Jaima Rahman, daughter of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has recently drawn notable attention within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party after returning to the country with her family. Although she holds no official party position, her participation in select events since December 2025 has sparked curiosity among party members and observers. Political analysts suggest that BNP is gradually introducing her to the public eye, possibly signaling a message of leadership continuity within the party.

Some observers believe Jaima’s emergence is part of a broader strategy to attract young and female voters ahead of the next parliamentary election. Her recent public appearances include a policy discussion on women’s role in nation-building, a youth-focused creative competition, and cultural events in Dhaka. Despite her growing visibility, she has yet to appear on the main election campaign stage.

Jaima, a barrister trained in the United Kingdom, has described herself as a communications strategist and corporate lawyer. Her increasing engagement in public and party-related activities has been widely covered by national media and BNP’s official social media channels.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government is prepared to listen to the problems of the Iranian people. He made the remarks in a televised speech on Saturday, during which he accused former U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and European countries of inciting recent protests in Iran. Pezeshkian claimed these foreign actors sought to divide the nation and spread hatred among its people.

He stated that normal protests do not involve violence, killings of military personnel, or attacks on ambulances and markets. According to him, the government should sit with demonstrators, hear their concerns, and find solutions. Pezeshkian added that foreign powers exploited Iran’s internal issues to provoke unrest and divide society.

Iranian authorities have acknowledged that more than 3,000 people were killed in the recent protests, saying most victims were security forces or bystanders killed by “rioters.” However, rights groups have claimed the actual death toll is likely much higher.

National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan said there is no alternative to the scale symbol to free the country from corruption and extortion. He made the remarks on Saturday morning at the 'March for Scale' election rally held at Rahim Uddin Degree College field in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura. Bhuiyan urged voters to support the scale symbol and recalled that during a previous authoritarian period, some districts faced regional discrimination based solely on identity. He stated that as an interim government adviser on youth and sports, he decided that no district should face such discrimination for political reasons.

Bhuiyan also outlined development plans for the region, including construction of an underpass in Santahar municipality to ease railway congestion and a flyover in Dupchanchia to reduce traffic. He mentioned plans to establish factories to increase employment and economic stability in the area. The rally was presided over by upazila Jamaat Amir Hafez Atowar Hossain, where Bhuiyan introduced Nur Muhammad Abu Taher as the NCP candidate for Bogura-3 constituency.

Several local and district-level leaders from NCP and Jamaat addressed the event as special guests, expressing support for the scale symbol and the party’s development agenda.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has alleged widespread attacks, threats, and violations of the electoral code against its campaigners across several districts. At a press conference held on Saturday afternoon at the party’s central office in Moghbazar, Assistant Secretary General and head of the publicity and media department Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the killing of Jamaat leader Rezaul Karim in Jhenaigati, Sherpur. He said the attacks appeared aimed at spreading fear among voters and warned that fascism, extortion, and terrorism would have no place in the future of Bangladesh.

Zubair stated that information on these incidents had been shared with returning officers and law enforcement agencies, and a memorandum would be submitted to the Election Commission on Sunday. He cited multiple incidents, including the killings of Jamaat figures Sharif Osman Hadi and Shariful Islam, assaults on activists in Gaibandha, Bhola, and other districts, and alleged involvement of BNP members in violent acts. Jamaat warned that failure to arrest identified attackers could jeopardize a fair election and lead to further party action.

The press conference was attended by members of Jamaat’s national election management committee, including Zahidur Rahman and Oliullah Noman.

In the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) parliamentary constituency, election activities have gained momentum ahead of the upcoming national polls. Candidates are holding rallies, market meetings, and door-to-door campaigns from early morning until late night. Family members of the contenders have also joined the field, directly engaging with voters and sharing promises. With paper posters absent this year, digital banners and festoons dominate the streets, while parties compete creatively to attract young voters.

The main contest has emerged between BNP’s veteran politician and former MP Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and the 10-party alliance candidate, Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Shishir Monir, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami. Despite some health issues, Nasir continues active campaigning across villages, while Shishir focuses on social media outreach and community engagement, including farmers, laborers, expatriates, and third-gender groups. Local residents express divided support, with some praising Nasir’s liberation war legacy and others viewing Shishir as a symbol of development and trust.

