BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that reforms are not a new concept for BNP and the party does not require lessons on reforms. Speaking as the chief guest at a divisional dialogue titled "Political Commitment to Economic Recovery" in Jashore on Tuesday, Khosru emphasised that reforms must be based on the public mandate, otherwise people will not accept it. "Reforms may seem new to some, but not for the BNP. We do not need lessons on reforms. Over 90 per cent of Bangladesh's progress has been achieved under BNP’s leadership," he said. Election after minimum reforms, not seeking it now: Fakhrul Khosru criticised the previous government’s budget, describing it as “corrupt” and unnecessary in the current economic context. He alleged that the proposed budget is inflated with undue allocations and should be withdrawn to alleviate public suffering. “We have asked the interim government to repeal these excessive taxes and the budget presented by the previous autocratic government. A budget of Tk 10,000 crore has been inflated to Tk 30,000 crore, while Tk 1,000 crore has ballooned to Tk 3,000 crore. Such expenditures are unwarranted under the current circumstances,” he said. Khosru urged the authorities to suspend the existing budget and introduce an interim one that is people-centric. “Why has an interim budget not been proposed yet, even after five months? The current situation demands a budget that prioritises the welfare of the people,” he said. The dialogue, organised at a local hotel, was presided over by Mizanur Rahman Khan, president of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce. Prominent figures, including former MP and industrialist Salimul Haq Kamal, former BGMEA vice president Mahmudul Hasan Babul and Shamsur Rahman, president of the Benapole C&F Association, also spoke at the event. Business representatives from 10 districts of the Khulna division attended the dialogue.

Amid criticisms of the party’s early election demand, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has clarified that they are demanding the polls be held after minimum reforms, not right now. “We’re not saying the election must be held right now. But if polls are arranged after implementing minimum reforms, many problems will be resolved,” he said while addressing a discussion on Tuesday. No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul The programme, titled Grantha Adda (Chatting on Books), was organised by Zia Smriti Pathagar at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and the 12th founding anniversary of the organisation. Fakhrul said many people, especially students, misunderstand him as to why he talks so much about the election. “I say this because I believe, though I don’t know if my belief is right or wrong, that any elected government is much better than an unelected one,” he said. The BNP leader said people have access to an elected government, which is currently lacking. Besides, he said, if the election is held, many of the problems the country is facing now will disappear, as the elected government will come to power with public mandate. “Those who are currently in power, (interim government), have not yet been able to set themselves, as they lack the confidence to understand the language of the people. I believe an elected government understands the people's language better,” Fakhrul said. Fakhrul’s statement political, no distance with govt: Rizwana He thanked the students for raising their voices for change in society and the governance system. At the same time, he urged all not to take any reckless steps that would only create anarchy in the country. “We must keep it in mind that we will not do anything that will lead to anarchy,” the BNP leader said. “If we want to contain the instability prevailing here, we must move forward with patience. We must be careful not to do anything that will create more chaos and invite further danger,” he warned. The BNP leader also urged all not to lose patience or hope. “We have high expectations but very little patience." Fakhrul said that although only a few months have passed since the interim government took charge, many people have become crazy as they are taking to the streets with different demands and blocking roads. “It’s natural that this government will make mistakes because they were not in government or politics before and did not understand politics. We must give them that time,” he said. Fakhrul lamented that the quality of education in the country has significantly declined, as the education sector has been destroyed. He said the current government has formed various commissions but none focused on education, which he described as most essential. BNP to prosecute ‘fallen fascists’ if voted to power: Fakhrul The BNP leader also said no visible efforts have been made to improve the standard of education or resolve the problems in the sector. He opposed the lottery system for admissions to educational institutions and said it should be abolished soon for establishing a merit-based education system.