United News of Bangladesh

BNP has completed preparations for the residence and offices of its Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman ahead of his return to Bangladesh after nearly 18 years in exile in London. Party leaders said Tarique, the eldest son of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Khaleda Zia, will move into house number 196 on Gulshan Avenue. The BNP Chairperson currently lives at a rented residence, ‘Firoza’, located next to the house. Separate chambers have been prepared for the Acting Chairman at the BNP Chairperson’s political office in Gulshan, beside the Chairperson’s chamber. Another chamber has also been set up for him at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan. Besides, BNP has rented another house in Gulshan from where all activities related to the 13th national parliamentary election will be coordinated. Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the BNP Acting Chairman, formally shared the information at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at BNP’s new office at house 10/C on Road 90 in Gulshan. He also announced a national reel-making competition titled 'Amar Vabnay Bangladesh' (Bangladesh in My Thoughts) to mark the return of Tarique to the country. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to return to Dhaka on December 25. BNP has taken extensive preparations to welcome him. Party leaders and activists are expected to gather at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to receive him on arrival. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said people across the country are waiting for their leader. He said leaders and activists from all levels of the party will stand in an orderly manner along the roads to welcome him, and preparations are underway accordingly. On Monday, a joint meeting of BNP and its associate bodies was held at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office, where detailed discussions took place on arrangements for welcoming Tarique. The meeting was chaired by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Party sources said the house on Gulshan Avenue was allocated to Begum Khaleda Zia after the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, following a unanimous decision by the cabinet led by then President Justice Abdus Sattar. A few months ago, the ownership documents of the house were formally handed over to Khaleda Zia. Preparations at Tarique’s residence are almost complete. During a visit to the house, it was seen that security sheds have been set up in front of the building and CCTV cameras installed along the road. Security personnel said the measures were taken as Tarique Rahman will be residing there. Regarding the new Gulshan office, BNP has rented the four-storey building at house 10/C on Road 90. The building has strict security arrangements. A briefing room has been set up on the second floor, while other floors have offices for various party departments, including a research cell. BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said party leaders and activists who have been working for a long time are eagerly counting the days until Tarique sets foot on Dhaka soil. He expressed hope that the party leader would restore democracy in line with the expectations of the people. Speaking at the press conference, Mahdi Amin said the new office will function as a BNP office from where election-related activities will be conducted. He said Tarique’s return has created strong public emotion, hope and interest across the country. Mahdi also said the party believes that building a future Bangladesh requires all pro-democracy citizens, beyond political and ideological differences, to work together. As part of the homecoming programme, BNP has launched a national reel-making competition. The competition will run until December 25, allowing people from all walks of life at home and abroad to submit one-minute creative reel videos online, expressing their ideas, plans and hopes for building the country. National election as per schedule, no fear: Tarique Rahman Mahdi said the main goal of the initiative is to directly involve people in BNP’s vision of rebuilding the state and to bring grassroots ideas to the party’s top leadership. He also said the top 10 winners will get an opportunity to interact directly with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman at a special event. Members of the BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council, the party’s foreign relations committee and the media cell were present at the press conference.    

Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) China unit celebrated Victory Day with expatriate Bangladeshis in China on Tuesday. The programme took place at a local restaurant in Guangzhou, where leaders and activists participated in a discussion meeting to mark the occasion. The meeting was presided over by Shakhawat Hossain Kanan and moderated by former student leader and BNP Greater China leader Asif Haque Rupu. In his speech, Shakhawat Hossain Kanan urged expatriate Bangladeshis to help continue democratic rule by supporting the party’s electoral symbol, the “sheaf of paddy,” and encouraged them to motivate their family members in Bangladesh to vote for the symbol. Asif Haque Rupu alleged that anti-independence forces had repeatedly attempted to undermine the country’s freedom. The programme also highlighted Bangladesh’s proud history and culture and aimed to strengthen the spirit of patriotism among the expatriate community. Other speakers included BNP China unit leaders Sheikh Mahbubur Rashid, Wali Ullah, Hasmat Ali Mridha, S.M. Al Amin, and Musa Noor Islam.

