Following a High Court directive, the Election Commission (EC) has officially registered the Bangladesh Labour Party as a political party.
The certificate, issued Thursday, referenced the May 29 High Court ruling under the Representation of the People Order, 1972. Party president Mostafizur Rahman Iran had filed a writ petition in September 2023 seeking registration.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam assured that extensive security measures have been taken ahead of Durga Puja.
“Minor incidents do occur during festival preparations, but we act immediately upon receiving reports,” Alam said after inspecting preparations at Banglabazar Puja Mandap.
He warned that “disgruntled Awami League elements” could attempt to create unrest, but police and intelligence agencies remain vigilant to prevent any destabilizing activities.

Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher revealed that visa complications prevented him and other political leaders from joining the Chief Adviser’s motorcade during a recent trip.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Khaled Muhiuddin on Thikana, Taher explained: “The Chief Adviser’s team held G-1 visas, while ours were regular tourist visas requiring fingerprint clearance. This communication gap forced us to walk to immigration, even as the Chief Adviser waited over 10 minutes.”
Taher also addressed the airport egg-throwing incident, saying he was nearby but unaware until later. He noted tensions among supporters during the event, which led to some embarrassing moments.

Maulana Mamunur Rashid, known as the “July Fighter,” has been missing for over three days, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said in a statement.
“The family is in deep anxiety. His whereabouts must be identified and he should be returned home without delay,” Rahman urged, adding that although the family contacted authorities, the response from law enforcement has been unclear.

Jamaat leader Shafiqul Islam Masud has warned that no political party can shield the Awami League from public outrage.

“The people will not allow the Awami League to create chaos after looting for 15 years and fleeing abroad. If law enforcement fails, the public will rise up, and the consequences for Awami League will be dire,” Masud said.

He urged the government to complete national elections in February under a PR-based system, with July’s accord providing legal grounds for justice.

Masud also blamed Awami affiliates at Bangladesh’s New York mission for enabling attacks on opposition leaders abroad. He demanded a ban on the Awami League and its 14-party allies, calling them “a threat to Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.”

Ahead of Durga Puja, GOP leader Rashed Khan has called for installing CCTV cameras in temples to ensure security.

He warned that “defeated forces and hidden fascist elements” may attempt attacks or idol vandalism. “The government must provide adequate protection, while political parties and citizens must remain vigilant,” he said.

Khan further cautioned against conspiracies aiming to incite communal tensions. “Bangladesh must never fall into the trap of religious conflict. We must uphold harmony and move forward together,” he stressed.

Political leader Fazlur Rahman has strongly rejected the idea of holding elections under Muhammad Yunus, insisting instead on a three-month caretaker government to oversee fair polls.

“I don’t believe—at least 90 percent sure—that elections will take place in February, though my party still believes so,” Rahman told supporters. He accused Yunus of building a “political dice” favoring Jamaat-e-Islami, claiming Yunus uses his inner circle to dictate leadership decisions.

“His press secretary has already declared who will be the next prime minister. This is unacceptable,” Fazlu said, alleging “night-time relations” between Jamaat and Yunus’ camp.

Rahman concluded: “We want elections only under a legally formed caretaker government. With its advisers, it should deliver a fair election within 120 days.”

The Rangpur Metropolitan branch of Bagchas has suspended the organizational membership of its convener, Imtiaz Ahmed Imti, after allegations surfaced that he assaulted students.

According to Mahfuzur Rahman, the joint office secretary, the suspension was enforced under the organization’s constitution. A three-member probe committee has been formed to investigate the matter and instructed to submit a neutral and comprehensive report within 72 hours to central leaders Abu Bakar Mojumdar and Zahid Ahsan.

Imti is accused of storming into a classroom at Harati High School on September 4 and beating more than 50 students. He also serves as the president of the school’s ad-hoc committee. A guardian later filed a general diary with police, but the incident only came to light on Tuesday after victims failed to receive legal remedies.

