagh’s AbuJar Gifari College. Abbas, a BNP Standing Committee Member, said there are no playgrounds, no places for leisure and no clubs for the elderly as the Awami League has taken over everything and raised buildings. “If I am elected, I will free these places. I say this out of anger too. The spaces I once made available for recreation have also been occupied by Awami League,” he said. Abbas said he does not make false promises for votes. “Many people cannot be found after the election. I do not have that option. I am a son of this area.” The BNP leader said he returned to the college after 17 years and found many structures damaged or encroached upon. “This area once had no drugs. Now the drug syndicate is huge. Still, it must be eliminated, and the people of the area will support me.” He urged residents of the area to contact him directly with any problem. “An addict is not only a family problem but a social one. Call me whenever needed— I promise to take action immediately. Remember, there will be no compromise with terrorism, extortion or drugs.” Abbas also stressed freeing canals and water bodies to reduce Dhaka’s chronic waterlogging. “Many water bodies have been grabbed, and the outlets for drainage are blocked. These must be restored. Former commissioner Sajjad Zahir presided over the programme, and Dhaka South BNP leader Fazle Rubayet Pappu conducted it. Teachers from several educational institutions also spoke at the event.

The medical board treating BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is hopeful that she may recover in Bangladesh with proper treatment, even without being taken abroad. A doctor from the board, wishing anonymity, said on Sunday night (December 07, 2025) that her condition has slightly improved. “Madam is better than before. We are trying our best to treat her here. We believe she can recover with treatment in the country. She has been in more critical condition before and still recovered. It may not be necessary to take her to London,” he said. The physician also said several of Khaleda’s health parameters are improving. “CT scans, ECG and a few other tests were done on Sunday, and the results came back better.” Asked how long she will remain in the CCU, he said it depends on her physical improvement. “Local and foreign doctors are ensuring the best treatment. “Her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman is coordinating treatment at her bedside. She will stay in Bangladesh for several more days.” Read more: No compromise with terrorism, extortion, drugs: Mirza Abbas The doctor also said Khaleda tries to speak at times with her family members. “Her younger brother, his wife and her two daughters-in-law have been constantly by her side.” Meanwhile, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury said on Sunday night that Khaleda will be taken to London as soon as the medical board makes the final decision. “The Qatar government will arrange an air ambulance whenever needed. This is not a problem. We are waiting for the board’s decision. With everyone’s prayers, we hope she will overcome this. If the board decides, she will be taken to London for advanced treatment. The hospital in London will be chosen later,” he said. Last Thursday, the medical board advised that she should be taken to the UK for advanced treatment. Read more: BNP to review NEIR policy if voted to power: Amir Khosru It was announced that, like in January, she would be flown to London on a special air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar. The air ambulance was expected to take her on Friday morning. However, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Friday that the air ambulance could not arrive due to technical issues. As per his announcement, the air ambulance was expected to reach Dhaka on Saturday, but it did not arrive on Sunday either. When it will come remains uncertain. As usual, Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited Evercare Hospital on Sunday afternoon to see Khaleda Zia. Dr Zubaida is also a member of Khaleda Zia’s medical board. She arrived in Dhaka on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on Friday morning. She has since been closely monitoring Khaleda’s condition. Even when staying at her Dhanmondi residence, she receives updates on her mother-in-law over the phone, said Atiqur Rahman Rumon of the BNP Media Cell. The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Her treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by cardiologist Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, which includes doctors from Evercare Hospital as well as specialists from the UK, USA and China. Read more: 10 injured in Gazipur-1 over BNP nomination dispute

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Sunday said their party will review the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy if it returns to office, stressing that any changes will be made in consultation with all stakeholders. He made the remarks at a roundtable titled ‘NEIR: Implementation Framework, National Interest, and Citizen Concerns’, organised by the Centre for Technology Journalism (CTJ) at a city hotel. Khosru questioned why essential digital devices continue to cost more despite large government spending. “The government says it invested Tk 67,000 crore in ‘Digital Bangladesh’. What is the outcome? Local assemblers enjoy policy preferences, but how much value are they adding?” he said. He warned that policies benefiting a particular syndicate would undermine competitiveness. “Domestic assemblers already enjoy nearly 50 percent preferential benefits. If others are forced out and a single group captures the market, the result will not be good,” he added. BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon said any policymaking must prioritise national and public interest. “We must assess whether a policy benefits citizens or enriches a syndicate. Policies cannot be designed for individual gain,” he said. Ganasanghati Andolon’s Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki criticised unilateral decision-making, saying the NEIR policy threatens jobs in the sector at a time of limited employment opportunities. He said stakeholder exclusion reflects practices seen under past authoritarian systems. “Policies must support small and medium enterprises so they can continue to operate,” he added.

