More than 200 people from various political backgrounds, including BNP members, joined Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in Katiadi upazila of Kishoreganj, creating a festive atmosphere. The joining event took place on Friday evening at the residence of retired Major Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan, a freedom fighter and former BNP lawmaker who recently joined Jamaat. New members formally enrolled by filling out associate membership forms in his presence.

Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan had joined Jamaat-e-Islami on December 13 in the presence of the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. Since then, he has been active in party programs both locally and in Dhaka, delivering speeches and participating in campaign activities. He is also playing a key role in election campaigning for the Jamaat-nominated candidate of the 10-party alliance in Kishoreganj-2 constituency.

Responding to his call, BNP activists, professionals, businessmen, former union parishad members, and two individuals from the Hindu community joined Jamaat. The joining program, which began on Friday, is scheduled to continue until Saturday afternoon.

Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha stated that Tarique Rahman has entrusted him with the responsibility to stand beside the people of Bhola Sadar. He made the remarks on Saturday during a mass reception following his nomination, marking his first visit to Bhola after receiving it. Partha emphasized that he would not waste the trust placed in him and expressed gratitude for the love shown by the people of Bhola. He said he came with Tarique Rahman’s blessings to serve the people and follow in his father’s footsteps.

Partha highlighted the sacrifices made by BNP supporters in Bhola and pledged to work with them in the coming days. He called for unity and peace, rejecting violence or conflict. Addressing voters, he said if they believed other candidates were more qualified, they should elect them, but if they wanted development such as a medical college and the Bhola-Barishal bridge, they should support him. The event was attended by local BJP leaders, though no BNP district or upazila leaders were seen present.

He also recalled his past as a vocal critic of misrule in television talk shows, asserting that he was the protest voice during difficult times.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the party seeks friendship with all nations but will not accept any form of dominance. Speaking as chief guest at an election rally in Sherpur, Bogura, on Saturday, he declared that the nation’s youth have shown a red card to imperialism and that this stance will remain firm. He pledged that if Jamaat forms the government, no public money will be misused and extortion will not be tolerated across Bangladesh.

Rahman urged journalists to act as vigilant watchdogs, reporting truthfully without distortion. Addressing youth, he said Jamaat would not offer unemployment allowances but would instead create opportunities for dignified work at home and abroad. He emphasized education aligned with individual merit and state responsibility in ensuring employment. He also called on citizens to oppose extortionists, land grabbers, and litigants, and to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum.

During the event, Rahman handed the party’s balance-scale symbol to Jamaat’s MP candidate Maulana Dabibur Rahman for the Sherpur-Dhunat constituency.

Nahid Islam, the Dhaka-11 constituency candidate nominated by the 10-party alliance and convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that a fair election environment has been created after 16 years. He expressed hope that people would be able to vote freely and safely. He made these remarks on Saturday, January 24, in the capital’s Vatara area before starting his election campaign.

During his speech, Nahid Islam alleged that one party had violated the election code of conduct and was attempting to buy votes through the use of family cards. He also criticized promises being made that he claimed were unrealistic and urged voters not to be misled. Additionally, he mentioned that fear had been instilled among voters in various areas and called on them not to be intimidated.

To ensure a fair election on February 12, Nahid instructed his party workers to stay at polling centers and guard the process.

Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aslam Molla has called on imams to advocate for a 'Yes' vote and include supportive messages in mosque sermons. He made the appeal on Saturday at the Imam Conference held at the Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila Model Mosque and Cultural Center. The DC said the referendum, scheduled alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election on February 12, aims to validate the July Charter following the success of the July movement.

Aslam Molla explained that the Election Commission and the state have proposed reforms to transition the country toward a democratic system, reflecting the aspirations of ordinary citizens. He noted that political parties have reached consensus on 30 issues outlined in the July Charter. The event, chaired by Abu Bakar Siddique, Deputy Director of the Islamic Foundation in Kishoreganj, was attended by Press Club President Nasim Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mizabe Rahmat, and around 700 imams from across the district.

