BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has said that Sheikh Hasina’s children can return to politics if the people of Bangladesh accept them. He made the comment in an interview with a British news agency on Friday, responding to a question about whether Hasina’s children, currently abroad, could rejoin political life. Hasina left for India following the July mass uprising and has since been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal. Her children remain overseas, facing ongoing legal proceedings.

In the same interview with Reuters, Rahman rejected the idea of forming a coalition government with his main rival, Jamaat-e-Islami, after the upcoming election. He said it would be contradictory to form a government with political opponents. Rahman’s aides expressed optimism that the BNP would win more than two-thirds of the 300 parliamentary seats, with BNP candidates contesting 292 constituencies and allies competing in the rest.

Rahman also emphasized that any future government led by the BNP would seek partnerships that promote Bangladesh’s economic growth and protect national sovereignty, without aligning exclusively with any single country.

Hasnat Abdullah, the southern regional organizer of the NCP, called on voters to support the scale symbol in the upcoming election during an eleven-party alliance rally held at Daratana Bhairab Square in Jessore on Saturday at 11 a.m. He described the election as a struggle between honest citizens and those involved in corruption and extortion, urging people to wear the paddy sheaf symbol but cast their votes for the scale.

Abdullah said the election had divided the nation into two camps: one supporting foreign influence and opposing religious values, and the other standing for justice and independence. He condemned police attacks on Inquilab Mancha activists, asserting that the police serve the entire population, not any political party. He warned those who had served one party over the past 17 years of consequences witnessed in the July uprising.

He termed the election a chance to cleanse the nation’s dishonor and urged voters to reach polling centers by 7 a.m. on the 12th and guard them until results are finalized. Other speakers also called for public support for the “Yes” vote.

The women’s wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Gabtali, Bogura organized a major rally on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Gabtali Pilot School field. The event was held to protest incidents of harassment against women and to express support for Golam Rabbani, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Bogura-7 (Gabtali-Shajahanpur) parliamentary seat. Following the gathering, participants marched through several streets of the Thana headquarters in a large procession.

The rally was presided over by Maulana Yunus Ali, the Amir of Gabtali Upazila Jamaat. Golam Rabbani attended as the chief guest, while Nurul Islam Saddam, president of the central Islami Chhatra Shibir, served as the main speaker. Other notable guests included Abdul Haque Sarkar, Amir of Bogura District Jamaat, along with Mazeda Samad and Rafia Sultana Rafi.

The event combined political campaigning with a protest message, highlighting both women’s safety concerns and local electoral mobilization in support of the Jamaat candidate.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has warned that any conspiracy surrounding the upcoming February 12 election will face a strong response. Speaking at an election rally in Nilphamari at 2:07 p.m. on Saturday, he accused an unnamed party of plotting due to fear of defeat and said future politics would focus on rebuilding the country.

During the rally, Rahman outlined several development pledges, including expanding the Nilphamari Export Processing Zone, upgrading Syedpur Airport to international standards, and transforming Nilphamari into an industrial hub. He also promised to initiate a master plan for the Teesta Barrage project if his party comes to power and to provide training programs to enhance women’s economic empowerment and employment.

Rahman announced plans to introduce “Family Cards” and “Agriculture Cards” to help farmers access loans, fertilizers, and pesticides easily. He added that up to Tk 10,000 in agricultural loans would be waived for farmers if BNP candidates win, and the government would repay loans taken from registered NGOs.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party will begin work on the Teesta Barrage master plan as soon as possible if it comes to power. He made the statement during an election rally in Nilphamari at 2:07 p.m. on Saturday. Rahman also promised training programs to enhance women’s economic independence and employment opportunities.

During the rally, he outlined plans to expand the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari and upgrade Syedpur Airport to international standards. He said the district would be developed into an industrial region. Rahman emphasized that the future of politics should focus on rebuilding the country and warned that any conspiracy surrounding the February 12 election would be met with a strong response.

The remarks reflect BNP’s campaign priorities centered on infrastructure development, industrial expansion, and women’s empowerment ahead of the upcoming national election.

At a press conference held on Saturday at the National Press Club in Dhaka, the civic group Citizens for Good Governance (Sujon) revealed that 832 candidates in Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election have annual incomes below 500,000 taka, representing about 41 percent of the total 2,026 candidates. The findings were based on an analysis of affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.

