Two days ahead of their meeting with the Chief Adviser, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed the hope that the uncertainty over the election roadmap and all related issues will be resolved through dialogue and unity. “We want to create a new Bangladesh through dialogue and unity. Undoubtedly, that unity will be possible among us and we will succeed,” he said while talking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the evening upon his return from Singapore. When journalists drew his attention to the Chief Adviser’s shifting of the election timeline between December and June, Fakhrul expressed optimism that this issue, too, would be resolved during their discussions with the head of the interim government on Wednesday. Extending greetings on the occasion of Bengali New Year, Fakhrul conveyed a hopeful message to the nation. “This year’s Pahela Baishakh will help us wipe away the burdens of the past and build a new Bangladesh,” he said. Fakhrul to return home Monday from Singapore Fakhrul hoped that the Bengali New Year 1432 will bring a new horizon for the entire nation. “The mind of every person will be illuminated with the joy of new possibilities...this is what we hope for.” Fakhrul, along with his wife Rahat Ara Begum, travelled to Singapore on 6 April for routine medical check-ups. The BNP leader has been undergoing regular follow-up treatments in Singapore since 2015, when a blockage was detected in his internal carotid artery while he was in jail. He and his wife had also travelled to Singapore on 1 September 2024 for similar medical purposes. Meanwhile, a BNP delegation led by Fakhrul is scheduled to meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on 16 April to press for a clear and specific roadmap for the upcoming national election and dispel confusion surrounding the polls and proposed reforms. The meeting is set to be held at the Chief Adviser’s official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, at 12:00 noon.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will attend a reception at Bangabhaban this (Wednesday) afternoon. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady Dr Rebeka Sultana will host  the reception, marking the Independence Day. “BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will participate in the reception at Bangabhaban at 4 pm, at the invitation of the President, on the occasion of 26 March,” said Sayrul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP media cell. BNP seeks clear election roadmap, criticises Dr Yunus for ambiguity The reception is expected to be attended by the Chief Justice, advisers, ambassadors and high commissioners from various countries, Supreme Court judges, the chiefs of the three armed services, senior political leaders, journalists, academics, business leaders, artistes, valiant freedom fighters, family members of the Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and other distinguished citizens. Every year, 26 March brings to mind the darkest chapter in the nation's history, marking the beginning of a nine-month-long bloody struggle from the night of 25 March 1971, which culminated in the hard-won independence on 16 December of the same year, at the cost of immense sacrifice.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday expressed concerns that doubts are growing among people regarding the interim government's sincerity in holding the national election without unnecessary delays. Speaking at a discussion organised by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital, he also alleged that the students who once led the movement against the Awami League regime now appear to be giving space to fascists in order to protect their own interests. “We’re observing that the interim government, which we supported, was attempting to move towards the election after completing certain tasks. However, in the meantime, doubts have arisen among the people regarding whether they are serious about holding the election at all,” Fakhrul said. He said there are valid concerns, including various comments made by advisers, which have contributed to the growing suspicion about the intentions of the interim administration. Shibir president urges Chhatra Dal to rethink about political approach JCD organised a discussion titled “The New Style of Student Politics in Post-Mass Uprising Bangladesh, on the occasion of launching the distribution of membership forms and the renewal of membership for its Dhaka city units. Fakhrul criticised LGRD Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan for his comment—that Awami League members could participate in elections after apologising to the public—saying that the nation would not accept this. “This proves that they now want to give space to the fascists for their own interests... This is very dangerous. Does this mean we should believe they are using various strategies to organise their party by remaining in the government?” he said. The BNP leader said they would not allow students who were involved in the mass uprising to now form a political party with such strategies. He said the people of the country would not tolerate the implementation of any such malicious tactics. Release Azharul Islam: Jamaat Ameer Fakhrul said the BNP would welcome the formation of any new political party, as they had already supported the new student organisation. “We will welcome it when you form a party. But it does not mean you can form a party by staying in power and availing all state facilities. That will never be accepted,” he said. The BNP leader once again urged the head of the interim government to immediately address these issues and take appropriate action. “Otherwise, the trust that the people have in you will no longer exist,” he warned. Fakhrul reiterated