Welcoming the formation of the new Election Commission (EC), BNP senior leaders on Thursday hoped that the new Commission will focus on restoring the voting rights of people. “BNP wants the new Election Commission to work for bringing back the people’s right to franchise, without bowing to anyone's influence,” said party standing committee member Mirza Abbas. Giving his initial reaction to the EC formation, the BNP leader said the country’s people want a free and fair election, where they will be able to freely cast their votes to elect their representatives. He hoped that the government would promptly complete the reforms related to the electoral process and arrange the election to establish an elected government and parliament. Another BNP standing committee member, Gayeshwar Chandra, said the country’s people have long been deprived of their voting rights. He said the new commission should work independently and prioritise the restoration of voters' rights. Earlier in the day, the government formed the five-member new Election Commission, appointing former Secretary AMM Md Nasir Uddin as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The four other election commissioners are former Additional Secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former District and Sessions Judge Abdur Rahman Masud, former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. President Mohammed Shahabuddin has appointed them following Section 118 (1) of the Constitution. According to sources at BNP, the party had proposed two names for the position of Chief Election Commissioner, one of which was AMM Nasir Uddin, who previously served as Secretary in the Ministries of Energy and Mineral Resources and Health. He retired in January 2009. The party also proposed the name of former Joint Secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad for the appointment of commissioner. On November 6, the BNP submitted five names to the search committee formed by the interim government to appoint the next chief election commissioner and other commissioners. On October 31, the government formed the search committee for the formation of the Election Commission.  

More than 15 people were injured in a clash between activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP over the vacant acting chairman position of Mohdipur Union Parishad on Wednesday in the Palashbari area of the district. Zulfikar Ali Bhattu, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Palashbari Police Station, said that the chairman's post in Mohdipur Union Parishad had been vacant for a long time. Tensions escalated when political differences between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami flared up. Earlier in the day, Palashbari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kamrul Islam held a meeting with Mohdipur UP members in his office to discuss the issue, with leaders and activists from both BNP and Jamaat in attendance. The situation took a violent turn when an argument over who would assume the acting chairman position escalated into a clash, leaving at least 15 people injured. The UNO also mentioned hearing the sound of several cocktail explosions during the altercation. The injured individuals are receiving treatment at various hospitals in the district. Local residents reported that the clash caused multiple chases and counter-chases between the two parties, leading to traffic disruptions on the Dhaka-Rangpur Highway. To prevent further violence, additional police forces have been deployed to the area. Md Mosharraf Hossain, the Superintendent of Gaibandha Police, confirmed that army patrols have also been increased in Palashbari to help control the situation.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Wednesday alleged that jailed Awami League leader and businessman Salman F Rahman is making nefarious efforts from jail to destabilise the country amid the government's inaction. Speaking to reporters at the BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he also expressed concern, stating that some advisers to the interim government, including Ali Imam Majumder and the Chief Adviser’s special assistant Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, are playing a mysterious role taking a position against the democratic forces. “We have heard that Mr Khoda Baksh is taking a stand against those who were deprived and sympathetic to the movement. They are being targeted and removed. It is a very mysterious matter,” the BNP leader said. He said it seems that Khoda Baksh and some advisers are taking such steps to implement a sinister plan. “Salman F Rahman, sitting in jail, is devising various evil plans and schemes. However, we have not seen any action taken in this regard. We’re receiving evidence that Salman F Rahman is living like a king inside the prison and is orchestrating all the plans from there,” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that Salman, the former private industry affairs adviser to ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has played a role in destabilising the garment sector, as most of the garment owners are in favour of Awami fascism. “We have not seen any action concerning these matters. How are they carrying out activities from inside the jail?” Rizvi questioned. He said BNP is getting worried over the actions of some advisers, as they go against the original spirit of the mass movement. “It has caused anxiety across the entire nation.” That is why individuals like Salman F Rahman are attempting to destabilise the country from inside the jail, while those who have not been arrested are spreading vast amounts of money to cause further instability.” The BNP leader said the current interim government is a reflection of the student-led mass revolution. “Many of those in the government were repressed by the fascist Awami League for freely expressing their opinions, despite having no political affiliation.” Even Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, who is respected by all, was subjected to harassment, he said. Tarique pledges modernisation of Armed Forces if BNP returns to power He mentioned that Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and two students who became advisers have also faced various forms of harassment. “However, some advisers who have always been opportunists… some advisory council members and certain officials in the Chief Adviser’s office seem to be targeting those who were in favour of the movement.” He said Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, was a former Inspector General of Police (IGP). “But what role did he play in the last 15 years? Does Khoda Baksh hold the spirit of the democratic movement? He doesn’t. He is trying to appear impartial. You were the IGP during BNP’s tenure—what did you do then? It was because people like you the 1/11 political changeover occurred, and undemocratic power took over.” Rizvi claimed that Ali Imam Majumder, upon becoming an adviser, appointed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) who were supportive of Awami fascism. He questioned Ali Imam Majumder's role over the past 15 years, stating that he never spoke in favour of democracy or the July-August movement. Stating that the interim government is the outcome of the student-led mass movement, the BNP leader said it should have fostered relations with pro-democratic forces and parties. “If somehow Sheikh Hasina reemerges, no one, except a few individuals within the interim government who maintain relations with her, will be spared. No one of us will be spared,” Rizvi warned. He said that there should be strong unity among democratic forces to protect the country's independence and sovereignty and to resist the rise of Awami fascism.