Being annoyed with the BNP’s  activities, its leaders from top to bottom are leaving the party, said Awami League Joint General Secretaryand Information and Broadcast Ministet  Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday. “I have a question to the BNP leaders: why do they do the politics of BNP? The top leader of the party is not allowed to participate in any election whatever it is at union, upazila or national level.” He made the remarks while talking to journalists at his office at the secretariat on Thursday. Govt inviting danger for RMG sector only to retain power: Rizvi Regarding the King's parties, Hasan, also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said BNP is the first ‘king’s party’ of the country founded by Ziaur Rahman. “Ziaur Rahman after usurping power formed the BNP through distributing leftovers of power,” he said. About the recent role of civil society and intellectuals, Dr Hasan said, “We saw different statements of intellectuals with importance. But unfortunately they are silent when the arson attacks are being carried  out on public transports and public property. Many people became victims of the arson attacks.” He said those subversive activities will be stopped when the conscious people, journalists and civil society would raise their voice against them. But it is regrettably true that the so-called civil society didn’t make any statement against the violence of the BNP-Jamaat, he added. EC  okays transfer of 338 OCs and 205 UNOs Dr Hasan said, “I think that the so-called civil society who makes statements from time to time should be identified as opportunists. I would like to urge the journalists to identify them and unmask them.” Being annoyed with the BNP’s subversive politics, many leaders and workers would leave the party, Hasan Mahmud hoped that the BNP would refrain from such evil politics. Replying to another query over elections, Hasan said it is not mentioned in the constitution that an election would not be acceptable if a particular political party does not take part in the election.  Many elections were held in Bangladesh in the past where many political parties remained absent, he said, adding even a political party led by a big leader didn’t take part in the 1970's election. "But there was massive participation of the people and the election was accepted." So far 338 aspirants challenge RO’s decisions The information minister said the BNP and other political parties didn’t take part in city corporation polls. But, the countrymen took part in those polls, he said. The festivity among the people has already started centring rhe upcoming polls. So there will be a huge participation of the people in the elections slated on January 7, Hasan Mahmud hoped.

Two Dhaka courts on Thursday sentenced 29 leaders and activists of BNP to different terms of jail in two separate sabotage cases. Of the two cases, 20 BNP men including its front wing Juba Dal president Sultan Salauddin Tuku and Swechasebak Dal general secretary Md Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel,  were sentenced to three years of jail each. Home Minister says female firefighters will deal with disasters from now on Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Rajesh Chowdhury handed down the judgment in the case filed with Shahjahanpur Police in 2017. The other convicts are- BNP Dhaka South city unit member secretary Rafikul Alam Majnu, Md Bhashani Chaklader, Md Mohsin, Md Hanif Hossain Babu, Md Belal Uddin, Md Tarikul Islam Jikir, Md Baten, Kazi Md Jamal, Imran Khan Emon, Md Sohagh Bhuiyan, A Salam Khan, Arifur Rahman Sujon, Sheikh Shahidullah Tipu, Md Jahangir Hossain, Md Abdullah Jamal Chowdhury, Md Selim, Ahmed and Humayun Kabir Nahid. 48-hr blockade: 4 leaders of BNP’s associate bodies arrested in Sylhet The court sentenced the 20 convicts to a two-year jail under section 148 and 34, while one more year of jail under section 427 and 34. As both sentences will run concurrently, the convicts will have to suffer only two years behind bars. And 44 people were acquitted as they were not found guilty in the case. Meanwhile, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shafi Uddin sentenced nine BNP men to a two-year jail each in the case filed at Gulshan Police Station in 2018. They are-Mehedi Bappi, Mainul Hasan alias Mishu, Shariful, Zakir Hossain, Mojibur Rahman, Mamun Chowdhury, Rubel Hossain, Atikur Rahman and Billal Hossain. BNP urges those who field candidates to stay away from Jan-7 polls The judge also imposed a fine of Tk 5,000 on each of them and, in default of which, they will have to serve another two months in jail. The court also acquitted Aminul Islam as he was not found guilty in the case.