his earlier statement that if the current interim government lost its neutrality, another neutral government would be required. “Now it has been proven why I said that.” Stating that BNP was the worst victim of the 1/11 political changeover in 2007, he warned that the people of the country would never accept any attempt to recreate another ‘1/11’ or to undermine democracy by imposing a one-party or fascist rule. The BNP leader emphasised the importance of intellectual development for JCD leaders and activists, saying that strengthening the organisation requires a focus on knowledge and academic growth. BNP won’t accept local polls ahead of national election: Fakhrul Recalling his own experiences in student politics during the 1960s, when study groups were established to promote learning and advancement was based on knowledge, Fakhrul advocated for introducing such a culture within the student wing to strengthen the organisation. He said patience, tolerance and intellectual development are crucial for navigating the country's current critical situation. The BNP leader also urged JCD leaders and workers to engage in cyber warfare and social media. "Utilise your mobile phones effectively to fight in the digital space. If you succeed in this cyber battle, no one will be able to resist your victory," he said. He also said the people of the country want to return to a democratic environment, but this goal has yet to be achieved, even after seven months since the ouster of the fascist regime. Addressing the programme, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib said over a hundred leaders and activists from their organisation were killed during the July-August mass uprising. Besides, he said, many JCD leaders and activists had been subjected to killing, enforced disappearance and repression and suppression over the past 16 years. He claimed that a certain group has been conspiring in various ways, including conducting negative campaigns against the JCD on social media, in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the popular student organisation. Rakib expressed his regret over the clashes at the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) and called for a thorough investigation into the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice. He alleged that the attack on JCD members at the Kuet campus was incited by the leaders of a secret organisation using the banner of the Anti-Defamation Student platform. The JCD leader said there should be no mob culture or underground student politics on campuses. He, however, said they still wish to maintain unity among students frogged during the mass uprising, aiming to initiate a new form of student politics that would play a positive role in the nation's development.  

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday warned that BNP would not accept local government polls ahead of the national election. “The collaborators of fascist Hasina would raise their ugly heads if the local elections are held first, which the people of the country would not accept,” said Fakhrul while addressing a rally at the Town Hall ground in Jashore, organised by the district BNP to press home their various demands, including bringing down the prices of essentials to a tolerable level. They also demanded improvement in the deteriorating law-and-order situation, quick announcement of the election roadmap and prevention of conspiracies to reestablish fascism. Fakhrul urged the interim government advisers to resign if they want to stay in power and then contest the elections. “If you want to stay in power, step down first and then contest the election. (You) form a new party outside the government—we have no objection. But any such activity while remaining in power will not be tolerated,” he said. The BNP leader pledged that if his party comes to power, it will reopen closed factories in Jashore’s Noapara and ensure a permanent solution to waterlogging in Bhabadaha. “Fascist Hasina tried many times to break the BNP but failed. BNP is a party of people, and we have fought alongside people against fascism for the last 17 years. The mass uprising on August 5 was the ultimate victory,” Fakhrul said. BNP picks Parliament’s LD Hall as venue for extended meeting He said the government’s current talks for reforms are nothing new as BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had proposed similar reforms in 2016. “Implement the necessary reforms for holding polls and hold the national election without delay. We are hopeful that the Yunus government will do so soon,” he added. Expressing concern over rising prices of essentials, Fakhrul said, “I wish I could say we are all doing well, but we are not. The prices of rice, lentils, oil, salt and other daily essentials have skyrocketed. Law and order have deteriorated.” “Even though fascist Hasina has fled, we are still not safe. Under her regime, 6 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced cases, several thousand were killed, and over 700 were victims of enforced disappearance. At least 84 BNP leaders and activists from Jashore were killed. Hasina’s regime created torture cells to detain and kill our leaders and activists,” he said. “The July revolution aimed to establish a democratic state, restore voting rights, and ensure a truly democratic Bangladesh. Yet, 54 years after independence that dream remains unfulfilled,” he said. The rally was presided over by Jashore district BNP convener Prof Nargis Begum. BNP Khulna divisional acting organisational secretary Anindya Islam Amit, assistant religious affairs secretary Amlendu Das Apu, assistant health affairs secretary Jahanara Siddiqui, former office secretary Mofiqul Hasan Tripti were, among others, present.