The DC emphasized that a 'Yes' vote would help restore the state’s democratic order, linking the referendum to the broader reform process initiated after the July movement.

Independent candidate Dr. Tasnim Jara has announced her election manifesto for Dhaka-9 ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. She published the manifesto on Facebook on Saturday, outlining her priorities under the slogan of equality in services and accountability in governance. Jara, a doctor by profession, pledged to end what she described as years of neglect toward the constituency and to ensure fair access to utilities, healthcare, education, and safety for residents.

Her manifesto includes six major sections: improving gas supply, roads, and drainage; strengthening healthcare through better hospital management and community clinics; enhancing public safety by combating drug syndicates and improving street lighting; reforming education with modern labs and AI learning; promoting economic inclusion through startup funds and daycare centers; and ensuring parliamentary accountability through a local office and digital complaint dashboard. Jara emphasized that she is not a career politician but a local resident seeking to bring transparent, service-oriented politics to Dhaka-9.

She urged voters to support her independent campaign symbolized by the football mark, promising to represent their voices and fight for equal rights and services in the constituency.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan were offensive. Speaking to reporters in London, Starmer described Trump’s remarks downplaying NATO forces’ role as alarming and said the U.S. president should apologize. He added that if he had made such a mistake, he would have apologized himself.

Starmer reaffirmed the deep relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing its importance for security and defense. Earlier on Friday, the British government had stated that Trump’s claim—that NATO troops avoided Afghanistan’s frontlines—was incorrect. Trump had said on Thursday that NATO soldiers stayed somewhat behind the frontlines during the war in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United Kingdom joined the United States and other allies in Afghanistan under NATO’s collective defense clause. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 457 British soldiers.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman declared a zero-tolerance stance against corruption during a district election rally at Altafunnesa field in Bogura on Saturday afternoon. He pledged that if given the opportunity to govern, his party would eliminate corruption at all levels and build a clean administration. Rahman also vowed that no extortion or misuse of public money would be tolerated across Bangladesh’s 56,000 square miles.

Presided over by district Jamaat chief Abdul Haque, the event featured Rahman’s announcement of seven Jamaat candidates for Bogura constituencies, each symbolically handed the party’s scale emblem. He further promised to upgrade Bogura into a city corporation and establish a public university if Jamaat came to power. The rally drew a large crowd of party activists and local residents.

Central leaders including Maulana Rafiqul Islam Khan and Maulana Abdul Halim, along with JAGPA president Rashed Pradhan and local alliance representatives, also addressed the gathering. Before and after the Bogura event, Rahman attended several other rallies in Mokamtala, Sherpur, Sirajganj, Ullapara, and Pabna.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced that his party would work to make primary school teachers more qualified and skilled to ensure proper education for children if they come to power. He made the remarks on Saturday, January 24, at a ‘Meet and Greet with Tarique Rahman’ event held at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, where his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, was also present. During the event, Rahman answered questions from participants.

Responding to a question about education, Rahman emphasized the importance of teaching social values in schools and said that the BNP aims to strengthen primary education. He explained that teacher training would include academic, social, and religious value-based components to help children learn moral principles. Addressing cyberbullying, he added that teaching children right from wrong from an early age would help them develop a clear sense of justice.

The event highlighted the BNP leader’s focus on education reform and moral development as part of his broader vision for improving the country’s primary education system.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman engaged in a discussion with young people at Justice Shahabuddin Park in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. The meeting began around 2:30 p.m., where Rahman responded to various questions from the youth and shared his vision for building a new Bangladesh. His daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman, also attended the event and took part in answering questions from participants.

The gathering focused on direct interaction between the BNP leadership and young citizens, emphasizing dialogue and exchange of ideas. The event was organized in an open setting at the park, allowing attendees to express their views and seek responses from the party leadership. Both Tarique Rahman and Zaima Rahman were seen engaging actively with the audience.

The session highlighted the BNP’s effort to connect with younger generations and encourage their participation in discussions about the country’s future direction.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman announced that if his party is elected, Bogura will be upgraded to a city corporation. He made the statement on Saturday afternoon while addressing an election rally organized by the Ten-Party Alliance at Alfatunnesa Field in Bogura, where he served as the chief guest. Rahman also pledged to restore Bogura’s past reputation as a city of education and prosperity and to prevent extortion.

