BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that emotional decisions cannot solve public problems; instead, actions must be based on reality. He emphasized that the party would not take any steps that could lead them astray. Addressing the issue of Tarique Rahman’s exile due to legal cases, he assured that Rahman would soon return to the country. Fakhrul also urged the interim government to implement necessary reforms and hold elections without delay.

At a BNP iftar gathering, acting chairman Tarique Rahman warned that the interim government must not take any steps that could rehabilitate fugitive fascist leaders.

He stressed the importance of restoring voting rights, noting that young people in Bangladesh had been deprived of their right to vote for over 15 years.

At a press conference, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah alleged that the military was attempting to intervene in Bangladesh’s political affairs.

“Politicians—not the military—should determine the country’s future,” he asserted.

He also stated that before any further discussions, the Awami League must be held accountable for its crimes. “They must admit their wrongdoings before we can talk about anything else,” he emphasized.

Nahid Islam, convener of the NCP, vowed that the movement to revoke the Awami League’s legal status will continue.

“The Awami League is no longer a democratic political party; it is a fascist organization. Dr. Yunus recently said there were no plans to ban them, but we strongly oppose such statements,” he said.

He added that the perpetrators of the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Cha

BNP Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi stated that Awami League can engage in politics if its leadership is not involved in murder and looting. However, he emphasized the need for justice. “Justice must be served swiftly, and those responsible must seek public forgiveness. If the people forgive them, we have no objections,” he said, adding that true democracy can only be established through a fair election.

A deadly clash over territorial dominance in Narsingdi’s Raipura left two people dead and five injured. The victims, Amin (23) and Bashar (35), were both supporters of local Awami League leader Salam Mia. Locals reported that a long-standing rivalry between the factions of Salam and Shamsu escalated into a heated argument on Thursday night. By early Friday morning, both sides engaged in a violent confrontation using spears and traditional weapons.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman has stated that the public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League. In a statement, he expressed gratitude for a “new Bangladesh free from fascism” and accused former regime supporters of conspiring inside and outside the country to destabilize the nation. He also emphasized that the primary demand of 180 million oppressed Bangladeshis is the trial of genocide perpetrators, proper rehabilitation of families of 2024 martyrs, medical treatment for the injured and disabled, and fundamental electoral reforms. “Justice for genocide must come first; there is no room for anything else,” he added.

On Thursday, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman spoke with the wife of a protester who was killed during a mass uprising. During the conversation, he vowed to stand by the family’s daughter, who is also a victim of sexual violence. He assured them that his party would fight against those responsible for the heinous act. “Our doctors and lawyers will support you,” he said. The victim’s mother expressed her anguish, stating, “If this is the reward for someone who sacrificed his life for the people of this country, then how will I survive? I want justice for my daughter, and I demand the death penalty for those who harmed her.”

BNP leader and advisor to Khaleda Zia, Habibur Rahman Habib, has expressed solidarity with demands to ban Awami League and its allied political parties, labeling them as fascist and terrorist organizations. He stated that Awami League must be outlawed, emphasizing that failure to act now would be a mistake.

Bashir Alam, father of July martyr Md. Shahadat Hossain Shawon, also called for Awami League’s ban and the trial of Sheikh Hasina and others responsible for the July massacre before the next national election. Habib recalled that in 1990, a mere declaration could have banned the Jatiya Party and warned that no such mistake should be made this time regarding Awami League.

Meanwhile, the ongoing 36-day mass sit-in protest has been withdrawn.

A new political party, “Janatar Dal” (People’s Party), has been formed by former military and civil officials, NGO workers, and political leaders. Led by retired Brigadier General Md. Shamim Kamal, the party’s slogan is “Justice Lives On.” Kamal emphasized their goal of promoting integrity, patriotism, and transparency, pledging to make party finances publicly accessible. He stated that they intend to challenge the political status quo and move against mainstream political trends.

Azadul Islam Pannu, the missing BNP president of Nawabganj upazila, has been rescued by police after being missing for nearly two and a half months. Pannu was last seen leaving for Rajshahi on January 8, and his son filed a missing person report on January 10. BNP Secretary General Fakhrul Islam Alamgir had expressed concern over his disappearance, urging authorities to find and return him to his family. According to the police, he was discovered in Khulna and had been in hiding due to personal reasons.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that a plan is in motion to introduce a ‘Refined Awami League’ as part of an Indian-backed strategy. He claimed that key figures like Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Shirin Sharmin, and Taposh are involved. Abdullah stated that he and two others were offered a seat-sharing deal to support the initiative but rejected it. He warned against attempts to rehabilitate Awami League and called for its permanent ban, urging public resistance.

A case has been filed against Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and 201 others for allegedly attempting to murder madrasa student Saifuddin Mohammad Emdad. The complaint states that during a mass uprising on August 4, a group of protesters led by M.A. Hashem Razu marched from the Central Shaheed Minar to Paribagh near Hotel Intercontinental. Allegedly, members of Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League blocked their path and launched an armed attack with bullets, hand bombs, petrol bombs, and explosives. The victim sustained a bullet injury to his right eye. After recording the plaintiff’s statement, the court directed the officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station to submit a report within seven days regarding any existing cases related to the incident.

BNP leader Abdus Salam Pintu alleged that Bangladesh has been run under India’s influence for the past 15 years. He accused India of conspiring to destroy BNP, believing that weakening the party would make Bangladesh vulnerable. He called for unity against such conspiracies. Pintu further claimed that since 2020, he has been barred from seeing his family. “We have been released, but not fully free,” he stated. Reflecting on his time in prison, he recalled hearing executions from the adjacent cell and fearing his own fate. He urged the government to ensure fair and transparent elections, stating that reforms should serve the people’s rights.

BNP leader Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused a certain group of running a deliberate misinformation campaign against BNP to serve their own interests. He asserted that such tactics would not isolate BNP from the people. He called for unity against any conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the country. “Stability cannot be achieved without elections. Reforms are an ongoing process, but delaying elections in the name of reform is unacceptable. The lack of progress in reforms even after seven months demands accountability,” he added.