Miscreants set fire to two trucks in different areas of Dinajpur on Sunday, the first day of a 48-hour nationwide blockade called by the BNP-led opposition parties that are demanding the resignation of the incumbent government before holding elections. A straw-laden truck was set on fire in the Jaliapara area of Dinajpur district around 9pm on Sunday. Truck torched in Dinajpur Shashra Union Parishad Chairman Moksed Ali Rana said miscreants sprinkled petrol on the truck and set it on fire. Later, Fire Service and Civil Defence personnel brought the fire under control with the help of locals. 1 dead, 2 badly burnt in tank lorry blast in Dinajpur On information, Additional Deputy Commissioner Debashish Chowdhury, UNO of Dinajpur Sadar Upazila Ramiz Alam and Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Farid Hossain visited the spot. Another truck was set on fire in the Rampur area of Kaharole upazila in the district earlier on Sunday. In that incident, the driver of the truck sustained injuries from the incident. 1 dead, 3 injured as bus hits two motorbikes in Dinajpur Law enforcement agencies have failed to identify any suspects in either of the two incidents.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Saturday said It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to take action for any violence or chaos centring the national election. “Awami League has confidence in the decisions of the Election Commission,” he said at a press briefing at the AL president’s Dhanmondi office in the capital. EC issues show-cause notice to MP candidate Mostafizur for attacking journalists Quader, also the Road Transport and Bridges Minister, said BNP could not distract people from the election by hartal, blockade and arson terrorism. “People have become completely election-oriented. There will be a record voter turnout in this election, he said. 53 candidates submit nomination forms in six constituencies of Khulna “BNP's ill efforts to make the election questionable and prevent it are still continuing. The people of Bangladesh are united under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. That's why they're looking forward to cast vote,” said the AL leader. The leaders and activists of the BNP are frustrated and they have lost confidence, he said adding that the people of the country cannot be distracted from the election by hatching conspiracies. Leaders of Khilafat Rabbani, Nezam-e-Islami meet PM, discuss polls Awami League Presidium Member Kamrul Islam, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim and other central leaders were present at the press briefing.

The BNP's expelled Vice-Chairman and former State Minister for Law Major (retd) Shahjahan Omar has been declared wanted by the  Jhalakathi district unit of the party, as he has submitted his nomination paper from Awami League for the  Jhalakathi-1 constituency. District BNP Member Secretary Advocate Shahadat Hossain made the announcement in a video message on Friday morning. Jan 7 Election: BNP expels 15 leaders since schedule announced Shahadat said the central BNP, including  Jhalakathi district BNP, has become 'free from garbage' as a result of Omar's actions. "The former minister of the party has looted various benefits by using the party's post and designation when he was an MP and has always created discord and chaos in the party. The people of Jhalakathi are condemning him for being a boat's candidate," he said. 10 BNP leaders, activists detained in Chattogram The member secretary said he has already been expelled from the party for life. The  Jhalakathi  district BNP is also declaring him unwanted. Jhalakathi district BNP convening committee member Rafiqul Islam Jamal said, "The enemy of the party has been identified today. The leaders and activists are expressing their hatred for betraying the party." Shahjahan Omar got bail from Dhaka's First Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court on Wednesday afternoon after being in jail for nearly four weeks. After bail, Shahjahan Omar made the announcement of taking nomination paper from Awami League at a press conference at the UTC building in the capital's Karwan Bazar on Thursday evening. BNP, liked-minded parties demand cancellation of Jan 7 polls schedule He said Awami League has nominated him for Jhalakathi-1 constituency. He has submitted nomination papers online as a candidate for the boat. Later, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the decision to expel the former state minister from the party.

The daylong hartal, called by BNP to protest the schedule for the next national election, is underway in a lax manner. BNP called the hartal on the last date for submitting nomination papers to contest the 12th parliamentary polls. The hartal started at 6 am and will end at 6 pm today (November 30, 2023). Two covered vans were set on fire by miscreants in Gazipur. BNP to enforce daylong hartal Thursday Despite fear of arson attacks, a number of vehicles including public transport were seen plying the city streets. Additional police were seen performing their duties at all key points of Dhaka. The opposition parties’ shutdown is meant to register their protest against the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC), and to mount pressure on the government to quit, hold the next election under a non-party neutral government and release the opposition leaders and activists, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday The 24-hour blockade called by the opposition parties on Wednesday was marked by stray incidents of arson attacks on vehicles. The opposition parties have so far observed blockades in eight phases.

