United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman left Heathrow Airport early Thursday for Dhaka, ending nearly 17 years in exile in London and sparking widespread interest, emotion and political excitement across the country “Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-102, carrying Tarique and his entourage, took off around 12:23 am (BST),” said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. The flight is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50 am on Thursday, via Sylhet Osmani International Airport. Senior BNP leaders, including members of the party’s Standing Committee, will receive him at the airport. Tarique is travelling with his wife, Zubaida Rahman, his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, and other personal aides. Zaima Rahman’s pet cat, Jebu, is also travelling to Bangladesh with the family.” It will also mark the end of Zaima Rahman’s nearly 17-year exile in London. Party leaders say her return symbolises the close of a long chapter of forced separation from the country.

A union-level Chhatra Dal leader in Bhola was stabbed to death Wednesday evening while traveling to Dhaka to attend the homecoming event of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman. The incident occurred in the Closer Bazar area, reportedly stemming from a longstanding personal feud. The deceased, Rezwan Amin Sifat, 28, was the son of Md. Alauddin Howlader, general secretary of Ward No. 9, Rajapur Union BNP, and a postgraduate student in accounting at Bhola Government College. Relatives and locals said Shifat had ongoing disputes with his cousins over past conflicts. On Wednesday afternoon, an argument took place between Sifat and his cousins Hasib and Sakib. Later, while Sifat was on his way to Dhaka, a group including his cousins ambushed him at Clouser Bazar, stabbing him and leaving him injured. Locals and family members rushed to his aid and took him to Bhola 250-Bed General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Shifat’s father, Md. Alauddin, and Rajapur Union Parishad panel chairman Shajahan Bepari said hundreds of thousands of BNP leaders and activists from Bhola were traveling to Dhaka to attend Tarique Rahman’s event. On Wednesday night alone, 10 launches departed Bhola for Dhaka. Sifat was preparing to join the procession when he was attacked. Bhola Sadar police OC (Investigation) Zia Uddin confirmed that the police visited the scene and efforts are underway to arrest the perpetrators.

Leaders and activists of Barishal BNP set off for Dhaka on Wednesday night in a fleet of launches, celebrating Tarique Rahman’s return with fireworks and traditional drums. The launch convoy began departing the ghats one after another after 9:30 pm, carrying party members from across the district. Ziauddin Sikder, member secretary of Barishal City BNP, said five launches from the city alone are heading to Dhaka, while more than 15 launches have departed from other parts of the district. Abu Naser Rahmatullah, a member of BNP’s national executive committee, said the launches will enter Dhaka via Kanchpur and proceed directly to Kanchan Bridge, from where participants will march to the venue of the public gathering. BNP Chairperson’s adviser Mojibur Rahman Sarwar added that after the rally, everyone will return to Barishal by launch. He said arrangements for food and accommodation have been made on the vessels for the traveling party members.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to return home on Thursday after spending nearly 17 years in exile in London, a historic event that has generated widespread interest, emotion and political anticipation across the country. The flight carrying Tarique is scheduled to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:50am via Sylhet airport from London’s Heathrow along with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and others. BNP has completed extensive preparations to welcome its top leader, with efforts taken to ensure maximum security. Senior leaders, including members of the party’s Standing Committee, will receive him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. After arrival, Tarique will briefly address party leaders, supporters and the nation near the 300 Feet area of the capital, where thousands of supporters are expected to gather. He will offer thanks to the people and perform a brief prayer of gratitude for his safe return. Tarique’s political adviser Mahdi Amin said the BNP Acting Chairman’s first and main priority upon landing is to visit Evercare Hospital to see his ailing mother, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been receiving treatment there since November 23. However, considering the huge turnout of people and respecting public sentiment, he will stop briefly at the July 36 Expressway (300 Feet area) to express gratitude to the nation before proceeding to the hospital. After visiting his mother, he will go directly to his residence at House 196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will stay with his family. Mahdi Amin said the programme at 300 Feet is not a rally or reception. “It is only a short moment to thank the people and request prayers for the country, its people and Madam Khaleda Zia. Tarique Rahman will be the sole speaker,” he said. To minimise public inconvenience, BNP has set up 20 medical camps across Dhaka with doctors, paramedics, medicines and ambulances. A six-bed temporary field hospital has also been arranged near the 300 Feet area, supported by ICU-equipped ambulances. Pure drinking