BNP central leader Nargis Begum has alleged that under what she called the "fascist rule" of Sheikh Hasina, women in Bangladesh have not been spared from persecution and repression.

Speaking at a discussion, she praised the resilience of Mahila Dal activists, saying they remained steadfast on the streets despite facing countless adversities.

“Even when Felani’s body was hanging at the border fence, our women leaders risked their lives to raise their voices in protest,” she said.

Nargis highlighted the vision of late President Ziaur Rahman, noting his belief that no nation could progress while half its population—its women—remained marginalized. “Ziaur Rahman integrated women into productive work through proper training, and today women are proving their capabilities in every professional field,” she added.

She also credited Begum Khaleda Zia for further expanding these initiatives.

At the same event, BNP leader Anindya Islam said that Ziaur Rahman had legislated against the curse of dowry and initiated women’s empowerment through the National Women’s Organization and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

He added, “Khaleda Zia introduced laws to protect women from acid violence, ensured free education for girls up to grade twelve, and reserved 50 percent of primary teacher recruitment for women.”

In the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election, Shibir-backed candidate Sadiq Kayem emerged as the frontrunner for the Vice President (VP) post, securing 14,042 votes. His closest rival, Abidul Islam Abid, received 5,658 votes, followed by independent candidate Umama Fatema with 2,549, Shamim Hossain with 1,815, and Abdul Kader from the Anti-Discrimination Students’ Council with 668.

For the General Secretary (GS) post, S.M. Farhad secured a commanding lead with 10,794 votes, defeating Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim (5,283), Abu Bakr Mojumdar (845), and Meghmallar Basu (4,645).

In the Assistant General Secretary (AGS) race, Mohiuddin Khan claimed victory with 9,501 votes, while BNP-backed candidate Tanvir Al Hadi Mayed managed 4,258 votes.

Although individual hall results were declared earlier, the official announcement came later from the Election Commission, confirming Kayem, Farhad, and Mohiuddin as the winners.

BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal linked Nepal’s political unrest to its proportional representation (PR) system.
“PR elections in Nepal led to unstable governments and failure to reflect people’s aspirations. That’s one of the main reasons behind today’s uprising,” Alal said.

He added that Nepal’s Gen Z movement drew inspiration from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“Geopolitical realities must be understood quickly. Stability depends on vigilance in diplomacy and geopolitics,” he stressed.

BNP-backed VP candidate Abidul Islam Khan has rejected the Daksu election results, alleging widespread irregularities.

In a Facebook post at 2 a.m., he wrote:

“I had already anticipated this planned rigging since noon. The numbers are being fixed at will. I reject this orchestrated farce.”

His statement came shortly after results from three centers showed Abu Sadiq Kayem of the United Students’ Alliance leading by a wide margin.

The Returning Officer has announced results from three halls in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections, with the Shibir-backed United Students’ Alliance emerging ahead.

At Curzon Hall’s Fazlul Haq Hall center, VP candidate Abu Sadiq Kayem secured 841 votes, followed by Abidul Islam (181), Umama Fatema (153), Shamim Hossain (141), Abdul Kader (47), and Bin Yamin Molla (6). For the GS post, Farhad Hossain led with 589 votes, trailed by Abu Bakar Mojumdar (341), Tanvir Bari Hamim (228), and Meghmollar Basu (99).

In Amar Ekushey Hall, Kayem again took the lead with 644 votes, while Abidul Islam polled 141, Umama Fatema 90, Shamim Hossain 111, Abdul Kader 36, and Bin Yamin Molla just 1. For GS, Farhad Hossain received 466, followed by Hamim (180), Mojumdar (147), and Basu (86).

At Sufia Kamal Hall, Kayem won by a landslide with 1,270 votes. His rivals trailed far behind: Abidul Islam (423), Umama Fatema (547), and Abdul Kader (55). On the GS side, Farhad Hossain again dominated with 964 votes, followed by Basu (507), Mojumdar (216), Arafat (428), and Hamim (402).

AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad said Advisor Asif Mahmud assured support for multiple development projects in Barishal-3.

Requests included construction of roads, 27 culverts, 45 deep tube wells, and renovation of 34 mosques and temples in Muladi upazila.

Mahmud also promised quick allocation for the Mirganj Bridge, while proposals for paving 18 roads and Tk 200,000 for Muladi Press Club repairs are under consideration.

On Tuesday, Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider paid a courtesy call on Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman. He was accompanied by Political Counsellor Kamran Dhangal.

According to Jamaat, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, where both sides discussed issues of mutual interest. They expressed optimism about further strengthening Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.

BNP leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu highlighted women’s role in politics, claiming:
“Half the population are women, and the majority of them love BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ and Khaleda Zia. If women decide, they can bring change in power.”

