A clash broke out between two factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Baraigram upazila of Natore on Saturday over setting up two separate election offices at the same spot in Ahmadpur Bazar. The incident left Kamal Hossain, a former ward member and coordinator of the Joari Union election committee, and Sajedur Rahman, member secretary of the upazila labour wing, injured.

According to local sources, BNP activists supporting Abdul Aziz, the party’s candidate for Natore-4 constituency, had opened two separate offices in Ahmadpur Bazar. On Saturday, leaders and activists gathered there under the leadership of upazila election committee convener Principal Ashraf Ali and member secretary Shamsul Alam Roni to begin campaign leaflet distribution. Disagreement arose when the committee leaders asked everyone to unite, leading to an argument that escalated into a physical altercation.

Baraigram Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdus Salam said he had heard about the incident but no written complaint had been filed. He added that local leaders were expected to resolve the matter internally.

Maulana Yasin Arafat, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for Comilla-10 constituency and former central president of Islami Chhatra Shibir, pledged to eliminate corruption, extortion, and drug trading if elected. Speaking on Saturday afternoon at a campaign rally near the main gate of Nangalkot Government College, he said his party would end the politics of revenge, grouping, and killings in Nangalkot and ensure that no one is persecuted for political or ideological reasons.

Arafat emphasized that the future direction of Bangladesh and the next generation’s path depend on bringing the ten-party alliance to power. He urged voters to support the alliance’s symbol, the balance scale, to establish justice and welfare in the country. The rally was presided over by Maulana Jamal Uddin, Jamaat’s Nangalkot upazila amir, and attended by several local leaders and guests including banker Dr. Delwar Hossain and Maulana Golam Kabir Bhuiyan.

The event reflected Jamaat’s campaign focus on unity, justice, and moral governance ahead of the upcoming election in Comilla-10.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Feni on Sunday to address a district BNP rally at Feni Pilot School field. During the event, he will meet families of eight people killed and several injured in the August 4, 2024, anti-discrimination student movement, which turned violent following attacks and shootings allegedly by Awami League activists. The BNP has formed a special team to ensure the safe transport, seating, and hospitality of the victims’ families and July movement participants.

Family members of the deceased have expressed their intention to demand justice from Tarique Rahman. Mahfuza Akter, mother of martyr Wakil Ahmed Shihab, said she would urge swift trials and ensure no accused are dropped from charge sheets. Nesar Ahmed, father of martyr Ishtiaq Ahmed Shraban, plans to ask what role the BNP would play in ensuring maximum punishment if it comes to power. Other families, including that of martyr Zakir Hossain, echoed similar demands for justice.

Lawyer Mejbah Uddin Bhuiyan, representing plaintiffs in 22 related cases, said all plaintiffs seek fair trials and have resisted attempts to exclude accused individuals from the cases.

Supporters of independent candidate Nahiduzzaman Nishad were attacked on Friday night, November 23, in the Kochua and Padumshahar areas of Saghata upazila, Gaibandha-5 constituency. Witnesses said the assault occurred around 9:30 p.m. while Nishad’s campaign workers were having tea after distributing election leaflets. A group of people reportedly attacked them with sticks, injuring several and damaging seven motorcycles. The injured were taken to Saghata Upazila Health Complex.

At nearly the same time, another group of Nishad’s supporters was holding a campaign meeting in a house in Padumshahar, where five motorcycles parked outside were completely vandalized, though no injuries were reported. Nishad, a former BNP district vice-president, alleged that BNP candidate Faruk Alam’s supporters, led by Saghata BNP member secretary Tulip, carried out the planned attack. He said he would file written complaints with Saghata police and the returning officer.

Judge Tanzir Hossain, responsible for the election inquiry and judicial committee of Gaibandha-5, confirmed awareness of the incident and said action would follow upon receiving a written complaint.

The Citizen Coalition has expressed concern over the participation of dual citizens in Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for February 12. In a statement signed by co-coordinator Fahim Mashroor on Saturday, the platform demanded that the Election Commission cancel the nominations of candidates found to hold dual citizenship after investigation. The group also urged the suspension of elections in constituencies where such allegations have newly emerged until inquiries are completed.

According to the statement, the coalition believes that proper, impartial, and strict enforcement of election laws is essential for a fair election. It cited a January 22 Transparency International press conference that revealed several candidates allegedly concealed information about foreign citizenship and overseas assets in their affidavits, which the coalition described as a clear violation of election law. Despite these allegations, the Election Commission reportedly approved their candidacies.