As election day approaches, excitement and speculation grow over who will lead Dirai-Shalla next, marking a generational contest between experience and youth.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman addressed an election campaign rally in Sherpur, Bogura, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, while returning to Dhaka from a northern Bangladesh tour. Speaking at the event for BNP candidate Golam Mohammad Siraj in the Bogura-5 (Sherpur-Dhunat) constituency, he expressed gratitude for visiting Bogura after 19 years and called on voters to support the BNP’s 'sheaf of paddy' symbol in the upcoming February 12 election. Rahman said the people of Bangladesh recognize Bogura as a BNP stronghold and urged residents to reaffirm that reputation through their votes.

Thousands of party leaders, activists, and local residents gathered along the Dhunatmor area to welcome Rahman, waving and cheering as his motorcade passed. He stated that whenever the BNP has governed, it has worked for national and local development, promising continued progress if elected again. Several senior BNP leaders from district and upazila levels accompanied him during the visit.

The rally highlighted the party’s effort to consolidate support in Bogura ahead of the February 12 vote.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman appeared on the stage of an election rally at the BSCIC Industrial Park in Sirajganj on Saturday afternoon. He was accompanied by his wife, Zubaida Rahman. As he stepped onto the stage around 3 p.m., party leaders, activists, and supporters greeted him with applause. Rahman responded by waving to the crowd.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman traveled by road from Bogura to Sirajganj earlier in the day. Thousands of BNP leaders and activists from various upazilas of Sirajganj and from Pabna gathered at the venue from the morning to see him. By noon, the rally ground and nearby roads were filled with people.

The event marked a significant campaign appearance by the BNP chairperson ahead of the upcoming election, drawing large participation from party supporters in the region.

In Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency, Akibul Haque, son of BNP candidate Enamul Haque Enam, actively campaigned on Friday afternoon seeking votes for the paddy sheaf symbol. The campaign rally, organized by the local BNP at Bypass Road in Bhati Khain Union’s Ward 7, drew a large crowd of party leaders, activists, and residents. Akibul Haque urged voters to support his father, promising to fulfill local demands if elected.

District BNP leader Mofazzal Ahmad Chowdhury attended as chief guest, while Morshedul Shafi Hiru, former joint finance secretary of South District BNP, served as the main speaker. Hiru said the working class would vote for the paddy sheaf symbol, praising Enam’s long struggle and dedication to the party. Enamul Haque Enam stated that BNP believes in non-communal values and is committed to protecting the rights and religious freedom of all communities.

He pledged to make Patiya free from drugs, terrorism, and youth gangs if elected in the upcoming 13th national election, emphasizing good governance, employment creation, and overall development as his main goals.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region and the 11-party alliance candidate for Comilla-4 (Debidwar), pledged to take strong action against extortionists, drug traders, and loan defaulters if elected. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at an election rally held at Bonkot Government Primary School field in Gunaighar South Union of Debidwar upazila.

During his speech, Abdullah urged voters not to support extortionists, drug dealers, or tender manipulators, emphasizing that drugs, extortion, and the public cannot coexist. He criticized the political culture of compromise with such groups and accused some local leaders of long-standing involvement with drug lords. He also warned voters to be cautious of candidates who pretend to be pious before elections and alleged that rival activists were issuing threats of post-election violence.

Abdullah called on voters to remain united until results are announced and urged women voters to campaign actively for his symbol, the ‘Shapla Koli’.

A public event featuring rival candidates for the Sunamganj-4 parliamentary constituency was held on Saturday at the premises of the Heritage Museum, organized by Sujan–Citizens for Good Governance, Sunamganj district committee. During the session, candidates responded to various questions from voters and pledged to ensure a fair and peaceful parliamentary election.

The event was presided over by district Sujan president Nurul Haque Afindi and conducted by general secretary Fazlul Karim Saeed. Among the speakers were Sujan advisers Syed Mohibul Islam and Sukhendu Sen, vice president Ali Haider, independent candidate Dewan Zainul Zakerin, Jatiya Party-nominated candidate Advocate Nazmul Huda Himel, and Islami Andolan-nominated candidate Shahidul Islam Palashi. The candidates assured voters of addressing local issues, including infrastructure development in the district town, if elected.

