United News of Bangladesh

Newly elected BNP MP from reserved seat Nipun Roy Chowdhury on Tuesday said women lawmakers will not remain symbolic figures in Parliament but will actively represent people’s concerns and work across multiple sectors to rebuild the country. “We are not going to Parliament as ornaments. We are going to speak for the people and bring their real-life issues to the House,” she said after paying tribute to BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in the capital. BNP Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy was also present. Nipun Roy said many women, especially those who are poor, oppressed and vulnerable, continue to face serious challenges, adding that lawmakers must not only highlight these issues but also ensure sustainable and legal solutions. She emphasised the importance of legal awareness from an early age, saying initiatives will be taken so that children can understand the language of law and the Constitution. “We will prove that women are not limited to women’s issues. We will speak on education, healthcare, administration and local government. We will be part of decision-making and help rebuild the nation,” the women MP said. Expressing gratitude, Nipun Roy said she felt honoured to be entrusted with such responsibility and thanked party leadership, including Chairman Tarique Rahman, for their confidence in her. She said she was inspired by the ideals and political guidance of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, particularly their roles in movements against authoritarianism. Nipun Roy also congratulated those elected in the West Bengal assembly elections. She added that Bangladesh’s future politics should be guided by people’s interests and national priorities. “We believe BNP will not take any decision against the interests of the people of Bangladesh. That is where our confidence lies,” she added. Leaders of Dhaka district and Keraniganj BNP, and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and other associate bodies were present on the occasion.

BNP lawmaker and party’s Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s relations with India will remain unchanged regardless of which party assumes power there. He made the remarks after paying tributes to Shaheed President and party founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at the Zia Udyan in the capital. Gayeshwar was accompanying BNP central executive committee member Nipun Roy Chowdhury, who was elected MP from women’s reserved seat. “Which party comes to power in India is not our concern. We believe in independence and sovereignty. So, relations will remain the same whoever is in power there,” the BNP leader said. Congratulating the Indian people for electing their preferred leaders in assembly elections, he said BNP respects the democratic choice of the people of India. Gayeshwar, MP from Dhaka-3, also stressed that BNP does not comment on the internal affairs of other countries and prioritises Bangladesh’s national interests. Referring to the current challenging situation, he said the government has taken responsibility amid multiple challenges and expressed optimism that these will be overcome to restore stability in the country. Highlighting the challenges ahead, the BNP leader said the country is facing a fragile economy, a weakened banking sector and massive capital flight. “However, we are prepared to face them,” he added. Recalling the legacy of Ziaur Rahman, he described him as the proclaimer of independence and a proponent of multiparty democracy who founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Gayeshwar said after Zia’s demise, Khaleda Zia led the party through long political struggles, ultimately contributing to the restoration of democracy. He said they offered prayers seeking eternal peace for the souls of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, and also prayed for the good health and success of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman in fulfilling public expectations. Explaining the purpose of the visit, the BNP leader said 36 BNP alliance women MPs, including Nipun Roy, have recently been elected and so they came to pay respect to the party founder and the former Prime Minister. He said the party expects the newly elected women MPs to play an important role in ensuring women’s empowerment and rights. “Not only for women, but they will also contribute to meeting public expectations in the broader political context and democratic transition,” Gayeshwar added. He said BNP is committed to promoting women’s leadership and aims to ensure more women are directly elected to Parliament in the future.

A total of 36 newly elected Members of Parliament of the BNP alliance from the reserved women’s seats of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad paid tribute to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia. The MPs placed floral wreaths at their graves at Chandrima Udyan in the capital around 1 PM. BNP Secretary General and Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also present. Following the laying of wreaths, a special prayer (munajat) was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia. Forty-nine newly elected women MPs took oath on Sunday to represent their respective parties from the reserved seats. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, administered the oath at the Oath Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The 36 BNP alliance MPs are Selima Rahman, Shirin Sultana, Rasheda Begum Hira, Rehana Akter Ranu, Newaz Halima Arly, Farida Yasmin, Bilkis Islam, Shakila Farzana, Helen Jerin Khan, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Nipun Roy Chowdhury, Zeeba Amina Khan, Mahmuda Habiba, Sabira Sultana, Sunsila Jabrin, Sanjida Islam (Tulee), Sultana Ahmed, Fahmida Haque, Anna Minz, Subarna Shikdar, Shamim Ara Begum Swapna, Shammi Akter, Ferdousi Ahmed, Bithika Binte Hossain, Suraiya Jerin, Mansura Akter, Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, Momtaz Alo, Fahima Nasrin, Arifa Sultana, Sanjida Yasmin, Nadia Pathan Papon, Shawkat Ara Akter, Madhabi Marma, Selina Sultana and Rezeka Sultana.

