BNP leader Selima Rahman strongly criticized the ruling party, accusing it of exploiting the nation under the guise of liberation values. Referring to the August 5 uprising, she said, “Students, workers, men, women, and even children took to the streets that day. Many were killed—your authoritarian regime was responsible.”

She warned the ruling camp against conspiracies and reminded them that people are now more vigilant. Selima also hailed Ziaur Rahman for declaring independence and Khaleda Zia for freeing the country from autocracy, accusing the government of fabricating cases to keep Khaleda imprisoned for years.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has rejected claims that his party is avoiding elections. “We have no issue with election dates—it could even be held tomorrow. Our focus is on reforms and a clear roadmap for justice,” he stated.

Hasnat called for political unity to implement reforms by February, warning against the use of state forces to suppress opposition as in the past. “We are not against state institutions; we want their reform. But enforced disappearances must end, and the Commission must be allowed to work independently,” he stressed.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam has emphasized that the party wants both the Constitutional Assembly and legislature elections to be held under the legal framework of the July Charter. “The sooner this charter gets its legal basis, the sooner elections can be held,” he said before leaving for a five-day trip to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

Nahid explained that the delegation of eight NCP leaders aims to strengthen party-to-party ties, exchange political visions, and enhance government-to-people friendship between Bangladesh and China. He also expressed hope to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora during the visit.

An eight-member delegation of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is set to leave Dhaka tonight (Tuesday) for a four-day official visit to China. The delegation, led by NCP Convener Nahid Islam, is scheduled to return on August 30.

Other members of the team include Akhtar Hossain, Sarjis Alam, Nasiruddin Patwari, Samanta Sharmin, Nahida Sarwar Niva, Mahbub Alam, and Tahsin Riaz.

Speaking ahead of departure, Nahid Islam said the delegation would also try to meet with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in China during the trip.

This visit follows similar tours by delegations from BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, both of which recently traveled to China for political engagements.

Korean Air has signed a $36 billion agreement with Boeing to purchase 103 aircraft, including 737, 777, and 787 models. The deal was announced shortly after South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, where tariffs were discussed. Boeing says the order will help sustain 135,000 U.S. jobs. Korean Air’s CEO Walter Cho said the new jets will modernize the fleet and strengthen competitiveness as the airline merges with Asiana. Hyundai also pledged $26 billion U.S. investment.

Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has reiterated his call for adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) system in national elections, arguing that it would ensure fair representation for all political groups.

Speaking at a rally in Shariatpur, he said:

“If elections are held under the PR system, every vote will count, and every party will have representation in parliament. This will prevent the rise of corrupt individuals, killers, and extortionists in politics.”

Rezaul Karim described PR as a system beneficial for the entire nation, adding that such a method would also stop the emergence of “fascist regimes.”

Other speakers at the event called for the realization of the spirit of July, justice for war crimes and genocide, rehabilitation of the families of martyrs, and the establishment of a just welfare state free from discrimination.

They also demanded that no election should take place without the rehabilitation of martyr families.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar announced that the party’s high command has given him the green light to prepare for the upcoming election in Gazipur-6.

Speaking at a local gathering, Hasan criticized the Awami League for “destroying the education system” and eliminating sports from schools, which he said is vital for youth development. He vowed to campaign across Tongi, Pubail, and Gacha, promoting BNP’s 31-point agenda set by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

Tanvir Rahi, a close associate of YouTuber Towhid Afridi, has accused him of blackmail and abusive behavior toward fellow content creators.

“On camera, Afridi appears friendly, but off-camera he’s terrifying. In the YouTube industry, people fear him like a tiger,” Rahi said. He alleged Afridi would beat friends with a belt “like dogs” and use political figures or law enforcement to intimidate rivals.

Rahi recounted being threatened during the recent protests, including a chilling late-night video call where Afridi boasted about his influence. “He has no humanity, only revenge in his mind,” Rahi added.

