The National Citizens Party (NCP) has demanded the cancellation of the Awami League’s boat election symbol, whose registration has been suspended, and the reinstatement of the Shapla (water lily) symbol. After meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner on Sunday, NCP leaders stated that there is no legal barrier to restoring the Shapla symbol. Nasiruddin Patwary, the party’s chief coordinator, warned that if the symbol is not granted, their political struggle will continue. The party also called for the reconstitution of the Election Commission and amendments to relevant laws. The Election Commission has already prepared a draft list excluding the Shapla symbol.

President Donald Trump has threatened to run New York City directly from the White House if progressive candidate Jorhan Mamdani wins the mayoral race. Labeling Mamdani a “communist,” Trump warned he might invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 if necessary. Analysts say such a move would violate the U.S. federal system and presidential powers. Mamdani, a left-leaning activist, is known for advocating social justice, environmental protection, and addressing the housing crisis.

Detective Branch (DB) police have arrested two additional suspects, Sajib Bepari and Rajib Bepari, in connection with the murder of scrap businessman Sohag near Mitford Hospital, bringing total arrests to nine. Police claim the motive was business rivalry, denying any extortion involvement. However, the BNP alleges the killing is part of a deep political conspiracy ahead of the national elections. While demanding justice, BNP accuses ruling party supporters of spreading false extortion allegations to defame their party, emphasizing that the crime—not party affiliation—is paramount.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has initiated a nationwide movement against the government from Lahore. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Gandapur stated that the movement will reach its peak on August 5, marking two years of Imran Khan’s imprisonment. PTI emphasizes the urgency of this movement to protect the public’s voting rights. Imran Khan’s family confirmed he will continue to lead from prison. The first phase will focus on provincial and district levels before expanding nationwide. PTI will announce the movement’s routes and assembly points later.

At a roadside rally in Bagerhat, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam declared that they seek a transformation of the political system, not just leadership change. He warned that those attempting to regain power through outdated methods would fail without reform. Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain emphasized justice for victims like Sohag, Abrar, and Biswajit, stating that killers from any political affiliation would not be spared. The leaders concluded the rally with a march toward Pirojpur.

Islamic Movement Bangladesh organized a roundtable in Dhaka calling for the introduction of proportional representation (PR) in elections to safeguard democracy and constitutional reform. Jamaat-e-Islami supported the demand, warning they would not participate in any election without reforms. Jamaat’s Secretary General Golam Parwar criticized a specific party—implicitly referring to BNP—for delaying consensus and urged the Election Commission to hold a referendum if agreement isn’t reached. Several parties, including Citizen Unity, backed introducing a PR system, arguing it would reduce authoritarian party control and ensure fair elections.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju warned that if the opposition mimics the violence and authoritarianism of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, history will not forgive them. Referring to the brutal killing of businessman Sohag in Mitford, he urged all stakeholders of the pro-democracy movement to ensure such atrocities do not recur. He stressed that no meaningful change is possible if those in power continue to suppress others’ rights. Manju criticized the fragility of opposition unity and warned: “If we repeat Hasina-era abuses, martyrs like Shahid Abu Sayeed and Mugdha will never forgive us.”

Akhtar Hossain, Member Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP), stated that democracy cannot be achieved through elections alone without fundamental reforms. Speaking at a roadside rally in Rampal, he emphasized the urgent need to reform national institutions and law enforcement agencies. He alleged that international conspiracies are unfolding at the Mongla Port and warned that the coal power project poses serious environmental risks. He also claimed that extortion-related violence is on the rise in Dhaka and that local aquaculture areas in Rampal are being seized unlawfully.

Nasir Uddin Patwari, the party’s chief organizer, criticized those who attempt to understand reform from air-conditioned rooms. “A new wave of street-level resistance has begun, and we must show the red card to the politics of looting,” he declared.

BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that those who fear elections and seek to delay them using excuses should remain as pressure groups and not destroy the electoral process.
Speaking at a discussion at the National Press Club, he emphasized that only changes mandated by the people are acceptable—not imposed ones.
He said elections should be held based on the maximum consensus possible, while JASAD President Sharif Nurul Ambia added that public skepticism about whether elections will truly take place remains high.

Tarikul Islam, convener of the youth wing of the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP), has warned that the BNP risks becoming irrelevant like the Awami League if it fails to stop extortion and violence.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital, he claimed that 90% of BNP’s grassroots activists rely on extortion for income and would leave the party if it were stopped.
His organization, Jatiya Juboshokti, is planning nationwide protests and petitions against extortion and violence, including demonstrations in Chattogram and other major cities.

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Gonosonghoti Andolon, has called for India to be brought under UN jurisdiction for trial over repeated border killings.
Speaking at a National Council meeting in Dhaka, Saki said such incidents, including the recent death of a man struck with a stone, reflect a breakdown of law and order under the interim government.
He warned that the people will not tolerate politics of fear and will hold accountable those who shelter violent groups.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farooq claimed that violence erupted shortly after the Chief Election Commissioner announced preparations for elections to be held by December.
He alleged that a broader conspiracy is underway to destabilize the country. Citing unnamed sources, Farooq mentioned: “Some have said the BNP no longer needs the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol, and that if 'Shapla' is invalid, so should the Sheaf of Paddy. Others claimed the 1971 war did not secure complete independence or proposed a proportional representation system in the upper house. There are even demands to delay elections until a revolution is declared and all unresolved cases of the last 18 years are addressed.”

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the Inqilab Manch, stated that if the BNP continues with its outdated political style, it won’t last more than two years in power—even if it wins all 300 parliamentary seats. Speaking at a press conference protesting the recent fatal attack on a businessman in Old Dhaka, Hadi warned that the public is no longer passive: “People have learned to retaliate. If you hurl insults, they’ll respond with stronger words. If you pass anti-people laws in Parliament, people may storm the Parliament themselves without fearing for their lives.”
He urged the BNP to stand firmly behind the July Declaration and the Constitution, cautioning that failure to do so would relegate them to the same fate as the Muslim League and Awami League.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has criticized the Shahbagh protest demanding a ban on the Awami League, calling it a government-orchestrated distraction. He compared it to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's past tactics of diverting public attention before controversial actions. Abbas alleged that the government is deliberately allowing foreign agents into the country and is replacing BNP loyalists in administration with Awami League and Jamaat sympathizers. He also slammed the NCP's silence on issues like St. Martin’s and Sajek and said decisions like humanitarian corridors require public mandate. Abbas warned that some within the BNP, who call for reconciliation with their former oppressors, harbor jealousy towards the party.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the brutal killing in Old Dhaka, where a man was bludgeoned to death. Speaking at a Chhatra Dal event in Gulshan, Fakhrul emphasized that BNP does not condone any form of injustice and blamed the deteriorating law-and-order situation on the absence of democracy. He urged for a national election to establish a government that reflects the people’s will.