water, mobile toilets and several thousand volunteers have been deployed to assist the public. Separate bus parking areas have been designated at key entry points to the capital to ease traffic congestion. Help desks have been set up at Kakoli, in front of the airport and at Abdullahpur to ensure smooth movement of airport-bound passengers, returning expatriates and ambulances, including motorbike escorts for emergencies. Govt welcomes Tarique Rahman’s return, assures full cooperation BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the entire programme will be broadcast live on BNP’s official Facebook pages, including BNP, BNP Media Cell and Our BNP, so people at home and abroad can watch it. Thirty large LED screens have been set up so people can watch the programme live. A three-layer security system has been put in place at the reception venue. Alongside government security, BNP has its own special arrangements. Retired Brigadier General ATM Shamsul Islam, head of Tarique’s security team, said tight security will be maintained throughout the programme. “We will use our party’s full security system. A small part of it is the Chairperson Security Force (CSF). Beyond that, our party leaders and activists, and above all, the people of Bangladesh, are the main foundation of our security,” he said. Shamsul Islam said the government is providing them with maximum cooperation and has instructed its various forces and agencies to extend all kinds of support. Large banners welcoming Tarique have appeared on major roads and intersections in the capital. The banners show him greeting people with raised hands, carrying slogans such as “Leader is coming,” “Tarique Rahman’s return, awakening of democracy,” “Bangladesh for all, Bangladesh first,” and “Tarique Rahman is coming, hope is rising.” Top leaders of parties that joined the long anti-fascist movement and leaders of the student-led mass uprising of August 5, 2024, have been invited to attend the brief programme near 300 Feet. BNP strikes election deal with 7 more partners, reserves 8 seats After returning, Tarique will regularly work from the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, where a new office room has been prepared for him on the second floor. A separate chamber has also been set up for the Acting Chairman at the party’s Nayapaltan central office. Both the Nayapaltan central office and the Gulshan chairperson’s office have been freshly painted, cleaned and decorated to mark his return. In preparation for the upcoming election, BNP has rented a four-storey building on Road No 90 in Gulshan as an election office. The building has strict security arrangements, a briefing room on the second floor, seating for various departments and a research cell. Mahdi Amin said the office will serve as a coordination centre for all election-related activities. Tarique has spent more than a decade and a half in exile in London. During this period, he lived there with his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman. From abroad, he continued to run the party, stayed in touch with leaders and activists, and guided BNP’s political strategy. Tarique Rahman is travelling on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ (BG-102) flight along with his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman, and his late brother Arafat Rahman Koko’s two daughters—Jahia Rahman and Jafia Rahman. Journalist Saleh Shibli and a few of his personal aides are also on board the flight. Zaima Rahman’s pet cat, Jebu, is also travelling to Bangladesh with the family. Tarique’s homecoming: Special trains to run on 10 routes It will also mark the end of Zaima Rahman’s nearly 17-year exile in London. Party leaders say her return symbolizes the close of a long chapter of forced separation from the country. Tarique’s homecoming has sparked strong emotions among political circles, BNP leaders and activists, and the general public. Many political observers see the return not merely as that of a party leader, but as the end of a long wait and a moment tied to broader public hopes and expectations, with the possibility of one of the largest political gatherings in the country’s history. They also consider his return as a significant step towards political unity and the restoration of democracy through an inclusive and credible election. Excitement and enthusiasm have swept through BNP leaders and activists in the capital and beyond as the long-awaited return of the party’s Acting Chairman is set to take place on Thursday, ending years of speculation and debate over his homecoming. BNP activists from different parts of the country have already begun arriving in Dhaka to catch a glimpse of their leader. BNP leaders said nine special trains have been arranged to bring supporters from different parts of the country to Dhaka. BNP leaders say Tarique will lead the party in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. He is expected to contest the election from Bogura-6 constituency. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Tarique will be the party’s main leader in the election. “Under his leadership, we will cross the electoral hurdle successfully. If we receive the people’s mandate, Tarique Rahman will lead the next government,” Fakhrul said. Tarique Rahman awaits a historic welcome on Dec 25: Salahuddin He also said despite living in exile for years, Tarique remained closely connected with the party and proved his leadership through effective organisational management. BNP has asked its leaders and activists not to carry the party’s electoral symbol during the reception, as the election schedule has already been announced. Banners, festoons and placards will be allowed, but no election symbol will be displayed. Tarique left Bangladesh in 2008 for medical treatment after being released from jail during the military-backed caretaker government period and later settled in the United Kingdom with his family. During his exile, he faced numerous cases and legal hurdles. Following recent political changes and legal processes, he was cleared of all cases. Though Dr Zubaida Rahman visited Bangladesh twice earlier, Tarique Rahman was unable to return until now. Political analysts say the ongoing political crisis can only be resolved through elections, and Tarique Rahman’s return may help ease tensions. They note that he successfully united dozens of parties in the anti-fascist movement, proving his political experience and organisational strength. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed at a press conference on Wednesday sincerely apologised in advance for any inconvenience or suffering caused by the unavoidable and minimal programmes taken by the party to organise the historic homecoming of its beloved leader. He said Tarique has chosen a government holiday for his return to avoid public inconvenience.            

Barrister Rumeen Farhana, International Affairs Assistant Secretary of BNP, has collected a nomination form to contest as an independent candidate from the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency in the upcoming 13th national election. Ali Hossain, former Organising Secretary of Sarail Upazila unit Jubo Dal, collected the nomination paper on behalf of Rumeen from Sarail Upazila Nirbahi Office on Wednesday afternoon. A number of former leaders and activists of BNP, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal from Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas were present at the time of Rumeen collecting the nomination form. Brahmanbaria-2 constituency consists of Sarail and Ashuganj upazilas and Budhanti and Chandura unions of Bijoynagar upazila. BNP strikes election deal with 7 more partners, reserves 8 seats BNP did not elect any candidates from the constituency as it left this seat for their alliance partner, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh. Maulana Junayed Al Habib, vice president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, will contest the seat.      

BNP has reached an electoral understanding with seven more alliance partners of the anti-fascist movement, leaving eight parliamentary seats for them for the upcoming national election. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the list at a press conference at the party Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday afternoon (December 24, 2025). Under the arrangement, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna will contest from Bogura-2, Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) leader Mostafa Jamal Haider from Pirojpur-1, and National People’s Party (NPP) Chairman Fariduzzaman Farhad from Narail-2. Islami Oikya Jote leader Mufti Rashid Bin Wakkas will contest from Jashore-5, while Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur will contest from Patuakhali-3 and the party’s General Secretary Rashed Khan from Jhenaidah-4. Bangladesh Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque will contest from Dhaka-12, and Ganosanghati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki from Brahmanbaria-6. LDP Secretary General Dr Redwan joins BNP Fakhrul said BNP reached the understanding after long discussions with the parties that simultaneously took part in the anti-fascist movement. “After detailed discussions with our partners in the simultaneous movement, we have reached agreements on these seats. I am sharing the list with you today.” He said discussions with other partners are still ongoing and more decisions may be announced later. Read more: LDP Secretary General Dr Redwan joins BNP The BNP Secretary General also said Cumilla-7 seat has been allocated to Dr Redowan Ahmed, who joined BNP on Wednesday, while Dhaka-13 has been allocated to NDM Chairman Bobby Hajjaj, who is expected to join the party soon. Fakhrul said alliance partners will contest the election with their respective party symbols, while those who have joined BNP will contest with the party’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol. Warning party leaders and activists, Fakhrul said BNP will not field any candidate in the seats left for alliance partners as per the central decision. “If anyone contests as an independent candidate in those seats, organisational action will be taken against them,” he said. BNP Standing Committee Members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku were present at the press conference. Earlier on Tuesday, the party announced to leave four seats for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The Jamiat candidates are Md Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Monir Hossain Kasemi in Narayanganj-4, Md Ubaidullah Faruq in Sylhet-5 and Junayed Al Habib in Brahmanbaria-2. BNP has already announced party candidates for 272 of the 300 parliamentary seats in two phases. Read more: Homebound Finally: Tarique set to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday morning Of the remaining 28 seats, four were allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh on Tuesday, while eight more seats were allocated to other alliance partners on Wednesday. Sixteen seats are yet to be finalised.

