Commonwealth Secretary-General Sharlene Botchwey has expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. In a condolence message sent to Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Botchwey conveyed sympathy on behalf of the Commonwealth family. The message was released on Wednesday by the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

In her statement, Botchwey said she was deeply saddened by the news of Khaleda Zia’s passing and extended heartfelt condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh during this period of national mourning. She described Zia as a powerful figure in Bangladesh’s political arena and the country’s first female prime minister, who opened a new chapter in political leadership. Botchwey noted that Zia’s leadership across three terms reflected her unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Bangladeshi people.

The message further stated that Khaleda Zia’s legacy extended beyond Bangladesh, serving as an inspiration for women leaders across South Asia and Commonwealth nations. Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment in Dhaka and was buried with state honors the following day.

The Shibir-backed panel won the vice president (VP), general secretary (GS), and assistant general secretary (AGS) posts in the Jagannath University Central Students’ Union (JAKSU) election. The results were announced by the election commission around 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday after counting votes from 38 centers. Shibir-backed VP candidate Riazul Islam defeated BNP’s student wing (Chhatra Dal)-backed candidate A.K.M. Rakib by 876 votes, securing 5,564 votes against Rakib’s 4,688.

Following his defeat, Rakib posted a message on his Facebook account expressing gratitude to his supporters and campaigners. He thanked senior and junior students who worked tirelessly for his campaign and acknowledged the trust placed in him by voters. Rakib apologized for not achieving the expected result despite his best efforts.

The outcome marks a complete loss for the Chhatra Dal-backed panel in the top three positions of the JAKSU election, consolidating Shibir’s dominance in the university’s student leadership.

Ariful Islam Adib, senior joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), warned that the people of Bangladesh would give a strong response if any foreign country, including India, the United States, China, or Russia, attempted to interfere in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. He made the remarks on Wednesday afternoon while addressing a rally that began in Shahjadpur, Badda, and moved toward the Indian High Commission in Baridhara, Dhaka.

The rally was organized by the NCP’s Dhaka North unit as part of an “Anti-Hegemony March” marking 15 years since the killing of Felani Khatun at the border. Police stopped the procession before it reached the High Commission, prompting participants to deliver speeches and slogans on the Kuril-bound road. Adib called for the day to be declared “Felani Day” nationally and pledged that NCP members would defend Bangladesh’s sovereignty at any cost.

Speakers at the event accused India of interfering in Bangladesh’s politics and economy and demanded justice for border killings and other alleged crimes. They also called for international action against India for what they described as blatant interference in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s district leader Maulana Billal Hossain Miyaji has announced that his party will ensure justice for past violence against journalists if it comes to power. Speaking at a meeting with journalists at the Faridganj Press Club auditorium on Wednesday, January 7, he said the party would investigate the killing of journalists Sagar and Runi, the attack on editor Mahmudur Rahman, and other incidents of repression during what he described as a fascist government’s rule.

Miyaji, who is also a member of parliament for Chandpur-4 (Faridganj) and a candidate of the 12-party alliance, emphasized the importance of journalists as the mirror of the nation. He urged them to uphold truth and courage in their reporting, to expose irregularities and corruption, and to distinguish clearly between right and wrong.

The meeting was attended by local Jamaat leaders, including Yunus Helal and Advocate Shakhawat Hossain Patwari, as well as members of the Faridganj Press Club, with its president Mamunur Rashid Pathan presiding.

On Tuesday, January 7, Bangladesh Labour Party Chairman Dr. Mostafizur Rahman Iran issued a statement marking Felani Murder Day, condemning the continued killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border. He described the recurrence of such incidents as deeply concerning and a violation of Bangladesh’s sovereignty and human rights. The party called for an immediate end to border killings, exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, and effective diplomatic measures to protect national dignity.

Dr. Iran stated that the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians at the border constitutes a direct breach of international law and human rights conventions. He criticized what he termed the silence and submissive stance of the Hasina government, alleging that such behavior indirectly encourages these incidents. He further noted that the incomplete justice for Felani’s murder has fostered a culture of impunity among those responsible for border killings.

The Labour Party’s statement emphasized the need for urgent diplomatic initiatives to stop the killings and uphold Bangladesh’s sovereignty and human rights obligations.

