Sarjis Alam, the chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) for the northern region, has described the appointment of district council administrators based on party affiliation as the first step toward autocracy. He made the remarks on Sunday night through a post on his verified Facebook account, criticizing the government’s decision to appoint administrators in 42 district councils on partisan grounds.

In his post, Sarjis compared the current situation to a previous interim government that appointed only one city corporation administrator, which the BNP had then labeled as the destruction of democracy. He argued that the current appointments are entirely undemocratic and urged the government to immediately hold local government elections under an elected administration. He also called for an end to what he described as the politics of looting through partisan appointments.

Sarjis further warned that appointing party loyalists as administrators to gain political advantage and later electing them would mark the beginning of an autocratic political blueprint.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran is desperate to reach a deal, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. He added that while Iran wants an agreement, he does not believe Tehran is ready to take the necessary steps. Trump also mentioned that despite Iran’s threats of retaliation, he is in discussions with other countries about protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected Trump’s claim, saying Tehran has not requested any ceasefire or negotiations. He stated that Iran sees no reason to talk with the United States under current circumstances and is prepared to defend itself as long as needed. In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said Iran was attacked even while engaged in talks, calling the conflict a war of choice by President Trump and the U.S.

The exchange underscores continuing U.S.-Iran tensions over security in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional standoff, with both sides maintaining firm positions against compromise.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to inaugurate a nationwide canal excavation program in Dinajpur on Monday, marking the start of another election pledge by the BNP government before completing its first month in office. The event will take place at Balrampur Sahapara in Kaharol upazila, where the prime minister will launch the initiative by reopening a 12-kilometer canal. The program aims to restore silted and dead canals across the country to improve irrigation systems and reduce waterlogging during the monsoon season.

According to government sources, the initiative also seeks to strengthen canal-based rural economies through fish farming and duck rearing. Experts believe the project will enhance agricultural productivity, mitigate flooding, and help maintain ecological balance. The program will be implemented jointly by the Water Resources Ministry, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, and BADC. Preparations and security measures have been completed in Dinajpur ahead of the prime minister’s visit, which includes a public rally, grave visits, and an iftar gathering.

The canal excavation initiative follows the legacy of late President Ziaur Rahman, who launched a similar program in 1977 to boost rural development and agricultural output.

The government has extended the tenure of the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC) by one year, despite a prior recommendation from the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances to dissolve the controversial surveillance agency. The decision, issued on February 20, 2026, allows NTMC to continue operations until new telecommunications regulations are implemented. Meanwhile, the promised restructuring of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), including a name and uniform change to the Special Intervention Force (SIF), has seen no visible progress.

Experts and rights advocates have expressed concern that the NTMC’s vast data archives—containing call records, location data, and social media information—lack a transparent plan for disposal or transfer. Critics argue that extending NTMC’s mandate without a clear roadmap risks erasing evidence related to past disappearances. The Commission of Inquiry had earlier identified both NTMC and RAB as central to human rights abuses under the previous administration and recommended their dissolution or deep reform.

Analysts warn that the government’s delay in reforming these institutions undermines public expectations of accountability and may prolong a culture of impunity surrounding surveillance and extrajudicial actions.

National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary and Rangpur-4 MP Akhtar Hossain has blamed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the failure to implement the Constitutional Reform Council. He made the remarks on Sunday while addressing an iftar event organized by the National Professional Alliance at a restaurant in Bijoy Sarani, Dhaka.

Hossain argued that citing constitutional reasons to block reforms is inconsistent, pointing out that other constitutional changes have been made based on public sentiment. He also criticized Salahuddin Ahmed for not adhering to the conditions of the July Charter despite previously advocating for them. NCP chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari added that those opposing reforms under the pretext of constitutional constraints should be replaced in the 2029 election by reform-minded representatives.

Speakers at the event, including NCP leaders Alaudin Mohammad and Faridul Haque, reiterated their commitment to fighting corruption, extortion, and terrorism in politics, emphasizing that their struggle for reform would continue.