Md Masuduzzaman Masud, the frontrunner to be the BNP's candidate for Narayanganj-5 (City-Port) in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, announced his withdrawal from the election race on Tuesday, citing security concerns raised by his family in the wake of the assassination attempt on Osman Hadi in Dhaka among his reasons. Masud made the announcement at a press conference held at the Narayanganj Press Club around noon. Masud added that he had tried to contact BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to inform him of the decision but was unsuccessful. He said he would explain the matter to the party leadership at a later time. Masud was named as the BNP's preferred candidate in the constituency, that spans both banks of the Shitalakkhya River, in the first list announced by the party on November 3, covering 237 constituencies. Speaking at the press conference, he said he decided to step aside after his family members expressed serious concerns about his personal safety following the announcement of his candidacy. “After the shooting incident involving Osman Hadi in Dhaka, my family became even more terrified,” he said. His sudden withdrawal appeared to catch many of his supporters off guard, with several expressing anger and disappointment at the press conference. Former joint general secretary of the BNP city unit, Nurul Haque Chowdhury, criticised the decision, saying, “You cannot abandon BNP leaders and activists like this. We came out in your support with many hopes and aspirations. We do not accept this decision.” Nayem Khandaker, member secretary of the city unit of Zia Samaj Kalyan Parishad, also expressed surprise.  “Just a short while ago, he attended a scheduled programme in Shahidnagar. He came straight from there and made this announcement. We were completely unaware of it,” he said. Narayanganj-5 has traditionally been a stronghold of the Osman family of Narayanganj, who were long feared in the area for their reputation as 'godfathers' in the district bordering the capital. In the last three elections, the MP seat was won for Jatiya Party by Selim Osman, elder brother of Shamim Osman, who himself was an AL MP from the neighbouring constituency. Known for their strong ties to AL, the Osman family fled the country as the July Uprising of 2024.    

Environment adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan on Tuesday said the election scheduled for February would lay a strong foundation for democracy by strengthening accountability to people. “The election would help solidify democracy and bring the government under public scrutiny. The journey toward building a discrimination-free and exploitation-free society, a dream yet to be fully realised, could begin from here,” she while talking to reporters after paying tributes to the martyrs at the National Memorial in Savar. Calling the upcoming polls more than just an election, Rizwana said it would also serve as a kind of referendum where people would be able to express their views on key reform issues. Based on that mandate, she said, the democratic journey could begin anew in a refreshed form. She termed attempts to suppress political opponents through violence, including assassination attempts, as unfortunate, condemnable and cowardly. “There is no heroism in such acts. If one has strength, one must face the people,” she said adding that in a democratic state, the path to the people is well known. The adviser said the culture of targeting opponents has no place in a New Bangladesh. She said the government would be considered successful only if it could deliver on its commitments to free and fair elections, justice and reforms. Rizwana Hasan said the government’s goal is to ensure a peaceful and fair election so that people can vote without fear. She said certain forces are active in trying to disrupt the process, stressing the need to counter them alongside building social resistance.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday the people of the then East Pakistan rose in revolt as the Pakistani ruling elite perpetrated injustice and created discriminations against them. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a youth marathon organised by Jamaat-e-Islami on the occasion of Victory Day at Suhrawardy Uddyan in the capital. The marathon began around 8 am from Suhrawardy Uddyan and concluded at Manik Mia Avenue near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, passing through Shahbagh intersection and Science Lab. Participants carried national flags and banners with various slogans throughout the route. Shafiqur Rahman said the politics of the future Bangladesh would be guided by a new system by discarding the old political order. “The politics of the new system will be against terrorism, extortionists, murder, rape, false cases, corruption, injustice and all forms of oppression,” he said. He said the marathon would continue until a new Bangladesh built by youths is realised. “No matter how many obstacles or threats come, we will not stop. We will build a new Bangladesh as dreamt by the nation, Inshallah,” he added. Anti-independence forces trying to resurface on Victory Day: Fakhrul Referring to the upcoming election, the Jamaat chief said the people would not allow any kind of technical manipulation. “We do not seek any favour from the Election Commission but if the commission shows favour to anyone, it will not be tolerated,” he said. He said attempts to buy people with black money would fail as people are now much more aware than before. Shafiqur alleged that during the Awami League’s 15 years in power there was no area of the country where people were spared from oppression, which led the entire nation to rise against them during the July movement. He alleged that their current target is the country’s youth and revolutionaries and an attempt was made on the life of Osman Hadi, one of the key leaders of the July movement. “If anything happens to Osman Hadi, the revolutionaries will not remain silent,” he added. Victory Day: Nation honours Liberation War martyrs He said Awami League has wrongly assumed that eliminating one or two leaders would weaken the movement. “They cannot reduce the number of revolutionaries. Rather, the number of revolutionary youths will continue to grow,” he said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the forces that opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 are once again trying to raise their heads. “Those who stood against Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 are now trying to raise their heads again. But the people of Bangladesh who believe in freedom, independence and democracy will foil all