The 18‑month tenure of Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s interim government in Bangladesh ended on 17 February 2026 with the swearing‑in of a new administration led by Tarique Rahman. Diplomatic sources in Dhaka and Delhi told *Amar Desh* that Indian policymakers are relieved by Yunus’s departure and eager to work with the new government. India was the first to recognize the 12 February election results, viewing the end of Yunus’s rule as a positive development.

During Yunus’s tenure, Dhaka–Delhi relations were marked by tension as he pursued an independent foreign policy, challenged Indian positions on several issues, and strengthened ties with the United States, China, and Pakistan. Analysts said India repeatedly faced diplomatic pushback, including suspension of visa services and protests over cross‑border incidents. Delhi now sees Tarique Rahman’s government as an opportunity to restore influence and re‑engage on bilateral matters.

Experts quoted in the report cautioned that despite India’s overtures, key challenges remain over water sharing, border killings, trade balance, and the future of agreements signed under Sheikh Hasina. Observers expect issue‑based cooperation but warn that mutual trust will take time to rebuild.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has issued a major revision to the results of the referendum held to implement the constitutional reform known as the July National Charter. According to an additional gazette signed by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on February 26, 2026, both the 'yes' and 'no' vote counts have decreased compared to the previously announced results. The revised data show 47.22 million 'yes' votes and 21.96 million 'no' votes, totaling 76.62 million ballots cast, of which 7.43 million were invalid.

The EC explained that the total number of valid votes now stands at 69.18 million, with the 'yes' votes reduced by 974,680 and the 'no' votes by 111,495 from earlier figures. Interestingly, the number of invalid ballots increased by 12,559. Overall, total votes cast dropped by 1.07 million. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed attributed the discrepancies to clerical and transposition errors during manual data handling, which were later corrected based on field reports.

The referendum took place on February 12, 2026, alongside the 13th National Parliamentary Election in 299 constituencies, with voting in Sherpur-3 postponed due to a candidate’s death.

The leader of Myanmar’s Arakan Army, Twan Mrat Naing, has sent a congratulatory message to Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. According to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this is the first time the armed group has extended such greetings to a Bangladeshi foreign minister. The message expressed hope that under Rahman’s leadership, both sides would continue working together to find practical, sustainable, and realistic solutions to shared issues.

Twan Mrat Naing, who also chairs the United League of Arakan, wrote that the current goodwill between Bangladesh and Arakan could serve as a foundation for building a new kind of friendship. The message reflects a gesture of cooperation from the Arakan side at a time of political transition in Bangladesh’s foreign affairs leadership.

Earlier, Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Than Shwe had also sent congratulations to Khalilur Rahman the day after he was sworn in, marking continued diplomatic communication between the two neighboring countries.

A compromise meeting was held in Barishal on Thursday between judges and lawyers to ease the ongoing court deadlock following the arrest of Barishal District Lawyers Association president and former BNP convening committee member Sadikur Rahman Linkon. Lawyers had been boycotting all court proceedings since Thursday morning, demanding his release. The boycott caused a three-day disruption in court activities, leaving litigants in severe distress.

According to sources, the Metropolitan Sessions Judge met with three non-accused lawyers to discuss a resolution. Both sides reportedly agreed to pursue a settlement, with assurances that Linkon’s bail and related issues would be discussed with the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court has already issued show-cause notices to 12 accused lawyers. Joint security forces were deployed in large numbers around the court premises to maintain order amid heightened tension.

If Linkon’s bail and case withdrawal proceed as expected on Sunday, normal court operations are likely to resume, sources indicated.

Barrister Rumin Farhana, Member of Parliament for Brahmanbaria-2 (Sarail-Ashuganj and two unions of Bijoynagar), has issued demi-official (DO) letters requesting the excavation of 15 canals in her constituency. The letters were sent on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief and the Ministry of Water Resources, urging prompt action on the matter.

In the letter to the Disaster Management and Relief Minister, she sought excavation of canals including Bemalia Khal in Bijoynagar, Dagrisal Khal and Bhabanipur Khal in Ashuganj, and several others in Sarail. The letter to the Water Resources Minister requested excavation of canals such as Deora Boro Khal, Lakhou River, Jafar Khal, and others across Sarail, Ashuganj, and Bijoynagar. The initiative aims to improve water flow and benefit local farmers, fishers, and residents.