The gathering reflected an effort to promote accountability and transparency in the electoral process through direct engagement between candidates and the electorate.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central secretary general, Mia Golam Parwar, alleged that two or three political parties have plundered Bangladesh for the past 54 years. Speaking as the chief guest at a rally held at Hasan Ali High School field in Chandpur on January 31, 2026, he said one of those parties now seeks to return to power but has failed the people’s test since August 5. Earlier that day, he also addressed an election gathering in the Chandpur-4 (Faridganj) constituency.

Parwar urged citizens to vote for the “Dhal” (balance scale) symbol on February 12 and support constitutional amendments proposed by Jamaat. He said the party aims to build a zakat-based, interest-free Bangladesh free from extortion and corruption. He accused rival groups of destroying the judiciary and warned that if they regain power, justice would remain elusive.

The event, presided over by Chandpur city Jamaat leader Advocate Shahjahan Khan, featured several speakers from allied Islamist and political organizations, including Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Natore-1 (Lalpur–Bagatipara) parliamentary constituency, urged voters to support the 'Dharipalla' symbol for building a just and fair state. He made the call on Saturday during his election campaign in Fakuaddiard Union of Bagatipara upazila, where he met with local residents and discussed their concerns and expectations. Azad stated that the people's long-standing hopes for development, justice, and a corruption-free administration inspired his commitment to work sincerely toward realizing their aspirations.

Throughout the day, Azad conducted door-to-door visits, street meetings, courtyard gatherings, and public outreach programs across various wards of the union. Local Jamaat leaders, including Anwar Hossain Mujahid, Amjad Hossain, Akbar Hossain, and others, joined the campaign, emphasizing that honest and capable leadership can only be established through public support and unity.

Large numbers of voters reportedly attended the campaign events, reflecting active local engagement ahead of the upcoming election.

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-4 (Shyampur-Kadamtali) and Dhaka South BNP member secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin announced that his party has planned a 'Family Card' program aimed at ensuring women’s security and economic self-reliance. Speaking at a street rally in Ward 52 under Kadamtali police station on Saturday, he said the initiative is part of eight broader plans the BNP would implement if it forms the next government after the February 12 national election.

Robin explained that the BNP’s plans include introducing an 'Agriculture Card' to support farmers with fertilizer, advice, and bank loans, ensuring no one is deprived due to financial hardship. He also outlined proposals to expand education subsidies, promote multilingual training, and enhance sports and cultural activities for children to prevent drug addiction. The plans further include improving healthcare by establishing free public hospitals under each city corporation and reopening closed mills and factories to create employment opportunities.

He added that creating a pollution-free environment is another key goal, with BNP intending to develop open parks for safe recreation and free intellectual engagement.

The United States federal government has entered a shutdown for the second time in three months due to complications in passing a funding bill. According to AFP, the proposed spending package for various government sectors failed to receive final approval before the deadline. The bill passed the Senate but did not reach the House of Representatives by midnight Saturday, triggering the shutdown.

The political standoff comes amid heightened tensions following the death of a U.S. citizen, Alex Pretty, during an anti-immigration operation in Minnesota. President Donald Trump, in his second term since January 2025, had signed executive orders intensifying immigration crackdowns and increasing the Homeland Security budget, moves strongly opposed by Democrats. Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, while Democrats control the House, where opposition leader Chuck Schumer warned against approving the bill without budget revisions.

Political analysts cited in the report suggest that a bipartisan compromise could be reached within the week, potentially ending the shutdown by next week.

The article explores the historical and philosophical evolution of the slogan ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ and its renewed prominence in Bangladesh’s recent political landscape. It notes that during the July uprising against the Awami League government, the slogan gained popularity among young protesters and was later echoed at the launch of the National Citizens Party (NCP), where leaders concluded speeches with the same phrase. The slogan, meaning ‘Long Live the Revolution,’ symbolizes resistance against oppression and the pursuit of justice and freedom.

Tracing its origins, the report cites Indian historian Irfan Habib, who wrote that Maulana Hasrat Mohani first used the slogan in 1921, later popularized by Bhagat Singh during India’s independence movement. The piece also highlights the slogan’s philosophical depth, linking it to leftist ideals and its use in various anti-colonial and social movements across South Asia. In Bangladesh, figures such as activist Pinaki Bhattacharya and martyr Osman Hadi have helped revive its relevance.

Analyst Mohiuddin Ahmed clarifies that the NCP’s use of the slogan reflects a centrist rather than communist ideology, emphasizing continuity with the spirit of revolution rather than ideological alignment.