United News of Bangladesh

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam on Thursday said they will not allow any “autocrat or oppressor” to remain in power in Bangladesh, even if they have to make sacrifices. “Even at the cost of our blood, we will not allow any new autocrat or oppressor to stay in power in Bangladesh – never, never, never,” he said while addressing the party’s “July March” programme in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet in the evening. Nahid also criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, saying he returned home in December last year mentioning that he had a plan. “Is this your plan?” Referring to a college student who allegedly lost an eye in an attack in Habiganj, he alleged that supporters of Whip GK Gouse attacked him and damaged one of his eyes with rods. “He is a young man, a July fighter. His eye must be returned.” The NCP leader said hundreds of his fellow protesters lost their eyes or were injured during the previous Awami League government, adding that Sheikh Hasina is now living in exile in Delhi. He also warned that the people of Bangladesh will not accept any damage to the eyes of anyone. Nahid said they will not leave the streets until justice is ensured for the injured youth. “We respect Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. But we will not accept using their pictures and posters as a cover for committing terrorism, grabbing land or occupying property,” he said. The NCP convener called for ensuring people’s right to freedom of expression, employment and food, while also demanding reforms and justice. Addressing residents of Kanaighat, he warned that attempts could be made to manipulate the upcoming local government elections through “musclemen and terrorists.” “We could not prevent the engineering in the national election, but we will not allow any manipulation, musclemen or terrorists in the local government elections,” Nahid said. He urged people to remain prepared and vote for suitable representatives in the upcoming local government polls.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Saturday warned that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would face consequences if it forgets the July Movement, the youth and the 1,400 martyrs. “The impact of the July Movement is spreading from country to country. Unfortunately, our government is moving in the opposite direction,” he said. Nahid made the remarks while addressing a divisional rally of an 11-party alliance at the historic Government Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet on Saturday afternoon. “We had hoped that the government that came to power through the July Movement would implement the people's verdict in the referendum. But we are saddened to see that the government is ignoring the people's verdict,” he said. He alleged that BNP had forgotten about reforms after the election and was now only talking about constitutional amendments. “Some corrupt intellectuals are saying that amendments are needed, not reforms,” he added. Nahid warned that if reforms are not carried out, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not be able to maintain the trust created among the people. “The Constitution must be reformed through the July Charter,” he said. The NCP leader also alleged that BNP was politicising state institutions, including the Election Commission, which would hinder the progress the people expected. “If the referendum result is not implemented, it will not be possible for us to support this government. If the July Charter and the referendum result are not implemented, this government will not be able to complete its five-year term,” he said. He urged Tarique Rahman to take a decision on implementing the referendum result and the July Charter, warning that otherwise he would have to face the consequences.

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Wednesday urged the government to implement the verdict of the referendum and implement promises of state reform, saying this would demonstrate its commitment to the aspirations of the July mass uprising. After paying tribute at the mass grave of martyrs of 2024 uprising at Rayerbazar, Nahid said merely observing the anniversary would not be enough unless the promises of justice and reform are fulfilled. "The government has to prove that it stands with the July Uprising by implementing the reforms demanded by people and executing the referendum verdict," he said. He said July 1 marked the beginning of the historic uprising and that the party has started its observance by visiting the martyrs' mass grave at Rayerbazar. Nahid said that although the uprising took place two years ago, the country has yet to achieve the discrimination-free and democratic Bangladesh envisioned by its participants. Referring to a recent verdict of the International Crimes Tribunal, he said the judgment has failed to satisfy the people or the families of the martyrs and injured. He criticised the sentence given to Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) President Hasanul Haq Inu, alleging that he had actively supported the July killings as an ally of the Awami League-led alliance. "We do not think the sentence of 10 years in each of the three cases is enough," Nahid said, urging the state to appeal against the verdict and seek the maximum punishment. He also expressed concern over what he described as the slow pace of investigations and trials related to the July killings, saying only two verdicts have been delivered since the current government assumed office. Nahid called for the speedy completion of all pending trials and demanded that those accused of involvement in the July killings, including Sheikh Hasina and the killers of Osman Hadi be brought back to Bangladesh to face justice. He also demanded the implementation of the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina once all legal procedures are completed. Nahid urged the government to fulfil its commitments to the families of the martyrs and injured by ensuring financial assistance and rehabilitation for the July fighters.

Opposition Chief Whip and convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nahid Islam, on Friday extended Eid greetings to the country’s people, saying the opportunity to celebrate Eid in a free environment came through the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs. In a message issued in the evening, Nahid greeted Bangladeshi muslims at home and abroad on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, saying, “Eid Mubarak.” Referring to Eid-ul-Fitr as the largest religious festival of the muslims world following a month of fasting and spiritual discipline, Nahid said the festival fosters unity by bridging social divides and strengthening bonds of harmony. “This festival teaches us peace, compassion and brotherhood, removing hatred and division, and bringing tranquility to our hearts,” he said. Describing this as the second Eid-ul-Fitr in a post-fascist era, Nahid said many leaders and activists of anti-fascist political forces had been deprived of the true joy of Eid for over a decade and a half. “We must not forget that it is through the sacrifices of hundreds of martyrs that we can celebrate Eid today in a free environment.” He urged people to stand beside the families of those who sacrificed everything for a ‘fascism-free Bangladesh’ and to support injured activists, calling it a moral responsibility. Expressing gratitude to expatriate Bangladeshis’, Nahid said they continue to keep the country’s economy running through their relentless efforts, despite being away from their families during Eid. He also stressed that it is a humanitarian duty for every conscious Muslim to stand by neighbours, relatives, and the poor and underprivileged on the day of Eid. “In this sacred and joyous moment, I pray to Almighty Allah to bless Bangladesh and the entire Muslim Ummah with peace, prosperity and happiness.” According to the NCP, Nahid Islam is scheduled to offer Eid prayers at Beraid Purbapara Boro Mashjid at 7:00 am on Saturday, where he will also exchange greetings with locals after the prayers.  