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that Delhi has become the central office for the ‘Awami fascists’ while India has turned into a safe haven for fascism. Speaking at a tree plantation programme on Dhaka University campus on Monday, he also urged democratic parties to maintain a minimum unity among themselves to resist the resurgence of the ‘fallen fascist Awami League’. No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul “It seems our neighbouring country has become a safe home for fascism, and Delhi has become the central office for that (Awami) fascism. So, the fascists are not sitting idle. They continue their plots and conspiracies in various ways,” the BNP leader said. He said the democratic forces must tackle such conspiracies through united efforts. The Ziaur Rahman Foundation organised the 'Neem Tree Planting Programme' at Mall Chattar on Dhaka University campus to mark the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. From a democratic standpoint, Rizvi said while democratic political parties may criticise each other and engage in debates, there must be a minimum of unity among them. “If this unity does not exist, it will not be difficult for fascism to resurge.” He also urged democratic parties to remain vigilant, ensuring that those who siphoned off the country's money abroad by keeping the economy locked in a vicious cycle, do not rise again. “All democratic forces must unite and observe these issues.” BNP leader urges interim govt to quickly arrange election Rizvi alleged that many trees were felled in the name of so-called development and mega projects, while many rivers and canals were occupied by land grabbers during the last 16 years of Sheikh Hasina’s rule, destroying biodiversity and the environment, and making the country uninhabitable. “The land grabbers who fled the country after August 5, 2024, filled in rivers, canals, and uprooted trees. It has happened as when autocrats usurp power, they can never do anything good for the people,” he said. The BNP leader also said the threat of global warming, caused by carbon dioxide emissions, primarily from developed countries, putting human lives at risk. He stressed the need for a democratic atmosphere worldwide to allow people in every country to put pressure on their governments to take action on reducing the threat of global warming and making the world livable for all. Rizvi called upon the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and other organisations to turn tree plantation into a strong social movement to protect biodiversity and the environment.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has laid emphasis on reorganisng the party with talented, diligent, honest and productive people to rebuild the country as it has been battered with the autocratic rule. “We strongly believe that we will get the people's support (to form government) InshaAllah. After that, we must rebuild our country. If we do not reorganise the party properly, we will not be able to rebuild the country,” he said while virtually addressing the BNP’s primary membership renewal programme on Monday. Tarique formally launched the programme by submitting his party membership renewal form online during an event at the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. He also paid 20 taka (equivalent to 15 pence in British currency) as his subscription for membership renewal. No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul The BNP leader said their party has already presented a 31-point proposal for overhauling and rebuilding the state before the nation. “To implement it, we must unite and reorganise our party by bringing those talented individuals to the forefront. We need to unite those who are hardworking, have integrity and ideals, and involve them in the party,” he said. Tarique also said, “We need good, effective, and productive people in the coming days, as the runaway autocrat has set this country far back and destroyed all sectors. To rebuild the country, we need such people, and we must bring them forward.” He called upon party leaders to ensure the success of the BNP’s membership renewal programme by organising and uniting all party workers across the country. “We want to reach the grassroots. If we can organise them better, we will strengthen the party even more.” BNP promises to ignore loan defaulters in upcoming election He also urged the BNP rank and file to put their best efforts into overhauling the party, just as they had shown patriotism and strong resolve in their struggle to free the country from autocracy, braving all forms of repression. “The more we can reorganise, strengthen and unite the party, the quicker we can repair and restructure the country in line with our 31-point outline. Let’s begin our work today,” Tarique said. He said it was a joyous day for all BNP leaders and workers, as they were renewing their membership with the party, which they had stood by despite enduring immense repression and suppression. “I believe a storm swept across the country (during the Awami League rule), battering every sector. Political parties faced repressive acts such as enforced disappearances and killings. Hundreds of our leaders and workers were subjected to killings and enforced disappearances,” he said. Tarique said leaders and workers from other parties were also made to disappear, killed, maimed, and oppressed in similar ways as BNP members. “Just as all sectors of the country were destroyed and the people suppressed, so too were the political parties repressed.”  “That storm is over. After any natural storm, people repair and reorganise their battered crop fields and homes. We’ve lost many of our colleagues in that storm, in various ways. Some we lost due to political reasons, others due to natural causes, and some moved away from politics for different reasons. That’s why we will reorganise our party once again,” he observed. Won't stop until misrule-free Bangladesh is established: Jamaat Ameer Addressing the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said training for BNP leaders and workers is essential, as it appears they are drifting away from politics. “Yesterday (Sunday) we marked the birth anniversary of our founder, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman. Our workers there shouted slogans in the name of different leaders from Dhaka South and North. This is not politics. It cannot be politics,” he said. The BNP leader said such slogans should not come from the mouth of a political worker, as they reflect political bankruptcy. “We must now make political training compulsory in every upazila and district. This must be done with urgency.” He also said the party must take steps to transform itself into an