Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman announced that Bangladesh’s local government elections will take place toward the end of this year. He stated that the process will be conducted in phases and is expected to take about one year to complete. Rahman made the remarks on Tuesday around 11:30 a.m.

During his statement, Rahman also mentioned that farmers affected in the haor region will receive a one-time payment of 7,500 taka each. Addressing concerns about the measles vaccination program, he said the interim government had no dishonest intent regarding the vaccine, but the reasons for the delay in administering it should be investigated.

The announcement outlines the government’s upcoming electoral timeline and its immediate relief measures for affected farmers, while also signaling an internal review of the vaccination delay.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has officially published a gazette declaring Nusrat Tabassum, joint convener of the NCP under the Jamaat-led alliance, as a Member of Parliament for a reserved women’s seat in the 13th National Parliament. The announcement was confirmed on Tuesday, May 5, by Returning Officer and EC Joint Secretary Md. Moin Uddin Khan.

Earlier, the nomination of another NCP candidate, Monira Sharmin, had been rejected due to complications related to government employment. Nusrat Tabassum’s nomination was initially not accepted because it was submitted 19 minutes after the deadline on April 21. She later sought legal remedy, and the court instructed the Election Commission to accept her nomination and proceed according to law. Following verification, the EC declared her nomination valid on May 2.

Meanwhile, Monira Sharmin filed a writ petition challenging the rejection of her nomination and requested that the gazette not be issued until the court hearing concluded. However, on May 4, a High Court bench expressed inability to hear the petition due to a conflict of interest and referred it to another bench.

Bangladeshi political parties are actively discussing the implications of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the West Bengal state elections, which ended Mamata Banerjee’s long tenure. Many are curious about how the new BJP-led government might influence bilateral issues such as Teesta River water sharing, border management, and cross-border migration. The discussions reflect both curiosity and concern over potential shifts in regional dynamics.

The report notes that relations between Bangladesh and India had been strained following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, though recent efforts from both sides have aimed to improve ties. Some Bangladeshi parties expressed concern over remarks made by Indian politicians about Bangladesh during the campaign, while others emphasized maintaining stable relations regardless of political changes in India. Foreign Minister of State Shama Obaid stated that Bangladesh’s approach to unresolved bilateral issues would remain consistent, irrespective of who governs West Bengal.

Party representatives offered varied perspectives: some warned of rising communalism, while others viewed the election as India’s internal matter. Overall, the focus remains on ensuring continued dialogue and cooperation between the two neighbors.

Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh has issued a statement demanding justice for the killings that occurred on May 5, 2013, at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka’s Motijheel area. The joint statement, released to the media on Tuesday, was signed by the party’s president Shaikhul Hadis Maulana Ubaydullah Faruq and secretary general Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi. The leaders described the incident as a tragic and shameful chapter in the nation’s history, recalling the loss of many innocent lives and injuries to numerous others.

The statement emphasized that a culture of impunity is unacceptable in any civilized society and that the state bears the responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens. The Jamiat leaders called for the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible for the Shapla Chattar killings. They also urged the formation of an independent and internationally credible commission to investigate the incident and publish its findings promptly.

The leaders expressed deep respect for those killed, conveyed condolences to their families, and urged effective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

On May 5, 2026, survivors of the 2013 Shapla Square operation in Dhaka shared their ongoing struggles and memories of that night. The crackdown followed a mass gathering called by Hefazat-e-Islam, when security forces reportedly opened fire after lights were cut off. Many participants were injured or killed, though no official death toll has ever been confirmed. Survivors like Rashedul Islam Siraji, Mohammad Nure Alam, and Nasir Uddin Ahmed described lifelong disabilities, financial hardship, and emotional trauma stemming from the events.

Rashedul lost a leg after being shot and now runs a small grocery shop under heavy debt. Nure Alam lost an eye and suffered paralysis, struggling to support his family as a security guard. Nasir Uddin still carries the physical and financial scars of a bullet wound that ended his education and left him indebted for years. All three expressed frustration that neither the government nor Hefazat-e-Islam has provided recognition, rehabilitation, or compensation for the injured.

The survivors’ accounts highlight enduring pain and a continuing call for official acknowledgment of the Shapla Square violence and its victims.

Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. A.K.M. Shamsul Islam, adviser to the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces Division, stated that district commissioners have been instructed to help transform the armed forces into a more people-oriented institution. He made the remarks on Tuesday after the first session of the third day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

According to the adviser, the conference discussed the demands, work plans, and related matters of the armed forces, with district commissioners being briefed on their expected roles. He said the government aims to ensure the armed forces operate with accountability and public engagement, reflecting the philosophy of late President Ziaur Rahman. The discussions also covered how district commissioners could contribute to strengthening professionalism and patriotism within the military.

Shamsul Islam added that the meeting reviewed ways to enhance cooperation and mutual trust among the armed forces, district commissioners, and civil administration, particularly regarding their roles during elections.

Kushtia-3 Member of Parliament and Islamic speaker Mufti Amir Hamza posted a statement on his verified Facebook page on Monday night, addressing allegations related to extortion and other misconduct. In his post, he claimed that certain vested groups were spreading false propaganda against him because his efforts to serve the people were obstructing their interests.

Hamza wrote that since becoming an MP, many individuals involved in extortion, tender manipulation, land grabbing, and drug trade could no longer operate freely. He alleged that these groups were now spreading fabricated information to protect their illegal activities. He warned them to stop such actions and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the trust placed in him by the people of Kushtia.

He concluded by expressing confidence that his constituents would continue to support him in resisting those engaged in wrongdoing and pledged to make every sacrifice necessary to uphold their welfare.

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has called for the formation of an independent, impartial, and credible investigation commission to uncover the truth behind the 2013 Shapla Chattar massacre in Dhaka. In a statement to the media on Tuesday, he demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible, describing the incident as a tragic and shameful chapter in the nation’s history.

Rahman stated that despite the passage of many years, no fair or acceptable trial has yet been conducted, leaving victims’ families deprived of justice and causing frustration and anger among the public. He emphasized that the culture of impunity cannot be acceptable in a civilized state and that the right to peaceful assembly and expression is constitutionally guaranteed.

He urged the nation to remain united in the movement to establish peace, justice, and humanitarian values, stressing the need to reveal the truth and bring the perpetrators under the law to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

State Minister for Social Welfare and Member of Parliament for Natore-1, Farzana Sharmin Putul, has intervened following media reports alleging irregularities in the construction of a mini stadium in Bagatipara upazila, Natore. The project, costing around Tk 9 crore, came under scrutiny after reports of substandard materials, unscheduled work, and poor supervision. During her visit, the minister ordered a 24-hour suspension of construction and announced that the contract agreement would be reviewed. She warned that proven irregularities would lead to strict action, including possible replacement of the contractor.

Farzana Sharmin Putul criticized the local administration for not taking timely action despite public complaints. She emphasized that development must be transparent and that citizens have the right to know how public funds are used. The minister also pledged to raise the issue at higher levels of government.

Local residents welcomed the minister’s swift response, expressing hope that this would mark the beginning of effective measures against long-standing irregularities and ensure quality and transparency in the project.

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has not formally conceded defeat in the recently concluded state election, alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the help of the Election Commission, took away around 100 seats from her party. She and Abhishek Banerjee are expected to hold a press conference in Kolkata’s Kalighat to explain how the party was allegedly defeated. Despite her claims, the BJP is set to form its first government in the state with more than a two-thirds majority.

Analyses of the results suggest several factors behind Trinamool’s loss after 15 years in power. These include erosion of female voter support due to failures on women’s safety, large-scale voter list revisions that removed over nine million names, and widespread allegations of corruption and administrative inefficiency. The party also faced setbacks from Hindu-Muslim polarization, with BJP gaining from consolidated Hindu votes.

Observers note that the Election Commission’s control over the administration and deployment of over 240,000 central security personnel limited Trinamool’s traditional advantage as the ruling party, contributing further to its electoral defeat.

Two officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have been dismissed for failing to return to work after taking leave and leaving the country. The matter was confirmed on Tuesday morning by CAAB’s public relations officer, Kawsar Mahmud. The dismissed officials are Mohammad Abu Sayeed, Director of Flight Standards and Regulations (Airworthiness and Engineering), and Md. Arif-ur-Rahman, Assistant Director (CNS). Abu Sayeed was temporarily suspended on May 3 and asked to explain within seven days why he should not be permanently dismissed, while Arif-ur-Rahman was permanently dismissed on April 25.

