BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that despite Jamaat-e-Islami’s return to the spotlight, the party has failed to gain significant influence among the masses.

“Jamaat is well-organized and regimented, but winning an election outright is beyond their reach,” Fakhrul told reporters.

With the Awami League banned from political activities after being ousted from power and the Jatiya Party in near-inactive condition, Jamaat has found itself in a relatively advantageous position. However, Fakhrul believes this advantage is limited to media visibility and organizational activity.

“I’m active in field politics, I travel, I talk to people—there’s no strong public momentum behind them,” he said. He acknowledged that Jamaat has strong organizational discipline and ample funding, which serve as strengths, but insisted that electoral success remains unlikely.

He added that, like elsewhere in the world, right-wing politics is trying to gain ground in Bangladesh. But, according to him, this attempt will not translate into votes.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has accused the Election Commission of succumbing to pressure in denying his party the lotus symbol despite no legal grounds. “The commission is using baseless excuses, claiming the lotus is a national emblem, which it is not in legal terms. Other symbols with national relevance have already been allotted to parties,” he argued.
Sarjis said his party had applied months ago, but the commission avoided updating its list. “This clearly shows the decision was made under pressure,” he alleged.
Turning to the ruling party, he claimed: “Awami League is bringing back billions siphoned abroad just to hire people for occasional rallies. These are not signs of real strength. The League’s political chapter is over.”

At least 29 people were killed in a stampede during a rally led by popular actor and TVK party president Thalapathy Vijay in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday. The rally, part of Vijay’s state-wide political tour, drew massive crowds.
As the gathering intensified, several people fainted, prompting chaos. Victims were rushed to Karur Medical College Hospital and nearby private clinics. “So far, seven adults and three children have died. More patients are arriving by ambulance,” said hospital dean R. Shanthimala, warning that the death toll may rise.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser Habibur Rahman Habib has issued a stern warning to party members. “It does not matter who gets the nomination or the green signal. What matters is ensuring a landslide victory for the BNP-nominated candidate under the paddy-sheaf symbol,” he said.
“But those who ignore party directives for personal gain, those who defy Tarique Rahman’s instructions, essentially defy his father too,” Habib added, referring to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. He warned of “many conspiracies” against BNP but assured that they would be tackled under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Jamaat leader Helal Uddin has pledged to bring healthcare to every doorstep if given the chance to govern. “Each administrative ward in Dhaka-8 constituency will have a city health complex,” he said, adding that modern medical facilities would be ensured nationwide.
Helal highlighted Jamaat’s four-point operational policy, emphasizing social reform and service. “We do not and will not engage in corruption, extortion, or terrorism. Jamaat believes standing by people in times of need is a responsibility, not a choice,” he said. If elected, Helal promised to build “a modern, humane welfare state free from inequality.”

Jamaat leader General Maulana ATM Masum has called for a combined movement and electoral campaign to ensure political change. Speaking to party supporters, Masum said Jamaat aims to establish a just and welfare-oriented state ensuring people’s rights.
He urged the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation to play a vital role in securing Jamaat candidates’ victories. “We have rolled out a five-point program for free and fair elections. The July Accord must be given legal recognition, the next parliamentary election must adopt proportional representation, and a level playing field for all parties must be ensured,” Masum said. He also demanded visible justice for what he termed “Awami fascism” and stressed the need for an interim government to oversee reforms before elections.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused Pir Saheb of betraying his own words. “For 29 years, Pir Saheb waved the hand fan for Awami League, but now he is doing the same for Jamaat,” Prince said. He recalled Pir Saheb’s earlier remark that “wherever the poison of Jamaat spreads, it will bring destruction.”
“Today, by forming an alliance with Jamaat, he has applied that poison on himself—inviting his own downfall. For the greed of power, Jamaat’s venom has become nectar to him,” Prince added.

BNP vice-chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has warned that if fundamentalist forces seize power in Bangladesh, the nation’s future will be bleak.

“India was once a secular country, but that has changed. If fundamentalists take power in Bangladesh, it could become another Afghanistan or Syria,” Bulu cautioned.

He urged voters to protect the secular ideals of the Liberation War by exercising their franchise responsibly in the upcoming national elections.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain dismissed calls for introducing Proportional Representation (PR) elections through street movements.

“The constitution only provides for direct voting and direct election of representatives. If PR is to be adopted, it must be approved in Parliament after the people accept it in the next election,” Zahid said.

He warned that efforts to push PR through agitation while simultaneously negotiating at the table may undermine democracy and open the door to authoritarianism.

Zahid further stated that the people are eagerly waiting to vote after being denied the right for 17 years, and elections are expected by mid-February.

A delegation from the European Union held a meeting with the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) at its Banglamotor office on Saturday.

The EU team included election observation experts Riccardo Chelleri, Mete Bakken, Manuel Wally, and Baiba Zarinas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh.

The NCP delegation was led by chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, with joint conveners Sultan Mohammad Zakaria, Khaled Saifullah, Taznuva Jabeen, joint member secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and Zahirul Islam Musa, and joint chief coordinator Navid Nawroz Shah.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has declared that the party’s future will be centered on unity, the people, and nation-building. “BNP will move as the people want. Wherever Bangladesh’s interests lie, BNP will stand there,” he said.

Tarique warned that without unity among democratic forces, hidden authoritarianism could resurface, much like post-independence autocracy.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that political exploitation of Islam will be countered through electoral politics. He urged BNP activists to remain vocal on social media to counter misinformation and propaganda.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused four senior Awami League leaders of advising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on orchestrating killings.

“Obaidul Quader, Anisul Huq, Salman F. Rahman, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — these four masterminded every killing under Hasina’s direction,” Rizvi alleged, after visiting injured former JCD leader Dolon in Rupganj.

He further claimed that Hasina’s security adviser Tariq Siddique suggested killing some people to suppress the opposition movement. “Even leaked phone conversations expose how killings were ordered,” Rizvi said.

He alleged that 1,400 to 1,500 students and workers, including 142 JCD activists, have been killed, along with over 400 BNP activists. “The people no longer want to see this cycle of bloodshed under Hasina’s regime,” he added.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused certain quarters of using religion for political gain, warning that the people must respond through their votes.

“Those who are trying to sell tickets to heaven are nothing but religious businessmen. This country will not allow anyone to profit from exploiting people’s beliefs,” Salahuddin said.

He further alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reliance on the “spirit of 1971” narrative ultimately led her to seek shelter in Delhi. “Their politics died in Dhaka and was buried in Delhi,” he added.

Salahuddin vowed that justice for every killing will be pursued, though the process may take time. He also cautioned BNP leaders and activists to remain united against conspiracies.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has accused the Awami League of deceiving the Hindu community over the past 17 years while subjecting them to exploitation.

“Across the country, their homes and businesses have been looted under the pretense of friendship. Even when the Hindu community sought justice from the then Prime Minister, no remedy was provided,” Moin said at a public meeting.

He argued that while the Awami League preaches one thing, it practices the opposite.

Moin reaffirmed that the BNP believes in nationalism, ensuring equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“If the people elect BNP in the next election, we will guarantee those rights,” he declared.

BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy lost his mobile phone during a party program in Lalbagh on Friday evening.

The incident occurred as he attended a meeting with Durga Puja organizing committees of Dhaka-7 constituency. After delivering his speech and stepping down from the stage, Goyeshwar realized his phone was missing.

Despite a thorough search, it could not be found. An announcement was later made at the venue, offering a Tk 5,000 reward for anyone who returns the device.