ideal political organisation. “We will not be able to engage in politics merely by raising slogans. We must now focus on merit-based politics. We cannot win future battles simply by chanting slogans if we lack intellect and prudence,” Fakhrul observed. He also urged party leaders and workers to recruit meritorious and intelligent individuals during the new member recruitment drive to further strengthen the country. Earlier, Mirza Fakhrul, party standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, senior joint general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and treasurer M Rashiduzzaman Millat also filled their forms and renewed their memberships. Following the Sixth National Council, BNP's last primary membership renewal programme was held in 2017 under the leadership of party chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP senior leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Monday urged the interim government to promptly arrange a credible national election to transfer power to public representatives peacefully and with dignity. Speaking at a discussion, he cautioned the interim government, reminding that the people of the country ousted HM Ershad and Sheikh Hasina regimes through uprisings as their right to vote was denied. Refrain from wrongdoing, Tarique tells BNP followers  “The term of the interim government will never be indefinite. At some point, they have to leave. They must hand over power to the elected representatives of the people if they want to leave peacefully and with dignity,” the BNP leader said. He made the remarks at a programme organised by the Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) titled “Shaheed Zia and Multi-Party Democracy and the Current Political Context” at Dhaka Medical College’s Dr Milon Auditorium, marking the 89th birth anniversary of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Mosharraf, a BNP Standing Committee member, said their party has been supporting the interim government since its formation urging it to hand over power to public representatives by holding a free and fair election after promptly completing reforms as much as possible. “If the government does this, the people of the country will be able to support the future government in peace and comfort and help take the nation forward, " he said. BNP pays homage to Zia on his birth anniversary He said the government is talking about reforms, but all reforms cannot be carried out by fixing any specific timeframe as it is an ongoing process. The BNP leader said his party has submitted its reform proposals in response to the government’s call. “The government should now finalise the reform proposals through discussions with all the parties and take steps for their implementation.” BNP promises to ignore loan defaulters in upcoming election Mosharraf said any reform this administration is unable to implement will remain incomplete and can be completed by the next government. “So, if this government wants to leave peacefully and with dignity, it is imperative to arrange the election after completing the reforms without further delay and transfer power to the representatives of the people,” he said. The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh changed governments through their votes in 1991, 1996, and 2001 as they were given the opportunity to exercise their right to franchise. However, he said the students and the people of this country overthrew governments, including those of Ershad and Hasina, through mass uprisings when their right to vote was obstructed. “So, we would request the current government to understand these realities and arrange an election very soon for a permanent solution,” the BNP leader said.

Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar, who was admitted to United Hospital in the capital with chest pain, has been kept under close observation in its Coronary Care Unit (CCU). “Doctors have kept him under close observation. His echocardiogram was done in the morning, and other tests are going on,” said Mirza Haider Ali, Babar’s personal assistant. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Babar in the morning. Babar breaks down in tears at Ziaur Rahman’s grave He talked to the doctors and enquired about Babar’s physical condition. Babar was rushed to United Hospital on Sunday after he complained of chest pain at his Gulshan residence.  He has been undergoing treatment under the supervision of cardiologist Dr Kaisar Nasrullah Khan at the hospital. 10-truck arms haul cases: Babar, 4 others acquitted in another case The former state minister was released from prison on January 16 after 17 years of incarceration, following his acquittal in all cases against him.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged the party leaders and activists to refrain from wrongdoing and sheltering intruders, reminding them that people may once again show their strength as they did on August 5 if they make mistakes. Speaking virtually at a discussion on Sunday, he also said the accountability of the government must be ensured through timely elections at every level, from Parliament to Union Parishads, in order to alleviate public suffering and reflect the people’s will and desire in governance. “I humbly request all the soldiers of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia all over Bangladesh with folded hands, please do not allow intruders to crowd around you…please do not get misguided and refrain from confusing activities,” the BNP leader said BNP organised the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 89th birth anniversary of its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman. Tarique formally extends gratitude to Qatar Emir Tarique said over 60 lakh people were repressed, with many others killed, including around 500 during the July mass uprising, under the fascist rule of Sheikh Hasina. “Had we endured the repression and persecution to facilitate the intruders and wrongdoers?” he questioned. He also said many people believe BNP has the highest potential to form the government if a free and fair election is held in the country. Tarique questioned the party leaders and workers if a situation emerges due to wrongdoings by intruders or misguided BNP followers, where someone else forms the government, whether they would be able to stay well. “We don’t know who or what may come (to power)…but it won’t be good for all of us.” He also said if anyone else forms the government for any reason, every political activist belonging to BNP should have the minimum sense to recognise that it would not be good for the country and the nation, both from a local and international perspective. “So, we still have time on our hands to stand by the people and behave according to their desires.”  