Sujon’s data further showed that 95 candidates reported annual incomes exceeding 10 million taka, while 741 earn between 500,000 and 2.5 million taka. Another 132 candidates earn between 2.5 and 5 million taka, and 71 between 5 and 10 million taka. A total of 155 candidates did not fill in their income information. Among those earning over 10 million taka annually, 51 are from the BNP, 25 are independents, and five are from the Jatiya Party.

The analysis also indicated a slight decline in both high- and low-income candidates compared with the previous election, where 8.77 percent earned over 10 million taka and 45 percent earned under 500,000 taka. This year, those figures stand at 4.59 percent and 41 percent respectively.

Rashed Pradhan, vice president and spokesperson of the National Democratic Party (JAGPA), issued a statement on Saturday condemning a police attack on the Inquilab stage in front of Jamuna, Dhaka. The attack occurred during a protest demanding justice for the killing of July fighter Shaheed Osman bin Hadi. Pradhan alleged that fascist and foreign agents were hiding within the interim government and must be identified.

In his statement, Pradhan claimed that after the attack, leaders of the Chhatra Dal celebrated on social media and through phone calls. He accused those opposing the “Yes” vote of supporting the violence, suggesting that orders for the attack came from Delhi to Gulshan and then to law enforcement. He further alleged that both Chhatra Dal and Chhatra League members disguised themselves to prepare for renewed attacks during a protest at Shahbagh.

Pradhan also claimed that meetings were held in Delhi to plan joint sabotage by Awami League and BNP on February 11 to disrupt the February 12 election, asserting that student groups and allied parties were ready to defend the country for the next five years.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Noakhali-4 constituency and district Ameer Md. Ishaq Khondaker stated that his party would not engage in fake voting and would resist anyone attempting to cast fraudulent ballots. He made the remarks on Friday night during a press briefing at the Jamaat office in Maijdee, the district town. Khondaker also condemned what he described as the humiliation and harassment of women, expressing strong protest against such actions.

During the briefing, Khondaker alleged that an ID hacking incident had occurred and criticized a major political leader for making inappropriate comments about the matter. He said arrests had been made and investigations were ongoing. He defended the Jamaat Ameer, describing him as respectful toward women and incapable of making offensive remarks.

Khondaker further accused unnamed groups of distributing fake “family cards” and collecting money under false pretenses, calling it a form of fraud and deception. Several local Jamaat leaders and alliance candidates were present at the press conference.

BNP Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson and chairman’s adviser Mahdi Amin alleged that a political party is preparing for planned election engineering. Speaking at a press conference at the BNP’s Gulshan office in Dhaka on Saturday, he cited the recovery of six illegal ballot seals in Lakshmipur as evidence, claiming they were made under the instruction of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader. He said the incident, along with reports of mass production of burqas and niqabs for fraudulent voting, indicates a conspiracy to influence the election.

Amin urged the Election Commission to ensure adequate female polling officers in women’s booths and to enforce voter identification by unveiling faces, as per existing regulations. He also warned of previous incidents where the same party allegedly collected NID and mobile payment numbers and noted reports of extra ballot printing. Additionally, he expressed concern over irregularities in election observer approvals, citing one little-known organization receiving disproportionate authorization.

He called on the Election Commission and the interim government to take necessary steps to guarantee a level playing field for a free, fair, and neutral election.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman will participate in a total of 14 election rallies across various constituencies in Dhaka city. BNP Chairperson’s adviser Mahdi Amin announced this at a press conference in Gulshan on Saturday, February 7, 2026. According to the schedule, Rahman will address six rallies in Dhaka North constituencies on Sunday, February 8, and eight rallies in Dhaka South constituencies on Monday.

On Sunday, he will speak at rallies in constituencies including Dhaka-17, Dhaka-16, Dhaka-15, Dhaka-14, Dhaka-13, and Dhaka-11, with events scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The following day, he will attend rallies in Dhaka-17, Dhaka-10, Dhaka-8, Dhaka-9, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-4, Dhaka-6, and Dhaka-7, beginning at 11:00 a.m. and continuing through the evening.

The announcement highlights BNP’s intensified campaign activities in the capital ahead of upcoming elections, with Rahman personally addressing voters in both northern and southern parts of Dhaka.

