United News of Bangladesh

Dhaka, July 19 (UNB): BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said decisions on who will or will not get to participate in the upcoming local government elections are matters for the court and the Election Commission (EC), not political parties. He also noted that the elections this time are returning to the non-partisan format, which means political parties will not be direct participants, nor will their symbols be used. They can however back candidates. “Whether someone will contest the election or not is a matter for the court and the Election Commission. What other political parties say is not the issue,” Rizvi told reporters after submitting BNP’s audited financial report for 2025 to the EC at its Agargaon office in Dhaka. A three-member BNP delegation formally submitted the audited financial report to the EC Secretariat shortly after noon. The delegation was led by Rizvi, while other members included BNP Treasurer and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain. Responding to a question about the participation of political parties in the upcoming local government elections, where Jamaat-e-Islami already demanded to bar Awami League from participating, Rizvi said the issue should be determined according to existing laws. “Our candidacy issue and who will be allowed or not allowed to contest, this is a matter for the Election Commission. This time the election is being held on a non-party basis; no party symbols will be used,” he said. He added that the EC would decide who can participate after reviewing the relevant laws. “Whether any other political party says something or not is not important. According to the existing laws and the laws that have now been enacted, the Election Commission is responsible for monitoring who can or cannot participate in the election. We leave the matter to them,” Rizvi said. Asked how BNP would select its candidates, he said the party’s highest policymaking forum would sit and make a decision later. “No decision has been taken so far in this regard,” he added. Regarding BNP’s proposed council in December, Rizvi said the party has already made an announcement about holding the council. “The party’s Secretary General has spoken about it, and BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has also said that it will definitely be held. However, the exact date or month has not yet been decided,” he said. “We hope the council will be held very soon. Once the date and month are finalised, we will inform you,” Rizvi added.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said it is up to the Election Commission (EC) and the courts to determine who is eligible to contest the upcoming local government elections. "The local government elections will be held in a non-partisan manner. Who can contest and who cannot is a matter for the courts and the Election Commission. They will determine eligibility in accordance with the existing laws," he said while talking to reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the city. Rizvi, also the PM’s political adviser, made the remarks replying to a question about Awami League’s participation in the local government elections.  Earlier, a three-member BNP delegation submitted the BNP’s annual financial statement for 2025 to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Responding to a question about Jamaat-e-Islami's letter to the Election Commission seeking to prevent Awami League leaders from participating in the local government elections, Rizvi said the issue should be resolved strictly in accordance with the law. "It does not matter what any political party says. It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to determine who can contest the elections and who can’t do as per the existing laws and the new legal provisions. We are leaving the matter to the Commission," he said. Asked about BNP's process for selecting candidates in the non-party local elections, Rizvi said the party's highest policymaking body would decide the process. "As the elections are being held without party symbols, our highest policymaking forum will determine how our candidates will participate. No decision has yet been taken on the matter," he said. Replying to another question whether BNP would allow anyone to seek its support in the local polls, Rizvi said the party has not yet finalised its policy. "Once a decision is made, we will inform you," he added. Regarding BNP's next national council, Rizvi said party Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir have already indicated that the council would be held. "The council will definitely take place. However, no decision has yet been made on the month or date. We hope it will be held very soon, and we will announce the schedule once it is finalised," he said. The two other BNP delegation members are BNP Treasurer and State Minister for Civil Aviation M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain. According to the audited financial statement, BNP earned some Tk 22.20 crore (exactly Tk 22,19,55,182) and spent Tk 15.26 crore (Tk15,26,10,857), leaving a surplus of nearly Tk 7 crore (Tk 6,93,54,325) during the 2025 calendar year. BNP began 2025 with an opening balance of Tk 21.14 crore. BNP had the balance of a total of Tk 28.07 crore at the end of 2025.  