their conspiracies and will surely protect the country’s independence and sovereignty and establish democracy, Inshallah,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks after placing wreaths at the grave of BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning, marking Victory Day. He said the Liberation War began with the declaration of independence by martyred President Ziaur Rahman and reached its final victory on December 16. “That is why this day is extremely important for us and for BNP.” Fakhrul said BNP leaders and activists visited the grave of the proclaimer of independence, paid their respects and took an oath to continue their struggle to protect independence and establish democracy in Bangladesh. He said that on the occasion of the Great Victory Day, on behalf of the party, its Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, they paid deep respect and gratitude to the martyrs of the Liberation War. He also they also paid tributes to BNP founder and martyred President Ziaur Rahman. At the same time, Fakhrul sought prayers for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, describing her as the first female freedom fighter and a tireless guardian of democracy who has fought relentlessly for independence and sovereignty. He said she is now seriously ill and urged the country’s people to pray to Almighty Allah for her recovery. Fakhrul said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is still living abroad in exile, but the party hopes he will return home on December 25. “We are working so that his return further strengthens the struggle for democracy,” he said. CA Prof Yunus pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs  Earlier in the morning, BNP leaders and activists, led by Mirza Abbas, paid tributes to the martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar. At around 9:55am, Fakhrul, along with members of the BNP Standing Committee, placed wreaths at Ziaur Rahman’s grave and later joined a special munajat seeking the salvation of the departed soul of the late president. BNP Standing Committee Members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Salahuddin Ahmed were present, Chairperson’s Advisory Council Members Amanullah Aman and Abdus Salam, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Dhaka North City unit convener Aminul Haque, and Dhaka South City unit member secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, and leaders of central and associate bodies were present. Later, leaders and activists of BNP’s associate organisations, including Muktijoddha Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Mohila Dal, Krishak Dal, Matsyajibi Dal, Tanty Dal, DAB and Chhatra Dal, also placed wreaths at the grave. Since early morning, BNP leaders and activists gathered at the grave premises, chanting slogans such as “Zia, the proclaimer of independence, we salute you” and “We achieved independence, we will protect independence”.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said their party will ensure the security of the warriors of last year’s July–August mass uprising if it is elected in the upcoming national election. “Many of the July fighters of ’24 are concerned about what will happen to their security once the interim government leaves and a new government comes to power. I want to state this clearly that if we are elected through people’s votes, we will ensure the security for the July fighters,” he said. Speaking at a discussion, the BNP leader also said their party will not allow the July fighters to remain vulnerable or insecure. He said the upcoming national election will determine whether Bangladesh moves forward on a democratic and liberal path or goes backwards. Fakhrul also voiced concern that false propaganda and violence are being used to weaken BNP and tarnish its image. Referring to the recent attack on BNP activist Osman Hadi, he said the party strongly condemned the attack, held protest programmes across the country and demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers. “The attacker has been identified. It has been found that he is a killer and a terrorist linked to the Awami League. Yet they are asking why BNP should respond. Their only aim is to malign BNP with ill intentions,” Fakhrul said. BNP organised the discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Victory Day. At the beginning of the programme, a special prayer was offered for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. Fakhrul said all major positive achievements of Bangladesh came under the leadership of martyred President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and BNP. “The contributions of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia and BNP are inseparably linked with Bangladesh’s development, democracy and achievements,” he said. Fakhrul said a new vision for the country is now emerging under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. Fakhrul also recalled BNP’s sacrifices during the long 17-year struggle against fascism. He warned that a group is trying to undermine democracy, stressing that the upcoming national election is extremely important for the country. The BNP leader said the Pakistani forces and their collaborators carried out brutal repression and genocide against the people of this country, which the nation can never forget. “Tomorrow, December 16, marks the defeat of the Pakistani occupying forces, and we must firmly remember this truth. The war that began with the declaration of independence by martyred President Ziaur Rahman in 1971 ended in victory after nine months of bloody struggle. This victory is the victory of our existence, territory and national identity,” Fakhrul said. The BNP Secretary General said the political force that opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 had also opposed the creation of Pakistan in 1947. “Today, that same force wants to undermine Bangladesh’s independence, destroy democracy, and crush the hopes and aspirations of the people,” he said. The BNP leader said nationalist forces will remain united, upholding the flag of independence, sovereignty and democracy. Fakhrul prayed for the good health of Khaleda Zia, paid tributes to the martyrs, and called upon all to turn Victory Day into a commitment to restore democracy. He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will return to Bangladesh on December 25, carrying the national flag of independence, democracy and nationalism. BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas said the younger generation does not know enough about history. “It is true that martyred President Ziaur Rahman declared independence. But did he declare it and then go to sleep? He fought in the war,” Abbas said. He said while the offices of all other sector commanders during the Liberation War were located inside India, Ziaur Rahman’s command office was inside Bangladesh. “He (Zia) stayed inside the country, took up arms, lived in bunkers and fought on the battlefield. That is why we are proud soldiers of Ziaur Rahman,” Abbas said.