BNP has suspended senior leader Fazlur Rahman from all organizational posts, including primary membership, for three months over “offensive and misleading” comments on the July uprising.

In its official letter, the party said Rahman’s response to a show-cause notice was unsatisfactory. “As a freedom fighter, harsher action could have been taken, but for now, all your posts are suspended,” it read.

The letter also urged Rahman to remain cautious so that his remarks do not harm the nation’s image, party principles, or people’s religious sentiments.

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Fazlur Rahman has rejected allegations that his remarks on the July–August uprising were offensive or misleading.

In his reply to the party’s show-cause notice, Rahman said he always respected Islam, opposed religious opportunism, and encouraged students during quota reform and July protests. He added that attempts to credit Jamaat-Shibir for the movements were unjustified, insisting BNP was the driving force.

Rahman reiterated that none of his statements harmed the party but pledged to apologize if proven wrong. He called for a fair review from BNP’s disciplinary committee.

At Kishoreganj’s Gurudayal Government College grounds, students staged a protest by hurling shoes at a portrait of BNP leader Fazlur Rahman, declaring him “unwanted” in the district.

BNP’s Kishoreganj Organizing Secretary Haji Israil Mia said Rahman had ignored repeated warnings against making anti-party statements that undermined the July Movement and Islamic political groups. Jamaat leader Prof. Ramzan Ali accused Rahman of using “derogatory” language against the movement while praising the Liberation War.

In response, Rahman defended himself, saying his comments were misrepresented and aimed at highlighting BNP as a pro-Liberation War party.

On the very first day of campaigning for the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu) elections, two banners of the Shibir-backed United Student Alliance were vandalized at the Faculty of Fine Arts on Tuesday.

Photos of the incident spread on Facebook, and on-site visits confirmed the damage. One broken banner was found around 2:19 pm, while another was discovered destroyed later at 3 pm by Assistant Proctor Israfil Prang. CCTV footage shows two unidentified students vandalizing the banners.

Alliance leader SM Forhad condemned the incident as “deeply regrettable” and urged the Election Commission to investigate and take action. The proctor’s office confirmed an investigation is underway.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has confirmed that the next national election will take place in early February 2026, stressing that there is no uncertainty among the Election Commission, government, or BNP regarding the timeline.

He said parties that boycott the election would only marginalize themselves. “Anyone refusing to participate risks making themselves irrelevant,” he remarked.

On alliances, Salahuddin revealed that discussions are underway with several Islamist parties, but ruled out any possibility of joining forces with Jamaat-e-Islami. He emphasized merit-based candidate selection and assured that those who fought against authoritarianism would be prioritized.

Gono Odhikar Parishad leader Nurul Haque Nur has accused influential individuals of orchestrating the arrests of My TV chairman Nasir Uddin Sathi and his son Towhid Afridi to seize control of the channel.

Nur claimed that the two were pressured with offers of Tk 5 crore in cash or share transfers. When negotiations failed, he said, authorities arrested them under a case filed a year earlier related to a student murder.

He argued that such politically motivated arrests undermine press freedom and may draw criticism from international human rights organizations. “Just as in the case of Daily Janakantha’s takeover, those manipulating the administration for My TV must also be exposed and held accountable,” Nur stated.

The Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) has strongly condemned an alleged attack on its adviser Mahfuz Alam at the Bangladesh Consulate in New York, reportedly carried out by Awami League activists.

In a statement, the party accused the Awami League of once again exposing its “fascist, terrorist, and mafia character.” The NCP linked the incident to what it described as a broader pattern of violence, including attempts to normalize the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla crackdown, and the July killings.

The party further criticized the Bangladesh government for its silence, noting that no official protest or diplomatic action has been taken nearly 24 hours after the incident.

The NCP urged the interim government to take a clear stance and called on the US government to designate the Awami League as a “terrorist organization” in light of its violent activities abroad.