United News of Bangladesh

Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday called for the implementation of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus’ promise regarding the 13th parliamentary election. He made the remarks during a press briefing following a meeting with Nicole N Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, at a hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan area. “We had a candid discussion with the US delegation. They wanted to know about the current political landscape in Bangladesh, when and how the next election would be held, and what kind of reforms all parties are demanding,” said Dr Shafiqur Rahman. He said the US delegation enquired about their economic policy and foreign relations if they are to assume responsibility for the country in the future. “We had an open exchange on these topics.” The Jamaat chief said the US officials also raised concerns about minority rights, women’s rights and labour issues — all of which were addressed during the meeting. He urged the US administration to reconsider the 37% tariff imposed on Bangladeshi goods amid the current complexities and critical juncture the nation is facing. “We’ve requested that they convey this appeal to President Trump,” he said. About democracy, Dr Shafiqur said, “We practise democracy within our own party and wish to see democratic practices flourish across the country. We are prepared to do what is necessary to ensure that.” BNP to attend talks with Consensus Commission Thursday When asked about the timing of the next election, Dr Shafiqur referred to a promise reportedly made by Dr Yunus. “The Chief Adviser has said the election will be held either by December this year or by June next year. We hope it will take place within that timeframe — preferably before Ramadan.” He expressed concern about the monsoon season, which may bring natural disasters and potentially disrupt the electoral process. “That is why we want the election held before such risks materialise,” he added. On the issue of justice, Dr Shafiqur said, “The nation is traumatised. Many are still in hospitals, disabled from violence. Families of the martyrs are still grieving. Justice for the Awami League’s actions must be ensured. We want proper trials and punishment.” Also present at the briefing were Jamaat Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Porwar, Central Executive Committee member Mobarak Hossain, and the Ameer’s foreign affairs adviser Professor Dr Mahmudul Hasan.

National Citizens Party (NCP)’s Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah on Tuesday warned against branding his party’s firm anti-Awami League stance as a “breach of decorum.” In a post from his verified Facebook account, Hasnat wrote: “The day our anti-Awami League position and rejection of compromise politics began to be called ‘indecorous’ was the day Awami League processions started growing bigger.” Targeting those he accused of indulging in compromise politics, he said, “I’m warning those who are compromising—make up your mind about the Awami League very soon. Otherwise, you will continue with your compromise politics, and I will respond with indecorous behaviour.” BNP’s Salahuddin calls for preservation of Pahela Baishakh as national cultural heritage He added: “You won’t be able to handle it if I start breaching decorum. Be careful.” His statement came just hours after a video of an Awami League protest march went viral on Facebook. According to several posts by AL supporters, the march took place in Dhaka’s Badda area, reportedly led by a former Chhatra League leader. Hasnat, however, did not clarify whom he was directly referring to in his comments or who he considers to be engaged in compromise politics.

‘Bhasani Janashakti Party’, a new political party, was launched by the Bhasani Anushari Parishad on Sunday, aiming to build a prosperous and just Bangladesh. The announcement was made during the National Representative Council 2025 of the Bhasani Anushari Parishad, held at the Jatiya Press Club auditorium. Representatives from across the country unanimously approved the formation of the new party at the council. The council also approved a 121-member central committee of the party, with Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul as its chairman and Abu Yusuf Selim as secretary general. The 121-member committee comprises a chairman, 21 presidium members, 10 vice-chairmen, one secretary general, five joint secretaries general, eight organising secretaries, eight assistant organising secretaries, along with various posts of secretaries, assistant secretaries and members. According to the party’s constitution, approved at the council, a minimum 31-member committee will be formed at all the district, metropolitan, upazila, thana, municipality and union levels. The party has mandated that 30% of all committee members at every level must be women, and each committee, including the central one, will serve a three-year term. A group of followers of late national leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani formed the Bhasani Anushari Parishad on 20 January 2011. The organisation began its political activities on 4 June 2022 through its involvement with Ganatantra Mancha, an alliance partner of the BNP that waged a simultaneous movement against the Sheikh Hasina regime. The organisers said democracy, nationalism, religious freedom, equality and social justice are the core principles of the Bhasani Janashakti Party. In its vision statement, the party expressed its aim to carry forward the legacy of Maulana Bhasani—his struggle, philosophy and vision for society and the state. The party also said it aspires to build a prosperous, dignified and just Bangladesh, grounded in the values of equality, human dignity and social justice.  