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Sunday submitted its annual audited income and expenditure statement to the Election Commission (EC), reporting that its income exceeded expenditure in the last fiscal year. A three-member BNP delegation led by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi formally submitted the audited financial report to  EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed at the EC Secretariat. BNP announces 151-member committee for Cumilla city unit According to the party's financial statement, BNP earned a total of Tk 22.19 crore during the fiscal year while its expenditure amounted to Tk 15.26 crore.  The party currently has a surplus of Tk 6.93 crore in its fund. Other members of the delegation included BNP treasurer and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Assistant Office Secretary Monir Hossain. Expenditure typically includes costs related to organisational activities throughout the year, implementation of political programmes, publication of campaign materials and posters, maintenance of central and local party offices, salaries of party officials and employees, and financial assistance provided to distressed party leaders and activists.= On July 7, the Election Commission (EC) directed all 59 registered political parties to submit audit reports of their annual income and expenditure by July 31. Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), every registered political party in Bangladesh is required to submit its financial report for the previous calendar year to the Election Commission by July 31. The law also stipulates that the registration of any political party may be cancelled if it fails to submit its financial report for three consecutive years.

Zakir Hossain Nannu, former vice-president of the central committee of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal, has passed away. He was 58. He breathed his last at 2:20am on Sunday while undergoing treatment at United Hospital in the capital. BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan said that Nannu was admitted to the hospital after suffering from heart-related complications. He is survived by his wife, one son, two daughters, and a host of relatives and well-wishers. Meanwhile, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jubo Dal President Abdul Monayem Munna, and General Secretary MP Nurul Islam Nayon expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nannu.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has issued a show-cause notice to Fakhar Uddin Ahmed Bachchu, MP from Mymensingh-11 constituency and convener of Bhaluka upazila BNP, on charges of violating party discipline and engaging in unethical activities. According to the notice signed by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Bachchu was expelled from the party on September 1, 2024 over specific allegations of involvement in controversial activities that violated party discipline following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Later, following his apology and an application expressing regret over his actions, the party withdrew the expulsion order and restored his primary membership on October 24, 2025. The notice said recently, reports from different media outlets and party sources revealed that Bacchu and his associates have again been involved in activities, including attempts to control local scrap (jhut) businesses and exerting unethical influence, in breach of party discipline. He was asked to submit a written explanation to the party’s central office within 48 hours.

Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) President Rakibul Islam Rakib on Friday said JCD and its supporters would remain united until the Awami League is brought to justice for its alleged wrongdoings. He made the remarks while addressing a rally in the capital's Jatrabari area marking "July 17 Jatrabari Resistance Day." Rakib alleged that the Awami League has "nothing left to do except spread falsehoods on social media." "As long as the Awami League is not brought to justice for its injustices, the students of the Qawmi madrasas in Jatrabari, local residents and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will remain united," he said. Recalling the July mass uprising, the JCD president said local residents had played a significant role in the success of the movement. He said he was able to remain safe with the help of local people in Jatrabari after being seriously injured during the protests. Rakib also said the observance of Resistance Day on July 17 and the subsequent programmes helped the movement move towards its ultimate success. He claimed the movement had been guided by directives from BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman. The JCD president further said that despite attacks on campuses, arrests and other adversities during the movement, JCD leaders and activists continued their activities through coordination. Local BNP and JCD leaders and activists, residents and students of Qawmi madrasas attended the rally.