A fresh controversy has erupted after former Awami League MP and star cricketer Shakib Al Hasan came under fire for wishing deposed leader Sheikh Hasina on her birthday.
Responding to criticism, party adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan wrote on social media, “Brother, I was forced to take the nomination. I only contested the election but was never involved in Awami League’s party politics.”
He sharply criticized Shakib’s stance, saying, “How can someone with blood-stained hands from killing students and citizens be allowed to carry Bangladesh’s flag? Why should financial fraudsters, market manipulators, and money launderers be rehabilitated just because they are good cricketers? The law is equal for all—face it.”

BNP leader Zainul Abedin Farooq has alleged that several parties, including Jamaat, are conspiring to sabotage Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s proposed electoral roadmap under the pretext of introducing a proportional representation (PR) system.
He said, “After 16 years, when Hasina has fled, some are now plotting to bring back fascism. Sheikh Hasina executed Jamaat leaders, yet today, under India’s agenda and her patronage, they are marching in Dhaka.”
Farooq urged political allies to participate in the elections instead of derailing them. “The people of this country don’t care about PR. They will proudly cast their votes in the election declared by Dr. Yunus, not for any PR-appointed leader. They will vote for the Sheaf of Paddy and the Scales.”
He further said, “If Dr. Yunus cannot contest the elections, only Allah knows what Bangladesh’s future will hold. Let us unite and build this country—we have achieved nothing in the past 55 years.”

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has said that his party envisions a Bangladesh where religious harmony, mutual respect, and fraternity form the core values of society.
Speaking after visiting several Durga temples in Tentulia, he said, “While everyone follows their own religious traditions, it is essential to show respect to other faiths. The stronger our mutual bonds, the safer and stronger our country will become.”
Sarjis added that the NCP is committed to building a society free from discrimination where no one is deprived of their rights, and no one receives undue privileges. He also provided financial assistance to local temples during his visit.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused a rival political party of attempting to divide the nation on the basis of religion while also trying to delay participatory elections by spreading confusion.
During a visit to the Dhakeshwari National Temple, he said, “The election date has not yet been declared, but ever since the electoral timeline was announced, certain quarters have been trying to obstruct the process. Those who engage in such activities will face political rejection from the people.”
He stressed that no one has succeeded in destroying Bangladesh’s religious harmony and no one ever will. Reaffirming BNP’s position, Salahuddin said, “We have never wanted politics to be divided along religious lines. The Constitution itself does not identify citizens by religion. Every citizen has the right to practice and promote their faith safely. Our policy is clear: religion is personal, the state belongs to all. Religion is individual, but security is everyone’s right.”

Jamaat-e-Islami has quietly removed its newly unveiled logo just a day after it sparked widespread debate on social media. The redesigned emblem, featuring a rising red sun, book, and pen against a green backdrop, was displayed during Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman’s meeting with Spain’s ambassador. However, by the following day, when Rahman hosted Bhutan’s envoy, the logo was gone from his Bashundhara office. The previous logo included a dome with the word “Allah,” the party’s scales symbol, and the phrase Aqimud Deen (Establish the Faith).

NCP leader Hasanat Abdullah has vowed that no religious festival in Bangladesh will ever again fall victim to political manipulation.

In a statement marking the start of Durga Puja, he recalled how the previous regime had allowed extremist groups to attack temples and spread fear among Hindu communities as part of divisive politics. “That era of fear and communal division is gone with the people’s uprising,” Hasanat wrote.

He urged the government and administration to ensure maximum security during the festivities and called on all citizens to foster harmony and cooperation. “Let us prove that the new Bangladesh stands for safety, dignity, and respect for all religions. Inquilab Zindabad!” he declared.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has inquired about the health of Gano Adhikar Parishad president Nurul Haque Nur, who is currently receiving treatment in Singapore.

Tarique phoned the former DUCSU vice-president around 6:45 pm Bangladesh time on Monday, wishing him a full recovery. GOP General Secretary Rashed Khan confirmed the call, saying Tarique expressed concern for Nur’s well-being and his ongoing treatment.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain has said that the people of Bangladesh are eager to vote for BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol to bring the party back to power.

Speaking to reporters, Zahid criticized “biased surveys,” warning that exaggerated polls aimed at misleading the public only weaken democracy. He further cautioned that conspiracies are not limited to the hills but also exist in the plains, both domestically and abroad. “We must remain vigilant so that no attempt to create chaos can derail the democratic process,” he said.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has assigned a new investigating officer to look into allegations of money laundering and illegal wealth accumulation against Bangladesh cricket star Shakib Al Hasan. On Monday, ACC Assistant Director Sajjad Hossain was officially given charge of the case.

