United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday (12th November 2025) urged political parties not to make the country’s situation volatile by imposing various conditions, but instead to face people in next year’s national election, rather than issuing threats to the ‘fragile’ interim government. Speaking virtually at a discussion, he also said it is up to the interim government to decide whether it will implement the aspirations of any particular political party or prioritise holding the February election to establish a government accountable to the people of the country. “As preparations are underway to establish a government accountable to the people through their direct votes and to restore citizens’ rights, we have observed that a few political parties seem to be positioning themselves against the restoration of the political rights of democracy-loving people, taking advantage of the weaknesses of the interim government,” he said. Tarique said many of BNP’s allies from the anti-fascist street movement are expressing doubts about the February election next year. “I would like to draw the attention of our allies present here today that, instead of issuing threats to the interim government, let us face the people in the upcoming February election. Let us all come forward and stand before the people,” he said. Read more: Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin BNP arranged the discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre to mark the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, commemorating the civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975, which marked 50 years. Senior leaders of different political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, addressed the programme and stressed the need to maintain unity among the anti-fascist political parties to ensure the restoration of democracy through the next national election, removing differences of opinion among them. Tarique Rahman warned that if any political party, seeing the interim government as weak, tries to get whatever it wants or uses tricks to deny the BNP a victory, such actions could ultimately lead to political disaster for that party. “I urge our allies on the streets --and anyone trying to muddy the waters--please do not try to make the situation volatile,” he said. The BNP leader said the international community has made it clear that without an elected government, they will not release funds. He said at this critical juncture--when the economy is struggling, unemployment is rising, and everything seems to be falling apart--some political parties are setting various conditions. “Some of those who once stood with us on the streets are now trying to obstruct the national election by attaching various preconditions. Creating complications over holding the election essentially means either trying to seize control of the state machinery without participating in the election or paving the way for the return of a fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictator,” Tarique said. He said associates of the runaway autocrat recently carried out arson attacks even in the capital. “This should serve as a warning for all forces that once fought against fascism.” In the past, the BNP leader said, some leaders of a party took shelter under the fascist umbrella to save themselves from repression as part of their political strategy. “In today’s changed circumstances, it seems the fallen and defeated autocrats are now trying to find refuge under the umbrella of that very party which once stood against fascism. It is time for everyone to take a hard look and think seriously about this situation,” he said. Tarique also expressed concern that a party may be trying to create scope for the rehabilitation of fallen, fugitive forces into politics under the guise of a referendum before the national election. “I call upon all democracy-loving people of the country to remain vigilant against such moves.” He said the people do not expect complete success from a short-term interim government in all areas, and it is not the interim government’s primary responsibility to fulfil every demand of the people. “The interim government has set the schedule for the national election in February. Now the government has to decide whether it will fulfil the aspirations of a particular political party or prioritise the February election to establish a government that is accountable to the democracy-loving people of the country,” the BNP leader said. He said the BNP has remained fully committed to maintaining unity in the anti-fascist alliance. “If we review the Consensus Commission’s discussions, it will be seen that the BNP has presented a positive stance on most points. Our position is very clear: the commitments made in the July Charter, which we signed, will be fully upheld by the BNP, and we remain strongly committed to fulfilling them,” Tarique said. He said over 1,500 people were martyred during the July–August movement, and students, the general public, women and men, farmers, and workers took to the streets. “The people took to the streets to assert their rights in the state and in politics. As a political activist, I believe that surely the people did not sacrifice their lives to create an opportunity for a particular political party or group to establish its rights or to engage in political bargaining,” the BNP leader said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the politics of reconciliation initiated by Zia is now much needed in Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman likely to return home by end of November: Salahuddin He said an unnecessary crisis has been created with the motive to obstruct the election, which is necessary for reforms and the restoration of democracy, and to prevent uncertainty over the people’s future. The BNP leader urged all political parties to work together to resist any plots and ensure the restoration of democracy under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col (Retd) Oli Ahmed recounted how BNP founder Ziaur Rahman came to politics and initiated various reforms to develop the country as a true patriot. “Ziaur Rahman was fully devoted to Bangladesh and worked only for the country and its people. He began reforms but could not complete them. I urge Tarique Rahman to continue from where your father and mother left off. We will provide our support,” he said. Jamaat's Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Jatiya Party (Zafar) Chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, Gonoforum President Subrata Chowdhury, NPP Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, AB Party Chairman Mojubur Rahman Monju, and Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan, educationist Prof Mahbub Ullah, among others, addressed the programme. BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain also addressed the programme. Read more: Violence cannot halt elections, says Amir Khosru