After 17 years in exile, Acting Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman is poised to return home on Thursday morning, a moment the party describes as both politically significant and emotionally charged. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed a detailed timeline at a press conference held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office on Wednesday. According to the plan, Tarique Rahman will depart London’s Heathrow Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman and their beloved pet cat Jebu. Party sources said senior journalist Saleh Shibly and three personal aides will also travel with him. Arrival & Programmes “Our leader will leave London on a regular Bangladesh Airlines flight from Heathrow Airport around midnight (Bangladesh time). After a transit stop in Sylhet, he will arrive in Dhaka at 11:50am tomorrow (Thursday) morning, Insha’Allah,” said Salahuddin. He said BNP Standing Committee members will receive the party’s Acting Chairman at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. From the airport, the BNP leader said, Tarique will proceed directly to join a reception programme as their party has arranged on the 36 July Expressway (300 Feet Road). “It will be a short programme. He (Tarique) will speak there thanking the people of the country, expressing his gratitude, and offering gratefulness to the Almighty Allah,” he said. To minimise public inconvenience and traffic congestion in Dhaka, Salahuddin said Tarique alone will speak at the reception. After the programme, he said the BNP Acting Chairman will visit his mother and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital, Bashundhara. After spending some time beside Khaleda, Tarique will proceed to House No-196 on Gulshan Avenue, where he will stay. On Friday, following the Jumma prayers, Tarique Rahman will visit the grave of his father and BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.  He is also later scheduled to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Memorial in Savar. Read more: Sense of insecurity gripped nation ahead of Tarique’s homecoming: Abbas On Saturday, Tarique Rahman will be formally registered as a voter. After completing the process, he will visit the grave of Osman Hadi near the Dhaka University Central Mosque. He will later go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pangu Hospital, to meet those injured in the July 2024 uprising. Advance Apology Salahuddin, on behalf of BNP, sincerely apologised in advance for any inconvenience or suffering caused by the unavoidable and minimal programmes taken by the party to organise the historic homecoming of its beloved leader. “You know that Mr Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that may cause public inconvenience. He has already asked expatriate leaders, activists, and supporters not to gather at London’s Heathrow Airport on the day of his departure from there” he said. In Bangladesh too, the BNP leader said that although they sincerely tried to follow his instructions to avoid causing public suffering, it may not have been possible to fully comply.  “So, we express our advance apology and regret for any public inconvenience.” Salahuddin said Tarique has chosen a government holiday for his return to avoid public inconvenience. He said the programme at the 300 Feet Road is neither a public rally nor a reception. “It is only meant for him to express sincere gratitude to the people of the country and to request prayers for the well-being of the party chairperson and everyone in the country. There will be no second speaker at the event besides him.” The BNP leader said no matter how much they try to keep the event small, they do not have the ability to control the large flow of leaders, activists and supporters who has been waiting for 17 years and are coming to the capital from all parts of the country. “Still, we have instructed our supporters to mostly use the Kanchan Bridge to reach the venue.” He also outlined arrangements in the capital, including reception points at different locations, designated parking areas for vehicles, medical camps and field hospitals. Security Arrangements BNP Chairperson’s Chief Security Officer retired Brigadier General AKM Saiful Islam said, “We will use our party’s full security system. A small part of it is the Chairperson Security Force (CSF). Beyond that, our party leaders and activists, and above all, the people of Bangladesh, are the main foundation of our security.” He said the government is providing them with maximum cooperation and has instructed its various