BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has stated that Bangladesh has been destroyed by a fascist dictatorship over the past 15 years. Speaking virtually as the chief guest at the Narail BNP conference, Rahman emphasized the need for state reforms and the restoration of basic rights like voting and freedom of speech. He pledged BNP’s commitment to rebuilding the nation and ensuring a strong foundation for future generations. The conference also held elections for district committee leadership positions.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Amir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has called for the immediate release of ATM Azharul Islam, the party’s Assistant Secretary General. In a statement, he condemned the Awami League government’s actions, accusing it of filing false cases and orchestrating judicial killings against Jamaat leaders. Azharul Islam, arrested in 2011, has faced severe torture, wrongful imprisonment, and denial of justice. Despite the regime change in 2024, he remains incarcerated, prompting calls for his immediate release from the interim government.

Jubo Dal staged a protest in Dhaka, demanding the immediate trial of Sheikh Hasina and condemning the Awami League’s alleged attempts to create disorder. The rally started from Gulshan-2 and ended in Banani, with Dhaka North Jubo Dal leaders participating. Convenor Sharif Uddin Jewel accused the interim government of delaying justice and urged them to bring Hasina back from India, even seeking Interpol’s help if necessary. He also called for urgent electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections.

The United States has canceled significant foreign aid to Bangladesh and several other nations, including a $29 million initiative aimed at enhancing political stability in Bangladesh. This decision, announced by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under CEO Elon Musk, is part of a broader budget-cutting strategy led by the Trump administration. Other affected countries include India, Mozambique, Cambodia, and Nepal. The cuts align with efforts to reduce the U.S. budget deficit and prevent national bankruptcy.

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi criticized the demand for local government elections before the national elections, calling it a malicious attempt by certain political parties. Speaking after paying respects at the grave of Ziaur Rahman, Rizvi stated, “Sheikh Hasina has a sinister plan in place, and we must thwart this conspiracy by holding the national election swiftly.” He also accused the Yunus government of delaying elections and emphasized that the nation is waiting for free, fair, and impartial elections. Rizvi called for immediate electoral reforms and demanded a fixed election deadline.

After the Reform Commission's final arrangements, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has urged the interim government to promptly prepare for elections. Central Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated, "Today, we held discussions with the Chief Adviser and Commission members on achieving a consensus. We welcome this initiative. A detailed report will be reviewed, and after further meetings with their team, we will announce our final decision. Elections will take place swiftly following the necessary reforms."

The United Nations recently exposed the brutality of dictator Sheikh Hasina against students and citizens during the July uprising. As a result, Hasina's political career has come to an end, said Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "When the Chief Adviser called for a UN investigation at the end of August, many feared it would backfire. However, due to his steadfast decision, the world has now witnessed Hasina's true nature." The press secretary described this as a testament to the Chief Adviser’s political foresight.

In an interview with Anadolu, veteran Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad harshly criticized U.S. and EU support for Israel. "America and Europe, aiming to be great again, have backed Israel's genocide. This is nothing short of barbaric behavior," he stated. Earlier, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked that ignoring all moral values associated with modern civilization disqualifies nations from claiming to be civilized. Recent Israeli attacks in Gaza have resulted in 48,000 deaths, including a significant number of women and children.

Nasiruddin Patwari, convener of the Citizen Committee, informed journalists after attending a meeting of the National Consensus Commission that they have officially launched the fight for drafting a new constitution and holding Constituent Assembly elections. He mentioned that public opinion surveys are ongoing and a new political party will be announced this month. "In today's (Saturday) meeting, we stated that our party's political agenda will be the fight for a new constitution. We have freed Bangladesh from fascism, and we are beginning the battle for the Constituent Assembly elections to ensure that no new form of fascism takes hold in the country," he stated.

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, announced that they have formally proposed canceling the registration of the Awami League as the first step toward banning the party. He stated that this would render the party politically dysfunctional, aligning with the public mandate of August 5, which is expected to be institutionalized.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the National Consensus Commission, he said that all anti-fascist parties have reached the conclusion that the Awami League has become politically irrelevant. He urged the government to take legal steps to officially ban the party.

A new political party, led by young activists and students who spearheaded the recent mass uprising, is set to launch this month. In an interview, Advisor Nahid Islam stated that if he joins the party, he will first resign from the government. He added that the current administration has some stability, but forming a political party is now more urgent. He is considering the move and will make a final decision soon. Since the new party is launching this month, the nation can expect an official announcement shortly.

Despite significant progress, China’s Teesta Mega Project has not been implemented, and former state minister Asadul Habib Dulu blames India for the obstruction. He claimed, “Sheikh Hasina did not implement the project due to India’s objections. Our country, our land—but if it rains in Delhi, Hasina holds an umbrella in Bangladesh!” He also questioned whether India, which provides political shelter to Hasina, can truly be considered a friend of Bangladesh. Dulu argued that if the Teesta project were implemented, it would transform Rangpur into the most prosperous region in the country. “Hasina chose power over securing Teesta’s water for Bangladesh!” he remarked.

Following a dialogue between the National Consensus Commission and political parties on Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed optimism about reaching a swift consensus on political reforms. “We expect a national election to be held soon,” he stated. He also mentioned that Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has urged all parties to discuss the reform reports submitted by various commissions. According to him, the initial discussions have begun, and political parties have started presenting their views on the proposed reforms.

Following a meeting of the National Consensus Commission on Saturday night, Nurul Haque Nur stated, “Most political parties have expressed agreement on banning the Awami League. We wanted a decision on this matter today itself.” However, he noted that some parties believe conducting local government elections before making such a decision could lead to increased violence and conflict at the grassroots level, allowing the Awami League to regain ground. Nur dismissed this analysis, arguing that historical trends show elected governments can influence local elections. He also proposed restructuring the advisory council with politicians who will refrain from active politics for the next five years.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) reported that 59 leaders and activists of the Awami League and the banned Chhatra League have been arrested in the past two days across 16 police stations for allegedly planning to incite unrest. Among the detainees are individuals accused of attacking protesters in the anti-discrimination student movement. In the last 24 hours, 19 people were arrested in a special operation, while 40 were detained in the previous 24 hours. They face multiple charges under the Special Powers Act, Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Penal Code. The arrested individuals have been sent to jail following court procedures.