According to the letters, the canal excavation is expected to bring significant advantages to the local population by enhancing agricultural and livelihood conditions.

Opposition Chief Whip and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Md. Nahid Islam warned that no new autocracy would be allowed to emerge in Bangladesh. He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon at the first founding anniversary of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Nahid Islam said students have always stood by the state and the people during national crises, but political parties repeatedly betrayed them after movements.

He recalled that students played a decisive role in the 1990 uprising against autocracy, yet their expectations were not fulfilled, and a similar pattern was visible after the 2024 uprising. Nahid accused the government of interfering in the judicial process, alleging that the Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal was removed without cause and that witnesses were being pressured. He also criticized the appointment of a new Bangladesh Bank governor, claiming the previous one was ousted by mob pressure.

Nahid further alleged that election results were manipulated through engineering and that the ruling party was trying to control parliament and the judiciary. He warned that any attempt to establish a new dictatorship would be resisted.

The Bangladesh Army has announced a new round of high-level transfers involving six senior officers. The order was issued from Army Headquarters on Thursday, February 26, 2026, according to an army source. This follows an earlier reshuffle on February 22, when six other officers were reassigned to new positions.

Under the latest changes, Lieutenant General Mohammad Shaheenul Haque, Commandant of the National Defence College, has been appointed Quartermaster General, while Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman, the current Quartermaster General, will take over as Commandant of the National Defence College. Major General Nasim Parvez, Commandant of the Military Institute of Science and Technology, has been transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Major General Mohammad Hossain Al Morshed, GOC of the 19th Infantry Division, becomes Adjutant General, replacing Major General Hakimuzzaman, who will now serve as Commandant of MIST. Major General Md Kamrul Hasan, GOC of the 66th Infantry Division, has been posted to the Dhaka Cantonment Logistic Area.

The February 22 reshuffle included the appointment of Lieutenant General Mainur Rahman as Chief of General Staff and the transfer of Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as ambassador.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener and opposition chief whip Nahid Islam warned that people would take to the streets if the already settled issue of police killing during the July uprising was reopened for debate. He made the statement on Thursday afternoon at the first founding anniversary of NCP’s student wing, Jatiya Chhatra Shakti, held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Nahid Islam said that any renewed investigation into the police killing must first ensure justice for those injured or killed during the uprising.

He accused the current government of acting like the previous Awami League administration in matters such as vote engineering and warned against the rise of new authoritarianism. Nahid alleged interference in the International Crimes Tribunal, including the removal of its chief prosecutor without cause, and claimed that witnesses and victims were under pressure. He emphasized that the tribunal must operate independently and that victims and witnesses must be protected.

Nahid also announced that NCP leaders would soon travel across the country to engage with students, asserting that students are the driving force behind the party’s reform movement and must safeguard democratic rights on campuses.

The High Court has granted bail to former MP Abdur Rahman Bodi of Cox’s Bazar’s Ukhiya-Teknaf constituency in a murder case related to the July-August incidents. Former Narayanganj City Corporation mayor Selina Hayat Ivy also received six months of interim bail in five separate cases involving murder allegations. Following these developments, Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem expressed strong criticism on Thursday, February 26, through a verified Facebook post.

In his post, Kayem accused the authorities of releasing what he termed as ‘public enemies’ while detaining July movement activists. He warned that ignoring the ‘Protection Ordinance’ and using police murder investigations to erase the July movement was a dangerous move. He further alleged that after a sudden change in the Bangladesh Bank governor’s position, institutions controlled by government-linked individuals were receiving undue advantages.

Kayem cautioned that continuing such practices would lead the nation toward subjugation and urged for wisdom to prevail, warning that no one would escape accountability in history’s judgment.

Road Transport, Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said the ministry is working to ensure accountability in the road sector. Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Thursday about road safety during Eid travel, he emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining safe roads and addressing irregularities in transport oversight.

Responding to a question about toll collection, the minister explained that he personally contributes to various organizations such as mosque committees and associations, which he described as legitimate. He clarified that while truck owners’ associations may collect funds for their welfare, any unauthorized roadside toll collection is illegal. He urged anyone aware of such illegal practices to report them so that necessary action can be taken.