Former Water Resources Minister and ex-MP for Thakurgaon-1 constituency Ramesh Chandra Sen died after falling ill in prison on Saturday, February 7, 2026. He was taken to the emergency department of Dinajpur Medical College Hospital at 9:29 a.m., where doctors declared him dead. Prison authorities said he suddenly became ill in Dinajpur District Jail that morning, and his condition deteriorated before he could reach the hospital.

According to jail officials, Sen had been in custody since August 16, when Thakurgaon police arrested him and sent him to Thakurgaon District Jail. The next day, he was transferred to Dinajpur District Jail, where he remained detained in connection with three cases, including a murder case. Sources described him as a well-known and influential political figure in Thakurgaon who had long been associated with the Awami League and served as Water Resources Minister.

News of his death has cast a shadow of grief over the political community in Thakurgaon and the northern region, with political leaders and supporters expressing condolences to his bereaved family.

A violent clash occurred in Ujolpur village of Darshana upazila, Chuadanga, on the night of February 6, when BNP activists allegedly attacked a Jamaat office and assaulted its workers. According to Begumpur Union Jamaat Ameer Mosharaf Hossain, two BNP members, Aslam and Shahjahan, entered the Jamaat office during a rally and began pushing and verbally abusing workers. When they were asked to leave, they returned with sticks, vandalized the office, and injured two Jamaat activists, Hasan Tarek and Mehedi Hasan. Later, Jamaat’s municipal Ameer Shahikul Alam Apu was also attacked while visiting the injured.

The incident led to heightened tension in the area as BNP supporters reportedly gathered at Darshana bus stand. Police, army, and BGB forces were deployed overnight to restore order. Jamaat leaders said they are preparing to file a case, while Chuadanga-2 constituency candidate and district Ameer Md. Ruhul Amin condemned the attack and urged calm among party members.

Darshana police confirmed that three people were injured—two from Jamaat and one from BNP—and that both parties have filed or are preparing complaints for further investigation.

A total of 422,960 postal ballots from expatriate voters have arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. The information was confirmed on Saturday by Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration. As of 10:15 a.m., 766,862 ballots had been sent to registered expatriates through the Postal Vote BD app, with 527,033 ballots received and 494,185 votes already cast. Additionally, 468,091 expatriate voters have submitted their ballots to postal services abroad, and returning officers have so far received 225,168 of them.

The Election Commission has also begun sending postal ballots to voters residing within the country under the ICPV system. So far, 694,146 domestic registered voters have been sent ballots, of which 381,007 have received them. Among these, 321,695 have voted, and 276,272 have submitted their ballots to post offices or drop boxes. Returning officers have received 83,942 domestic ballots.

In total, 1,533,684 voters at home and abroad have registered through the Postal Vote BD app to participate in the election and referendum via postal ballots.

The political alliance July Oikya announced a 'Rally for Bangladesh' program to be held at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday at 3 p.m., where it will issue a strong call for 'India Out'. The rally is being organized to protest India's alleged sheltering of those involved in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi and the 2024 mass uprising, its dominance in international forums including the ICC, its interference in the last four national elections, and what the group describes as anti-sovereignty conspiracies ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming thirteenth national election.

According to the announcement, representatives from various political parties, revolutionary organizations, and social movements will participate in the gathering. Following the assembly, a protest march will proceed from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shaheed Osman Hadi Chattar, intended to express public anger and resistance against what organizers term Indian aggression and collaborator politics.

The event is presented as part of July Oikya’s broader campaign to uphold the spirit of the 2024 mass uprising and to assert Bangladesh’s sovereignty in the face of perceived external interference.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to establish a university, cadet college, medical college, airport and IT hub in Thakurgaon. He made the announcement on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. during an election rally held at Thakurgaon Government Boys High School ground. Rahman said the initiatives aim to advance the country and transform Thakurgaon, Nilphamari, Dinajpur and Panchagarh into industrial regions. He urged voters to support the BNP symbol to implement these plans.

Rahman stated that the upcoming February 12 election would restore citizens’ voting rights, which he claimed had been taken away. He criticized the past 16 years of rule as self-serving and promised to form a government with public support to achieve food self-sufficiency. He also announced plans to reopen sugar, tea and ration industries in Panchagarh and emphasized developing agriculture-based industries to create employment.

He added that the BNP seeks to rebuild the nation with people’s cooperation, ensuring justice and unity among all religions, and reaffirmed that religion would not be used as a basis for judgment in the country.