Rekha Gupta, MLA from Shalimar Bagh, has been selected as the Chief Minister of Delhi by the BJP. Her name was announced on Wednesday evening in front of the party legislators as the parliamentary leader. She will take the oath along with her cabinet members at Ramlila Maidan. Representing the Banik community, Gupta was previously a leader of ABVP. Notably, she became the Chief Minister in her very first term as an MLA. After 27 years, BJP has regained power in Delhi with 48 seats, while Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured only 22 seats.

A delegation from Gano Odhikar Parishad is set to meet with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) today. The five-member team will be led by the party’s president, Nurul Haque Nur. This information was confirmed in a press release issued on Wednesday by Abu Hanif, a senior council member and media coordinator of the party.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 3 PM on Thursday at the Election Commission headquarters. However, it remains unclear how many Election Commission representatives will be present at the meeting.

A leader of the ruling Awami League has been arrested while attempting to enter the Bangladesh Secretariat using an expired and invalid pass. The detained individual, Sagir Ahmed, is the secretary of the Uttara Thana Awami League and a close associate of former Education Minister Dipu Moni. The Deputy Commissioner of the Secretariat confirmed the arrest, stating that Ahmed tried to forcefully enter the premises using an expired vehicle pass. Following discussions with the Home Ministry, he was handed over to Shahbagh police station.

The Supreme Court has scheduled a review hearing for Jamaat-e-Islami leader ATM Azharul Islam’s death sentence appeal on Thursday. The case is listed ninth on the Supreme Court’s official cause list, with proceedings set to take place under Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench.

Azhar was sentenced to death on December 30, 2014, by the International Crimes Tribunal for war crimes committed in 1971. The verdict was upheld by the Appellate Division on October 23, 2019.

The Revolutionary Student Council has urged President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppu not to attend the first-hour tribute at the Central Shaheed Minar on February 21. At a protest at Dhaka University’s Raju Memorial on Wednesday, council convener Abdul Wahed accused the president of remaining silent during the July-August massacre, where over 2,000 people were killed.

Wahed also claimed that Chuppu was elected by an “illegitimate parliament” and demanded his resignation. He urged the president to “reflect on his position” from Bangabhaban instead of appearing in public during International Mother Language Day.

A court has ordered the freezing of 20 bank accounts belonging to former State Minister Nasrul Hamid Bipu and his wife, Seema Hamid, following a request from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday. These accounts reportedly hold over 21 million BDT. The ACC stated that an investigation is underway into the couple’s alleged unexplained wealth and that they were attempting to transfer or launder their assets, making an immediate freeze necessary.

In Begumganj, Noakhali, the residence of a local BNP leader was attacked twice following a Facebook live broadcast. The attacks are believed to have been orchestrated by political rivals. According to family sources, on Sunday, Farhan, a leader of the Chhatra Dal, went live on Facebook. During the broadcast, he spoke out against extortionists, tender manipulators, and allies of the Awami League from the 1/11 period. In response to his Facebook Live, the President of the local BNP, Kamaksha Chandra Das, allegedly threatened Farhan’s father over the phone, demanding that his son delete the live stream or face dire consequences. The following day, two attacks were carried out on the family. The accused has denied the charges.

A violent clash occurred at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) on Tuesday, with over 60 students injured. Chhatra Dal leaders have blamed activists from the anti-discrimination student movement, Chhatra Shibir, and Chhatra League for the violence. The altercation began when Chhatra Dal supporters were attacked during a rally, leading to retaliatory violence. The situation escalated into a campus-wide confrontation, involving both local party members and outsiders. At least 10 injured students were hospitalized in critical condition.

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, has vowed never to compromise with the government under any pressure. His statement was shared by his sister, Alima Khan, during a visit to him in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Amid rumors of secret negotiations with the government, PTI plans a strong anti-government movement after Eid ul-Fitr. PTI leader Shoaib Yusufzai highlighted increasing political tensions between ruling parties PPP and PML-N, predicting the government’s imminent downfall.

Rubel Ahmed (32), a leader of the Chhatra League’s Adabor unit and the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s personal driver, Razzak Matbar, has been arrested. Law enforcement detained him late Tuesday night during a raid in the Metro Housing area of Mohammadpur.

ADC Jewel Rana confirmed the arrest, stating that Rubel was allegedly involved in attempts to carry out destructive activities in Mohammadpur under the instructions of fugitive leaders abroad. After videos of his actions surfaced on social media, he went into hiding.

Adviser Asif Mahmud expressed his regret over the recent attack at the Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). Speaking at a youth festival on February 19, he assured that those responsible would be swiftly brought to justice. He further emphasized that the Awami League (AL) will not be allowed to participate in elections until they face proper judicial action. “Such a party as the Awami League should be eradicated,” he stated. The incident on Tuesday involved a clash between two groups, resulting in over fifty injuries. Images and videos have surfaced showing students being attacked with local weapons.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) has called an urgent press conference to address the recent clash at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET). The press conference will be held at 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 19, at the Dhaka University Student-Teacher Center (TSC). JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir will attend. A three-member committee was formed on February 18 to investigate the cause of the clash, which resulted in over 50 injuries.

The top leaders of the 12-party alliance have expressed deep concern over the violent clash between the anti-discrimination student movement and the student wing of the opposition in Kuwait. In a statement sent to the media, they emphasized that the unity of all forces in the people’s uprising is our ultimate goal. They stressed that anti-fascists and Bangladeshi nationalists must maintain discipline, tolerance, and engage in positive competition. The leaders further remarked that the events of Tuesday will embolden the allies of autocracy and extend their traps. They warned that if we consider the former student leaders of July and the Shibir as enemies, protecting the hard-earned freedom of July will become exceedingly difficult. The statement concludes with a call for unity.

A viral photo showing Mahbubur Rahman, Vice President of Doultpur BNP Jubodol in Khulna, holding a sharp weapon during a clash at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) has led to his expulsion from the party. The incident occurred during protests over a ban on student politics. Rahman’s involvement in actions against party discipline prompted the decision, with the BNP Jubodol also instructing members not to associate with him further. The clash resulted in injuries to over fifty students.

Interim government’s legal advisor, Professor Asif Nazrul, expressed fear and frustration over internal violence among political factions. In a Facebook post on January 19, he stated, “When I see my brothers intoxicated by each other’s blood, it scares me, it frustrates me the most.” He went on to say that during the Awami League’s rule, when fights broke out between the League and opposing groups, the police would shamelessly side with the League, leading to a swift resolution. However, today, the police force is divided, and the number of aggressive individuals is minimal. If the Student League and SSF confront each other now, neither side will back down, which could result in unprecedented casualties. He also emphasized, “Whoever gets hurt is still my brother; six months ago, we faced tear gas and rubber bullets together.” Nazrul warned that the ongoing blame and threats between Student League and SSF on social media signal a troubling future.