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the people of the country will determine who will participate in elections and do politics. “As a political party we can’t determine it. There has been a misunderstanding. An adviser said BNP facilitated the Awami League to do politics but it is not correct and we’ve cleared our stance,” he said. Fakhrul made the remarks while addressing a programme organised to distribute education materials and corrugated iron sheets among flood-hit people at Sreepur in Feni’s Fulgazi upazila. He said here there should be no scope of any misunderstanding as they never obstructed any party from joining elections. “But those, including Sheikh Hasina, killed people, laundered money abroad and destroyed the country’s assets must be brought to justice.” Lay out election roadmap to restore trust: BNP to govt  Regarding the interim government, the BNP secretary general said they (interim govt) will do a lot of work and they have already brought back peace and order. “Can Awami League men unleash torture now?  They should be given some time.” When they (govt) will finish the work, the elections will surely be held and a people's government will come, he said, adding, “We said it's better to do it a little sooner.” Urging the party activists to remain united, he said the AL ‘bandits’ fled the country and it will take to remove all wastes from the country created during the AL regime. Fakhrul said efforts are underway to send Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced treatment. BNP standing committee member Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, joint secretary general secretary Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anny, Chairperson’s adviser Prof Joynal Abedin, former lawmaker Rehana Akter Ranu and Chattogram Divisional organising secretary Mahbube Rahman Shamim were, among others, preset on the occasion.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday urged the interim government to manifest its commitment to ensuring people's voting rights through a credible election in a bid to strengthen ties with people and build their trust. Speaking at a council, he also warned that people will not tolerate it if they find the incompetence of the government in running the country.  "The interim government has already taken an initiative to restructure the Election Commission. People expect to cast their votes freely, without fear, in a neutral and transparent environment and to elect their representatives," the BNP leader said. He said the relationship between the government and people will grow stronger if the public can maintain their confidence in it. "When people will see that the government is genuinely working to uphold their voting and other fundamental rights, their trust in the government will naturally deepen." Tarique addressed the concluding session of the third National Council of the Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh as the chief guest at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. He said all the evil efforts of plotters will go in vain if the interim government can meet even the minimum of the people's demands. “If the political and economic empowerment of the people is not ensured, then no matter what we call democracy, development, or reform, none of it will be sustainable," Tarique said. He also said the main tool of a citizen's political power is the right to vote. "If people are not given the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, their relationship and partnership with the state will not be established." Tarique said the deposed autocrats and their associates, both within the country and abroad, as well as elements within the administration, are actively working to fail the interim government. "If they succeed in undermining this government, they will also fail democracy and the millions of Bangladeshis who cherish democratic values," the BNP leader said. In such a situation, he said, some decisions of the interim government appear to ignore the people's aspirations, instead imposing what they believe is best for the public. "Despite numerous dissatisfactions and shortcomings, the people wish to maintain their trust in the government. But does the government want that? If the trust between the government and people is strong and close, the conspirators will not succeed in spreading their plots," he said. Tarique said Sheikh Hasina fled the country after brutally injuring around 30,000 people and killing approximately 2,000 students and mass people.   "The interim government then assumed responsibility for the devastated administration and state. While it is impossible to remove the mess created by the mafia government over 15 years in just three months, it is neither unreasonable nor unusual for the public to question the success or failure of the interim government after this period," the BNP leader said. He said the government must remember that it may not be possible to meet all the demands of the people. “However, if there is a lack of competence within the government, or if the public perceives it, they will not naturally accept it.” Tarique also said if priorities are set incorrectly during the reform process, it will be seen by the people as a sign of the government's inefficiency. He lamented that those injured in the mass uprising have recently taken to the streets coming out of a hospital, demanding proper treatment. “This is a deeply shameful sight for all democracy-loving people in the country, especially for the common citizens and those who have conscience. Naturally, a question arises: Why is the treatment and safety of those injured during the July-August mass uprising not a priority for the interim government? Or where does it stand on their list of priorities?” the BNP leader said. He also highlighted that people across all levels of society are enduring immense hardship due to rising prices of daily essentials, with the government failing to dismantle the market syndicates. “So, another question arises: Where does lowering the prices of commodities rank on the interim government's priority list?” Tarique asked. He said not all actions of the interim government may be viewed as successes by everyone. “However, the failure of this interim government is a failure for all of us. We must recognise this,” he said. The BNP leader pointed out that over the past 15 years, autocratic governments made the country increasingly dependent on imports and foreign loans.  "The country needs to be freed from such a situation”. Stating that their party has already submitted a 31-point reform proposal of the state, he said it is a historic document for the future development of Bangladesh. Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the country is facing a very critical time. "We must navigate this period with great caution." He urged the interim government to quickly complete the necessary electoral reforms to ensure credible and acceptable elections, in line with the people's wishes. Tarique also called on BNP leaders and activists to preserve the party's image by refraining from any wrongdoings and standing firm against any form of injustice. BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, among others, addressed the programme, with Jatiyatabadi Textile Engineers Association of Bangladesh President Fakhrul Alam in the chair.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his party, if returns to power, will build Bangladesh in such a way so that no one, not even the Prime Minister, can abuse power or emerge as an autocrat. Speaking virtually at a seminar from London, he also said their party will transform the country into a democratic and humane nation, ensuring people’s basic human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom. BNP demands overseas treatment for critically injured July uprising victims “We want to ensure, and will do our utmost, so that no person, not even the Prime Minister, will be able to abuse power and become a dictator in future Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. He also said from the highest levels of the state to every level of government, accountability and the rule of law would be upheld, ensuring that no one is above the law. Despite differences in political ideologies, Tarique noted that a unity had already been forged among democratic political parties in the country to build a democratic Bangladesh. “We are all united in our commitment to rebuild Bangladesh in such a way that autocrats or fascists will never be able to raise their heads again,” he said. Tarique also expressed the BNP’s vision of a Bangladesh where no one could infringe upon the rights and freedoms of any citizen. “We all want a safe and secure Bangladesh where people's aspirations are reflected, and where an elected and accountable government ensures people's ownership and participation.” During Sheikh Hasina's fascism, the BNP leader said, the nation had witnessed the so-called politics of development, which was primarily based on corruption, misrule, and criminalisation.  “In contrast, if BNP forms the government through the people's vote, you will witness the politics of people's empowerment and partnership, guided by our 31-point outline. Rule of law, human rights and freedom of speech will be the basis of our state governance,” he assured. The BNP organised a seminar on its 31-point outline for the reform of the state structure at a city hotel. Diplomats from various foreign missions stationed in Dhaka, members of civil society, and representatives from different political parties attended the seminar. Tarique said almost all the reform proposals currently being discussed in the country are included in BNP’s 31-point outline. “I understand the purpose of reform as not merely changing a few sentences of the Constitution, but transforming the fortunes of the people. To ensure that a dictatorial system does not repeat in Bangladesh, he said BNP wants to include a provision in the constitution that no one can serve as Prime Minister for more than two consecutive terms. The BNP leader also said his party wants a balance of power between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. “We aim to introduce a bicameral parliamentary system to ensure the representation and participation of society's intellectuals in the governance of the state.” He said an inclusive, liberal, and democratic Bangladesh must be built. “We all have a long way to go in unison. The pace of this march must be swift but steady, with specific goals.” Tarique said his party wishes to restore freedom of expression for every citizen, regardless of their political affiliation. “Just like two decades ago, during the BNP government, the media in Bangladesh could fearlessly criticise the government and even draw cartoons.’ He recalled that a section of the media had published baseless reports about the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and him, conducting a media trial and propaganda campaign. “But we didn’t gag any media, harass anyone, or send any editor to jail in return. In the future, Tarique said, BNP will ensure the freedom of expression for all citizens, particularly human rights activists, journalists, and social influencers. “But we expect an impartial and responsible role from the media. He also promised that BNP would eliminate extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, excessive use of force, politically motivated cases and trials, mass arrests without warrants, gross human rights violations, and the culture of fear that has been fostered over the last 16 years. “We will strive to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations,” the BNP leader said. He claimed that in the three months following the fall of fascism, BNP had taken numerous initiatives to modernise politics, all of which have been nurtured by the grassroots of BNP across the country. The BNP leader said whenever anyone has committed crimes in the name of BNP, the party has taken swift organisational action as soon as it became known. Tarique also said Awami League leaders and activists were involved in crimes such as murder, assault, rape, and extortion during the 16-year rule of Sheikh Hasina, yet no action was taken against them by the party. “As recent incidents show, even after the killing of more than one and a half thousand democracy-loving people in the mass upsurge, no leader of the Awami League has shown any remorse or self-criticism,” he said. Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said his party, along with over 50 other parties, had prepared the 31-point state reform proposal during the simultaneous movement against the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina. He noted that the interim government, formed following the ousting of Hasina's regime, has already established various commissions to oversee state reforms. “We believe the reform proposals that may emerge from these commissions will closely align with the 31-point outline. Therefore, we have decided to present the 31-point framework to the public once again,” the BNP leader said. On July 13, 2023, the BNP unveiled a 31-point outline aimed at "reforming" the constitution and state system, as well as ensuring the economic emancipation of the people. This proposal was developed in consultation with other parties that had participated in the simultaneous movement against the Awami League government.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Dhaka University unit has announced its full committee comprising 242 members. Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos, a student from the 2010-11 session of the university, was made the President and Nahiduzzaman Shipon, a student from the 2011-12 session,  made the general secretary. This information was shared through a press release on Thursday. According to the release, following the decision of the central committee of JCD, the full committee for its Dhaka University unit has been formed. JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir approved the committee. Other key positions include organising secretary Nur Alam Bhuiyan Emon, office secretary Mallik Wasi Uddin Tami and  publicity secretary Tanveer Hasan.