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday (7th November 2025) accused the interim government of creating a situation over the implementation of the July National Charter with the intention of delaying the national election. Speaking before inaugurating the party’s rally marking National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Fakhrul said the people of Bangladesh will not accept anything other than holding the national election and the referendum on the July Charter on the same day in February next year. “It is unfortunate that the interim government, which we fully supported, is now itself creating a situation so that the election may be disrupted,” Fakhrul said. He alleged that some political parties pushing for a separate referendum are also conspiring to foil the national election. Read more: Five BNP men wounded in Raozan gun attack “If there is a referendum, it must be held on the same day as the election, and that election must take place in February 2026. Otherwise, the people of Bangladesh will not accept anything else,” the BNP leader warned. Fakhrul said the BNP also extended full support to the interim government when it started working on reforms and preparing the National Charter. “For almost a year, they worked on drafting the Charter. On October 17, in front of the Parliament, all political parties signed the document based on consensus reached through the National Consensus Commission,” he said. The BNP leader, however, alleged that later, Consensus Commission Vice Chair Dr Ali Riaz, along with the Chief Adviser, came up with new proposals and recommendations that excluded several agreed points from the signed Charter. He said it was unanimously agreed that if any party had objections, those objections or notes of dissent would be recorded in the final document. “But that was not done. We did not accept it and made our position clear in a press conference.” Fakhrul said an adviser, at a recent press conference, stated that the advisory council had decided to give the political parties seven days to discuss among themselves and take a final decision on the implementation of the July Charter. “Then what was the point of holding seven months of meetings under the National Consensus Commission, discussing every reform proposal and reaching an agreement to sign the National Charter? How could that happen? You spent so much money on this process, yet it brought no solution for the political parties.” Read more: Prof Yunus orders security forces to hunt down attackers behind Ctg violence Fakhrul also criticised Jamaat and some other political parties for putting pressure to hold the referendum before the election. “Why should there be a referendum before the election? We have agreed to the referendum, but it must be held on the same day as the election. Holding two separate votes will cost a lot of money and disrupt the main national election,” he said. Fakhrul said the spirit of November 7 is the spirit of democracy. “Our party, the BNP, was born through reform. Our leader, President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, initiated that reform.” He said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has given the nation a new Magna Carta through his 31-point reform outline. “We will move forward with that goal. We will take part in the upcoming election and, Insha’Allah, by winning it, we will build a new Bangladesh.” BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas also spoke at the event, accusing Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of conspiring against the country’s independence and sovereignty. He urged Jamaat to stop all conspiracies to delay the election and the restoration of democracy. “Otherwise, BNP leaders and activists will resist them on the streets,” Abbas warned. Later, thousands of leaders and workers of BNP’s Dhaka South and North units took out a massive rally in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office on the occasion of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, commemorating the “civil-military uprising” of November 7, 1975. The rally, which began around 4pm, ended at the Sonargaon Hotel intersection after parading through Shantinagar, Malibagh, Mouchak, Moghbazar and Bangla Motor. Carrying portraits and posters of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, participants waved the party’s flags and the ‘sheaf of paddy’, its election symbol. Read more: BNP’s Mosharraf calls on people to unite for fair Feb election