Badruddoza Badal, a senior lawyer of the Supreme Court, has been appointed as the Law Affairs Secretary of BNP. The appointment will take effect from Wednesday, according to a press release signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Before his new appointment, Badal served as Assistant Training Affairs Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee. The post remained vacant after Kaiser Kamal resigned from the position upon assuming office as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

A BNP activist was killed and 15 others were injured in a clash between two factions of the party over establishing supremacy at Madhabpur village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah district on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Mohon Sheikh, 65, of the village. Locals said BNP activists Sher Ali Matabbar and Mashiur Rahman Matabbar of the village had long been at loggerheads over establishing supremacy in the locality. As a sequel to the enmity, the supporters of both groups were locked into an altercation on Thursday morning, said Humayun Kabir Molla, officer-in-charge of Shailkupa Police Station. At one stage, they attacked each other with sharp weapons, triggering a clash that left Mohon dead and 15 other individuals injured, he said. A number of dwelling houses were also vandalised during the clash. The injured were taken to district hospital. One of them was later shifted to Kushtia Medical College Hospital as his condition was stated to be critical. Additional police have been deployed in the area to fend off further trouble.

The BNP has started the final selection process for nominating candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, with aspirants appearing before the party’s nomination board. The nomination board began interviewing the aspirants on Friday afternoon at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told reporters that interviews of those who collected and submitted nomination forms for the reserved seats started in the afternoon. “As per the party constitution, the nomination board is headed by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, and its members are from the party’s standing committee,” he said. On the first day, candidates from Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur and Faridpur divisions are being interviewed. More than 400 aspirants are taking part in the interviews, Rizvi said. He said interviews for candidates from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Cumilla and Mymensingh divisions will begin at 3:00pm on Saturday. Earlier, the Election Commission on April 8 announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seat election. According to the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals against scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26 and will be disposed of on April 27 and 28. BNP has political track record of managing crises, achieving growth: Titumir Election symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. The EC said all preparations have been taken to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. According to seat distribution, the BNP-led alliance will get 36 seats, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents one seat. Since early afternoon, BNP aspirants and their supporters gathered in front of the party Chairman’s Gulshan office. Security personnel allowed only the candidates to enter the premises. Inside the office, a designated waiting area has been arranged for the aspirants. Highlighting the criteria for nomination, Rizvi said the party will consider the contributions of women leaders, especially their role during the last 15-16 years of political struggle. He mentioned that many women leaders faced harassment, including cases, attacks, and intimidation during that period. The BNP leader also said educational background, ability to speak in Parliament, and knowledge of lawmaking will be taken into account in selecting the final candidates. Rizvi expressed hope that the party will make proper evaluations in choosing the women members of parliament.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday reaffirmed that the July National Charter – as signed by political parties – will be implemented in full, warning that attempts to create instability over the issue will be resisted. Addressing a rally at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University in Tangail, he alleged that opposition parties are trying to create anarchy in the country centring on the implementation of the charter. “I want to clearly say that the July Charter signed by political parties at the invitation of Dr Muhammad Yunus at the South Plaza of Parliament will be implemented in its entirety – every word, every line and every provision – Inshallah,” the Prime Minister said. He also warned against any attempt to obstruct government public welfare programmes, including canal excavation, Farmers’ Card and Family Card initiatives, saying the BNP, along with the people, will resist such moves. “What have we seen in Parliament? Those who have received only a small number of votes are now demanding that whatever they say must be accepted,” Tarique Rahman said. He said those who are now in the opposition had been uncertain and in confusion about whether they would sign the July Charter or not. “Another party did not even sign at first and only signed after the election. Why did those who raise their voices about the July movement not sign it earlier if they had so much concern?” “I am saying again clearly that the BNP will implement the July Charter that was signed by all political parties at the South Plaza of Parliament. Inshallah, we will implement it,” the Prime Minister said, urging all to remain alert and vigilant against any move to destabilise the country. “We must identify those who is being influenced again by the ghost of authoritarianism and who is trying to create unrest and instability in the country,” he said. Referring to the Sherpur-3 election and the Bogura-6 by-election held on April 9, Tarique Rahman said there were perhaps one or two minor incidents, but overall, the situation was peaceful. “There was no major complaint in any of the national newspapers. People are living peacefully and the situation is calm where elections were held. But tensions are rising around Baitul Mukarram. You are certainly aware of who are trying to destabilise the situation,” he said.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged BNP leaders and activists to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order across the country and not to take the law into their own hands. He gave the instruction at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. Addressing party members at the ceremony, he said they must work closely with the administration and law enforcement agencies so that peace and law and order are maintained in their respective areas. “If anyone does anything that disrupts the peace of the area, it is your responsibility to inform the law enforcement authorities. Never take the law into your own hands,” the Prime Minister said, pointing at party members. He also stressed the importance of development alongside maintaining order. “We must ensure development in every area at any cost, and we must also safeguard peace and stability under all circumstances.”