Regarding preparations for Eid travel, Sheikh Robiul Alam said the ministry aims to ensure a smooth travel experience. Although there have been no major changes in the transport sector or living standards, he stated that efforts are being made to make travel conditions more effective and comfortable for passengers.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has nominated Rezaul Karim Badsha as its candidate for the Bogura-6 by-election, a seat vacated by party chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Badsha currently serves as the president of the Bogura district BNP. The nomination was finalized on Thursday, according to party sources.

BNP lawmaker from Bogura-4, Md. Mosharraf Hossain, confirmed the decision, while BNP media cell member Shayrul Kabir Khan also verified it through a Facebook post. He stated that the nomination was officially handed over to Badsha from the party chairman’s office in Gulshan. The announcement marks the party’s formal preparation for the upcoming by-election in Bogura-6.

The decision underscores BNP’s internal organizational alignment in Bogura ahead of the by-election, with local leadership taking a central role in representing the party in the constituency vacated by its top leader.

Discussions have intensified over the appointment of a new administrator for the Chattogram Zila Parishad following the BNP’s formation of government after the thirteenth national election. The council, long run by government officials, may soon see a political appointment, with two senior BNP leaders—Engineer Belayet Hossain and Idris Mia—emerging as leading candidates. Party sources indicate that the government has begun vetting potential appointees, and the BNP high command may finalize the decision soon.

Belayet Hossain, a veteran leader from Sandwip and former joint convener of the BNP’s North Chattogram unit, has a long history of political activism and imprisonment. Idris Mia, the current convener of the South Chattogram BNP and a former upazila chairman, is also being widely discussed among party members. Both leaders have strong grassroots connections and are viewed as experienced organizers.

The Chattogram Zila Parishad has been administered by an additional divisional commissioner since its elected chairman’s post became vacant after the council’s dissolution in 2024. A new appointment could revitalize the council’s activities and local governance.

The Election Commission (EC) has released a revised gazette correcting the results of the referendum held on February 12, 2026, regarding the implementation of the 'July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Order, 2025'. According to the new figures, the total number of votes cast has decreased by 1,073,616 compared to the earlier gazette published on February 13. The updated count shows 47,225,980 'yes' votes and 21,960,231 'no' votes, reducing both categories by nearly one million and over one hundred thousand respectively.

The EC stated that the revised data was issued under the authority of the commission, though no specific reason for the correction was provided. The updated gazette also indicates that invalid votes increased by 12,559, bringing the total number of valid votes down to 69,186,211. The referendum was held to confirm public approval for the July National Charter, which emerged from the 2024 student and public uprising.

The revised results are expected to finalize the constitutional legitimacy and public consent for the July National Charter once officially endorsed.

State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Chowdhury announced that online news portals and IPTV services in Bangladesh will be brought under a formal policy framework. He made the statement on Thursday, February 26, during a visit to the Nandail Press Club in Mymensingh. Chowdhury said that the ministry had been run with irregularities and corruption for the past 17 years, but now all activities would follow proper regulations. He added that discussions on the policy had been held with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The state minister emphasized that individuals operating online portals using only mobile phones must comply with government policies. He stated that the government led by Tarique Rahman does not intend to restrict media freedom, as the prime minister believes that a free press is essential for democratic development.

Later, Chowdhury attended a meeting with government officials at the Nandail Upazila Executive Officer’s conference room, where he provided various directives and advice. He also visited the Nandail Upazila Health Complex to check on patient care services.

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizens Party (NCP), warned that if reform processes do not proceed within the parliament, the movement will return to the streets. He made the remarks on Thursday at an event marking the founding anniversary of the National Student Power held at the Krishibid Institute in Dhaka. Nahid said preparations are underway for such a movement if parliamentary discussions remain blocked.

Reflecting on the NCP’s first year, Nahid acknowledged mistakes but emphasized that the party’s foundation lies in the July mass uprising. He alleged that although students played a leading role in that movement, political leaders are now reaping its benefits. He also claimed that, similar to the 1990 uprising, students have again been deceived in the 2024 movement, as leaders have avoided taking oaths for the reform council while citing referendums.

The event was attended by leaders and activists from various levels of the NCP and National Student Power, underscoring the party’s continued focus on student-led reform efforts.