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday took an apparent swipe at Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the party of repeatedly trying to "fish in troubled waters," while also launching a scathing attack on the Awami League during a rally marking "Jatrabari Resistance Day." Speaking at the programme in the capital's Jatrabari, Rizvi said a party that claims to practise politics in the name of religion had opposed Bangladesh's independence despite the country's overwhelming support for the Liberation War. Referring to Jamaat without naming it directly, he said, "Their politics is about fishing in troubled waters time and again. But after a while, they themselves fall into those troubled waters." Criticising former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, Rizvi alleged that Hasina could not return to politics after the bloodshed she had caused. "Fascism is in their blood. Deception and hypocrisy are their political ideology," he said. He also alleged that some television presenters and commentators were trying to make Hasina politically relevant again by praising her in talk shows after August 5. At the same rally, Gono Odhikar Parishad President and State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque claimed that some student leaders had come under the influence of "foreign forces" during the final five to seven days of the July mass uprising in 2024. He alleged that some student leaders had even stayed at the residences of individuals associated with foreign embassies.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry has become the country's largest economic pillar and can serve as the driving force for its future progress. He made the remarks while addressing the BAGMA Annual Programme-2026 as the chief guest at a city hotel in the capital. The theme of this year's conference was "RMG 360 Degree: Challenge and Opportunity." Fakhrul said the country's RMG sector began as a labour-intensive industry aimed at creating employment opportunities for a large number of people. "Today, the garment industry has become the biggest foundation of Bangladesh's economy. Its progress, reflected in newspapers and other media, shows that Bangladesh can move much further forward by building on this sector," he said. Describing Bangladeshis as highly innovative and hardworking, Fakhrul said late President Ziaur Rahman had promoted labour-intensive industries to create employment opportunities for millions of people. Referring to the country's economy, the minister said the large-scale smuggling of wealth abroad in previous years had pushed the economy into serious difficulties, making economic reconstruction one of the government's biggest challenges. He said the rebuilding process has already begun under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. According to Fakhrul, the recently passed national budget has incorporated new areas, including the creative economy, creating opportunities to rethink the country's economic development strategy. "If these initiatives are implemented properly, Bangladesh will move further ahead," he said. Highlighting the country's agricultural achievements, Fakhrul said Bangladesh had a population of around 75 million at the time of independence and faced a food deficit of approximately 2.8 million metric tonnes. He said although the population has now reached nearly 200 million, the food deficit has almost disappeared due to the contributions of farmers, agricultural scientists and the use of modern technology. "This success is proof of the innovative capacity of the people of Bangladesh," he added. Among others, BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, BGBA President Md Abdul Hamid Pintu, Impress Newtex Director Nasir Uddoula representing BGMEA, foreign diplomats, entrepreneurs from leading garment manufacturing companies and senior government officials attended the conference. The programme also featured discussions on the current challenges facing the garment sector, global competition, sustainable growth and future opportunities. Speakers placed various recommendations on strengthening Bangladesh's RMG industry to address global economic challenges and ensure its continued growth.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday reaffirmed his party's commitment to implementing every provision of the July National Charter, accusing the opposition of trying to mislead the public by claiming otherwise. "We have always said that we want to amend the Constitution. We have never said that we want constitutional restructuring. BNP remains committed to implementing every provision of the July National Charter," he said while addressing a discussion marking the 6th death anniversary of former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, organised by the Emajuddin Ahmed Research Centre at the Jatiya Press Club in the capital. Fakhrul, also the local government, rural development and co-operatives minister, said BNP secured a two-thirds majority in Parliament based on the manifesto presented to the people during the election. "The people voted for us based on that manifesto. BNP has been entrusted with the task of running the state with a two-thirds majority. So, I do not think there is any scope for confusion on this issue," he said. Responding to recent remarks made by the opposition over the implementation of the July Charter, the BNP leader alleged that attempts were being made to mislead the public. He said all parties that jointly participated in the anti-fascist movement had signed the July Charter together and that BNP remained committed to implementing every word of it. "We have repeatedly said that we will implement every provision of the July Charter. This is our commitment," he said. However, Fakhrul said BNP had never agreed to some proposals, including a proportional representation system in the proposed upper house of Parliament. He said the Reform Commission had incorporated several recommendations without BNP's consent and said the July Charter itself clearly states that parties elected by the people