National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) and Rashtra Sangskar Andolon on Sunday launched a new political alliance ahead of the national election. NCP Convener Nahid Islam made the announcement at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the afternoon. “Many are being lured into different alliances with promises of seats. We politely reject such offers. We will remain united. This is not only an electoral alliance but also a political one. We will contest together under one symbol,” Nahid told reporters after the announcement. Tarique slams Jamaat for ‘propaganda’ against BNP echoing Awami League He said the alliance reflects the aspirations of the youth, adding that meaningful reform is not possible with the old political forces, which is why new parties chose to join hands. Explaining the ideological alignment of the three parties, Nahid said they had long been in a process of unity. “We have been trying to uphold the spirit that emerged after the 2024 mass uprising—the demand for a new Bangladesh and for reforms. But we could not fully implement the consensus process over the past year and a half,” he added. “Those who stood for reform, for change and for the goals of the mass uprising have come together today,” Nahid said. Top leaders of NCP, AB Party and Rashtra Sangskar Andolon were present at the briefing. CEC Nasir, Election Commissioners in Jamuna for meeting with CA AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju said, “Three political parties have initially joined hands today. Let me say this: old politics could not defeat old fascism. Traditional political parties fought, struggled, sacrificed—many were jailed, forcibly disappeared, or killed—but Hasina’s fascism was not defeated.” According to the alliance, it aims to “protect the pledges of the July mass uprising and forge a new political understanding among parties seeking reform.” Although the Gonodhikar Parishad was initially expected to join, it eventually opted out of the coalition.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday strongly criticised Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for spreading propaganda against his party in the same tone as the fascist Awami League, saying the people of Bangladesh saw how Jamaat killed lakhs of people and dishonoured women in 1971 for political gains. Delivering his concluding remarks virtually at the inaugural ceremony of BNP’s six-day ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme, he also accused Jamaat of misleading people with false promises, including claiming they could ‘guarantee heaven in return for votes’. “We hear some people or some groups nowadays—in different places or on social media— saying ‘We have seen this party and that party, so now give this party (Jamaat) a chance’. But the people of this country already saw this party in 1971,” Tarique said. He warned party leaders about people in a particular political party who are reportedly selling tickets for different things and making promises that only Allah can decide. “They are giving guarantees about matters that belong to Allah alone. The owner of Heaven, Hell, and everything in the world is Allah. Only He has the right to decide. If I claim something from my own perspective, I understand that it is shirk, associating partners with Allah,” Tarique said. Speaking to the leaders of his party’s student wing at the event, he said they should go door to door and tell people that those making such claims are committing shirk. “Anyone who listens to these claims will also fall into shirk,” he added. In an oblique reference to Jamaat, he said this party killed lakhs of innocent people in 1971 to protect its own political interests, just like the fallen dictator who killed thousands before fleeing to cling to power. “Those who are now asking people to support—the people of this country have already seen them in 1971. They not only killed lakhs of people, but their collaborators also violated countless mothers and sisters. We must never forget this,” Tarique said. When the BNP governed the country from 2001 to 2006, he said, it inherited a nation badly damaged by corruption under the rule of Awami League. Later, Tarique said BNP under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia worked step by step to reduce corruption and improve the situation. “The progress we made was reviewed by an international organisation, and that analysis has already been clearly shared with you in the leaflet. So, we can confidently say — if any party in Bangladesh can stop corruption, it is BNP. We have done it before and, Insha’Allah, we will do it again for the people,” he added. Indirectly referring to Jamaat leaders, Tarique said some people are repeating the same false propaganda about BNP that the fugitive autocrat once spread. “We recently noticed a few individuals or parties making those same baseless claims. But here is the question — two of their senior leaders were in our government at that time. Both have passed away. They were respected political figures, and we should not speak badly about those who are no longer alive,” he said. “What we can say is that they stayed in the BNP government until the very last day, showing their full confidence in Begum Khaleda Zia’s fight against corruption,” the BNP leader observed. He said the allegations of corruption during BNP’s rule were brought, but now, with a more independent judiciary--unlike during autocratic time--no charges against them have ever been proven. “All those were only propaganda. So, the conclusion remains—only BNP has been able to pull Bangladesh away from corruption in the past, and Insha’Allah, only BNP will be able to do it again.” Tarique reminded that he has been saying since 5 August last year that the days ahead would not be easy. “More difficult times are waiting for us. Different conspiracies are being planned from different directions. Only the people can stop these plots, and BNP, together with the people, can resist them,” he said. He said the only way to stop these conspiracies is to restore democracy. “If we can establish democracy and ensure the people’s mandate at any cost, we will be able to stop many conspiracies. Yet even then, tough days are still ahead.” Tarique said his party must prioritise addressing corruption and restoring law and order in the country. “We must rein in corruption at any cost, and ensure law and order,” he said, adding that these are essential for improving health, education, women’s empowerment, agriculture, and the economy. Tarique also spoke on BNP’s vision for the country. “Our goal is to build an independent Bangladesh, where people have jobs, live peacefully, and corruption is under control. We don’t want Bangladesh to become like Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, or the US—we want a self-reliant nation.” He urged student leaders to actively engage with communities across the country, meet people at their homes, and explain how the BNP plans to improve the lives of women, farmers, and young people. “If we work together, we can build the Bangladesh we dream of.” BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the programme in the morning with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate. Leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal from different parts of the country joined the event.