Earlier, the ACC sought information from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and several other institutions regarding the corruption allegations. In June, the ACC filed a case against Shakib and 14 others, accusing them of manipulating the stock market and misappropriating Tk 256 crore from general investors. The new investigator will now also examine charges of illicit assets and money laundering linked to the case.

Following backlash over his remark calling an alleged gang rape in Khagrachhari “fake,” NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud publicly expressed regret. Masud initially said conspiracies are underway to destabilize the hill districts and accused India of seeking to seize the region; during those remarks he reportedly described the incident as a “fake rape.”

The comment sparked controversy and prompted Olik Mru to resign from the party’s central committee. In a Facebook post, Masud stated that heinous crimes like rape cannot be denied under any circumstances and demanded strict punishment for perpetrators. In a subsequent post he admitted that using the phrase “fake rape” was a mistake, expressed embarrassment and remorse, and urged unity between hill and plain communities through dialogue. He also called on law enforcement and the government to hear both sides and to act to restore order.

Former MP and cricketer Shakib Al Hasan posted a birthday greeting for former leader Hussain on Sunday. In response, Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud wrote that critics had hurled thousands of abuses at him for opposing a rehabilitation — “But I was right. End of discussion,” he added.

Shakib replied and wrote that someone had effectively admitted they prevented him from wearing the Bangladesh jersey again, and that he might return to his homeland someday, signing off “Love Bangladesh.” In the comments, Sarjis Alam attacked Shakib, saying: “Greedy like you who sell yourself for money — the Bangladesh jersey bought with pig’s blood will never be worn on Bangladeshi soil again.” DUCSU VP Abu Sadiq Kayem further called Hussain and his associates “murderers and genocidal,” and criticized attempts to rehabilitate or normalize those accused of mass crimes under various professional labels. He vowed the July generation will not rest until fascist structures are destroyed.

Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter expressed regret that authorities could not bring down the retail price of hilsa. She cited both natural and human factors for declining hilsa production and noted that 103 tonnes of hilsa have been exported to India so far this year ahead of the festival season.

She said the Commerce Ministry set the export price at $12.50 per kilogram, which amounts to export revenue of approximately BDT 15.77 crore. Farida announced plans to ban catching, buying, and selling of mother hilsa from 4 October to 25 October and said that during the ban, 620,000 fishing family households across 165 upazilas in 37 districts will receive VGF rice assistance — a total allocation of 15,500 tonnes of rice.

BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed claimed the “old game” has resumed in the hills and argued that the farsighted decisions of Ziaur Rahman are still preventing any move that could be framed as an Indian declaration of independence. He accused Jamaat of fearing the people’s verdict and suggested that some political groups, influenced by intellectuals from Europe and America, are attempting to impose electoral systems that will not win public support.

Hafiz warned that if anyone tries to obstruct elections, BNP will respond on the streets. He also criticized a UN trip by the Chief Adviser that involved 104 members, without elaborating on details.

Olik Mru has resigned from his post as NCP’s Joint Chief Organizer (Northern Region), protesting what he called the party’s silence over recent violence in Khagrachhari — including the deaths of three indigenous people — and denouncing alleged false statements by NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud regarding a reported rape.

In a Facebook post, Olik Mru accused the party of remaining mute about the alleged rape of an indigenous teenage girl, attacks on indigenous communities, arson of homes, and the fatal shootings of three indigenous people. He said he has sent his resignation by email and to party officials, and wished the party well, ending his message with “Inquilab Zindabad.”

Abdur Rahman, central vice-president of the Jatiya Oikya Party (JOP), was seriously injured late Sunday night in an attack by unknown assailants in the Borbari area of Gazipur. Initially taken to the local Bord Bazar Hospital, his condition worsened and — with police assistance — he was later admitted to Shahid Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur.

Majedur Rashid, president of the Gazipur city unit of the Labour Rights Council, said Rahman received 12 stitches to the head. Rashed Khan, the party’s general secretary and an MP candidate, condemned the assault and demanded a full investigation and punishment for the perpetrators.

Rashid alleged the attackers struck Rahman on the head and body and shouted threats, saying, “We’ll end your dream of becoming an MP today — this is the last day of your life.” Patrol police later rescued Rahman and transported him to hospital.