NCP convener Nahid Islam has alleged that deliberate misinformation is being spread about his declared income and assets in his election affidavit. In a verified Facebook post on Wednesday, he said the campaign aims to cast doubt on a transparent politician rather than uncover the truth. He clarified that the reported annual income of 1.6 million taka represents his total earnings for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, including seven months of state-paid service as an interim government adviser and subsequent consultancy work at a private firm.

Nahid stated that his total assets amount to 3.2 million taka, accumulated over 27 years from savings, gifts, and legitimate income sources. He denied owning any land, flat, or car and said his two bank accounts are fully declared. He also rejected claims about his profession, explaining that his current role as a consultant at a tech firm is lawful and transparent. All income and asset details, he added, are verifiable through tax returns and legal declarations.

He argued that the misinformation campaign reflects discomfort with his limited wealth and transparent record, contrasting it with the lack of accountability faced by wealthier politicians.

Dr. Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that the upcoming referendum aims to ensure Bangladesh does not revert to a fascist system. He made the remarks on Wednesday during an online meeting via Zoom with 17,000 officials and field workers from the agriculture sector, providing guidance on referendum awareness. Riaz emphasized that this referendum offers a rare opportunity, possibly not to return for another five or ten years, to determine the country’s future direction.

As the chief coordinator of the referendum awareness campaign, Riaz highlighted the sacrifices made during the 2024 uprising and the past 16 years of struggle, urging officials to explain the referendum in simple terms and present it as a yes-no vote. Special Assistant Monir Haidar, attending as a guest, called for spontaneous participation to secure a democratic future and prevent the reemergence of authoritarian rule.

The Agriculture Ministry announced plans to raise public awareness through banners, leaflets, mobile vans, regional radio broadcasts, and a 24/7 hotline. The meeting was chaired by Agriculture Secretary Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, with ministry officials and field workers joining virtually.

A senior European Union official said discussions on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (PCA) between the EU and Bangladesh are approaching their final stage. The statement came during a meeting between Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, and Paola Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service, held at the state guesthouse Jamuna. The meeting covered bilateral relations, the upcoming national election and referendum, migration control, and trade and investment expansion.

Pampaloni noted that after two decades under a general partnership framework, formal talks on the PCA began in November 2024. She praised Dr. Yunus for his reform efforts and said the EU values these initiatives as Bangladesh’s largest political and trade partner. The EU announced it will send a high-level election observation mission for the February 12 national election, with its chief arriving this week for meetings with political leaders and authorities.

Dr. Yunus described the election and referendum as vital for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a free, fair, and peaceful vote.

Law enforcement agencies took up alert positions at Jagannath University on Wednesday as results of the university’s central student union election were being announced. Police officers were seen seated in rows with chairs in front of the university’s second gate, maintaining a visible presence to ensure order on campus.

According to the report, members of the police, Ansar, BNCC, and Rover Scouts were deployed across different parts of the campus to maintain security and control the movement of students and outsiders. The university administration implemented these measures to prevent any untoward incidents related to the election results.

The report also mentioned that candidates from the student organization Shibir were leading in several centers, with their vice president candidate reportedly ahead by 351 votes in 26 centers. Students gathered to watch the election results displayed on an LED screen at the campus.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen has expressed hope that Tarique Rahman will become Bangladesh’s next elected prime minister and lead the nation. The information was shared by BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir after a meeting between the ambassador and Tarique Rahman at the BNP chairperson’s political office in Gulshan on Wednesday. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, adviser Mahadi Amin, and press secretary Saleh Shibli were also present.

This was the first meeting between the Chinese ambassador and the BNP’s acting chairman. According to Humayun Kabir, the discussion took place in a cordial atmosphere, emphasizing China’s long-standing role as an important development partner of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman discussed BNP’s future development plans and how the party intends to implement its vision for national progress, while both sides talked about potential areas of cooperation.

During the meeting, the Chinese ambassador also conveyed condolences over the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, delivering official messages of sympathy from China’s president and prime minister.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman will begin his campaign for the upcoming parliamentary election from Sylhet on January 22, following visits to the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R.) and Shah Paran (R.). Party sources said he will travel to Sylhet the day after election symbols are allocated, marking his first visit to the city in 19 years. According to BNP’s tradition, Rahman will start the campaign with prayers at the shrines and a public rally.