At the end of the day, as a political party or activists, Tarique said BNP leaders have to go to the voters. “If any of us indulge in wrongdoing before that day (voting day), you will have to answer to the people when you go to them for their votes.” No conflict between reform and election: Fakhrul The BNP leader reminded his party colleagues of a very clear and recent example of how, when people get angry, they can force autocrats to flee the country. “That example, just a few days ago, still shines before our eyes… If we ultimately need public support, why shouldn’t we try to earn it through good actions? Why should you turn a blind eye to unfairness? If the people turn away their faces, we will have no place to go, no matter what we think of ourselves,” he warned. Without mentioning names, Tarique said some political forces are trying to raise their voices against BNP due to the wrongdoings of intruders and some misguided party activists. “So, I am saying it again and again that we must be alert and careful.” He reiterated that the next election will not be as easy as BNP leaders and activists might think, with complacency over their party’s strength. Safeguard freedom of expression, voting rights to resist autocrats: Tarique “We have our party’s organisation even at the village level. But people matter and people are our strength and support. "People showed on August 5 what happens if they are not with you. So, if we make any mistake, the people will show something again, and then you will have to face the consequences," the BNP leader said.  He called upon the BNP leaders and workers to stand by the people and work according to their desires. “Those who engage in any work that can affect us and our party; we will put up a resistance and register our protest against them.” The BNP leader called upon the party rank and file to remain united and stand against unfairness and resist it. “We must stand with the people in such a way that they understand we are with them, according to their desires. This should be our oath on this day, the 89th birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman.” In his speech, Tarique said BNP Standing Committee member Maj Hafizuddin Ahmed mentioned that he was astonished to see some people (intruders) in front of him when he visited his area two days ago. BNP promises to ignore loan defaulters in upcoming election “Many such people have gradually started crowding around the BNP after August 5. Many of our leaders and workers were subjected to immense repression and have died in handcuffs over the last 16-17 years. If you haven’t forgotten these scenes, why should we allow such people to crowd around us?" he questioned. The BNP leader said all conscious citizens of the country are in favour of restoring their voting rights, as they have long been deprived of them. Citing an example of Britain’s democratic practice over the last 400 years, the BNP leader said all state systems there are in favour of people, as they have kept their voting rights intact by any means. “That’s why accountability to people in every sphere of the state and government has developed there. That’s why people are safe there. People don’t fear the government there. Rather, the government fears people. So, the government is always alert to keep people well," he observed. He said there are many political parties in Bangladesh with different thoughts and ideologies. “But we all need to agree on one thing that elections must be held at every level of the state within a specific timeframe stipulated by the constitution and the rule of law. Be it the parliament, municipality, or union parishads, elections must be held.” “Only voting rights can ensure accountability. If we can ensure accountability in every area of the state and society, then we’ll gradually be able to move forward," Tarique said. BNP urges govt to revoke VAT-duty hike on over 100 products He said the government must remain accountable to the people for all its actions. “Only then, it will be possible to gradually ease the people’s sorrow and suffering and ensure that the people’s will and desire are reflected in the government’s activities.” He asked the party leaders and workers to make efforts with a strong resolve so that the people love and honour them, even after their death, just as they do for Ziaur Rahman. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party leaders and workers will remain on the right track if they follow the ideals of Ziaur Rahman, who was an honest and visionary leader. Mentioning that the country’s economic condition is not good, he called upon the interim government to focus on fixing the economy and establishing good governance and arranging the next election as early as possible. BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Begum Selima Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed, among others, spoke at the programme.