According to CAAB sources, Abu Sayeed had applied to join a job in Malaysia in July of the previous year and went on ten days of leave from August 4 to 13, 2025, but did not return afterward. Despite multiple attempts to contact him through official and personal channels, his whereabouts remained unknown. His absence exceeding 60 days without permission was treated as misconduct under CAAB’s 2021 employment regulations, leading to a departmental case and subsequent dismissal decision. Arif-ur-Rahman, who went to the United States on 15 days of leave, also failed to return for about 20 months and was dismissed for prolonged absence and misconduct.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has secured a historic victory in West Bengal, winning 206 of the state’s 294 assembly seats and ending the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lost her own Bhabanipur seat to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeared in traditional Bengali attire in Delhi, pledging to build a “Sonar Bangla” and calling the 2026 election a triumph of good governance.

Analysts cited religious polarization, anti-incumbency, and strategic campaigning as key factors behind the BJP’s success. The party’s focus on administrative failures, local issues, and Bengali cultural symbols helped counter the “outsider” label. Trinamool’s image suffered from corruption scandals, unemployment, and local-level extortion. The Election Commission faced allegations from Trinamool of voter list manipulation, which BJP described as a victory for neutrality.

Post-election violence and unrest were reported across the state, prompting deployment of central forces. Discussions have begun over who will become West Bengal’s next chief minister, with several BJP leaders under consideration. The results mark a major political realignment in India, with BJP and its allies also performing strongly in Assam and Puducherry, while new forces rose in Tamil Nadu and Congress regained Kerala.

In the 2026 Indian state elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) achieved sweeping victories in West Bengal and Assam. In West Bengal, the BJP ended Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year Trinamool Congress rule by winning 202 of 294 seats, while Trinamool secured 71. The Congress won 2 seats and the CPI(M) 1. In Assam, the BJP-led NDA returned to power for a third consecutive term, with the BJP alone winning 82 of 126 seats. The NDA also retained control in the union territory of Puducherry.

In Tamil Nadu, actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), made a historic debut by winning 105 seats, becoming the single largest party and positioning Vijay as a potential chief minister. The DMK and AIADMK won 58 and 46 seats respectively. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF regained power after ending a decade of Left Democratic Front rule, securing a majority with Congress winning 63 seats and CPI(M) 26.

The results mark a major political shift across several Indian states, reshaping regional power balances and leadership dynamics.

Bangladesh today observes Shapla Massacre Day, commemorating the deadly crackdown on Hefazat-e-Islam’s rally at Dhaka’s Shapla Chattar on May 5, 2013. The operation, known as “Operation Secure Shapla,” was carried out jointly by law enforcement agencies during the night, leaving an unresolved debate over the number of casualties. While the then government claimed minimal deaths, rights group Odhikar listed 61 victims. The International Crimes Tribunal’s (ICT) investigation agency has now confirmed evidence of 32 killings, citing the use of lethal weapons and sound grenades after cutting electricity.

Following political changes in 2024, previously suppressed information about the incident has begun to surface. The ICT investigation agency is preparing to submit a report accusing 25 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, and ex-DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed. Families of victims, long silenced by fear, are now demanding justice and accountability.

Hefazat-e-Islam leaders have urged current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible, emphasizing that justice for the May 5 killings is essential to uphold the rule of law in Bangladesh.

Leaders of various political and religious organizations have demanded an impartial investigation and punishment for those responsible for the killings at Shapla Chattar in Dhaka on May 5, 2013. The demand was made in statements sent to the media on Monday, marking the anniversary of the incident. Commemorative discussions and prayer gatherings were held in the capital and other parts of the country.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh issued a statement urging nationwide prayers and discussions in memory of the victims, calling on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to ensure justice. The group held events in several Dhaka zones, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh’s leader, the Chormonai Pir, called the killings a shameful chapter in national history and demanded recognition and compensation for the victims. He also urged the state to officially commemorate the day.

Today, multiple organizations are continuing related programs, including discussions at Dhaka University and exhibitions at the National Museum. On Friday, the Shapla Smriti Sangsad will host a memorial event titled “Shaplar Shohidgantha—5 May Massacre: Remembrance and Evaluation.”