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday expressed the hope that political parties will reach a ‘minimum consensus’ on state reforms through talks to facilitate the quick holding of the national election. “There will be discussions on the reports provided by the reform commissions. The political parties will engage in talks with the commissions, and efforts will be made to reach a consensus,” he said. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the National Consensus Commission, the BNP leader said political parties participated in initial discussions with the Consensus Commission. “Different political parties made various remarks there.” "We (BNP) hope that a minimum consensus on this reform will be reached very soon and that the national elections will be held very soon based on that. This is our expectation,” he said. Fakhrul said the chief adviser, along with the National Consensus Commission, held the first meeting with the political parties on Saturday and he talked about the necessity and importance of reforms. “In the meeting, he mentioned that political parties will discuss each of the reports submitted by the reform commissions in the coming days,” the BNP leader said. Govt enters second phase as national consensus talks begin: Press Secretary In response to a question, the BNP leader reiterated that they have already made it clear that the national parliamentary election must be held first, and then the local government elections will be held. He, however, said they did not engage in any in-depth discussion about the elections during the meeting. "There was only a preliminary discussion today (Saturday)... You could say the discussion was introductory. Different political parties expressed different views, and that reflected their own opinions," Fakhrul said. He also said there was no positive, constructive discussion in the meeting due to the lack of scope. Jamaat Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said they told the meeting that reforms are necessary and should be implemented first before holding the election. "The chief advisor mentioned that the national elections will be held by December. We are observing how this progresses," he said. The Jamaat leader said the members of the National Consensus Commission will hold separate discussions with different parties and stakeholders to implement the reforms. “Jamaat-e-Islami will welcome all positive decisions…we have stated that the election will be held as soon as possible after the final decisions of the reform commission are made,” he said. Amar Bangladesh Party (AB) Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said they informed the meeting that the government's authority in the administration has not yet been clearly established. Political parties, National Consensus Commission to set Bangladesh's vision: Press Secretary In such a situation, he warned, organising any election would be dangerous. Meeting sources said some political parties, mainly the Islamist ones, emphasised the need holding the local body elections before the national election, but the majority of others opposed this proposal. Earlier, major political parties, including the BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, had begun their meeting with the National Consensus Commission, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, on Saturday. The meeting began at 3 pm at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. This was the first meeting between political parties and the commission. Delegations from BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, LDP, Jatiya Party (Kazi Jafar), Nagorik Oikya, Islami Andolan, Khilafat Majlish, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gonoforum, Biplobi Workers Party, Jagpa, NPP, Labour Party, BJP Bangladesh JSD and Jatiya Nagorik Committee participated in the meeting. Around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present. A six-member BNP delegation, led by Fakhrul, attended the meeting. The other BNP delegation members were Jamiruddin Sircar, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed. BNP, Jamaat, others start meeting with National Consensus Commission A seven-member 'National Consensus Commission' was formed on February 12 under the leadership of the Chief Advisor. This was the first meeting of the commission. Meanwhile, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the interim government has entered its second phase with the start of the National Consensus Commission's meeting with political parties to discuss the future direction of the country, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking to reporters outside the Foreign Service Academy during the Asr prayer break on Saturday, he said, “Today is a historic day as the meeting of political parties with the National Consensus Committee has begun.” He said around 100 politicians from 26 parties and alliances attended the meeting, with all invitees present. During the meeting, the Chief Adviser said that the first phase of the government concluded after six months, and the second phase has now started.  The government is working towards building a Bangladesh that enjoys the support of the international community, major global nations, the people of the country and even the full backing of the United Nations, Shafiqul Alam said. The Chief Adviser also highlighted the findings of the UN Human Rights Commission’s report on the July mass uprising, which revealed the horrific killings that occurred and identified those responsible. The report, he stated, also exposed the human rights violations that took place at that time. “The second journey of the government has begun today through this meeting and it will be decided through this meeting what kind of Bangladesh we want in the future,” the Press Secretary said.