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman visited Evercare Hospital on Sunday afternoon to be with her critically ill mother-in-law, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, and to monitor her health. BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumon said Zubaida Rahman spent the night at her father’s Dhanmondi residence Mahbub Bhaban and arrived at Evercare Hospital at 3:39pm. “Though she was at home overnight, she has been in constant contact with the ICU doctors treating Madam,” he added. Zubaida arrived in Dhaka from London last Friday morning and has been at Evercare Hospital from morning until night, attending to her mother-in-law’s care. Zubaida visits Evercare Hospital to stand beside ailing Khaleda He said Zubaida is currently in the CCU attending Khaleda Zia. Rumon said she has been participating in every meeting of the medical board and has been directly involved in coordinating Khaleda Zia’s treatment. He said the medical board meetings are attended virtually by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from London, along with specialist doctors from the United States. The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Zubaida goes to Evercare again at night Khaleda Zia’s treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Dr Zubaida, who is also a member of the medical board, arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her mother-in-law abroad once she is cleared to fly.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 07, 2025) expressed the hope that their critically ill party chairperson Khaleda Zia will recover with 'divine blessings'. “People all over the country are praying for her, regardless of their political affiliation. We have faith in Allah, and we believe that with the prayers of so many people for her recovery, Allah will surely respond to them,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while inaugurating BNP’s six-day “Plan to Build the Country” programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate area. Read more: Fakhrul urges BNP followers to strongly counter misinformation in cyberspace He said highly reputed national and international doctors are providing treatment to Khaleda at Evercare Hospital. “None of us can feel happy at this moment. We are heavy-hearted because our great leader, the guardian of Bangladesh — now called the Guardian of Democracy of Bangladesh — is critically ill and receiving treatment in hospital,” the BNP leader said. He said Khaleda has never bowed to injustice and has never compromised on the country’s independence, sovereignty, or the principles of democracy. Fakhrul said all necessary measures are being taken for her treatment, and BNP Acting Chairman and her eldest son Tarique Rahman is personally monitoring her situation. Read more: Zubaida visits Evercare Hospital to stand beside ailing Khaleda The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Her treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Her daughter-in-law Dr Zubaida Rahman--also a member of the medical board--arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her abroad once she is cleared to fly. Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, one of her physicians, on Saturday (December 06, 2025) said Khaleda’s travel to London for advanced treatment will be delayed until she is medically declared fit to fly by an air ambulance. Read more: Khaleda’s London trip to be delayed until she’s fit: Dr Zahid

Stating that there is a campaign underway to brand their party as a negative force in politics, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday (December 07, 2025) urged the party leaders and workers to be active in cyberspace to counter misinformation and not let conspiracies defeat them. Inaugurating BNP’s six-day “Plan to Build the Country” programme, he also accused a vested quarter of trying to create division in the country in the name of religion. “A trend has emerged now to portray BNP as a negative political party on a large scale. This trend must be broken, and we have to do it ourselves,” Fakhrul said. Read more: Khaleda to fly to London Sunday pending doctors’ approval: Fakhrul He said BNP leaders and activists must prove through their actions — by taking forward and implementing the plans of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman — that their party is the one which in the past introduced key political and economic reforms and helped Bangladesh advance. “In the same way, under the leadership of Tarique and the BNP, Bangladesh will again move forward and become one of the prosperous economies and countries in the future.” The BNP leader said Bangladesh is now at a critical turning point as after 15 years of authoritarian rule a chance has come to return to democracy.He said many obstacles have already appeared and more will come, but BNP must overcome them and achieve success. “Many types of plots and propaganda are going on against us — false campaigns are being spread. The biggest challenge is this misinformation. We must work against it with our own actions. I always say — this is a cyber-war. If we cannot become fighters in this cyber war, then we will be defeated,” Fakhrul said. He said the young generation must take responsibility for tackling false information online.Recalling the struggles under authoritarian rule, he said BNP always stressed in district and divisional meetings that the youth must come forward. Pointing at the leaders and activists of