Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning in a plane crash while traveling from Mumbai to Baramati. The small aircraft carrying him went down near Baramati airport as it attempted to land, resulting in the deaths of five people, including Pawar. Preliminary reports suggest that the victims may include the pilot and members of his security team. The crash occurred around an hour after the plane took off from Mumbai at approximately 8 a.m.

Images and videos from the site showed wreckage scattered across the area, with fire and smoke visible as ambulances and rescue teams arrived quickly. Injured individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether mechanical failure or weather conditions contributed to the crash.

Pawar had been en route to attend four major public meetings in Baramati ahead of local government elections. His sudden death has cast a shadow of grief over Maharashtra’s political community, with leaders and organizations expressing deep condolences.

The Election Inquiry and Judicial Officer has issued a show-cause notice to BNP candidate Hafiz Ibrahim from Bhola-2 (Daulatkhan-Borhanuddin) constituency for allegedly violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice, signed by District Civil Judge Md. Suman Hossain on Tuesday, instructs Ibrahim to respond by January 29 either in person or through an authorized representative.

According to the notice, the allegation was filed by Md. Nur Islam on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Maulana Fazlul Karim. The complaint claims that on the evening of January 25, supporters of the BNP candidate allegedly attacked and intimidated Jamaat activists on their way to the party office, which constitutes a clear breach of the 13th parliamentary election code of conduct.

The notice further states that Ibrahim must explain why legal action should not be recommended to the Election Commission. This is the first instance in the district where a candidate has been served such a notice.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that cultural activists will be at the forefront of the party’s democratic movement and that the newly launched campaign song will touch people’s hearts. He made the remarks on Tuesday at the Banani Club in Dhaka during the inauguration of the viral ‘Dhaner Shish’ election song, which he believes will inspire renewed enthusiasm among the public ahead of the upcoming election.

Rizvi emphasized that throughout history, cultural workers have led political struggles, noting that songs written during times of oppression became voices of protest even beyond Bangladesh’s borders. He praised the song’s creators, including composer Ethun Babu and singer Moushumi, expressing confidence that their work captures the emotional power of the BNP’s ‘Dhaner Shish’ symbol. He also highlighted the role of literature, music, and poetry in social transformation, citing artists such as Kazi Nazrul Islam and Salil Chowdhury.

Rizvi expressed hope that the campaign song will win the hearts of voters, strengthen the democratic movement, and encourage citizens to assert their rights through voting.

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan issued a strong warning against fascism during a rally at Cumilla Town Hall field on Tuesday evening, January 27, 2026. He condemned an alleged attack on Nasir Uddin Patowary by Chhatra Dal activists and said that if any group behaves like a fascist government, they will face similar consequences. Asif declared that the people will not tolerate oppression.

He reiterated his earlier proposal to form a Cumilla Division following a mass uprising, emphasizing that it should be named after Cumilla and implemented through an upper house meeting. Asif urged citizens to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum regardless of symbol and said that while opposition parties faced repression under the Awami League government, the situation has now changed and people will no longer remain silent.

Asif also criticized delays in constructing the Cumilla City Corporation building, alleging political interference, and pledged voting rights from age 16 and job guarantees for youth. He accused the BNP of spreading false propaganda about fake family card distribution.

Mahdi Amin, adviser to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman and spokesperson for the party’s election management committee, criticized the behavior of Nasiruddin Patwari, the NCP candidate for Dhaka-8, alleging that he began campaigning before the official period and displayed arrogance and sensationalism. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Amin said Patwari’s remarks and actions aimed to attract attention through controversy.

Referring to a recent egg-throwing incident involving Patwari at Habibullah Bahar College, Amin described it as unfortunate but questioned the immediate accusation by NCP convener Nahid Islam that BNP supporters were behind it. He cited the college authorities’ statement that Patwari had not been invited and that ordinary students had prevented his entry. Amin argued that linking Tarique Rahman’s name to incidents without proof reflected a fascist political culture reminiscent of past authoritarian practices.

He urged all parties to act responsibly to prevent the election from turning into an irrational spectacle, emphasizing the need for awareness and restraint during the campaign period.

A ten-party alliance organized a large-scale election showdown in support of Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated candidate Advocate Alfaruk Abdul Latif in the Nilphamari-2 constituency. The event took place on Tuesday afternoon, beginning at DC Mor and proceeding through the town’s main roads before concluding at Krishifarm Shaheed Rubel Square. The procession covered approximately five kilometers, ending with speeches from several political figures.