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged people to stay united against all conspiracies, assuring that there is no reason to fear and that the national election will be held on schedule. Speaking at a discussion virtually, he said the gun attack on Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a potential independent candidate from the Dhaka-8 constituency, is part of a conspiracy to disrupt the election. “I would like to say clearly at this proud moment of Victory Day that those who try to frighten the freedom-loving, pro-democracy people will surely fail, InshAllah. There is no reason to be afraid,” Tarique said. Stating that victory and defeat, life and death are all determined by the Almighty Allah, he said if the nation moves forward together, united and trusting in Allah, to establish the rights of the people, the conspirators will be forced to retreat. He said history has repeatedly shown that when people remain united, no force can stop them from winning. “This was proven in 1971, in 2024, on November 7, 1975, and during the anti-autocracy movement of the 1990s. I firmly say that the election will be held at the scheduled time, InshAllah,” he added. Expressing his wish to personally take part in election campaigning, Tarique said amid loud applause, “Ahead of the upcoming election, in villages and towns, ports and cities, wards and neighbourhoods, lanes and streets, and on the highways, I will also be with you in the people’s march to establish their rights, InshAllah.” ‘71 intellectual killings a planned blueprint to cripple nation: Fakhrul BNP has already announced that Tarique Rahman will return to Dhaka on December 25 after spending 18 years in exile in London. BNP organised the discussion programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking Victory Day. At the beginning of the programme, a special prayer was offered for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who is undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. Tarique said the people of Bangladesh have long been witnessing that an anti-Bangladesh vested quarter has repeatedly tried to obstruct the election by adding condition after condition without reason, or by using various excuses. “Defying all kinds of hurdles, after more than one and a half decades, the Election Commission has finally announced the date of the much-desired national election of the people,” he said. Urging everyone to remain alert, the BNP leader said, “The conspiracy has not stopped yet. The shooting of Osman Hadi, a brave son on the side of democracy, is part of that conspiracy. What was Osman Hadi’s crime? As a political worker, some questions have arisen in my mind, and I believe the answers to these questions clearly expose the nature of the attackers.” Tarique Rahman to return on Dec 25 after 18 years in exile As a political worker, he said, the questions are: “First, who would be happy if the current interim government is made to fail? Second, who would benefit if the interim government continues without an election? Third, who would gain if a people’s government is not formed through the people’s vote? I believe the answers to these questions hide the attackers of Hadi. The enemies of independence and democracy are lurking within these answers.” Tarique said a fallen and fugitive fascist clique has long distorted the history of Bangladesh’s independence and the Liberation War to serve its narrow and partisan interests. He said attempts were made in the past to turn the history of independence into party history, and even now a defeated group is trying to create a new “history of victory”. In contrast, the BNP leader said this Victory Day should be marked not by revenge, but by a pledge to build a prosperous and democratic Bangladesh by ensuring that the benefits of victory reach every household. He said the message of victory must not remain limited to slogans alone. “To ensure that the fruits of victory reach every home, BNP and the Sheaf of Paddy are seeking the support and cooperation of the people in the upcoming national election.” Tarique said BNP believes that independence and democracy cannot be sustained without the political and economic empowerment of the people. “Whenever democracy has been threatened in the country’s history, independence and sovereignty have also been put at risk.” Noting that a country cannot become strong by keeping its people powerless, he said establishing a government elected directly by the people and accountable to them is BNP’s core objective. “That is why the party has always taken a firm stand in favour of free, fair and neutral elections.” Tarique Rahman said the upcoming national election is not just an election for ‘experience’ or ‘experiment’. Tarique terms attack on Hadi a conspiracy against democracy “This election is more complex and more important than any previous one,” he said, adding that it is linked to the dreams, hopes, interests and future of both present and future generations, as well as the sovereignty of Bangladesh. The BNP leader said the party has prepared its nation-building programme with the vision of making the next decade a decade of transformation. “Half of our population is women, more than 40 million are young people, and there are millions of farmers and workers. Using the strength of this working population to consolidate Bangladesh’s victory is BNP’s main goal. By building a self-reliant and prosperous Bangladesh, we want to make every future Victory Day more meaningful and more glorious,” he observed. Tarique reiterated that democracy and independence cannot be sustained unless people are politically and economically empowered. “Whenever democracy has been threatened in Bangladesh, the country’s sovereignty has also been endangered. This has been proven time and again.” The discussion was chaired by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and moderated by Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku. BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafizuddin Ahmed, along with Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Abdus Salam, former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, Jubo Dal leader Nurul Islam Nayan and Swechchhasebak Dal leader Rajib Ahsan, among others, spoke at the programme.    

