National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has described Bangladesh’s political history as one defined by broken promises and unfulfilled commitments. Speaking at an election dialogue organized by The Daily Star at the China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he said that the country’s political movements once aimed for systemic reform, but those aspirations were never fully realized. Despite this, the NCP plans to support the ‘yes’ vote in the upcoming national referendum.

Islam emphasized that without transparency and accountability, corruption cannot be eradicated. He proposed a new initiative called “Hisab Dao” (Give Account), under which the government would regularly disclose its activities and expenditures to the public. He also urged political parties to honor their pledges, including the creation of a post-election consensus commission.

Addressing the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, Islam criticized them for competing with the ruling Awami League for votes rather than presenting unified reform agendas. His remarks reflect growing frustration among smaller parties over the credibility of Bangladesh’s political process ahead of the next election.

Haji Obaidul Haque, a suspended leader of the Awami League and former finance secretary of the party’s Feni district unit, has collected a nomination form to contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from the Feni-2 constituency under the banner of Amjanatar Dal. He obtained the form on Tuesday from the district returning officer’s office.

Speaking to reporters, Haque explained that since Awami League’s political activities are currently suspended, he could not contest under the party’s name and therefore chose Amjanatar Dal as an alternative platform. He clarified that although he remains a member of the Awami League, he is temporarily representing Amjanatar Dal in the election. Ashish Dutta, convener of the party’s Feni district branch, confirmed Haque’s candidacy.

According to the district election office, a total of 30 candidates have collected nomination forms across Feni’s three constituencies so far. The development highlights shifting political alignments ahead of the upcoming national polls, with several local leaders seeking alternative affiliations amid party restrictions.

Leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Cumilla are preparing to travel to Dhaka to welcome the party’s acting chairperson, Tarique Rahman, who is set to return to the country after 17 years. Local BNP units across Cumilla district and city have held multiple preparatory meetings, with processions and gatherings taking place in anticipation of the event scheduled for December 25.

Cumilla South BNP President Zakaria Taher Suman said that party members have been instructed to reach Dhaka and join what he described as a ‘sea of people’. North district convener Md. Akhtaruzzaman noted that enthusiasm is at its peak, with activists ready to greet their leader near the 300 Feet area in Dhaka. City BNP General Secretary Yusuf Molla Tipu expressed emotional excitement, calling the return a historic moment for the party.

According to BNP’s divisional organizing secretary Mostak Mia, over 100,000 activists from 17 upazilas are expected to join the reception. The event is seen as a major political mobilization ahead of future national political developments.

Bangladesh’s Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed stated that while economic ties with India remain stable, the government is actively working to normalize political relations. He made the remarks following a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Government Procurement at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

Dr. Ahmed clarified that political relations between Dhaka and New Delhi have not deteriorated significantly, but the government is taking steps to prevent any abnormality. He emphasized that the Chief Adviser himself is engaged in efforts to improve bilateral understanding and maintain a cooperative atmosphere.

The adviser reiterated that Bangladesh seeks cordial relations with all neighboring countries and does not wish for any tension in the region. His comments come amid ongoing discussions about regional cooperation and the importance of maintaining balanced diplomacy with India, Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and strategic neighbor.

Helal Uddin Munshi, a long-time Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader and member of the Bauphal upazila convening committee, has joined Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the 13th national parliamentary election. The switch was announced at a local rally in Bauphal’s Suryamani Union, where Munshi formally joined hands with Jamaat candidate Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud. Following the announcement, the BNP expelled Munshi through an official statement signed by Bauphal BNP’s member secretary, Apel Mahmud Firoz.

Munshi, who had been active in BNP politics for 25 years, said he now intends to dedicate his life to serving Islam under Jamaat’s banner. Local political observers believe his defection could strengthen Jamaat’s “balance scale” symbol in the Patuakhali-2 constituency, where BNP’s internal divisions have deepened. Jamaat leaders welcomed Munshi’s move, calling for unity to consolidate support ahead of the polls.

The development underscores shifting alliances in southern Bangladesh as parties recalibrate strategies before the upcoming election, potentially altering voter alignments in key constituencies.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to New Delhi, Riaz Hamidullah, on Tuesday, just hours after Dhaka called in Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma. The move followed Bangladesh’s formal protest over recent security incidents targeting its diplomatic premises in India.

Earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry had expressed concern about violent demonstrations near its High Commission and the envoy’s residence in New Delhi, as well as vandalism at its visa center in Siliguri. Dhaka condemned what it described as “planned acts of intimidation” and urged India to ensure the safety of its diplomatic staff. Indian officials, however, downplayed the incidents, saying the protests were limited and did not breach security barriers.

The reciprocal summons highlight rising diplomatic tension between the two neighbors. Analysts note that both sides are seeking to contain the dispute through official channels, but the episode underscores the fragility of bilateral sensitivities amid domestic political pressures in both countries.

Inquilab Mancha has announced a nationwide wall-writing and graffiti campaign on December 24 and 25 to promote the struggle and ideals of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi. The announcement came after a 'Martyr’s Oath' event held at Shahbagh in Dhaka, where the group’s member secretary, Abdullah Al Jaber, urged supporters to share photos and videos of the campaign on social media.

Jaber reiterated that the movement for justice over Osman Hadi’s killing would continue until accountability is ensured. He warned that those responsible would face no leniency and hinted at further programs on December 26 if their three-point demands remain unmet. Jaber also expressed hope that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman would return to Bangladesh and join the movement.

Osman Hadi’s brother issued a stern warning to the government, saying that failure to deliver justice could force officials to flee the country. The group’s latest call reflects growing frustration among supporters and signals potential escalation of political activism in the coming days.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, has alleged that political mafias and terrorists have effectively taken the government hostage. Speaking at a central committee meeting in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, he urged the authorities to take immediate and strict action against these groups, regardless of political affiliation. Haque warned that the country is being deliberately pushed toward fear and anarchy, replacing the rule of law with authoritarianism.

He cited the brutal killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh as an example of growing lawlessness, calling it an unprecedented atrocity. Haque expressed concern that the failure to arrest and prosecute perpetrators has emboldened criminals nationwide. He also condemned recent attacks on media outlets such as Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, accusing state inaction of indirectly aiding violent groups.

The party demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in recent killings, arson, and looting, warning that continued impunity could deepen insecurity and social unrest across Bangladesh.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated parliamentary candidate for Habiganj-4 (Madhabpur–Chunarughat), journalist Oliullah Noman, has intensified grassroots campaigning ahead of the upcoming national election. On December 23, he conducted extensive voter outreach across local markets in Chunarughat Sadar Union, urging support for the party’s election symbol, the scale.

During his campaign, Noman pledged improvements in education and infrastructure, including schools, colleges, madrasas, and roads. He also stated that if Jamaat-e-Islami forms the next government, it will establish a justice-based state system. Local Jamaat leaders and supporters accompanied him throughout the day’s activities, emphasizing the party’s renewed focus on community engagement.

The announcement underscores Jamaat’s attempt to reassert its political relevance after years of restrictions and controversies. Analysts note that the party’s emphasis on justice and development aims to appeal to rural voters seeking stability and reform. The campaign in Habiganj-4 reflects Jamaat’s broader strategy to rebuild its grassroots presence ahead of the national polls.

Dr. Md. Fakhruddin Manik, former central president of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, has officially collected his nomination papers to contest the upcoming national election from the Feni-3 (Daganbhuiyan–Sonagazi) constituency. The nomination was collected on Tuesday, December 23, from the district returning officer’s office. Dr. Manik is the nominated candidate of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami for this constituency.

Several senior Jamaat leaders, including Feni district Ameer Mufti Abdul Hannan, Mahmudul Hasan, and former upazila Ameer and freedom fighter A.S.M. Nur Nabi Dulal, were present during the submission. Dr. Manik currently serves as a member of Jamaat’s central Majlish-e-Shura and assistant secretary of the party’s Dhaka North unit. He has been active in social initiatives under the Daganbhuiyan–Sonagazi Development Forum.

His participation marks Jamaat-e-Islami’s continued effort to field candidates across constituencies despite political restrictions. Observers note that his candidacy could influence local voter dynamics and test Jamaat’s organizational strength in the Feni region.

