Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced that individuals accused in war crimes cases will be barred from participating in elections under the amended ICT Act.

The amendment, approved in a meeting chaired by the Chief Advisor, adds Section 20(C) to the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973. Anyone formally charged under Section 9(1) of the law will be ineligible to hold positions in parliament, local government, public office, or civil service.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Faruk claimed that the Jamaat-e-Islami’s alleged electoral conspiracy is not isolated and involves Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He stated that the plot would not benefit Jamaat but would advantage the Awami League. Faruk also welcomed the High Court’s decision to uphold the acquittal of Tarique Rahman and others in the August 21 grenade attack case.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has accused the Awami League of conspiring to derail the upcoming elections to prevent a free and fair vote.
“Awami League does not want a good election,” Dudu said, warning that plots are underway to block BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman from playing a role in the country’s leadership.
He expressed confidence that an interim government would ensure a free, fair, and acceptable election, which he said was essential for safeguarding the nation’s independence and sovereignty.
“The sooner the election is held, the sooner democracy will be restored,” he added, urging the government to set a specific election date without delay.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has called for banning political office holders from managing school committees to protect educational institutions from corruption and politicization.
Writing on social media, Sarjis noted that a new regulation requires candidates for school managing committee president to hold at least an Honors degree. He praised the interim government for this initiative, saying it would shield schools from “unqualified, opportunistic businessmen-politicians.”

The court has imposed a travel ban on National Party Chairman GM Quader and his wife, Sherifa Quader, following allegations of extortion, nomination trading, misappropriation of party funds, and accumulation of illegal assets.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) informed the court that investigations are ongoing into the illegal acquisition of wealth by GM Quader and others through corruption and abuse of power. The allegations extend to various immovable and movable assets held by the Quaders and their family, both domestically and abroad. Authorities fear that if the couple flees overseas, it could hinder the ongoing investigation.

Outgoing French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her residence in Gulshan, Dhaka, on Wednesday night.
The courtesy meeting was attended by BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan and Khaleda Zia’s personal physician Prof. Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, according to BNP media wing official Shamsuddin Didar.

Sheikh Tanvir Bari Hamim, a DUCSU election candidate from the BNP’s student front, criticized BNP leader Fazlur Rahman, a former Awami League MP and ex-Chatra League leader.
Hamim accused Fazlur of belittling the historic July uprising and the August 5 people’s movement, quoting him as saying “August 5 was the work of dark forces.”
“Once an Awami Leaguer, always an Awami Leaguer,” Hamim said, adding that Fazlur’s statements prove his loyalty lies elsewhere. He praised BNP for issuing a show-cause notice against Fazlur and urged the party to expel him permanently.

Islamic Movement Bangladesh’s Amir, Shaikh-e-Charmonai Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, has declared that Islamic-based politics has no substitute in Bangladesh as the people of the country are deeply devoted to Islam.
Speaking at a massive public rally in Raipura, Narsingdi, he stressed that extortionists, terrorists, and corrupt individuals must not be allowed into parliament. He called for the establishment of an Islamic welfare state to ensure justice and prosperity for all.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for Inqilab Manch, declared that no threats could silence their struggle against foreign dominance.

“Death is decided not on earth but in the heavens,” Hadi said. “If they kill one Abrar, thousands more will rise. If I fall, my son will fight, and his son after him. This struggle for freedom will never end.”

Hadi urged supporters not to be intimidated, vowing to continue the fight “until the Day of Judgment.” He added: “We were born from our mother’s womb for martyrdom. The battle will go on. Inqilab Zindabad.”

Rajshahi University’s Shah Makhdum Hall Chhatra Dal has permanently expelled its vice-president, A.R. Milon Khan, for referring to 91 female students as “unpaid sex workers.”

The organization also decided to file a case against him with Motihar Police Station. Earlier, Milon had claimed his Facebook account was hacked, but an internal probe found otherwise.

Investigators said Milon failed to provide satisfactory explanations and repeatedly avoided contact, proving the offensive remarks were deliberate. The university administration has been urged to take legal action under existing laws.

India has announced that minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who entered the country before December 31, 2024, fleeing religious persecution or fear thereof, may stay without valid travel documents.

The Ministry of Home Affairs clarified that even those who entered with passports or visas that have since expired will be protected.

Analysts argue that the move serves two political goals for the ruling BJP: consolidating non-Muslim communities as a permanent vote bank and reinforcing India’s tilt toward a Hindu-nationalist state. In West Bengal, BJP junior minister Shantanu Thakur welcomed the order, calling it a breakthrough for the Matua community, a key vote bloc in the region.

BNP leader Shama Obaid promised that if BNP forms the next government, it will ensure employment opportunities for students and youth, while eliminating partisan favoritism in recruitment.
She said, “Tarique Rahman’s 31-point reform program, inspired by Ziaur Rahman’s 19-point vision, will be delivered to every household. To build a new Bangladesh, reforms in every sector are essential.”

Accusing the Awami League of destroying institutions and looting national wealth before fleeing, she stressed the need to implement the 31-point agenda for good governance, accountability, and balanced power between the president and prime minister.
Key reforms include limiting any individual to two terms as prime minister and establishing a bicameral parliament.

Shama said BNP would introduce a “Family Card” for marginalized communities and ensure jobs based on merit, not political affiliation.
“The fascist Awami League is gone, but until people’s voting rights are fully restored, our movement must continue,” she concluded.

BNP leader and freedom fighter Kazi Moniruzzaman Monir recalled that it was the declaration of independence by Ziaur Rahman in 1971 that inspired him to join the Liberation War.
He said, “Since then, I have worked as a dedicated follower of Ziaur Rahman, a visionary leader. But democracy in Bangladesh has repeatedly stumbled and is now facing its deepest crisis since independence. Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian government continues to conspire against the nation.”

Monir praised Khaleda Zia for leading movements against dictatorship and standing by people in every crisis. He added that Tarique Rahman would soon lead Bangladesh as Prime Minister, completing the unfinished tasks of Ziaur Rahman and those left incomplete due to conspiracies against Khaleda Zia.
He also alleged that people in Rupganj, including himself, suffered from false cases filed under the influence of former MP Golam Dastgir Gazi.

BNP leader Khairul Kabir Khokon declared that the next national election will take place in February and cannot be derailed by conspiracies.
He said, “The people have already rejected the Awami League for committing genocide and crimes against humanity. They have no future in Bangladesh’s politics. If the people entrust BNP with governing, we are ready to take that responsibility.”

Khokon also criticized elections held between 2008 and 2024 as flawed and urged citizens to vote to ensure democratic governance.

BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu accused India of playing a supporting role in what he termed as “the killing and looting of democracy in Bangladesh.”
Speaking at a rally protesting the recent attack on political leaders, including Nur, Dudu alleged:
“There is a deep conspiracy to keep Bangladesh outside democracy, to turn it into a marketplace of looting, and to prevent free elections. Multiple plots are underway to stop Tarique Rahman from becoming Prime Minister.”

Calling the attack on Nur “tragic and terrifying,” he demanded immediate arrests, warning that law and order cannot exist if attackers roam free.
Dudu further said, “For 16 years, the Awami League has oppressed the people, supported by the Jatiya Party, while its allies in the 14-party alliance now hide in silence. India, in the guise of a friend, has actually encouraged this destruction of democracy. With India sheltering the killers, real friendship between our nations is impossible.”