BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu said that nearly 10 months after the fall of the autocratic regime, democratic governance has yet to be restored. He criticized the current administration for preaching “development lessons” similar to those of Sheikh Hasina, under the guise of reform.

He asserted that democracy is essential to defeat fascism, adding that India is spreading propaganda against Bangladesh, and only elections can counter this. He echoed Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman’s views that the path to democracy must be protected and elections are the only solution.

A second person has died following internal clashes between BNP factions in Kaliganj, Jhenaidah. The victim, 62-year-old Yunus Ali, succumbed to his injuries after his brother, Mohabbat Ali, was previously killed in the same incident.

Mohabbat’s son, Enamul, filed a case naming 58 individuals and accusing 30-40 unidentified persons. The conflict stemmed from a long-standing power struggle between Nazrul Islam and Arif Hossain in Jamal Union. Although Nazrul was previously affiliated with the Awami League, he joined BNP after the recent political shift.

BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury criticized the government for announcing the budget without consulting political parties. Speaking at a press conference, he denounced the imposition of taxes on education, calling it unjustified. He pledged that a future BNP government would eliminate education-related taxes.

He added, “With inflation soaring and incomes declining, raising taxes will only burden the public. The budget should prioritize improving people's living standards, not widening inequality.”

GOP leader Rashed Khan criticized the interim government's proposed budget, stating that it mirrors the practices of previous regimes, including a deficit of Tk 2.26 trillion. He said, “Once again, the budget leans heavily on foreign dependency.”

He condemned the provision allowing black money to be legalized through real estate purchases and construction, calling it unconstitutional and unjust. However, he welcomed the allocation of Tk 405 crore for victims and martyrs of the July uprising. Khan expressed doubts about whether this fund will be used appropriately and warned that new currency printing could worsen inflation.

UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis emphasized that inclusive elections should focus on citizens’ participation rather than just the involvement of political parties. Speaking at a DCAB Talk in Dhaka, she voiced strong support for the current government's reform initiatives aimed at ensuring fair elections. She also stressed the importance of accountability for the July massacre. On the issue of aid to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, she clarified that the UN is not part of any discussions regarding the creation of a humanitarian corridor.

Elon Musk has fiercely criticized Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, calling it a “disgusting abomination” that dangerously inflates the U.S. budget deficit. Musk’s remarks come after his abrupt departure from the administration and signal a serious rift within Republican ranks. The bill, which includes extended tax cuts and increased defense spending, could add $600 billion to the deficit next year and raise the debt ceiling to $4 trillion. Musk warned voters to oust unfaithful politicians in the upcoming elections.

The AB Party has called for urgent improvements in the services, labor rights, legal aid, and overall welfare provided by Bangladeshi embassies worldwide to ensure a stable flow of remittance income.

Following a meeting with legal advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul, AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad stated that the party is pressing the interim government to take swift and concrete actions based on recommendations received from migrant communities across over 100 countries, including Malaysia.

Fuad emphasized that “a political party’s fundamental duty is to identify public issues and resolve them. AB Party is advocating for actionable steps to address the most pressing concerns of overseas Bangladeshis.”

BNP leader Aminul Haque has urged the government to announce a roadmap for the next national election without delay, stating that the people of Bangladesh—along with all political parties engaged in the simultaneous movement—want elections to be held by December.

Speaking at a public event, Haque emphasized that while the ruling party claims to support reforms, the demand for meaningful reform has long been echoed by the BNP and the broader public. “True reform,” he said, “can only come under a free, fair, and impartial election conducted by a people’s government.”

He further criticized the government’s performance over the past ten months, claiming that despite promises of reform and justice, no substantial progress has been made. “You have failed to bring any of your autocratic allies to justice,” he stated.

Haque also underscored the urgency of holding elections as a means to overcome the country’s ongoing economic crisis and political instability.

Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tasnim Zara criticized the current system of reserved parliamentary seats for women, stating it prevents elected female MPs from establishing direct relationships with local constituents.

Zara argued that women should be elected through direct votes in specific constituencies to ensure accountability and better representation of local issues. Addressing criticisms from academics and election officials who questioned the need for MPs to be locally connected, Zara clarified that MPs are not just lawmakers—they are policymakers who must remain connected to public needs. While local governments execute policy, MPs must develop laws grounded in people’s experiences.

The Left Democratic Alliance has rejected the newly announced budget, labeling it a continuation of outdated free-market policies that fail to address core issues such as inequality, unemployment, inflation, and investment stagnation.

The alliance said the public expected relief and concrete social protections—like universal rationing or a national minimum wage—which are absent. They also criticized the budget’s provision to legalize black money as unconstitutional and a betrayal of public trust.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed the interim government’s budget mirrors those under Sheikh Hasina, including the provision to legalize black money.

He criticized the silence of advisers when asked about election timelines and noted the declining focus on reforms. Rizvi also expressed disappointment over low allocations for health and education, arguing that the current budget favors corrupt elites and will worsen the financial pressure on the poor and middle classes.

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Consensus Party (NCP), criticized the newly announced national budget, saying it fails to address inequality or reflect the spirit of the historic July uprising.

He noted that the budget overlooks the needs of lower- and lower-middle-income groups and fails to provide meaningful employment opportunities. He also condemned the move to legalize black money, calling it unethical and contrary to the sacrifices made during the July movement. Nahid further highlighted the significant cut in the budget for the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and warned that increased taxes on e-commerce and digital transactions could have negative consequences.

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has criticized Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus for lacking engagement with political parties. He stated that Yunus repeatedly claims only one political party wants elections but provides no explanation or accountability.

Manna said that Yunus often avoids direct questions, responding with a smile or silence, and despite calling five meetings with all parties, practical dialogue has been absent. “When people ask whether elections will be held, their concern is justified,” Manna added.

In a recent meeting of the Consensus Commission, all major political parties, including the BNP, have reached an agreement to amend Article 70 of the Constitution under specific conditions. These conditions include exceptions for votes on money bills, confidence votes, and constitutional amendments—outside of which, MPs will be allowed to speak freely in Parliament.

The BNP has proposed an additional clause: party MPs must not vote against the party line or speak out on matters concerning national security or during wartime. If there is no consensus on this point, the BNP plans to issue a note of dissent and include the matter in its party manifesto.

However, consensus was not reached on three other key proposals: appointing opposition MPs as chairs of all parliamentary standing committees, reforming the voting process for women’s reserved seats, and defining the term and scope of a caretaker government.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has called for urgent action from the Election Commission, stressing that the voices of 11 million expatriates must not be ignored.

"You cannot claim any real progress while sidelining our remittance warriors. Denying them voting rights is a brutal injustice," said Rahman, warning that the economic repercussions would be severe. He also urged the Commission to test its capabilities by conducting local elections ahead of the national polls.