He pledged that under BNP rule, all families needing assistance would receive family cards.
Dulu also condemned the Awami League for establishing “fascist control” across state institutions, saying, “The only way out is under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.”

BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu blamed the past government for the rise of mob violence.
“This menace started earlier. We are united in trying to suppress it,” he said.

Pintu argued that quick elections are vital for stability. Referring to the DUCSU polls, he said:
“The festive environment shows vibrant competition. I am confident the Chhatra Dal panel will secure a major victory.”

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) GS candidate Abu Bakar Majumder alleged that Mirza Abbas, who has no connection with the DUCSU polls, entered the campus—sending a “wrong message” to the nation.
“Mirza Abbas has no right or reason to be here. His presence raises the biggest question—why did he enter?” said Majumder.

Responding sharply, Mirza Abbas rejected the claim.
“I just came from my Tejgaon office and am now heading to Gulshan for a standing committee meeting. What can I say? Pure fiction! This is how baseless stories spread in this country,” Abbas said.

Sarzis Alam, a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has strongly criticized Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas for his behavior toward the university’s Vice-Chancellor.

In a Facebook post, Sarzis wrote:

“The way Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas treated the honorable Vice-Chancellor today was outright insolent. Someone who doesn’t even know how to speak respectfully to a teacher doesn’t deserve to be called a student, let alone a student leader.”

He further condemned recent gatherings of Jamaat-Shibir activists around the university as “provocative,” accusing BNP and Chhatra Dal of following suit.

“But for a student leader to scold a teacher in front of the media, bang on the table, and speak in a derogatory tone is a disgrace for all of us. Shame on him,” Sarzis concluded.

Veteran politician Fazlu Rahman has alleged a massive conspiracy to cancel his election candidacy, claiming it is orchestrated by “collaborators across Bangladesh.”

“Whenever I speak the truth, they go against me. This group will even spend Tk 500 crore to revoke my nomination,” Rahman said.

Recalling his decades-long political journey, Rahman described himself as “a son of Itna-Mithamain-Austagram” and a freedom fighter who has been engaged in activism for 17 years.

He said he was stunned after suddenly receiving a letter suspending him for three months on charges of making anti-religious remarks and offensive comments against political parties.

Rahman also recalled his independent candidacy in 1996, which ended in defeat, and later joining the BNP on the advice of Zafrullah Chowdhury. Since then, he claimed, certain Islamist groups have continuously run smear campaigns against him.

“This is my last election. Please keep me in your prayers,” he appealed.

DUSU Vice President candidate Sadiq Kayem has alleged serious irregularities in polling centers and warned that attempts to destabilize the campus would be met with consequences harsher than those faced by Sheikh Hasina.

“At ULAB Center, polling agents and observers were barred for over two and a half hours,” Sadiq said. “Reports of manipulation have also surfaced at Ekushey Hall and TSC centers. Those trying to derail the election must be arrested immediately. A free and fair DUSU election is the dream of our martyrs.”

He criticized the DU JCD president’s behavior toward the Vice Chancellor, calling it disrespectful. GS candidate Forhad also condemned the politicization of the election, saying, “DUSU is for students, not a rehearsal ground for national political parties.”

Central leaders of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) met Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan at the Senate Bhaban to lodge complaints over alleged irregularities in the DUSU election.

The meeting quickly turned tense as JCD leaders raised their voices, slammed the table, and even scolded the DU JCD president while addressing the VC.

Their allegations included:

The university administration being influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Shibir.

Jamaat-Shibir activists gathering outside DU gates during polling.

Widespread rigging in the election process.

Responding to the claims, the VC said, “We were informed of gatherings, but these only began after 4 p.m. Adequate security forces are deployed across eight points of the campus. Personally, I have never been affiliated with any political party, nor is the administration influenced by Jamaat—or any other political organization.”

DUSU General Secretary candidate S.M. Forhad has alleged that a BNP-leaning staff member was caught stuffing ballot boxes in favor of the full Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) panel at Amar Ekushey Hall.

“We saw the staff openly casting votes for the entire JCD panel and dropping them in the ballot box,” Forhad said. “After we obtained video footage and other evidence, he was relieved from duty.”

Forhad further accused rivals of fabricating cross-mark allegations to cover up this major incident. “If ballots had truly been marked against us, they should have been shown instantly. Instead, he stalled for a minute and checked other ballots—none bore such marks. No earlier voter raised any complaints either. This proves internal involvement—whether from a teacher, student, or official. Whoever it is must be expelled.”

He added, “DUSU is not meant to serve political parties. It is the right of DU students to vote for whomever they choose.”