BNP leader GK Gaus has said that the party remains committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence for people of all religions in Bangladesh.

He expressed concern that those who fled the country after the recent mass uprising may use their illicit wealth to destabilize Bangladesh. As a precaution, BNP is maintaining heightened vigilance during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.

“Religion is personal, but the country belongs to all. BNP believes in communal harmony, where every faith enjoys equal dignity and rights,” Gaus stated.

He praised BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman for mobilizing party activists nationwide last year to ensure Durga Puja was celebrated peacefully despite political turmoil.

“Even in the toughest times, we stood together with people of all religions. If we remain vigilant, no evil force will be able to disrupt harmony,” he added.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a 12-day second-phase protest programme, pressing five demands including elections under a proportional representation (PR) system, ensuring legal recognition of the July Sanad, and guaranteeing a level playing field. The programme, announced by Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, includes public outreach from October 1–9, rallies in Dhaka and divisional cities on October 10, and submission of memoranda to district administrators on October 12. Jamaat warned of continued street protests if demands are ignored.

BNP leader Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim has criticized proposals for Proportional Representation (PR)-based elections, calling the idea absurd and dangerous for democracy.

“Under PR, you could vote in Sandwip, but your MP would come from the Maldives—such thinking is absurd and unfit for Bangladesh’s political culture,” he remarked.

He argued that while reforms are necessary, many changes require constitutional amendments that must go through Parliament. Asim accused the ruling Awami League of ignoring the constitution while trying to restore authoritarian rule.

He further alleged that all major infrastructure progress took place under Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, while the current government has only plundered national wealth and repressed citizens over the past 15 years.

Bangladesh continues to face significant barriers to foreign investment despite efforts to improve electricity reliability. A U.S. State Department report highlights unfair taxes on foreign firms, corruption, red tape, and weak infrastructure as key challenges. The interim government has taken early steps but lacks effective action on labor rights and intellectual property enforcement. Foreign reserves dropped from USD 48 billion in 2021 to under USD 20 billion in 2024, worsened by banking scandals and loan defaults. Reforms are underway to stabilize the sector.

BNP Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid has declared that extortionists and those engaged in unethical practices have no place in the party.

Speaking during a constituency visit in Saltha, she said, “If anyone in BNP, even from my own team, is involved in wrongdoing, hand them over to the police. We will not protect them.”

She emphasized the need to root out corruption, extortion, and political exploitation to ensure genuine development.

During visits to 20 Durga Puja mandaps, Shama stressed BNP’s commitment to equal treatment of all religious communities. She warned that fascist elements might try to disrupt the festivities but assured that BNP activists would guard temples around the clock to maintain peace.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that both local and international conspiracies are actively working against the Zia family and nationalist forces in Bangladesh.

Speaking at a party event, Rizvi warned that efforts are underway to destabilize communal harmony and create unrest across the country. He urged all pro-democracy parties and citizens to remain vigilant.

Criticizing the ruling establishment, he claimed that authorities are deliberately delaying elections and attempting to derail democracy. Rizvi further warned that Bangladesh’s youth, long deprived of their voting rights, would not forgive any attempt to manipulate elections.

He also called on BUET students and intellectuals to contribute their knowledge and ideas to BNP’s vision for national reconstruction.

BNP leader Koyser Kamal accused Jamaat-e-Islami of attempting to sabotage upcoming elections under the pretext of demanding proportional representation (PR).

“Thousands have sacrificed their lives for democracy, not PR. Those demanding PR don’t even fully understand it,” Kamal said. He argued that citizens, deprived of voting rights for the past 17 years, are now eager to cast ballots.

He urged Jamaat to present an electoral manifesto if they truly believe in democracy, instead of misleading the public with religious rhetoric. Kamal alleged Jamaat’s PR demand is part of a new conspiracy to prevent the establishment of a democratic environment.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam asserted that the party has legally secured its right to the lotus election symbol. “If needed, NCP will go to the streets or the courts to claim its rightful symbol,” he declared.

Alam emphasized the party’s demand for visible justice and reforms based on the July Charter. He also accused Indian media of spreading propaganda to destabilize Bangladesh, claiming attempts were made to grab temple lands through forged documents in the past, often exploiting minority communities.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mia Golam Porwar announced that the party will launch a nationwide public outreach campaign from October 1 to 9, followed by countrywide rallies on October 10 and the submission of memorandums to district commissioners on October 12.

Porwar accused the interim government of ignoring public demands and warned that Jamaat would be forced to take to the streets if the demands remain unmet. He reiterated the party’s call for elections in February based on the July Charter, cautioning that otherwise a street movement would ensue.

Porwar also revealed that a new party logo was shown “experimentally” during a recent meeting, but stressed it was not final. He said the party’s previously announced five-point demands had gained public support, and Jamaat would continue to mobilize citizens behind them.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said the people of Bangladesh are now focused on elections, and those attempting to disrupt voting will be identified and rejected by the public.

Rejecting religion-based political divides, Salahuddin stressed that BNP stands for inclusive politics across all faiths and communities. He called for unity among political parties to safeguard democracy, while warning that both domestic and foreign conspiracies would be resisted by the people.

Criticizing the proportional representation (PR) system, he said it perpetuates hung parliaments and instability—something the people of Bangladesh firmly oppose.

Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, a leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, has claimed the upcoming 13th national election will divide the nation into two camps: one aligned with Islam and the country, and the other “against Islam, aligned with India.”
He argued proportional representation (PR) would ensure a balanced parliament, noting 91 countries have adopted the system without repeal.
Karim also declared Bangladeshis would reject corrupt leaders, extortionists, and rapists: “People no longer want the corrupt to hold power.”

Islamic Chhatra Shibir president Muhammad Jahidul Islam has said that the student organization is actively working to counter the challenges of modern-day “Jahiliyyah” (ignorance).
Speaking at an induction ceremony for new Alim students at Tongi’s Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa, he said, “From this institution will emerge future leaders who will carry forward the legacy of Hazrat Umar (RA) and lead the world, Inshallah.”

Mufti Amir Hamza, Jamaat’s candidate for Kushtia-3, has said he will exercise greater caution in his speeches following criticism over past controversial remarks at Islamic gatherings.
Speaking at a Seeratunnabi event, he emphasized that Jamaat-e-Islami’s politics is guided by the ideals of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). “When I speak for long, sometimes a slip of the tongue occurs. I will now be more careful,” Hamza said.

BNP leader Mahbub Uddin Khokon has stated that elections under a proportional representation (PR) system are not feasible without constitutional amendments and a majority in Parliament.
He said, “For 22 years, Jamaat carried out movements under BNP’s shadow. Now that Awami League has fled, they want PR-based elections. But without amending the Constitution, such elections will be deemed questionable.”
Khokon urged BNP members to remain united, campaign door-to-door, and ensure a massive mandate to form the next government under acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has slammed Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher’s controversial statement that “if India invades Bangladesh, 5 million youths will wage a war of independence.”
Calling the remark “dangerous and against the nation’s sovereignty,” Rizvi questioned its intent: “Why is the narrative of India invading or a war breaking out suddenly being floated? Is this part of a staged plan?”
He warned that Jamaat’s rhetoric could be tied to a larger “blueprint” designed to destabilize Bangladesh. “We once witnessed the fall of fascism. But now people are questioning whether a new form of fascism is resurfacing from underground. Such comments weaken sovereignty and endanger the nation.”