More than 600 aspirants have collected nomination forms from the BNP for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Parliament. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi shared the information at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office on Saturday morning. He said over 500 forms were sold on the first day and the sale and submission of forms would continue until Sunday. “Our nomination process has started. Interested candidates are collecting forms, filling them up and submitting them with the required documents,” Rizvi said. Later in the day, BNP Assistant Office Secretary Tarikul Islam Tenzing said the number of forms sold crossed 600 as of Saturday noon, while around 78 to 79 forms were submitted so far. Party leaders said a board formed with senior leaders will review the applications and finalise the candidates. Rizvi said the party is following its usual democratic practices in selecting candidates. “We expect the process to follow democratic norms, as BNP has always done in choosing its parliamentary candidates,” he said. The BNP leader said expectations among the aspirations are high this time after a long struggle. “This expectation is high because we have reached this stage after going through a very difficult situation for the last 16 to 17 years. We had to fight for a long time to ensure a free and fair election. After 15 to 16 years of struggle, we now have an environment to practise democratic norms, and we must make the best use of it,” Rizvi added. Talking about the final selection of candidates, he said women have played a significant role in the party’s past movements. “Many women faced repression. Some were arrested late at night for expressing their views on Facebook. Those active on the streets faced severe harassment, repression and false cases. They have endured continuous suffering,” the BNP leader said. He expressed hope that those who have contributed to the party’s long movements and have the ability to speak in Parliament and maintain a good public image will be considered. Rizvi also said the process would be completed quickly due to time constraints. “Time is short. We have to complete the party’s process quickly, as the final candidates will need to complete formalities with the Election Commission.” On Saturday, teachers, lawyers, cultural figures and former student leaders alongside Mohila Dal leaders were seen collecting nomination forms from the Nayapaltan office. Among them are singer Kanak Chapa, Bithika Binte Hossain, wife of late Swechchhasebak Dal president Shafiqul Bari Babu, and several former MPs. The nomination form costs Tk 2,000, and candidates must deposit Tk 50,000 as security when submitting the form. The Election Commission earlier announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seats election. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals can be filed on April 26, and will be settled between April 27 and 28. Symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. According to the seat distribution, the BNP alliance is expected to get 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents one seat.

The BNP on Friday started selling party nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The programme formally began around 11:00am at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, inaugurated by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Addressing aspiring candidates, Rizvi said the party’s parliamentary board will select nominees based on their political contributions, particularly their roles in movements over the past 16-17 years, along with leadership qualities and the ability to speak effectively in Parliament. He urged party leaders and activists to accept the board’s decisions, warning against creating internal divisions over nominations. “Everyone must respect the party’s decision,” Rizvi said, adding that leaders and activists have made significant sacrifices for the party. He also said nomination forms will be sold until April 12 and must be submitted within this stipulated time. Several hundred women leaders gathered at the party office to collect forms, each paying Tk 2,000, unfolding scenes of enthusiasm and emotion. Rizvi handed over the first nomination form to Jerin Delwar Hossain and the second one to Fatema Asad, wife of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal founding convener Kazi Asaduzzaman Asad. Earlier, the Election Commission announced the election schedule on Wednesday, setting May 12 as the voting date. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22-23. The last date for filing appeals against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers by the returning officer is April 26, while appeals will be disposed of on April 27-28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, and election symbols will be allocated on April 30. Voting by MPs will be held on May 12. The reserved seats are filled through an indirect election system based on the proportional representation of political parties in the 300 general seats. MPs are required to vote if there is more than one candidate for a seat. However, voting is usually not needed, as parties generally nominate candidates equal to their allocated seats. According to the EC, BNP and its allies will receive 36 seats, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners 13 seats, and independent lawmakers one seat, making a total of 50. As per the law, the EC must hold elections for the reserved women’s seats within 90 days of the gazette notification of the general election results, which was issued on February 13, the day after the election.