will implement reforms in line with their respective election manifestos. "As we are committed to our 31-point reform agenda, we are committed to the July Charter. We will implement the Charter in the way we have committed to. It is completely wrong to say that we do not want to implement it," the BNP leader said. He also rejected criticism that BNP is opposed to reforms, saying the party itself had introduced major democratic reforms in Bangladesh. "Who introduced reforms in this country? BNP did. BNP introduced multi-party democracy after one-party rule. BNP introduced the parliamentary form of government after the presidential system. BNP also enacted the caretaker government provision," Fakhrul said. He accused the opposition of trying to exploit the legacy of the July mass uprising for political gain. "They are trying to use July merely as a tool to come to power. We do not want July to become another instrument for political power," he said. According to the BNP secretary general, the July uprising was not an isolated event but the culmination of nearly 18-19 years of struggle against what he termed fascist rule. He said BNP leaders and activists had paid a heavy price during that movement. "Nearly 60 lakh BNP leaders and activists faced false cases. Around 1,700 leaders and activists disappeared, and thousands were killed while fighting against fascism," he claimed. Turning to Bangladesh, Fakhrul said the July-August 2024 student-led mass uprising created an opportunity to establish a truly democratic and liberal democratic state after years of authoritarian rule. He, however, acknowledged that rebuilding the country will not be easy. "The problems are complex. The accumulated problems cannot disappear overnight. We cannot fix everything instantly, but we have to move forward patiently," he said. Paying tribute to Prof Emajuddin Ahmed, the BNP leader described him as a genuine democrat, a proponent of liberal democracy, an outstanding political scientist and a great patriot. He recalled that during the anti-fascist movement, meetings were frequently held at Emajuddin's residence, where intellectuals were brought together to issue statements and formulate strategies in support of democracy.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yaser Khan Choudhury on Thursday said the government is committed to eliminating the legacy of corruption and misrule across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Speaking as the chief guest at an introductory and views-exchange meeting of the Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), he said the government has taken responsibility for addressing widespread governance failures and corruption. “There is misrule and corruption everywhere across the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the BNP government has taken responsibility for removing this mess,” he said. The meeting, held at the BFDC auditorium, was chaired by the corporation's Managing Director Masuma Tani. Referring to controversies surrounding previous elections of the Film Artistes' Association, the state minister said the current government did not interfere in the election process and wanted artistes to elect their representatives independently. “In the past, there were various allegations of irregularities over these elections. This time, the government ensured that artists could freely vote for candidates of their choice. As a result, there has been no controversy over the election,” he said. He added that the government remained firm in ensuring a free, fair and neutral election, while the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting extended all necessary support to facilitate the process. Responding to remarks by leaders of the Film Directors' Association regarding legal cases filed over elections, Yaser said the government cannot prevent anyone from seeking legal remedies. “The government is the guardian of the rule of law. However, it is for you to decide whether you want to file cases against one another,” he said. On the development of the BFDC, the state minister said the government must ensure responsible use of public funds and consider how investments can generate returns. “We are custodians of the people's money. Unlike the previous government, we cannot spend public funds recklessly and push the country toward financial distress,” he said. Citing the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, he said Bangladesh Television (BTV) acquired the broadcasting rights from FIFA at a cost of Tk 47 crore. “Through active efforts, we have already managed to recover Tk 44 crore for the national exchequer. This is a rare achievement and an unprecedented example in Bangladesh,” he said. He also alleged that the previous government had caused a loss of nearly Tk 100 crore in public funds while broadcasting an earlier FIFA World Cup. Outlining future plans for the film industry, Yasser said the government is seriously considering producing films under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to help revive the country's film sector. He said discussions with the BFDC are continuing to restore the film industry to its former glory, adding that the government remains committed to achieving that goal. The event, conducted by Bangladesh Film Artistes' Association President Shiba Shanu, was also addressed by veteran artiste Ethun Babu, JASAS central convener Helal Khan, Film Directors' Association President Shaheen Sumon, Bangladesh Film Club President Samsul Alam and Film Artistes' Association General Secretary Joy Chowdhury, among others.