Police detained several Awami League leaders during a virtual meeting with Nafisa Kamal at the Oasis Hotel in Cumilla’s Tomchom Bridge area on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026. The leaders were reportedly released about an hour later, prompting allegations that Cumilla Kotwali Model Police had freed them shortly after detention. The meeting was part of an iftar event attended by former and current leaders of Nangalkot Upazila Awami League, including former chairman Nazmul Hasan Bhuiyan Bashir and others, some of whom have pending cases.

Police officials said the operation was conducted based on information about possible subversive activities. Officer-in-Charge Touhidul Anwar stated that the individuals were questioned at the scene and released after consulting senior officers. Additional Superintendent of Police Saiful Malek confirmed that several people were questioned but no significant information was found. Local MP Mobasher Alam Bhuiyan said he was unaware of any intervention to secure the leaders’ release.

The incident has drawn attention to the handling of political figures by local law enforcement and the transparency of police actions in Cumilla.

Advocate Md. Shahadat Hossain, member secretary of the Jhalakathi district BNP and president of the Jhalakathi District Lawyers’ Association, has been appointed as the administrator of the Jhalakathi District Council. The appointment was announced on Sunday, March 15, through a notification issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives.

The order, signed by Deputy Secretary Khondkar Farhad Ahmed, named administrators for 42 district councils across the country. According to the District Council (Amendment) Ordinance–2024, the appointed individuals will serve as full-time administrators until further notice. Shahadat Hossain has long been active in Jhalakathi’s politics and legal profession, holding various leadership roles within the BNP and the local bar association.

Following his appointment, Shahadat Hossain expressed gratitude to the party leadership and stated his intention to use the district council to promote development, infrastructure improvement, and public welfare in Jhalakathi through collective effort.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Porwar has protested the government’s decision to appoint party-affiliated individuals as administrators in 42 district councils. In a statement issued on Sunday, March 15, he said the Ministry of Local Government had issued a notification making these appointments, which he described as contrary to public expectations.

Porwar argued that in a democratic system, local government bodies should be run by representatives elected through public votes. He claimed that appointing administrators undermines this process and shifts control toward partisan and bureaucratic management. He warned that replacing elections with appointment-based governance poses a serious threat to democracy and directly harms citizens’ voting rights and representative governance.

He further stated that although the government speaks of strengthening local governance, such actions could weaken democracy and damage the country’s political culture. Porwar urged the government to cancel the decision and hold free, fair, and impartial elections for district councils, calling on citizens to stand up for their democratic rights.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said that reforming the Information Ministry is essential to effectively work for journalists’ welfare. Speaking on Sunday at an iftar and prayer event organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium, he emphasized the need for modernization and digital empowerment to provide secure and efficient public services while addressing cyber and technological risks.

The minister noted that frequent changes in ministerial leadership hinder the development of specialized knowledge required for effective administration. He added that the government is considering restructuring the ministry to ensure citizens’ right to free access to information, as directed by the Prime Minister. Swapan also mentioned that journalists’ problems are being documented and that discussions with journalist leaders will be held soon. He highlighted complications regarding the wage board issue due to unclear jurisdiction between the Information and Labour Ministries.

Senior officials from the police, journalist associations, and foreign missions attended the event, which focused on strengthening collaboration between the government and the media community.

In Charbhadrasan upazila of Faridpur, expatriate BNP leader Yunus Ali Pramanik from Spain has constructed an earthen road over a canal in Bhati Shalepur village under Charharirampur Union, enabling smoother transportation across the Padma River’s char region. The initiative has eased movement for locals who previously relied on a bamboo bridge that restricted heavy vehicles.

According to residents, the new road allows horse carts, motorcycles, bicycles, and tractors to pass easily while maintaining the canal’s water flow. Pramanik also built a passenger shed and installed a tube well at the Shalepur trawler ghat to improve comfort and safety for travelers. Locals expressed gratitude, noting that the facilities have reduced long-standing travel hardships.