Nationalist Citizens' Party (NCP) leader Sarjis Alam has tried to explain how he managed to organise a convoy of 100 vehicles for his visit to his home district Panchagarh, where he looks set to seek his party's nomination for a parliamentary seat. Responding to a Facebook post by Tasnim Jara, another leader of NCP, Sarjis attributed it to his family's generosity, particularly the inheritance left behind for him by his grandfather. In his Facebook status, he said, "More than half of the vehicles were arranged voluntarily by my family members, relatives, friends, and well-wishers from the district, and we did not bear the expenses for those. For the remaining 50 vehicles, we paid approximately Tk 3 lakh, with each vehicle costing Tk 6,000. My family had the financial capacity to afford this even 50 years ago. I firmly believe that with what my grandfather left for me, I can even manage my election campaign without external support, Inshallah." The chief organiser (North) of NCP also distinguished between online discourse and on-ground political realities. "Without demonstrating manpower and resources, one cannot sustain in electoral politics. Even ordinary people will not take you seriously, as people naturally gravitate towards power. While we must work towards change, we cannot completely discard the existing political mechanisms overnight. The right time to do so will come." Earlier, Tasnim Jara, senior joint secretary of the National Citizen's Party (NCP), raised concerns over the entry of Sarjis Alam into his home district, Panchagarh, with a convoy of over 100 vehicles. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Jara urged Sarjis to provide a clear and acceptable explanation to the public regarding the event. She emphasised that such transparency would further strengthen the party's image among the people. Hannan injured as NCP event in Hatiya comes under attack; finger points at BNP She wrote, "I am writing this letter as a political worker of our party, on the basis of our party’s principled stance and commitment to transparency. Recently, the entry of a large convoy of over 100 vehicles into your home district has understandably raised some questions among the public." Quoting Sarjis, she said, "Not long ago, you publicly stated, ‘I have no money at the moment. I am living on loans. That is the reality. I don’t even have a wallet in my pocket.' Your simple lifestyle had deeply impressed us and made our struggle more relatable to the public." She further questioned how such a large event could be organised, asking about its funding and management. "Given this context, it is natural for people to question how such a large event was possible. How was it financed and managed? Our party, which has pledged to create a new political culture based on transparency, honesty, and accountability, must provide clear and reliable answers to these questions." "I hope you will consider this matter with sincerity and provide a clear and acceptable explanation to the public. I believe this will further strengthen our party’s image among the people,” the status read. Judging by people's reactions so far, the public are not quite convinced by the explanation Sarjis gave. Some are questioning how he could ever be penniless (not even carrying a wallet) with such generational wealth running in his family. Others are befuddled at NCP leaders' tendency to carry on having discussions that look best-suited for internal party platforms on social media. Some are even suggesting it is a deliberate tactic on their part, and that Jara and Sarjis planned their exchange in advance.

Calling Awami League (AL) a terrorist organisation, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam on Monday demanded that the registration of the party (AL) be cancelled. Speaking virtually at an iftar event organised by the party’s Narayanganj district unit, Nahid, a former adviser to the interim government, said his party will resist if any effort is made to rehabilitate the AL again, alleging that some quarters are trying to rehabilitate it. Even before the past 15 years, the AL also had established fascism earlier and you (party fellows) know how much oppressions had been carried by the party on people, he said. Recalling the role of the Narayanganj people in the July uprising, he said the NCP was launched with new political aspirations, and it aims to build the country afresh in continuation with the July uprising. Nahid calls for consensus to end ‘Mujibbadi’ politics in Bangladesh Seeking support from people to build a new Bangladesh, Nahid said they have been demanding justice of the mass killers, structural reforms of the country and elections to the Constituent Assembly. He said ensuring visible judgment of the AL for the fascism before the next election is one of the main demands of the NCP. If the trial of AL fascists is not ensured after the mass uprising, then it is not certain that the country will not see another fascism, Nahid said. Expressing his party’s firm stance on the reforms and changes, he alleged that some parties are going back to the past’s arrangements and expressing reluctance to the reforms. “New Bangladesh is not possible with the old constitution as the constitution we have requires the election of a Constituent Assembly,” he observed. Simultaneous legislative and constituent assembly elections possible: Nahid Urging leaders and workers to stand against extortion and supremacy, Nahid expressed his desire to stand by fellows to sort out their problems.

Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Junaid Saki on Monday demanded that Awami League be tried as a party even if it requires enacting new laws, alongside prosecuting genocidal fascists and their accomplices. Speaking at an Iftar event organised by the party in Mymensingh, Saki said, "There is a tug-of-war over credit for the mass uprising—one group wants to claim it all for themselves. After August 5, divisions are being created, and tagging is being done in a fascist manner. This will ultimately pave the way for the resurgence of the old fascists. Those creating these divisions must be identified as enemies." Reforms and elections must complement each other: Saki Emphasizing the need for a constitutional reform council to facilitate the amendment of the constitution, he urged that no action should be taken that could disrupt national unity. "Some are talking about reforms, others about elections. But the original understanding was that reforms and elections would take place together," he added. Presided over by Mostafizur Rahman Rajib, convenor of the party’s Mymensingh district unit, Rukunuzzaman Rokon, member secretary of BNP's southern district unit, Abul Hasan Rubel, executive coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, Hatem Rana, member secretary of Nagorik Oikya’s district unit, and leaders of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Rahat Jahan Hossain, Ali Yusuf, and Abul Kalam Al Azad, among others spoke on the occasion.

Chief organiser of the National Citizens Party (NCP) Nasir Uddin Patwary on Sunday said the Awami League has no right to engage in Bangladesh politics, regardless of the circumstances or methods. "Whether refined or otherwise, there is no place for the Awami League in Bangladesh’s politics," he said during a press conference at the NCP head office in the city. Regarding recent disputes within NCP, particularly between two senior leaders, Patwary said the disagreement stemmed from a Facebook post by NCP’s chief organiser for the South Hasnat Abdullah. Another senior leader, Sarjis Alam, publicly disagreed with the post, leading to negative comments on social media. BNP opposes equating July 2024 Uprising with 1971 Liberation War in constitution In response, Patwary said, “There is no gap or lack of understanding among the NCP leaders. There had been a significant upheaval, and the students involved in this movement are now transitioning into the political arena. If there have been any mistakes, we ask for the nation’s understanding. We appreciate the advice from the public and will continue to take it into consideration.” When asked about the future of the party after such an incident, Patwary added, "When the party was formed, we wanted to ensure that everything was transparent with the public. However, in meetings, there is always the need for consent from the other party involved, and I have said that it was improper to discuss certain matters publicly without that agreement." No compromise on question of Awami League: Hasnat Regarding a meeting held at the Cantonment, Patwary said while Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam had informed the leadership of the meeting, no formal discussions had taken place within the NCP about it. The party would clarify after a formal discussion, he added.  