BNP on Sunday announced a 10-day programme to observe with due respect ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, marking the ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 7, 1975. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the programmes at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office after a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies. He said the observance of the day will begin on November 5 with a discussion organised by Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal and end on November 13. As part of the programmes, he said the party flag will be hoisted atop all BNP offices across the country on the morning of November 7, while senior BNP leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late president and party founder Ziaur Rahman at 10:00am. BNP forms 7 teams for media, social media, grassroots outreach The BNP’s Dhaka south and north city units will also hold a rally the same day, starting from the party’s Nayapaltan central office at 3:00pm. All district and upazila units of the party will bring out rallies on the same day. Besides, BNP’s associate bodies and all units across the country will organise various programmes, including discussions, cultural events, photo exhibitions, distribution of educational materials among orphan students, release of documentaries through electronic and print media, and on Facebook, YouTube, and online platforms. Supplements will also be published in newspapers across the country to mark the day with due respect. On November 12, the party will arrange a discussion at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre. Salahuddin warns against politicising Islam Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians on November 7, 1975, jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power. Speaking at the press conference, Fakhrul said November 7 is a very important day in the political and national history of Bangladesh, as it brought a historic change in the country’s politics. He said the unprecedented unity of the people and soldiers on that day paved the way for Ziaur Rahman to enter politics and rebuild the country through major economic reforms. “That’s why November 7 is very important to us. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the people and soldiers’ revolution. We want to make this day memorable and move forward with the philosophy of November 7,” Fakhrul said. Read more: BNP not to take responsibility for unsigned parts of July Charter: Fakhrul

BNP leaders and activists paid homage to their party founder and late president Ziaur Rahman on Monday, marking what they said the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’. Amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment on 7 November 1975, paving the way for him to come to power. BNP and its associate bodies chalked out various programmes to observe the day. Read more: BNP’s Sylhet divisional rally on Nov 19 instead of 20 As part of the programmes, senior BNP leaders and activists, led by party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, placed a wreath at Zia’s grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 11am. They also offered fateha there and a munajat seeking salvation of Zia’s departed soul. BNP standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku were, among others, present.

BNP observed what it calls the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Sunday remembering ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 17 in 1975. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with party senior leaders paid homage to its founder Ziaur Rahman by placing a wreath at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, marking the day. Read:BNP to observe Nov 7 as ‘Nat'l Revolution & Solidarity Day’ They also offered fateha and joined a munajat there seeking eternal peace for Zia's departed soul. On that day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power. BNP chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect. As part of the programmes, the party flag was hoisted atop all its offices across the country in the morning. The party arranged a discussion at Mohanagar Natya Mancha on Saturday in observance of the day. Read: People facing “starving-like situation”: BNP Besides, BNP’s associate bodies also observed the day with various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, and publishing supplements in newspapers. When BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of civil-military revolution.

BNP will observe what it calls the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Sunday (Nov 7), marking the ‘civil-military uprising' in 1975. On this day in 1975, amid political turmoil, soldiers and civilians jointly freed then chief of army staff Ziaur Rahman from captivity in Dhaka cantonment, paving the way for him to come to power. BNP has chalked out various programmes to observe the day with due respect. Also read: BNP’s two-day programme marking ‘Nov 7’ As part of the programmes, the party flag will be hoisted atop its all offices across the country on Sunday morning while BNP leaders and activists, led by party standing committee members, will place wreaths and offer fateha at the grave of late party founder Ziaur Rahman at 11am. The party arranged a discussion at Mohanagar Natya Mancha today (Saturday) in observance of the day. Besides, BNP’s associate bodies will hold various programmes, including discussions, cultural programmes, and publishing supplements in newspapers. When BNP and its alliances celebrate November 7 as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, the ruling Awami League and its front organisations consider it as the day of 'killing of freedom fighters'. Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) observes it as the day of civil-military revolution.

BNP will observe what it says the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’ on Saturday (Nov 7), marking the ‘civil-military uprising' in 1975.

BNP on Tuesday chalked out various programmes to observe the 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day,' marking what it said “civil-military uprising on November 7, 1975”.