BNP’s student wing, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Fakhrul said they must remember that the biggest challenge ahead is the upcoming national election. “In that election, you must prove that BNP is the only political party that can turn the country into a prosperous nation. This is your first task. And all the necessary tools are being provided to you.” He said BNP leaders and activists must tell the people that whatever success Bangladesh has achieved came through BNP’s initiatives. “Today, a group is trying to create deep divisions in Bangladesh — they want to divide the country in the name of religion. We Bangladeshis are religious people. We respect our faith. But we do not believe in dividing the state or society using religion,” the BNP leader said.He said BNP believes that people of all religions in Bangladesh will live together and enjoy equal rights, upholding the core spirit of the 1971 Liberation War that Bangladesh belongs to everyone. “That is why the slogan ‘Bangladesh First’ given by our leader (Tarique) is extremely important — both nationally and internationally. We must keep this slogan in our hearts and move forward with this principle,” Fakhrul said. On November 27, BNP announced a six-day programme titled “Plans to Build the Country”, involving its affiliated bodies including Chhatra Dal, Krishak Dal, Ulema Dal and Swechchhasebak Dal, ahead of the upcoming national election. Fakhrul inaugurated the programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Dhaka’s Farmgate. BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the concluding session in the afternoon. He said the ‘Plan to Build the Country’ programme reflects the vision of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and aims to prepare the party, especially the student wing, with new ideas for building a modern Bangladesh and addressing the country’s current challenges. “Since 24 July, the mindset of the people of Bangladesh, particularly the youth, has changed. Everyone now wants change – in governance, in our thinking, and in building a new Bangladesh. This idea is now in the minds of all,” the BNP leader said. Fakhrul criticised the Awami League government for allegedly destroying public institutions during 15 years of rule and said Tarique Rahman has been working with experts and grassroots workers to develop practical plans to rebuild the country. He said the first responsibility for delivering these plans to the people has been given to BNP’s student wing, with other affiliated bodies following gradually. The BNP leader said the plans focus on areas such as supporting small and medium enterprises, developing the IT and industrial sectors, creating employment opportunities, providing vocational training and career support in higher education institutions, offering language and skills training for overseas employment, ensuring internet access for all, improving banking sector stability, promoting inclusivity, and creating opportunities for marginalised communities. Fakhrul said employment is one of Bangladesh’s most pressing issues, with around three crore people unemployed. Read more: Khaleda will recover with 'divine blessings', hopes Fakhrul The BNP leader said Tarique Rahman has promised to create one million jobs in 18 months, not only through formal employment but also through business, agriculture, and labour opportunities.“Through this programme, BNP is proving that it is an advanced political party. Just as BNP has contributed to all of Bangladesh’s past achievements, it is now presenting new ideas to build a modern Bangladesh,” he said. The BNP leader also recalled the legacy of their party founder Ziaur Rahman, saying he established the foundation for modern political and economic reforms, including the ready-made garments sector, media freedom, and democratic institutions. He mentioned that their party chief, Khaleda Zia, introduced a parliamentary form of government, replacing the presidential system, and established free education for girls up to class ten.Fakhrul also cited former Finance Minister Saifur Rahman for introducing VAT, which has now become an effective method of revenue collection. He urged the Chhatra Dal to increase their presence and activities in educational institutions, saying the lack of campus-based programmes has affected their performance in university elections. Read more: Khaleda Zia to be flown to UK for advanced treatment: Fakhrul

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, visited Evercare Hospital on Saturday afternoon (December 06, 2025) to be by the side of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment there for the past two weeks. Atiqur Rahman Rumon, a member of the BNP Media Cell, said Zubaida reached the hospital at around 3:38pm after spending some time with her mother at their Dhanmondi residence, Mahbub Bhaban. “She is now in the CCU, staying by Begum Khaleda Zia’s bedside,” Rumon said. He said Zubaida returned to her father’s Dhanmondi home late on Wednesday night, where her mother, Syeda Iqbal Mandu Banu, is also staying. Read more: Zubaida goes to Evercare again at night Zubaida arrived in Dhaka on Friday morning from London on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. She went straight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Evercare Hospital to see the BNP chief. Since her arrival, she has attended several meetings with members of Khaleda Zia’s medical board. Although she had been joining earlier meetings virtually, she met the board members in person for the first time on Friday. Rumon said Zubaida has been closely monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition round the clock. “Even when she goes home, she stays in constant touch with the doctors by phone to stay updated about her mother-in-law’s health.” Read more: Air ambulance delay may slightly push back Khaleda Zia’s departure The BNP chief has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 and was moved to the Critical Care Unit on November 27 with multiple health complications. Khaleda’s treatment is being supervised by a medical board led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, with both local and foreign specialists involved. Dr Zubaida Rahman — also a member of the medical board — arrived in Dhaka from London to accompany her mother-in-law abroad once she is cleared to fly. Read more: Tarique Rahman may return home anytime: Amir Khosru