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Monday accused a section of political players of attempting to rehabilitate ‘fascist forces’ and push Bangladesh back to what he described as a ‘rotten past’, warning that the nation would not forgive them if they failed to reform. “They have already been identified. For years they remained disguised; now their true face has been exposed,” he said while addressing a discussion meeting organised by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dhaka Metropolitan South, at the Jatiya Press Club. The Jamaat chief urged the collaborators of fascists to repent, apologise and refrain from wrongdoing. “Otherwise, the nation will not forgive you.” Paying tributes to those who sacrificed their lives in the 1971 Liberation War and to victims of alleged repression during what he termed ‘15 and a half years of fascist rule’, Shafiqur Rahman said political parties, religious scholars, civil society members and journalists had all faced killings, enforced disappearances and persecution. Referring to the July 24 mass uprising, he said the actual number of martyrs remained unknown and was likely higher than available figures. He expressed deep concerns over the condition of Inquilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi, who was critically injured in a shooting and has been taken to Singapore for treatment. “We pray that Allah restores him to us,” he said. The Jamaat chief also criticised a recent remark by the Chief Election Commissioner, saying it had hurt public sentiment. He urged the CEC to clarify his statement and prove his neutrality, noting that the nation had not received it positively. While acknowledging government steps regarding Hadi’s treatment, Shafiqur Rahman said such responses should not come only after lives are pushed to the brink. He urged the authorities to ensure public safety so that no one dares to show such audacity again. On calls for resignations from officeholders, he said stepping down was not the solution. “Prove your eligibility by fulfilling your responsibilities,” he said, warning that failure could invite renewed unrest—something he said Jamaat does not desire. Calling for a united, humane and corruption-free Bangladesh, he said the party seeks “unity, not division; love, not violence; transparency and accountability, not corruption; justice for all; and jobs in hand, not black money.” He said Jamaat would work with all forces committed to three principles: zero tolerance for corruption, an independent judiciary free from political interference, and sincere implementation of agreed reform proposals. “Those who agree on these will find our doors open,” he said. Stressing respect for both 1971 and 2024, he said denying anyone’s contribution would harm the nation’s future. “July 24 is not just history; it is part of our very being,” he said. Pointing at journalists, Shafiqur Rahman urged accurate and complete reporting, cautioning against selective quotations that could mislead the public. He reaffirmed Jamaat’s support for free, responsible media, including fair criticism, provided it is grounded in truth and national interest. Central Executive Council member and Dhaka South Ameer Mohammad Nurul Islam Bulbul presided over the programme.  

BNP has formed a new partial convening committee for its UK chapter, as the president and general secretary of the previous committee are set to contest the upcoming national election. The committee was announced in a press release on Monday, signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The party said a full committee will be announced soon. According to the media release, Abul Kalam Azad has been appointed convener of the new committee, while Khosruzzaman Khosru made member secretary. The previous UK BNP committee was led by MA Malek as president and Koysor M Ahmed as general secretary. Following the student-led mass uprising on August 5, both leaders returned to Bangladesh and became active in BNP politics. MA Malek has received a BNP nomination from the Sylhet-3 constituency, while Koysor M Ahmed has been nominated from Sunamganj-3.