The Citizen Coalition warned that ignoring these issues could undermine the democratic progress achieved through national sacrifices and urged the Election Commission to act responsibly to preserve electoral integrity.

Beijing has launched an investigation into two of China’s highest-ranking military officials, marking the latest phase in President Xi Jinping’s campaign to consolidate control over the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The Ministry of Defense announced that Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli are under investigation for “serious disciplinary and legal violations.” Their removal leaves the CMC with its fewest members in history, now comprising only Xi Jinping and Zhang Shengmin, the head of the military’s anti-corruption body.

The CMC is China’s top military decision-making body, responsible for strategy and operations. Analysts note that the probe underscores Xi’s tightening grip on the armed forces, continuing a years-long effort to ensure political loyalty within the PLA. While “disciplinary violations” often refer to corruption, such investigations have historically been used to eliminate political rivals. Researcher Tristan Tang of the Pacific Forum said the move highlights Xi’s strength and may also relate to inefficiencies in defense resource management and combat readiness.

The investigation could last months or years, with most accused officials typically detained, convicted, and stripped of their positions and party membership.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced 238 campaign candidates across the country to promote a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming national referendum on election day reform. The announcement was made on Friday night at the party’s temporary central office by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, chairman of the election management committee and party spokesperson. He said the candidates will campaign in districts and sub-districts alongside the Shapla Koli symbol and the 10-party electoral alliance, advocating for the 'Yes' position in the referendum. Although these candidates will not contest in the election, they will visit households to raise awareness about the referendum.

The NCP also declared a 12-day electoral march as part of its campaign strategy. The list of campaign candidates covers all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh, including Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Chattogram. The initiative aims to mobilize grassroots support for the referendum and strengthen coordination with allied parties under the 10-party electoral alliance.

The announcement marks a significant organizational effort by the NCP to influence public opinion on the proposed election day reform through direct voter engagement.

Tarique Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), visited the grave of his younger brother Arafat Rahman Koko in Banani, Dhaka, on the occasion of Koko’s 11th death anniversary. He was accompanied by his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, Koko’s wife Syeda Shamila Rahman, and several party leaders and activists. The visit was confirmed through a post with photographs on the BNP’s official Facebook page on Saturday afternoon.

Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, died of cardiac arrest in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 24, 2015. Born on August 12, 1969, Koko served as a member of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s advisory council from 2003 to 2005 and also chaired the Old DOHS Club.

He was arrested along with his mother in 2007 during the army-backed caretaker government and later went abroad for medical treatment. Koko lived in Malaysia with his family until his death, leaving behind his wife and two daughters.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for Dhaka-11, has accused the BNP alliance of using so-called 'family cards' and 'farmer cards' as a strategy to buy votes. Speaking to journalists during his campaign in Shahjadpur on Saturday, he claimed that these cards were part of a deceptive process aimed at misleading voters. He added that people were not responding positively to such promises, as they had heard similar false assurances before.

Nihad Islam further alleged that BNP alliance candidates were violating the electoral code of conduct by hanging posters on electric wires and obstructing the campaigns of the 10-party alliance. He said NCP leaders were show-caused by the Election Commission for referendum campaigning, while no action was taken against BNP candidates for similar violations. He also pledged to address water, gas, and drug-related problems in Dhaka-11 if elected.

He urged young voters to guard polling centers and warned that if the Election Commission failed to remain neutral, his party would take strong action against it.

The Election Commission has issued a show-cause notice to Sarjis Alam, the North Region Chief Coordinator of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a candidate of the 10-party alliance for the Panchagarh-1 constituency, for violating the electoral code of conduct. The notice was confirmed on Saturday, January 24, by the returning officer of Panchagarh-1, which includes Panchagarh Sadar, Tentulia, and Atwari.

According to the report, Sarjis Alam was accused of using arches, billboards, and banners in connection with a public rally organized for the Jamaat Ameer. The Election Commission considered these actions a breach of the election code of conduct.

The notice requires Sarjis Alam to explain his actions to the Election Commission, though further details on possible penalties or responses were not provided in the report.

BNP has announced plans to gather one million people at a rally in Chattogram’s Polo Ground on Sunday to welcome party chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is visiting the port city after 21 years. Rahman is scheduled to arrive on Saturday evening, stay overnight at a local hotel, attend a student seminar Sunday morning, and then address the rally as chief guest before traveling to Feni for another event.