Police Superintendents across Bangladesh have urged the Election Commission to increase the number of executive magistrates deployed during the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. During a high-level coordination meeting in Dhaka’s Agargaon, they argued that without additional magistrates, police should be granted limited magistracy powers to ensure smooth law enforcement and prevent electoral violence.

The officers cited challenges including vehicle shortages, insufficient manpower, and the logistical strain of managing multiple elections on the same day. They also requested higher operational budgets and recommended deploying Red Crescent volunteers to assist elderly and disabled voters. District Commissioners, meanwhile, highlighted the need for helicopters for remote areas, tighter border security, and stronger measures against misinformation and AI-driven disinformation.

The Election Commission is expected to review these proposals as part of its final election preparedness plan. Analysts note that granting police magistracy powers could raise legal and accountability concerns, but may also enhance rapid response capacity in volatile regions.

Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens Party (NCP) and a potential candidate for the Dhaka-9 parliamentary seat, announced that her election fund received Tk 2.368 million in just 14 hours. The update was shared on her verified Facebook page on Tuesday afternoon, where she expressed gratitude to supporters and encouraged further contributions through bank transfers after her mobile payment limit was reached.

Jara stated that her campaign’s fundraising target is Tk 4.693 million, meaning she has already secured more than half of the goal within the first day of the drive. Earlier, she reported receiving over Tk 1.2 million within the first seven hours of launching the campaign on Monday. She emphasized transparency in handling donations, sharing screenshots of transactions and promising full disclosure of expenditures.

Observers note that Jara’s rapid fundraising reflects growing public engagement in digital political financing in Bangladesh. Her approach could set a precedent for transparent, citizen-driven campaign funding ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has officially ceded the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency, covering Sarail and Ashuganj, to its alliance partner Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. Jamiat’s central vice-president Maulana Junaid Al Habib will contest the seat with BNP’s support. However, Barrister Rumin Farhana, BNP’s international affairs secretary and a prominent figure within the party, has announced she will run independently after being denied the nomination.

Rumin Farhana stated that she respects the party’s alliance decision but intends to test her popularity as an independent candidate. Local BNP leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to follow the party line, emphasizing unity within the organization. The Brahmanbaria-2 seat has historically been shared between major parties and their allies, making it a politically sensitive constituency.

Analysts suggest Farhana’s independent candidacy could test BNP’s internal cohesion and alliance management ahead of the national election. Her move may also influence future seat-sharing negotiations within the opposition coalition.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has issued a strong statement cautioning authorities not to arrest or harass innocent critics in connection with recent attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. The group’s leaders, Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman, said they oppose violence but demanded the immediate release of those detained without cause.

In their media statement, the leaders accused the two newspapers of long-standing bias and alleged collaboration with foreign interests. They criticized the government’s handling of the arrests and condemned the mention of a detainee’s madrasa background in an official press release as discriminatory. Hefazat also recalled earlier crackdowns on media outlets and claimed that civil society’s silence during those times had weakened moral accountability.

The statement reflects growing tension between religious groups and sections of the media in Bangladesh. Analysts suggest the remarks could further polarize public discourse and complicate ongoing investigations into the alleged attacks.

Two senior BNP leaders, Gazi Muhammad Shahjahan Jewel, a former MP, and Saifuddin Salam Mithu, joint convener of Chattogram South BNP, have collected nomination forms for the Chattogram-12 (Patiya) constituency. Their move comes despite the party’s preliminary nomination of district BNP member Enamul Haque Enam. Representatives of both leaders collected the forms from the Patiya Upazila Executive Officer’s office on Tuesday.

Party insiders confirmed that four BNP aspirants, including Jewel and Mithu, have lodged complaints with the acting chairman against the initial nominee. Mithu told reporters that the final candidate has not yet been announced and pledged to support whoever receives the party’s official endorsement. As of December 23, eight candidates from various parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Party, Islami Front, and independents, have collected nomination forms.

The internal contest underscores growing tension within BNP’s local ranks ahead of the upcoming national election. Party leaders expect a final decision from the acting chairman soon, which may determine whether the dispute escalates or resolves within party discipline.