forces and agencies to extend all kinds of support. “We have developed close coordination with them. By integrating government organisations with our party’s own strength, we hope to build the strongest possible security arrangement based on the known security needs.” No Gathering at Sylhet Airport BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said their beloved leader, Tarique Rahman, will return to the country on a Bangladesh Airlines flight, which will first land at Sylhet Airport. He instructed leaders and activists of Sylhet city and district not to gather at the airport. “No leaders or activists from Sylhet city or district should gather at the airport. No one should go there. Our leader will continue on the same flight to Dhaka. After arriving in Dhaka, he will speak to the people of the country at the programme we have arranged there,” Rizvi said. Tarique Rahman was arrested during the caretaker government in 2007 and spent around 18 months in prison. After his release in 2008, he left for the United Kingdom for advanced medical treatment. Although he has been leading the party from abroad, his return now comes as he prepares to take a more direct role in party affairs after a long 17-year absence. Read more: BNP strikes election deal with 7 more partners, reserves 8 seats

Dr Redwan Ahmed, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), formally joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Wednesday and will contest the upcoming national election from the Cumilla-7 constituency under the party’s electoral symbol, the Sheaf of Paddy. Redwan Ahmed arrived at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office in the morning and formally joined the party at simple programme, leaving the LDP. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “We were part of the joint movement, and I agree with the number of seats BNP will leave for the LDP as an alliance partner. However, my party chairman Oli Ahmed does not agree with this decision.” He said most members of the LDP Standing Committee, as well as leaders and activists across the country, shared his position. “I hope Oli Ahmed will reconsider and agree to an electoral understanding with the BNP….whether he contests the election or not, I will contest it in agreement with BNP. I have been associated with the BNP since its early days, which is why I am formally returning to the party and will take part in the election,” Redwan said. Read more: BNP strikes election deal with 7 more partners, reserves 8 seats He also confirmed that he has already submitted his resignation letter to the LDP chairman and claimed that many LDP leaders and activists nationwide would join the BNP and work for its candidates. Welcoming him, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir congratulated Redwan Ahmed, saying his return was like “a son coming back home” and that it would further strengthen the BNP. He announced that Redwan Ahmed would contest the next election as the BNP candidate from the Cumilla-7 constituency. BNP Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku were present at the joining ceremony. Read more: Shahadat Hossain Selim joins BNP dissolving his party

The Dhaka University (DU) unit of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organized a goodwill and welcome rally in anticipation of the homecoming of Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The rally began at 4pm on Tuesday from the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) of Dhaka University.  It later marched chanting slogans through the VC Chattar and Hallpara, parading along several important campus roads, and concluded with a brief gathering in front of Rokeya Hall. Leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal from various halls and units of Dhaka University participated in the welcome rally. At the brief post-rally gathering, DU Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas said, “National leader Tarique Rahman has led the anti-fascist movement of this country from abroad over the past 15 years. Putting an end to our long anticipation, he is going to return home very soon. We welcome his return.” He also called upon all members of Chhatra Dal to work toward implementing Tarique Rahman’s 31-point agenda to transform Bangladesh into a state based on equality, morality, and humane values. DU Chhatra Dal General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon said, “We believe that his arrival will open a new chapter for democracy in this country. The nation will once again move forward on the path of democratic progress.”    