Speakers at the rally included Advocate Alfaruk Abdul Latif, Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union Vice President Mostakur Rahman Zahid, district Jamaat executive member and freedom fighter Moniruzzaman Montu, city Jamaat chief Professor Anwarul Islam, and assistant secretary Advocate Anisur Rahman Azad. The event demonstrated coordinated support from the ten-party alliance for the Jamaat candidate ahead of the upcoming election.

The large turnout and organized procession highlighted the alliance’s efforts to mobilize voters in Nilphamari-2, signaling intensified campaign activity in the constituency.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued detailed instructions on the cancellation of postal ballots for the upcoming national election scheduled on February 12, 2026. Deputy Secretary Mohammad Monir Hossain sent a directive to all returning officers specifying that ballots will be invalidated if they lack a declaration form, voter signature, or contain marks on multiple symbols. Ballots with unclear markings, no markings, or symbols other than tick or cross will also be rejected.

The EC further clarified that postal ballots arriving after the start of counting or affected by court-ordered candidate list changes will not be included in the count. Invalid ballots must be sealed in designated envelopes, with totals recorded in the official result statement. Additionally, ballots invalidated due to duplicate or unscanned QR codes must be stored separately and accounted for.

A total of 1.533 million voters, including government employees, prisoners, law enforcement members, and expatriates, have registered to vote by postal ballot in this election.

The government has promoted 118 joint secretaries to the rank of additional secretary under the Ministry of Public Administration. The promotion order was issued on Tuesday night, signed by Deputy Secretary Mohammad Rafiqul Haque on behalf of the President. According to ministry officials, the promoted officers belong to the 20th batch, with 118 selected out of 407 eligible officers.

The official notification stated that if any officer has already changed their workplace, they must submit their joining letter mentioning the current office name and address. It also noted that the authorities reserve the right to amend or cancel the order if any adverse information about a promoted officer is later found. The newly promoted officials are instructed to submit their joining letters directly to the Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration or via email.

The order takes immediate effect, marking a significant administrative reshuffle within the public administration structure.

A Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami member in Purbadhala, Netrokona, has alleged that his business establishment was attacked, vandalized, and looted late Monday night. The incident reportedly occurred around midnight when an armed group entered the premises of Suruzzaman’s ‘Nawroz Computer Training and Coaching Center’ and adjacent grocery shop ‘Family Shop’. Jamaat leaders held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at their upazila office on Roushan Ara Road, demanding the arrest of those responsible.

According to the written statement read by district Jamaat assistant secretary and local parliamentary candidate Mashum Mostafa, the attackers looted computers, printers, cameras, a motorcycle, and various goods worth about Tk 902,450. Jamaat leaders accused BNP and its affiliated organizations of involvement in the attack, calling for exemplary punishment. BNP leaders, however, denied any connection, claiming Jamaat had been distributing goods to voters ahead of the election, which caused local resentment but not the attack itself.

Purbadhala police officer-in-charge Md Didarul Islam said he had heard about the incident but had not yet received a formal complaint. He stated that legal action would be taken once a complaint is filed.

Five leaders of the Kamalganj upazila and municipal units of the BNP under Moulvibazar-4 constituency have been relieved of their organizational positions for allegedly violating party discipline and engaging in anti-organizational activities. The decision was announced in a press release issued by the Moulvibazar district BNP on Monday night, signed by convener Md. Faizul Karim Moyun and member secretary Md. Abdur Rahim Ripon. The order took immediate effect.

The expelled leaders are Alom Parvez Chowdhury Sohel, Iqbal Parvez Chowdhury Shahin, Shafiqul Rahman, Abdus Shahid, and Haji Noman Ahmad. The action followed allegations from BNP’s nominated candidate for Moulvibazar-4, Haji Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, who claimed that several local leaders were working against the party’s official candidate symbol. Meanwhile, former district BNP member Mohsin Mia Madhu is contesting as an independent candidate with the football symbol.

The district BNP also instructed party members and affiliated organizations not to maintain organizational contact with the expelled individuals. Earlier, on January 19, five other Kamalganj BNP leaders, including a joint convener, were removed on similar charges.