Party leaders from Chattogram city, north and south districts, Cox’s Bazar, and the three hill districts are coordinating the event, which they hope will boost BNP’s prospects in Chattogram’s 16 parliamentary constituencies ahead of the 13th national election. Extensive preparations include a 100-foot stage, sound systems, and designated security zones. The city has been decorated with banners and billboards welcoming Rahman.

Law enforcement agencies have confirmed a three-tier security plan involving police, RAB, and army personnel. BNP leaders say the rally aims to be a memorable show of strength, with thousands of activists already arriving from surrounding districts.

An unusual political scenario has emerged in Lakshmipur-1 (Ramganj) constituency, where a father and son are supporting rival parties ahead of the upcoming election. Mahbub Alam, central joint convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and elder brother of former information adviser Mahfuz Alam, is contesting under the 'Shapla Koli' symbol representing a ten-party alliance. His father, Azizur Rahman Bacchu Molla, general secretary of the BNP’s Ichhapur Union unit, is actively campaigning for BNP candidate Shahadat Hossain Selim under the 'Dhaner Shish' symbol.

On Friday, Bacchu Molla joined several street meetings across Ichhapur Union, urging voters to support the BNP candidate. He stated that politics is a matter of ideology and belief, and personal relations cannot alter his political stance, though he continues to pray for his son as a father. Mahbub Alam acknowledged awareness of the situation but declined to comment.

The contrasting political positions within the same family have become a major topic of discussion in Ramganj and on social media, with local analysts saying it has added a new dimension to the constituency’s electoral politics.

Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Ali Riaz stated that the government’s campaign supporting a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum is legally sound and beyond question. He made the remarks on Saturday afternoon at a divisional meeting held at the Mendibag Sports Complex in Sylhet, aimed at motivating voters. Senior government officials from the Sylhet division attended the event.

Riaz emphasized that the government’s position aligns with legal, moral, and international standards. He said the interim government seeks to foster a political culture where major national decisions are made through dialogue among all political parties, and that the July Charter will help create such an environment. Addressing misinformation, he noted that false claims were being spread about the charter, including allegations that it omits religious phrases or contradicts the spirit of the Liberation War.

Special Assistant Monir Haider added that the referendum aims to fulfill the core aspirations of the Liberation War and called for broad public participation. Other speakers described the referendum as a key step toward strengthening democratic processes.

BNP-nominated candidate for Dhaka-6 constituency, Engineer Ishraq Hossain, appealed to residents to vote for him in the upcoming national election on February 12. Speaking at a street rally in Wari’s 38th ward on January 24, he said he had dedicated his life to the welfare of the nation and wanted the opportunity to serve the people. He described himself as a son of the area and a brother to the residents, asking for their support to work for them.

During his campaign speech, Hossain highlighted severe local problems including gas shortages, poor road conditions, and inadequate waste management that have made daily life difficult for residents. He pledged to prioritize solutions to these issues if elected, including addressing environmental pollution, illegal structures, and traffic congestion caused by unregulated parking. He also mentioned that bus route rationalization and improved transport planning were essential for easing congestion.

Hossain concluded by recalling his participation in past political movements and expressed hope to build a livable city together with the people. He also offered prayers for his late father and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Chauddagram in Comilla on Sunday, January 25, 2026, to address an election campaign rally for the first time in the area. The visit was confirmed by BNP’s Comilla divisional organizing secretary Selim Bhuiyan. Ahead of the event, BNP Chairperson’s adviser Aminur Rashid Yasin inspected the high school field in Chauddagram, where the rally will take place, noting that preparations were nearly complete and security measures were active around the clock.

Local BNP leaders described the upcoming rally as potentially the largest in the region’s history. Kamrul Huda, BNP’s candidate for Comilla-11 and president of Chauddagram Upazila BNP, said they were preparing for a turnout of over one hundred thousand people. He added that local activists were highly enthusiastic about Tarique Rahman’s first visit to Chauddagram. Volunteer leader Khorshed Alam stated that residents from all walks of life were eager to see the BNP leader.

According to the report, Tarique Rahman will deliver speeches at three public meetings in Comilla on Sunday, beginning with Chauddagram after completing rallies in Chattogram and Feni.