In his defense, Imti admitted to scolding students, claiming it was for their betterment. “I have been working hard for six months to ensure the children achieve good results. Ninety-five percent of students have no complaints. The matter has been exaggerated and already resolved,” he said, urging others to view it with forgiveness.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmad warned that conducting elections under a proportional representation (PR) system could produce another authoritarian or weak government like Sheikh Hasina’s, leaving the country permanently unstable. He argued that one motive for pushing PR is to win more seats, and another is to create disunity and instability so no single majority party can govern. Salahuddin said PR benefits less-popular parties and stressed that the constitution clearly prescribes direct election of representatives. He urged Jamaat to consult the constitution before advocating changes, and said unconstitutional or unlawful demands from any party cannot be accepted. He cautioned that public opinion surveys are being misinterpreted — noting that while many people may not understand PR, claims that 70 percent favor it are misleading.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said elections are expected in February and that the chief adviser and the military are conscious of the need for a credible process. However, he warned that adversaries are attempting to keep Bangladesh unstable and urged a collective effort to resist such designs. Speaking with Khaled Mahmud, Fakhrul urged rebuilding public trust where skepticism has grown and stressed that progress requires concrete action. He said other political parties are aware elections are imminent and that while the military and advisers are vigilant, there is no simple solution to the country’s problems. He expressed concern that planned mob violence, arson and factory attacks appear increasingly organized. On the NCP–Jamaat issue, Fakhrul described bargaining and political negotiation as the nature of party politics and noted that many discussions have already taken place, creating space for further talks.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah said former co-convener of the Uttara anti-discrimination student movement, KM Mamunur Rashid, has been missing for more than 48 hours, a development he described as deeply worrying and alarming. Hasnat noted that such an incident is particularly troubling in the post–August 5 context and represents a failure of the state to guarantee basic citizen security. He criticized law enforcement and the government for apparent negligence in conducting a prompt, transparent investigation. Hasnat also expressed concern over the media’s silence, warning that that silence risks bringing back an atmosphere of fear and repression in politics.

NCP leader Akhtar Hossain filed a complaint at the Port Authority Police Department police station near the airport after an incident in which eggs were thrown at him. Akhtar said that, following an earlier attack near the airport, Awami cadres returned to his hotel lobby this evening with the intent to assault him. He said NCP members and supporters in the U.S. repelled them and contacted police; an investigating officer advised filing a complaint, prompting the case. Akhtar added that the perpetrators are linked to an organization banned in Bangladesh and alleged their involvement in crimes against humanity last year; he said he informed U.S. police and referenced a related U.N. report. Earlier he had dismissed the egg attack as inconsequential, saying he is not intimidated by shots or broken eggs.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi warned that rehabilitating what he termed the “fascist” Awami League would have dire consequences for the country and could subject Bangladesh to renewed authoritarian rule. Rizvi alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is encouraging efforts to reinstate the party and suggested Jamaat may have ulterior motives related to the Awami League’s interest in closer ties with India. He claimed India aided what he described as directives linked to mass atrocities during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Commenting on recent opinion polls, Rizvi said BNP currently has no specific response to the surveys.

A high-level delegation from the Chinese People’s Institute for Foreign Affairs, led by Vice President Mr. Zhou Pingjian, paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. After the meeting, Mia Golam Perwar said that despite a year having passed since the uprising, he believes the Awami League’s conspiracies against the country continue. The Jamaat Amir, Perwar reported, vowed to confront those plots and to work to advance the nation.

Dr. Shafiqur emphasized his desire to strengthen close, neighborly ties between Bangladesh and China, and the two sides discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations. The Jamaat leader also described what he termed the previous government’s record of repression. He said that, if given the opportunity to govern, Jamaat would serve the public rather than rule over them. Perwar added that the meeting covered China’s role in global security and election-related matters, noting that Jamaat is an election-oriented party prepared to contest polls. Mr. Zhou Pingjian described China–Bangladesh diplomatic ties as long-standing and affirmed ongoing efforts to further strengthen people-to-people relations between the two countries.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has accused the ruling Awami League of engaging in “revenge politics,” blaming them for recent attacks on political leaders in New York.

Zahid said BNP will soon finalize its candidate list, stressing that surveys involving local and district leaders will guide the selection process. “BNP is a party so large that there are ten times more aspirants than available seats. Ultimately, only those with strong public support in their constituencies will get nominations,” he added.

He further said Tarique Rahman, currently abroad, will return within weeks to lead BNP and Bangladesh’s broader democratic movement.