BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently in London for medical treatment, has shown signs of improvement. He mentioned that this Eid marks the first time in eight years that she is celebrating with her family. While her exact return date is uncertain, she is expected to be back in Bangladesh by mid-April. Fakhrul alleged that Khaleda Zia developed liver cirrhosis while in prison, where she received no proper medical care. He further claimed that she was subjected to slow poisoning while incarcerated, citing the deplorable condition of her prison cell—damp walls, crumbling plaster, and the presence of rats.

In an undisclosed location in Barguna, Awami League activists distributed Eid gifts under the banner of ‘Joy Bangla Parishad’ in the name of fugitive Sheikh Hasina. A video of the distribution went viral, leading BNP activists to stage a protest against it.

The viral Facebook video, posted by former Barguna municipal councilor Touhid Molla, shows Awami League’s Upazila Vice President Abu Zafar, District Jubo League leader Tanvir Siddiqui, and several others distributing Eid gifts labeled as “A gift from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.” In response, BNP leaders condemned the act, accusing Awami League of destabilizing Barguna. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved, calling them fascists.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has invited BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman for an Eid greeting exchange. On Thursday, Assistant Director of the Chief Adviser’s Office, Khandaker Mominur Rahman, personally delivered the invitations to the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Muhammad Yunus is expected to perform Eid prayers at the National Eidgah and later host a gathering at the Chief Adviser’s Office.

Amid uncertainty over the next general elections, 52 political parties, including BNP, are demanding that the elections be held by December. Senior leaders of these parties have stated that no compromises will be made on this demand. They also called for electoral reforms and a clear roadmap for the election process. If their demands are not met, mass protests are expected by the end of April. Discussions are ongoing as opposition leaders accuse the government of deliberately keeping the election timeline ambiguous.

Tensions have erupted between BNP and Awami League following a violent attack in Chatak, leaving Faruk Khan (35) critically injured. While returning home from an Iftar gathering, Khan was ambushed and suffered 15-20 stab wounds. The incident has intensified political hostilities in the area, with reports suggesting that the attack was linked to political rivalry. Khan, a leader of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Wing, was attacked near his home in Kanchanpur after attending an event hosted by former UP chairman Nizam Uddin.

The Ziaur Rahman Foundation distributed Eid gifts to 12 families in Sherpur who lost members in the July uprising. The foundation’s divisional committee, led by Engineer AKM Zahirul Islam and Dr. Md. Sayem Monowar, personally delivered gifts and a commemorative letter on behalf of acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. Family members demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.

BNP North Dhaka Convener Aminul Haque accused a group of attempting to delay elections under the pretext of reform. He emphasized the need for an immediate, fair election to restore stability and establish a government chosen by the people. He argued that democracy can only be fully realized through such a government and demanded the trial of Sheikh Hasina and her allies.

On Saturday, the Pakistan World Alliance announced that PTI leader Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership and efforts in human rights and democracy. A post on X from Partiet Centram stated that they collaborated with an eligible nominator to put forward Khan’s name. Previously, Khan was nominated for the prize in 2019 for his peace initiatives in South Asia.

BNP central leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu warned the government that if an election is not held soon, public anger will reach uncontrollable levels. He accused Sheikh Hasina of rigging elections and suppressing the people's right to vote for 15 years. He stated that the upcoming election will be held under the BNP’s leadership, with Tarique Rahman at the helm, and vowed to restore democratic rights through mass movement.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said that those who once exploited state power for personal gain and terror are now realizing the consequences of their actions. He highlighted how political violence and revenge-driven politics have exhausted citizens. Manju asserted that the July uprising was a clear rejection of the old politics of violence. He believes that as young leaders take charge, the era of political terror will be left behind, making it impossible for fascist rule to return.

NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that Bangladesh was under fascist and autocratic rule for a long time. He credited the student-led uprising of July-August 2024 for liberating the country from dictatorship. To prevent such a regime from returning, students have organized under the National Citizens Party (NCP). He emphasized that every citizen of Bangladesh has rights and dignity, and their party's long-term vision is to ensure these rights through political reform.

BNP leader Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah claimed that after assuming power, Ziaur Rahman rescued Bangladesh from famine and made it self-sufficient in food production. He accused the "terrorist" Awami League of plundering the country, oppressing farmers, and forcing dependency on India for expensive agricultural goods. Rahmatullah recalled how Ziaur Rahman took charge through the Sipahi-Janata revolution after the tragic events of 1975 and introduced groundbreaking agricultural reforms to ensure food security.

BNP leader Mostafizur Rahman Babul made a controversial statement, demanding both the return and execution of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We want Sheikh Hasina back, we want Mirza Azam back, we want Obaidul Quader back—but we also want Sheikh Hasina to be hanged,” he declared.

He lamented that in the past 15-16 years, people have been unable to vote freely, elect MPs, or form local governments. He claimed that the most persecuted person in the country is BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he referred to as the “Mother of Democracy.” Babul accused the ruling government of imprisoning her for years under false cases and pushing her toward death through “kangaroo court” verdicts.

NCP leader Samanta Sharmin declared in Bhola that there is no place for the Awami "terrorist" party in Bangladesh. She called for the prosecution of this "fascist and genocidal" party in an international court. Sharmin stated that for 15 years, one party ruled Bangladesh, but on August 5, the student movement ousted the Awami League. However, she noted that some groups, who were nowhere to be found during those years, are now trying to take credit. She accused them of extortion and spreading fear in local communities. She emphasized that Bangladesh's student movement stands firm against corruption and terrorism.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has questioned the necessity of holding a Constituent Assembly election, asking whether Bangladesh had ever become a newly independent state again.

“A Constituent Assembly is only needed when a country gains independence, has no laws, no constitution, and no government,” he argued. Rizvi accused the ruling party of attempting to erase the memory of Bangladesh’s greatest achievement in 1971 by introducing the idea of a “second independence” through a new Constituent Assembly.

He criticized government-aligned student leaders and newly formed political groups for promoting this idea, asking, “On whose behalf are you speaking?” Addressing the government, he accused it of playing a deceptive game with election dates, mentioning shifting timelines from March to June to December. He insisted that any reforms should be carried out by an elected government, while the current regime could only propose them.