During his speech, the Jamaat chief emphasized that his party would not engage in or allow extortion, money laundering, or terrorism. He highlighted the importance of protecting mothers and ensuring women’s safety and employment according to their qualifications. Rahman further stated that the government must guarantee women’s dignity and security.

Addressing the youth, Rahman said his party aims to provide skills and employment rather than unemployment allowances. He urged voters to support the Ten-Party Alliance candidates and vote for the scale symbol to build a corruption-free and just Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Meherpur for the first time on January 26 as part of the party’s national election campaign. He will attend an election rally as the chief guest at the Meherpur Government High School field, where he is expected to deliver a speech. Local Jamaat leaders have completed preparations for the event, including stage setup and field arrangements.

The Meherpur district branch of Jamaat, led by district Ameer Maulana Taj Uddin Khan, Secretary Iqbal Hossain, and business division president Saiful Islam, has inspected the venue. The city is reportedly in a festive mood ahead of the visit. According to the report, Dr. Rahman has gained popularity across political and social lines, and his arrival has generated excitement among residents.

Party activists expect that his visit will bring renewed attention to the region’s challenges in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and inspire efforts to advance this agriculturally dependent area.

A total of 4,838 voters have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots in the Sylhet-2 constituency (Osmani Nagar–Bishwanath) ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliament Election and referendum. According to the Election Commission (EC), 4,098 of the registrants are men and 740 are women. Of these, 4,809 registrations have been approved, while 29 applications remain pending. Registration was completed through the EC’s ‘Postal Vote BD’ app.

The EC reported that expatriate Bangladeshis, election officials, and government employees stationed outside their home constituencies have registered through the app. Ballot papers will be sent by mail to approved voters, with separate symbol-marked ballots for the parliamentary election and pink-colored ballots for the referendum. Voters must return their completed ballots by mail to the designated returning officer within the specified timeframe.

The counting of postal ballots will take place at 4:30 p.m. on February 12 at the returning officer’s office in the presence of candidates’ agents. Election officials believe the postal voting system will enhance participation among expatriates and those away for work, strengthening the democratic process.

An Awami League leader accused in a murder case, Salauddin Ahmed Majumdar, delivered a speech at an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher in Comilla-11 (Chouddagram). The event took place at Sufua Bazar in Kalikapur Union, where Taher formally launched his campaign. A 1-minute-6-second video of Salauddin’s speech went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism online. During his remarks, Salauddin urged voters to make informed decisions and requested prayers for Taher’s health.

Local sources said Salauddin, president of Kalikapur Union Awami League and former union chairman, attended the rally held near his home. Police confirmed he is the 11th accused in a 2015 petrol bomb attack case that killed eight people. Opposition figures, including BNP candidate Kamrul Huda, alleged that Taher was rehabilitating Awami League members and accused criminals in his campaign. Jamaat’s local secretary stated that Salauddin’s presence was due to his long acquaintance with Taher’s family.

Attempts to reach Taher for comment were unsuccessful, and the viral video continues to draw public attention in Chouddagram.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged that some political parties are attempting to influence voters by using religion and sending money through mobile financial services. He raised this concern on Saturday at the BNP central office in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, during a prayer gathering marking the 11th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, son of late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Rizvi questioned whether such actions violate the electoral code of conduct, emphasizing that buying votes with money or religious appeals is prohibited.

Recalling Koko’s death, Rizvi claimed it was not natural but the result of political oppression under a fascist regime. He described how Koko, then in Malaysia for heart treatment, witnessed the alleged persecution of his mother in 2015 and died in distress. Rizvi also recounted that after Koko’s body returned to Bangladesh, BNP leaders and sympathizers faced police cases for expressing condolences.

Rizvi reiterated BNP’s demand for a free and fair election under an interim government and said party chairman Tarique Rahman is following all electoral laws and maintaining respectful political conduct.