Amid outrage among injured patients from the July mass uprising at NITOR, a BNP delegation visited the hospital on Thursday and demanded that those who were critically wounded be sent abroad for proper treatment The party also called upon the government to quickly provide each victim of the movement with the promised financial assistance from the July Smriti Foundation. “We urge the government to immediately identify those who are in critical condition and cannot be treated in the country, and to send them abroad as soon as possible. In particular, those who have lost their sight or have injuries that cannot be treated here should be sent overseas for proper care,” said BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Earlier, Salahuddin, along with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, visited the hospital and spoke to the aggrieved patients. On Wednesday, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum was forced to leave the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) while visiting victims of the July uprising amid outrage. She was accompanied by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook. Later, a group of protesters, injured during the July mass uprising and now undergoing treatment, blocked the road in front of NITOR, demanding proper care. Speaking to reporters after the visit, Salahuddin said, "We heard that the Health Adviser and the British High Commissioner came to this hospital but could not meet all the patients, which created resentment among them." He said the patients had informed them that, apart from treatment, they had not received any other support from the government. Read: Health Adviser Nurjahan leaves NITOR amid outrage “We understand that they need assistance beyond treatment. Many have said that they have not yet received the promised one lakh taka. We urge the government, which has taken responsibility, to provide this assistance to them as soon as possible,” the BNP leader said. He said their party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman provided Tk five lakh on Wednesday night and instructed them to visit the hospital in light of the evolving situation.   Salahuddin mentioned that they gave the money to BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam to distribute among the wounded patients based on their needs.   He said that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other party leaders had visited the hospital and provided financial assistance to the victims of the July movement. Read more: Health Protection Act still pending since 2014: Health Adviser “We will continue this care and support from our party. If we are given the responsibility of running the country, we will take steps to rehabilitate the families of those who were killed and injured during the mass uprising,” the BNP leader promised. Salahuddin also questioned how the fascist Awami League and their cohorts can freely roam and think of doing politics in Bangladesh again after committing genocide.

A three-member BNP delegation, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, held a meeting with Megan Bouldin, the US Embassy’s chargé d'affaires in Dhaka, on Thursday. The hour-long meeting began at 10 am at Bouldin’s Gulshan residence, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. He said Fakhrul, along with BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Organising Secretary Shama Obed, went to the US envoy's house at her invitation to have tea. Sayrul said the discussion covered the issues of mutual interest between Bangladesh and the United States, during the meeting.

BNP senior leader Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan on Monday urged students and the mass people to put up a strong resistance to prevent the resurgence of the Awami League and its associates. "The fascist face of the Awami League that has been exposed must remain unveiled and its cohorts must be prevented from gaining control over the government or rising again. To thwart this, the freedom-loving students and the masses must remain vigilant, united, and resolute in resisting any such attempts." Dr Moyeen made the remarks while inaugurating a financial support and rehabilitation programme for the students injured during the July-August revolution at the National Ophthalmology Hospital in Agargaon, Dhaka. BNP leaders accuse AL of using Trump’s image for political comeback He said the BNP and other parties played a crucial role through a long movement in creating a ground for the ousting of the Awami League's autocratic regime. "Subsequently, students and the masses joined the movement, and in the face of this popular uprising, the Awami regime was not only defeated but also fled the country like cowards," the BNP leader said. He said the fall of the Awami League regime had proven that truth and justice ultimately triumph over injustice, repression, and suppression. Dr Moyeen, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, said the first phase of the student-led mass movement was the formation of the interim government and their swearing in. "The second phase is securing a fair election, which we have yet to achieve. BNP firmly believes in a fair and impartial election. Once that is held, and a truly people’s representatives take charge of the country through the people's vote, the success of this movement will be realised," he added. Later, Dr Moyeen visited patients who had sustained various injuries during the movement at the hospital and provided financial assistance to 51 of them.