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday formally expressed gratitude to the Emir of Qatar through a personal letter for providing the royal air ambulance and logistical support to transport his ailing mother Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment. A BNP delegation visited the Qatari Embassy in Dhaka around 2:30pm and handed over the personal letter from Tarique Rahman to Qatari Embassy official Mohammed Khalid Al-Ghanim Al-Maadeed. Qatari Embassy's Third Secretary Rashid Hazaa Al-Marri was also present, according to a post on BNP’s official Facebook page. Tarique thanks Qatar Emir for support in transporting Khaleda to London The BNP delegation included party Chairperson's Advisory Council member Mohammad Ismail Zabiullah and Acting Chairman’s adviser and special assistant Dr Mahdi Amin. Earlier, on January 10, Tarique Rahman posted on his official Facebook page: “I am deeply grateful to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, for graciously providing transportation and logistics for my mother, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia.” On behalf of his family and the people of Bangladesh, the BNP leader also extended heartfelt thanks to the Emir of Qatar for the support, saying, “We look forward to fostering lasting, multifaceted ties between Bangladesh and Qatar.” BNP thanks Qatar, UK for facilitating Khaleda’s treatment The BNP chief flew to London on January 8 aboard a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar. She was admitted to The London Clinic in the United Kingdom for advanced treatment and has been receiving care there since then. Khaleda Zia, a three-time former Prime Minister, has been battling multiple health issues, including liver cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis, and complications involving her kidneys, lungs, heart and eyes.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday said that reforms and elections are not mutually exclusive, as both can progress parallel without hindrance. “There’s no conflict between reforms and elections. The reforms will continue, and so will the elections,” he said while speaking to reporters after paying tribute to Ziaur Rahman on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary. He said the party that wins the election and forms the government will carry forward the reforms. “We can say it clearly, on behalf of our party, that we will take forward every reform (if we form the government),” the BNP leader assured. Sought remarks on the submitted reports of the four reform commissions, Fakhrul declined to comment as their party has not yet received the reports. He also mentioned that the government has said it will hold discussions with political parties after receiving the reports and would then make a decision on the reform proposals. The BNP Secretary General, however, said no reform proposal will be accepted without consensus. “On this day, we pray for stronger unity among all people and hope that we can soon return to democracy through an election, establishing a proper democratic system,” he said. Read: Safeguard freedom of expression, voting rights to resist autocrats: Tarique Earlier, Fakhrul along with BNP leaders and activists paid homage to its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, marking his birth anniversary. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, led by Fakhrul, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11:15am. Read more: BNP promises to ignore loan defaulters in upcoming election They later offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon, Abdus Salam, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Mir Sarafat Ali, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Saiful Alam Nirab, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Amirulzzaman Khan Shimul, Dhaka north city unit president Aminul Haque and south city unit president Rafiqul Alam Mojnu were, among others, present. Leaders and activists of BNP's different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia's grave.

The BNP paid homage to its founder and former President Ziaur Rahman on Sunday on the occasion of his 89th birth anniversary. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed wreaths at Zia's Sher-e-Banglanagar grave around 11:15am.  They later offered fateha following a special munajat seeking salvation of the departed soul of Zia. BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Vice Chairman Ahmed Azam Khan, Chairperson's Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman, Zainul Abedin Farroque, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokon, Abdus Salam, Kamruzzaman Ratan, Mir Sarafat Ali, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Saiful Alam Nirab, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Amirulzzaman Khan Shimul, Dhaka north city unit president Aminul Haque and south city unit president Rafiqul Alam Mojnu were, among others, present. Leaders and activists of BNP's different units and associate bodies also placed wreaths at Zia's grave. Read: Zia’s 89th birth anniversary Sunday Ziaur Rahman was born on January 19, 1936 at Bagbari in Bogura. He founded BNP in 1978 and became the country's seventh President. To mark the day, the party hosted the party flag atop all BNP offices across the country. BNP will also arrange a discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the afternoon in memory of Zia. BNP’s associate bodies are also observing the day with various programs, including discussions and warm clothes distribution, as part of the birth anniversary programmes. The party’s city, district and upazila units are marking the day with different programmes. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a message on the occasion paying deep homage to Zia. He recalled the BNP founder’s contributions to the Liberation War, country’s development and restoration of multiparty democracy. The BNP leader also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Zia.