Former press secretary to Khaleda Zia, Maruf Kamal, has revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and Naib-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Abu Taher recently met with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Tareque Rahman at Tareque’s residence in London after their return from a European tour. Details of the meeting remain undisclosed. Kamal hinted that this meeting may either signal a political development or be merely a courtesy visit—only time will tell.

At Chittagong University, a student was reportedly beaten by Chhatra Dal members on suspicion of being affiliated with the banned student group Chhatra League. The victim, Shawon Hossain from the Statistics Department (session 2016-17), denies any involvement. However, Chhatra Dal members claim he had assaulted one of their activists earlier. Shawon is reportedly linked to the CFC subgroup of Chhatra League. Police also confirmed that Chhatra Dal tried to block his transfer from the university medical center to Chittagong Medical College.

In a statement, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Golam Parwar criticized the government’s decision to increase soybean oil prices and industrial gas tariffs. He called the 14-taka hike in oil and 33% gas price increase “irrational” and harmful to new industrial ventures. With the new gas rate at BDT 40 per unit, up from BDT 30, Parwar warned that these changes will discourage entrepreneurship and worsen conditions for the poor, who primarily rely on soybean oil for cooking. He urged the government to withdraw the decisions immediately.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed a case against former UK minister and niece of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tulip Siddiq, along with two former RAJUK legal advisers, over allegations of illegally acquiring a flat in Gulshan, Dhaka.
According to ACC sources, the accused are Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, former Assistant Legal Adviser of RAJUK Shah Md. Khasruzzaman, and former Assistant Legal Adviser-1 Sardar Mosharraf Hossain. The complaint alleges that the trio conspired to misuse their influence and violate public trust, obtaining a luxury flat in Eastern Housing Ltd.’s Gulshan-2 property (Flat No. B/201, House No. 5A & 5B [old], now 113 & 11B [new], Road No. 71) without making any payment. The property was later formally registered in their names.
The charges include abuse of power, misconduct, and unlawful enrichment through criminal conspiracy.

Ali Riaz, Vice-Chair of the National Consensus Commission, stated that there is broad agreement on the need for state reform, despite some differences on implementation strategies. Speaking at a meeting with the National Democratic Movement, he expressed optimism that a National Charter could be finalized soon. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, as the commission’s tenure ends in mid-July, and initial discussions are expected to conclude by mid-May. Bobby Hajjaj added that these reforms aim to create a people-centric government and eliminate fascist forces like the ruling League from Bangladesh’s political landscape.

A local Awami League leader named Saimon has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a 2015 attack on the motorcade of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Karwan Bazar. Police said he will be produced in court on Tuesday. Earlier, on April 6, another party leader, Sabbir Hossain, was arrested in connection with the same case. The attack occurred during a campaign for BNP mayoral candidate Tabith Awal.

Kazi Fazle Elahi, Vice-President of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) at Government Mujib College in Companiganj, Noakhali, was severely injured after being attacked by fellow party leaders. Elahi had recently resigned in protest over the inclusion of ruling party affiliates and teenage gang members in the new JCD committee. He was allegedly assaulted by JCD President Zahidul Islam Saimun, General Secretary Arup Majumdar, and others in two separate attacks. Elahi has since filed a case against the attackers, naming 25-30 people including Saimun, Arup, Akib, and Shanto.

Photos of two Awami League leaders—Vice Presidents Babu Swapan Roy and Golam Mohiuddin—participating in a Bengali New Year rally organized by the administration of Khetlal Upazila, Joypurhat, have gone viral on Facebook. The presence of political figures in a government-organized event has sparked widespread criticism. The rally was attended by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Asif Al Zinath, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Zinath Ara, Agriculture Officer Zahidul Islam, OC Dipendranath Singh, and other government officials.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir has accused the interim government of being fearful of democratic political leadership. “Some elements within the government are actively working to depoliticize the nation, and student leaders like the martyred Wasim Akram stand in their way,” he said. Nasir criticized the government’s selective remembrance of the July uprising, saying, “While Shaheed Abu Saeed and Mir Mughda are remembered, Wasim Akram, who died at the same time, is ignored.” He added, “Wasim Akram’s sacrifice is an integral part of our fight to restore democracy. As long as the spirit of democracy lives in people’s hearts, Wasim Akram will remain immortal.”

Upon returning from a week-long medical trip to Singapore, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated his party’s commitment to national unity. “We have always believed in building a new Bangladesh through dialogue and unity,” he said. He expressed hope that the Bengali year 1432 would open a new horizon for the nation and bring joy and opportunity to every citizen. Speaking on upcoming elections in December, he added, “This issue too will be resolved.”

BNP central leader and convener Aminul Haque led a Boishakhi procession in Mirpur’s Pallabi and Rupnagar areas, joined by party activists and locals. He said, “The joy of the Bengali New Year has found expression in this public celebration. For the first time in a tyranny-free Bangladesh, people are celebrating their cultural heritage freely.” He conveyed New Year greetings on behalf of Tarique Rahman and called for a united, prosperous, and humane Bangladesh free from violence and political revenge.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju said the recent mass uprising has renewed national unity. Speaking at a New Year celebration, he emphasized, “We must move forward together as a nation by embracing all cultural identities.” Criticizing past attempts to divide society on religious and cultural grounds, he said, “For too long, the New Year celebration was bogged down by ideological divisions. But now, all children of this soil—regardless of race or religion—must unite under our shared culture.” He also called for an end to confusion over elections and for the resolution of political uncertainty in the new year.

BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan has confirmed that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has returned to Dhaka on Monday evening after receiving medical treatment in Singapore. He traveled there with his wife, Rahat Ara Begum, on April 6 for a regular health checkup. Notably, in 2015, while imprisoned, a blockage was discovered in his internal carotid artery, after which he began annual follow-ups in Singapore.

In Netrokona’s Atpara, two leaders of the opposition youth group Jubo Dal assaulted the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) during a Pohela Boishakh event. The accused, Nur Farid Khan (secretary) and Modasser Hossain Kaiyum (joint convenor), reportedly tore down the event’s banner and confronted the UNO, Royal Sangma. Kaiyum later admitted that someone had sent him a banner image featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s name. They stormed the stage to inquire about it, creating a commotion. Officials clarified that the banner did not mention Mujib, after which the accused apologized to the administration.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that the Awami League’s political demise began with the student-led uprising in Dhaka and culminated in Delhi. He stated, “The fall of fascism through mass participation from students and citizens will be remembered as a historic event in South Asia.” He also accused the Awami League of trying to distort Bengali culture, saying, “Boishakhi parades, fairs, and panta rice are part of our heritage. To undermine this, they introduced the so-called Mongol Shobhajatra.” He urged citizens to uphold Bengali culture and reject Indian cultural influence.