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Md Nahid Islam has said that there will be no existence of fascism in Bangladesh. In a post on the party’s verified Facebook page on Monday, he said, “We will not leave any trace of fascism in Bangladesh.” Nahid, also a lawmaker from Dhaka-11, said the president must be impeached and brought under arrest. NCP forms committee to oversee local government polls

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has been named the Leader of the Opposition in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. Newly elected MP from Cumilla-11 (Chouddagram) and Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher will serve as the deputy opposition leader. Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has been appointed as the opposition chief whip, while Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan has been made opposition whip. Jamaat MPs-elect take oath as members of parliament, CRC The decisions were taken at a parliamentary party meeting on Tuesday after the oath-taking of MPs, party sources said. Assistant Secretary General and Chief of Central Publicity and Media Department of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair, told UNB. A joint press release from the 11-party alliance is expected to be issued soon to formally announce the appointments. Earlier in the day, Jamaat MPs took oath around 12:30pm, followed by MPs from the National Citizen Party. Members of the 11-party alliance also took oath to the proposed Constitutional Reform Council alongside their parliamentary oath.

National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam on Monday vowed to ensure justice for Sharif Osman Bin Hadi and the perpetrators of the July uprising killings. In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, he said that implementing the July Charter and taking a firm stance against looting, corruption, and extortion remain key commitments of his party. Nahid Islam, who contested the national election from Dhaka-11 constituency, won by a margin of more than 2,000 votes. Running with the Shapla Kali (water lily bud) symbol, he secured 93,872 votes. After meeting Jamaat Ameer, Tarique meets NCP chief Nahid Meanwhile, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on Nahid at his residence on Bailey Road in the capital around 8:30 pm on Sunday.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit the residences of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam on Sunday evening, signalling a gesture of political goodwill. A BNP leader close to Tarique Rahman, who requested anonymity, told UNB that the BNP chief will first visit the Jamaat Ameer’s residence around 7:00 pm, followed by a visit to Nahid’s house at approximately 8:00 pm. The visits come in the wake of BNP’s decisive victory in Thursday’s national election, where the party secured 209 seats, paving the way for the formation of the next government. In the election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, while the NCP secured six seats. Speaking at a post-election press conference on Saturday at a city hotel, Tarique Rahman emphasised the importance of unity and cooperation. “On the journey towards building a safe, humane and democratic Bangladesh, I seek the cooperation of all, regardless of party or opinion,” he said. Tarique pledges justice, seeks unity to build ‘safe, humane Bangladesh’ He also acknowledged that electoral competition may have caused misunderstandings or disagreements in certain areas. “I urge everyone to ensure that such disputes do not escalate into revenge or retaliation,” he added. Tarique Rahman stressed that justice will be the cornerstone of his government in upholding the rule of law.

Jamaat-led alliance candidate and National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam on Thursday said ensuring a free and fair election is more important than electoral victory or defeat, stressing that the real test is whether people can exercise their voting rights without obstruction. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Dhaka-11 at AKM Rahmatullah College in Badda, Nahid said the election must be credible at any cost. “If the election is not fair, the July movement will be rendered meaningless,” Nahid warned. Bangladesh’s long walk to the ballot box; voting  begins at 7:30am Expressing optimism about forming the next government, Nahid said the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance had united with the clear objective of coming to power. “We believe this alliance is standing at the threshold of forming the government.” He said the alliance would accept the election outcome regardless of the result, provided the polls are conducted fairly. “We are prepared to accept the people’s verdict. If the election is free and fair, we will accept whatever result comes.” Nahid also urged the administration, law enforcement agencies and the army to make all-out efforts to ensure a fair electoral process. Commenting on the electoral environment, he acknowledged existing challenges but said the Jamaat-led alliance wants the highest possible voter turnout so that people can cast their votes without hindrance. He also called on voters to support the ‘Yes’ option in the referendum. “There are obstacles, and some are trying to undermine the electoral atmosphere. It is not enough for you or me to say the election was fair. Public reactions on social media and the opinions of election observers will determine whether the polls were transparent.” Voting began at 7:30am on Thursday at more than 42,000 polling centres across the country in 299 constituencies. The 13th national parliamentary election is being held with around 13 crore registered voters, whose decision will determine the formation of Bangladesh’s next government.  

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court challenging the eligibility of National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam to contest the Dhaka-11 seat election over allegations of dual citizenship. Shamim Ahmed, the Jatiya Party candidate for Dhaka-11, filed the petition on Monday, seeking a stay on Nahid’s candidacy. The Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission Secretary, Returning Officer, and Nahid Islam have been named as respondents in the petition. Advocate Majnu Mollah represented the petitioner. According to the petition, Nahid obtained citizenship of Dominica on April 20, 2025, shortly after assuming the position of Adviser of the Council on August 8, 2024, which the petitioner claims violates Article 66(2)(ga) of the Constitution. The petition also alleges that Nahid concealed this information in his election affidavit. NCP pledges military training for youth if 11-party alliance comes to power Advocate Majnu Mollah said the writ petition will be placed before the High Court for hearing on Tuesday. The Dhaka-11 constituency covers the Gulshan areas, including wards 21, 22, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 of Dhaka North City Corporation, as well as ward 23 of Sabujbagh. A total of 4,39,078 voters—including 2,22,877 male, 2,16,198 female, and three third-gender voters—are expected to cast their votes in the election. BNP candidate MA Quayum is also contesting the Dhaka-11 seat.