BNP’s assistant organizing secretary Miftah Siddiqi confirmed preparations are underway for the event, including selecting a venue for the rally. Sylhet district BNP president Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury said Rahman will address the rally as chief guest after the shrine visits. Earlier, on January 4, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that Rahman would begin formal campaigning in Sylhet after assuming full chairmanship of the party.

Before the campaign launch, Rahman will start a nationwide tour on January 11, visiting four districts until January 14. Due to election conduct rules, he will not engage in campaign activities during that tour but will attend prayers and meet families of political martyrs.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the southern region and Jamaat-led alliance candidate for Cumilla-4, alleged that a political faction has aligned with what he termed an 'Indian mafia group' over the referendum issue. He made the remarks on Wednesday, January 7, during an election march at Fatehabad South Government Primary School field in Debidwar, Cumilla.

During his address, Hasnat questioned voters about their desire for elections under an independent commission and a corruption-free Bangladesh. He claimed that since 2009, leaders and activists of the BNP-Jamaat alliance have faced abductions, killings, and torture, while some political parties have acted under Indian influence. He also criticized sections of the media and corporate groups for allegedly supporting those he accused of betraying national interests.

Hasnat further stated that Bangladesh now faces two opposing sides—one of subservience and one of freedom—and urged police and administration officials to learn from past elections. The event included local Jamaat and NCP leaders and was chaired by Wali Ullah Sarkar of Fatehabad village.

A broom procession and protest rally were held in Muradnagar, Cumilla, on Wednesday in response to controversial remarks made by former adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan about BNP candidate and former five-time MP Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad. The demonstration began at the BNP office in Muradnagar and ended at Allah Chattar after marching through the main roads. The event was organized under the banner of the people of Muradnagar and attended by local BNP leaders and activists.

Speakers at the rally accused Asif Mahmud of spreading false and conspiratorial statements against Kaykobad to hide his own alleged corruption. They described Kaykobad as a tested and popular leader and claimed that a planned smear campaign was being conducted to undermine him. The speakers warned that any further conspiracy or falsehood against Kaykobad would lead to strict programs, including blocking the Dhaka–Chattogram highway.

The protesters also alleged that certain Facebook pages and online platforms were deliberately spreading rumors about Kaykobad and urged the administration to investigate and take immediate action.

At a discussion marking Felani Killing Day, United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) chief organizer Naeem Ahmad said that seeking justice for the killing of Bangladeshi teenager Felani Khatun in Indian courts is meaningless. The event was held at the organization’s central office, where speakers reflected on the 15 years since Felani was shot by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh–India border, yet her family has not received justice.

Ahmad recalled that the BSF shot Felani while she was crossing the border with her father to get married, and later attempts were made to label her family as cattle smugglers. He detailed that India’s General Security Forces Court acquitted BSF trooper Amiya Ghosh twice, in 2013 and 2015, and that a petition filed in India’s Supreme Court by rights group MASUM has seen no progress. Ahmad argued that relying solely on Indian courts is futile and urged the Bangladesh government to pursue coordinated diplomatic and legal action.

He called for implementing international law, enforcing the 2018 border agreement, and, if necessary, approaching international courts and the UN Human Rights Commission to ensure justice and prevent future border killings.

A senior European Union (EU) official said discussions on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CPA) between Bangladesh and the EU are close to being finalized. Paula Pampaloni, Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service, made the remarks during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka. The meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna covered ongoing CPA negotiations, the upcoming national election and referendum, illegal migration prevention, and trade and investment expansion.

Pampaloni noted that after 20 years under a general partnership framework, talks on the CPA began in November 2024. She praised Yunus for his “remarkable and extensive” reform efforts since assuming office, emphasizing that the EU values these reforms as Bangladesh’s largest political and trade partner. She added that the EU has closely observed and appreciated the interim government’s reform ambitions and expects the CPA to deepen bilateral ties and create major trade and investment opportunities.

The EU will send a high-level election observation mission for Bangladesh’s February 12 national election. Pampaloni said a successful democratic transition could elevate Bangladesh-EU relations to new heights, marking a new chapter between Dhaka and the EU.