What began as a tense standoff over seat sharing between the BNP and its allies is now giving way to cautious optimism, as leaders are signalling that a breakthrough has been reached, paving the way for a united front ahead of the election after days of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Talking to UNB, senior BNP and alliance leaders said negotiations over seat sharing have been concluded and a workable compromise has been reached. They, however, said a major challenge now facing BNP is how to manage internal party resistance in constituencies that may be shared or given up for allies. Though BNP has already finalised the seats it will share, the party has not officially disclosed how many seats it will leave for its partners. A BNP Standing Committee member, wishing anonymity, said the final announcement on seat sharing with allied political parties will be made very soon as the process has already been finalised. A key feature of the understanding, he said, is that some allied candidates may ultimately contest the election with BNP’s electoral symbol, the sheaf of paddy. Under the existing Election Commission rules, candidates from registered parties cannot contest polls under another party’s symbol, even if they are part of an alliance. To overcome this hurdle, the BNP leader said the party has adopted a new strategy. “Some selected candidates from allied parties will dissolve their parties or formally leave them and join BNP, enabling them to contest the election with the sheaf of paddy symbol.” He also said leaders of unregistered parties had already agreed earlier to contest the polls using the BNP symbol. Such discussions have already reached an advanced stage, as Shahadat Hossain Selim, chairman of the Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP), dissolved his party and joined BNP on December 8. Later, on December 22, Syed Ehsanul Huda, chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Dal, also joined BNP after dissolving his party. Talking to UNB, Mustafa Jamal Haider of Jatiya Party (Zafar) and Dr Fariduzzaman Farhad of the National People’s Party (NPP) said their discussions with BNP have been productive and they would contest the election with the sheaf of paddy symbol. On contesting under the BNP symbol, Bobby Hajjaj of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), who has been given a signal to contest from the Dhaka-14 seat, said political realities sometimes require strategic decisions. “If I take any such step, it will be taken purely as part of political strategy. However, a BNP source said several leaders, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Saiful Haque, Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Zonayed Saki and Nurul Haque Nur, are not willing to resign from their parties to contest the election with the BNP symbol, as they want to run with their own party symbols. BNP senses ‘dangerous conspiracy’ against Bangladesh’s democratic transition The same source said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chairman Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed’s son, Professor Omar Farooq, and the party’s Secretary General Dr Redowan Ahmed will also contest the polls with their own party symbol. BNP is expected to leave those two seats for them. Talking to UNB, Saiful Haque said his party’s discussion with BNP over seat sharing ended with a promise of leaving the Dhaka-12 seat for him. “If BNP finally offers Dhaka-12, we will take a positive decision,” he said, adding that there is a mixed reaction within his party over seat sharing with BNP, as they expect BNP to offer more seats. Haque, however, said he will contest the polls with his party’s symbol spade. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh has emerged as an important party for BNP in seat-sharing negotiations which will also contest the election with its own ‘Date Palm Tree’ symbol. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday said the party will share four parliamentary seats with its alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. “Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh will contest the upcoming election with BNP on the basis of an understanding. BNP has left Nilphamari-1, Narayanganj-4, Brahmanbaria-2 and Sylhet-5 constituencies for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, where the party will contest the election with the ‘Date Palm Tree’ symbol,” Fakhrul said. The Jamiat candidates are Maulana Md Manjurul Islam Afendi in Nilphamari-1, Mufti Monir Hossain Kasemi in Narayanganj-4, Maulana Md Ubaidullah Faruq in Sylhet-5 and Maulana Junayed Al Habib in Brahmanbaria-2. Contacted, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party has already held discussions with its allies over seat sharing. “We hope the matter will be resolved within the next couple of days and announced formally,” he said. “Our understanding with alliance partners has been completed, and our bond with them has become even stronger,” Fakhrul added. Asked how many seats will be shared with alliance partners, he said the party will disclose the details in due course. “You will have to wait a little longer. Nothing can be said at this moment.” According to the Election Commission schedule, the 13th parliamentary election and referendum will be held on February 12, while the deadline for submitting nomination papers is December 29. BNP has already announced party candidates for 272 seats in two phases ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. Sense of insecurity gripped nation ahead of Tarique’s homecoming: Abbas Of the remaining 28 seats, four have now been allocated to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh as part of the alliance arrangement. Earlier, BNP confirmed former Bangladesh LDP chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim as its candidate in Laxmipur-1. A BNP leader said the party earlier announced candidates in some seats that are now to be shared with alliance partners. “It is now awkward for these candidates to step aside, as they have already been campaigning with the party symbol. In some other constituencies, the party may face strong rival candidates if those seats are shared with alliance partners,” he added.