Singer Asif Akbar campaigned for BNP candidate Jasim Uddin in Cumilla-5 constituency on Tuesday, joining a public outreach event at Sahebabad Bazar in Brahmanpara. During the gathering, Asif urged residents of Burichang and Brahmanpara to vote for the BNP’s symbol, the paddy sheaf, in the upcoming election scheduled for February 12. He expressed his intention to continue campaigning across the country in support of the BNP.

Jasim Uddin, the BNP candidate for Cumilla-5, thanked Asif Akbar for visiting his constituency and said that local party members were delighted by the artist’s presence. Leaders and activists from the Brahmanpara units of BNP, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and other affiliated organizations were also present at the event.

The campaign appearance highlighted the involvement of cultural figures in local political activities as the election date approaches.

BNP-nominated candidate for Sylhet-2 constituency (Bishwanath–Osmaninagar), Tahsina Rushdir Luna, called on voters to support the party’s paddy-sheaf symbol to ensure justice for all enforced disappearances and killings, including that of missing leader M Ilias Ali. She made the appeal on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, while addressing an election rally organized by Tajpur Union BNP in Osmaninagar upazila.

During her speech, Luna criticized what she described as the rule of a fugitive autocrat, alleging that people were deprived of voting rights and the country was pushed toward economic collapse through state fund misappropriation. She said that although those rulers fled the country, their associates were still involved in creating unrest. Luna urged unity to implement BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s people-centered state-building plan, promising restoration of democracy, rule of law, and accelerated development in the constituency.

She also recalled the contributions of missing leader Ilias Ali, crediting him for realizing the long-cherished dream of the Kushiyara dyke project and pledging to continue development if her party wins.

A violent clash broke out between supporters of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami in Bhojeshwar area of Naria upazila, Shariatpur, on Tuesday afternoon, reportedly over a Facebook post. At least 12 people from both sides were injured in the incident. The confrontation began after a Jamaat activist allegedly made an offensive comment about a BNP female activist who had recently campaigned for the 'No Vote' movement.

According to police and local sources, the dispute started as an argument and quickly escalated into a physical clash with sticks, spreading panic in the area. Police, local administration, and army personnel arrived promptly and brought the situation under control. The injured were taken to Naria Upazila Health Complex and other hospitals for treatment.

Naria Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Bahar Mia confirmed that the situation is now under control, with additional police deployed to prevent further unrest. Executive Magistrate Laki Das stated that necessary measures have been taken to maintain law and order and that legal action will follow after investigation.

Gono Odhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur held a press conference on Tuesday at the Golachipa Upazila BNP office, accusing expelled BNP leader and independent candidate Hasan Mamun of carrying out attacks, vandalism, and issuing threats in the Patuakhali-3 (Golachipa-Dashmina) constituency. Nur alleged that Mamun’s supporters assaulted his campaign workers, vandalized vehicles, and intimidated supporters by visiting their homes. He cited incidents in Alipura, Charkapalbera, and Charborhan, where several activists were reportedly beaten and campaign offices vandalized.

Nur claimed that domestic and foreign forces were attempting to disrupt the electoral environment, noting that candidates and supporters had been killed in other parts of the country. He said his party was participating in the election despite security concerns to uphold national interest. Nur emphasized that the election was crucial for Bangladesh’s stability and urged all sides to act responsibly and with tolerance.

He warned that if authorities failed to take immediate action, the situation could deteriorate further, casting doubt on whether the upcoming election could be held peacefully.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Bhola-4 (Charfassion and Monpura), Principal Maulana Mostafa Kamal, has alleged that he received a death threat through a voice message sent to his personal Facebook Messenger account. The threat reportedly came from an unidentified Facebook page named 'Islami Shramik Andolon Omorpur Shakha'. Following the incident, a written complaint was submitted on Tuesday afternoon to the Upazila Assistant Returning Officer Md. Lokman Hossain by Advocate Enamul Haque Raihan, assistant secretary of the Upazila Jamaat.

According to the complaint, the same Facebook page has been posting defamatory and threatening content against Mostafa Kamal, including a live video on January 26 containing intimidating and provocative remarks. Kamal claimed that such actions are disrupting his election campaign and endangering his personal safety. He urged authorities to investigate the page administrator and take legal action to ensure a free and fair election.

Assistant Returning Officer Md. Lokman Hossain confirmed receiving the complaint and said the election investigation team will take necessary measures after inquiry.