Pramanik said he could not remain indifferent to people’s suffering and has long been involved in social welfare activities, including supporting mosques, madrasas, clubs, and healthcare for the needy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran has not requested a ceasefire nor sought any compromise. Speaking to CBS News, he said Tehran sees no reason to engage in talks with the United States under the current circumstances and remains prepared to defend itself for as long as necessary.

Araghchi explained that Iran does not understand why it should negotiate with Washington, noting that while discussions were ongoing, the US decided to launch attacks against Iran. He described the conflict as a war chosen by President Donald Trump and the United States, emphasizing that Iran will continue its self-defense efforts.

Earlier, US President Trump claimed that Iran wanted to make a deal but said he was not interested because the proposed terms were unsatisfactory, according to Al Jazeera.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi stated in the National Parliament on Sunday that public confusion has arisen because the BNP did not take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council formed under the July National Charter. He said that despite a referendum showing strong public support for constitutional reform, the BNP’s hesitation raised doubts about its commitment to the July Charter and the people’s aspirations for a reformed Bangladesh.

Saeedi expressed hope that the BNP would soon end speculation by taking the oath and implementing the July National Charter Implementation Order 2025 in line with the 2026 referendum results, where 70 percent voted in favor. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to enforce the people’s decision and called for justice, independence of the judiciary, and a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

He also urged all parliament members to unite beyond political divisions to build a welfare-oriented state based on equality and justice, describing the July Charter as a historic milestone reflecting the people’s revolutionary aspirations.

Prime Minister and BNP Chair Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Dinajpur on Monday to inaugurate a canal excavation program. He will arrive at Saidpur Airport at 10 a.m. by air and then travel to Dinajpur in a special bulletproof bus. The visit was confirmed by Abdur Gafur Sarkar, president of the organizational district BNP of Saidpur. Local BNP members have organized a welcome procession in Saidpur to greet him along the route from the airport to the city.

According to the schedule, after landing in Saidpur, Tarique Rahman will travel by bus to Kaharol to inaugurate the canal excavation project. Following the event, he will visit Dinajpur town to pay respects at his grandparents’ graves and attend an iftar at the Circuit House field. He is expected to return to Dhaka by air at 8 p.m. the same day.

Additional Superintendent of Police Anwar Hossain stated that strict security measures have been arranged for the Prime Minister’s visit, with SSF, intelligence personnel, and 3,000 police officers deployed across the area.

India’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for assembly elections in four states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal—and the union territory of Puducherry. The announcement was made in New Delhi by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on March 15, 2026. In West Bengal, voting will take place in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4 across all states and the union territory.

In West Bengal, the first phase on April 23 will cover all districts except Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, East Burdwan, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas, which will vote in the second phase on April 29. The announcement came shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that pending dearness allowances for government employees would be cleared and monthly stipends for mosque muezzins and Hindu priests would be increased.

The decision follows previous protests by state employees demanding payment of pending allowances, and a Supreme Court directive ordering the state government to settle the dues. A day before the schedule was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Kolkata and unveiled development projects worth 180 billion rupees for West Bengal.

Opposition leader and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman announced that his party will take to the streets if the issue of forming a constitutional reform council under the July Charter is not resolved within parliament. He made the statement on Sunday evening after the national parliament session, emphasizing that the opposition had sought a resolution by the end of the day. Rahman noted that questions were raised about the oath of the reform council, the timing of its session, and whether the referendum results would be honored.

During the same parliamentary session, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed responded that the constitution does not recognize the existence of a constitutional reform council, meaning the prime minister cannot advise the president to convene it. He suggested that the matter be discussed in the parliamentary business advisory committee. Rahman said the opposition would submit a formal notice and continue discussions in parliament but would move to street action if no solution emerged.

The opposition expressed hope that the government would accept their demands to implement the July Charter and convene the reform council as per the constitutional process.