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organiser of the southern region of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has said that there will be no compromise with the Awami League in Bangladesh. The NCP leader at a protest rally organised by its Dhaka Metropolitan unit in front of Shahbagh Museum on Saturday demanded the trial and cancellation of the Awami League's registration as a political party. He said that the blood of 2,000 martyrs has not yet dried and pointed out that key cases, such as the Pilkhana murder case and the anti-India aggression case, remain untried. He declared that no inclusive election would take place with the Awami League under these circumstances. NCP vows to resist any move to rehabilitate Awami League "In a Bangladesh where the trial of Abrar's murder and the July genocide have not been carried out, and where disappearances, murders, and killings continue without justice, there will be no compromise with the Awami League," he added. Criticising the elections in 2014 and 2018, Hasnat said when the dummy elections were held in 2014, excluding the BNP from the power structure, where was your inclusive election? And when the midnight elections were held in 2018, where was your inclusive election?" Addressing the Bangladesh Army, he said, "I want to make it clear that those of you whose work is in the cantonment, stay in the cantonment. We respect and honour you. We have not denied the contribution you have made in protecting the sovereignty of the country." He went on saying “but despite all the injustices, disappearances, and murders, we have not seen you protest against any injustice. We have not seen anyone resign voluntarily. We appeal to you, stay far away.” "We have waited until 2024. We want to restore the democratic environment that you have destroyed through reforms. We will not allow Indian hegemony to enter Bangladesh again," the NCP leader added. NCP holds rally demanding cancellation of AL registration, its trial Meanwhile, "July Warriors", a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, on Saturday gave the interim government 48 hours to ban Awami League. They issued the ultimatum from a protest rally held at the Raju inder on the Dhaka University campus. Several organisations and students from Dhaka University also staged a rally on Saturday, demanding a ban on the Awami League.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Gono Odhikar Parishad  Rashed Khan on Saturday warned against attempts to involve the army in a confrontation with people, suggesting that such efforts are aimed at resurrecting a scenario similar to the 1/11 political crisis. "Another 1/11 would harm the political parties of this country the most. There is no way such a situation can arise in Bangladesh," Khan said. His comments came during a sit-in and mass signature campaign organised by the Dhaka metropolitan south unit of his political party in front of the Jatiya Press Club, calling for a ban on the Awami League (AL) and the trial of those responsible for the genocide. Rashed Khan also referred to a conspiracy aimed at reintroducing the army into the political scene, invoking the army’s historic role in mass uprisings. "Had the army not intervened, there would have been no mass uprising in Bangladesh. When the army pointed its guns at the fascist police of the Awami League, Hasina was forced to flee," he said. He stressed the need for the trial of genocide perpetrators, comprehensive state reforms, and the announcement of an electoral roadmap. "Delaying elections is unacceptable to the people. The number one reform element is the election and those advising the government are only interested in maintaining their grip on power," Khan said, adding that attempts to cling to power by figures like Fakhruddin and Moinuddin failed because people taught them a lesson. Rashed Khan also criticised the interim government’s advisors, stating that many of them remain unaccounted for and their roles unclear. "We do not even know the names of many of them. The Home Affairs Advisor has failed to address the law and order situation in the country," he remarked. He referenced the government's failed "Operation Devil Hunt," where no significant figures were captured, and noted that some advisors had even bailed out accused figures involved in criminal activities. In his remarks on the future of the Awami League, Rashed Khan asserted that no one could engage in politics under the AL banner until the genocide trial was completed. "No matter how clean the image is before the genocide trial is over, no one will be able to do politics in the name of the AL on Bengali soil," he warned. Rashed Khan also made it clear that any attempt to rehabilitate the AL would meet strong resistance from the people. "If necessary, we will surround the residence of the Jamuna Chief Advisor and demand a ban on the Awami League," he declared.  

Dhaka Metropolitan unit of the National Citizen Party (NCP) will hold a protest rally today (Saturday) demanding the cancellation of Awami League’s registration and its trial. According to a party statement shared by its Chief Organiser (South), Hasnat Abdullah, on Facebook, the rally is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh. The protest aims to call for the trial of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League over allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and genocide, along with the cancellation of the party’s registration and a ban on its political and organisational activities. The NCP has urged all its leaders and activists to join the rally on time. Earlier, on Friday, NCP vowed to resist any attempt to rehabilitate Awami League in Bangladesh politics. “Awami League's registration must be cancelled during the trial proceedings and the NCP is vowing to resist any attempt to bring this mafia group back into politics,” NCP Convener Nahid Islam told a press conference in the city. He said NCP wants to guarantee for the trial of the July massacre as well as all other mass killings and crimes against humanity committed by the past fascist regime. The NCP chief condemned the Chief Adviser’s recent remark on Awami League. “The chief adviser of the interim government has recently made a statement saying the government has no plan to ban the Awami League. We condemn their statement," he said. NCP member secretary Akhter Hossen and chief organiser for the southern region Hasnat Abdullah also spoke on the occasion.