At least five arson attacks were recorded in 24 hours till 6 am today, ahead of the 24-hour blockade called by BNP. Netherlands Ambassador inaugurates demonstration on farming initiative Of these, one vehicle torched in Dhaka city, two in Gazipur, one in Bagerhat and one in Sirajganj district, said Shahjahan Shikdar, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Media Cell. 3 Bangladeshi workers dead as warehouse collapses in Malaysia Eight firefighting units and 42 members of the fire service were engaged in dousing the flames. So far, 228 vehicles have been set on fire during the blockades and hartal from October 28 to November 29, according to fire service headquarters. Bangladesh among 5 countries selected for project to strengthen preparedness to COVID-19, other infectious diseases

The latest 24-hour road-rail-waterway blockade, called by BNP, is underway across Bangladesh with reports of arson attacks. Dhaka is witnessing usual traffic this morning despite the blockade. Commuters were seen going to their respective destinations in a rush while activities at government and private offices were going on as usual. 24-hour blockade: 428 RAB patrol teams deployed Many students with guardians are going to their respective schools for their final exams. A bus of Turag Paribahan was set on fire by miscreants at Dholaipar in Shyampur area of Dhaka at 5:30 am. A total of 428 patrol teams of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order during the ongoing 24-hour rail, road and waterways blockade called by BNP. BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday BNP called for a daylong blockade today and a daylong hartal on Thursday to protest the schedule for the next national election announced by the Election Commission (EC). Party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the announcement at a virtual press briefing on Monday. Rizvi said the programmes are also meant to mount pressure on the government to quit, hold the next election under a non-party neutral government, and release BNP leaders and activists, including its secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. 230 BGB platoons deployed on day 2 of blockade

Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have arrested a local Jubo Dal leader from Chandgaon area of Chattogram city early today (November 28, 2023) for his suspected involvement in police constable Amirul’s killing on October 28 during BNP’s grand rally in Dhaka. Read: Ctg BNP leader arrested on eve of Oct. 28 rally dies of 'heart attack' in jail Murad Chowdhury, general secretary of Chattogram north district Jubo Dal, was arrested around 1 am on Tuesday, said Nurul Afsar, senior assistant director of RAB-7. Later, RAB handed him over to the police, he said. Read: 721 arrested by RAB on charges of sabotage since Oct 28 Jubo Dal leader Murad Chowdhury, along with his followers, took part in BNP’s grand rally in Naya Paltan area of Dhaka on October 28, RAB informed.

BNP has expelled its chairperson’s adviser, Syed AK Ekramuzzaman, and National Executive Committee member Shah Md Abu Zafar as they are going to take part in Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary election.  A press release signed by party's Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Tuesday (November 28, 2023) that the action was taken against the duo for their involvement in "anti-party activities." “On the basis of clear allegations of involvement in activities that go against the party's discipline, BNP Chairperson's Advisory Council member Syed AK Ekramuzzaman and National Executive Committee member Shah Md Abu Zafar have been expelled from all posts at all levels of the party, including primary membership," the press release says.  Read: 12th Parliamentary elections: BNP chairperson's adviser collects nomination paper for Brahmanbaria-1 seat Ekramuzzaman collected nomination paper on Monday to contest the national election from Brahmanbaria-1 (Nasirnagar) constituency. BNP has already rejected the schedule for the 12th parliamentary election. It considers collecting nomination papers a "violation of party's discipline." Ekramuzzaman contested the national election as an independent candidate in the 2001 election, and in the 2008 and 2018 elections as a BNP candidate, but he was never elected. Meanwhile, BNP's National Executive Committee member Abu Zafar joined the newly registered party BNM (Bangladesh Nationalist Movement) on November 21 to take part in the upcoming election.  Read: BNP to enforce blockade Wednesday, hartal Thursday