Farooq Hasan, Acting President of Gano Odhikar Parishad, has claimed that India wants to position Jatiya Party as the main opposition in Bangladesh, with the hidden goal of “rehabilitating” the Awami League.

“If Jatiya Party contests the election, they could win over 100 seats. But behind this lies a deep conspiracy,” Hasan said, adding that election authorities and institutions remain under Awami League’s control.

He asserted that 80% of the police and 70% of the administration back the ruling party, creating an uneven playing field. “In such a scenario, Jatiya Party is bound to perform well,” he remarked.

Hasan said his party would participate only if elections are free, fair, and neutral, stressing the need for administrative restructuring. “If the government wishes, elections can be held as early as December instead of February,” he said.

BNP Standing Committee member Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia was admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Sunday evening after suddenly falling ill around 5 p.m. He is currently receiving treatment in a cabin.

The veteran politician has been in poor health since 2018, suffering from multiple complications including spinal fractures. His wife, Dr. Shahida Rafique, is a professor at Dhaka University and an adviser to the BNP Chairperson.

NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud has alleged that a conspiracy is underway over Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts, accusing India of attempting to seize the territory.
“We will not surrender even an inch of our land,” Masud declared, comparing the situation to Bangladesh’s resistance against Pakistan in 1971. “Just as we fought Pakistan, we will confront India in 2025.”

He accused India of playing its “last trump card” by destabilizing the region and instigating communal tension through a fabricated rape case between hill people and Bengalis. Masud further said young political leaders are being deliberately discredited when they begin working closely with the people.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s influence on global independence movements, he noted, “Indonesia and Nepal followed Bangladesh’s path to achieve independence. Indonesia has a prime minister aged just 35—Bangladesh too will have a 35-year-old prime minister, Inshallah.”

Masud urged voters not to be swayed by “guest birds” who appear only during elections. “I am your son, not a visitor. Vote for the one who stands by you in your time of need,” he said.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has extended greetings to Hindus in Bangladesh and around the world on the occasion of Durga Puja, urging vigilance against any attempt to disrupt communal harmony.

He warned that, as in previous authoritarian regimes, there may be efforts to create unrest during the festival. Law enforcement agencies, he said, must remain alert to safeguard peace.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s tradition of interfaith friendship and brotherhood, Rahman stressed that ensuring the safety of all citizens is a constitutional obligation. He also invoked a Hadith, warning against oppressing or depriving non-Muslims under state protection.

“Communal harmony is the essence of Bangladesh’s cultural and social values. Any attempt to destroy it must be strongly resisted,” he concluded.

Kamal Ahmed, chairman of the Media Reform Commission, has criticized the government for failing to implement any of the commission’s recommendations on press freedom and media reform.

He cited the murder of journalist Tuhin in Gazipur as an example of the dangers faced by reporters, stressing that many lack even basic safety training due to institutional neglect. “If media owners don’t ensure staff training, the proposed Journalism Protection Act must hold them accountable,” he said.

Ahmed also called for clear qualifications for journalists, editors, and publishers, as well as the establishment of an independent, effective media regulatory body instead of reviving the “half-dead” Press Council.

He urged withdrawal of all false cases against journalists and welcomed political parties’ pledges to allow the media to work independently.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has drawn a striking comparison between Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and late President Ziaur Rahman, the party’s founder.

“When Professor Yunus spoke, it felt as though I was hearing President Ziaur Rahman’s voice,” Fakhrul said, noting that Yunus’s vision for a democratic, prosperous, and corruption-free Bangladesh reflected Zia’s ideals.

He stressed that Bangladesh’s youth will play a decisive role in shaping the nation’s future and highlighted BNP’s openness to embracing their modern outlook. “The people of Bangladesh are inherently resilient. They know how to unite and fight in times of crisis. July proved that spirit, and BNP will continue to act in the interest of the people,” he added.

National Congress Party (NCP) leader Samanta Sharmin has claimed that BNP is weakening its own electoral prospects by its leaders’ statements.

“This election will overturn every equation,” she said, accusing vested interests and certain NGOs of manipulating pre-election polls to serve political agendas.

Sharmin argued that the upcoming election is “conspiratorial,” involving interim government actors, BNP, Awami League, Jamaat, and even certain international stakeholders. “A project is underway to keep Bangladesh trapped in the old establishment, but that project will eventually be exposed,” she warned.

She further noted that 60 percent of Bangladesh’s population is youth, many of whom see this election as an act of protest. Floating voters, she said, will play a decisive role. “BNP leaders expose their political weakness every time they speak—and with each statement, their vote bank shrinks.”

Sudan Gurung, a prominent youth leader of Nepal’s Gen-Z movement, has announced his candidacy in the country’s upcoming national elections.

Gurung revealed plans to launch a political platform called Movement for Change, uniting supporters nationwide. “Previous governments have corrupted politics. The ousted rulers are selfish and corrupt. If this is the politics they want, then we will fight and not back down,” he declared.

He stressed that his team is preparing to contest as a political party rather than as independents. Volunteers are already forming committees across Nepal, aiming to listen to people in every corner of the country.

The elections are scheduled for March, and Gurung expressed hopes that voters will reject old, corrupt leaders and demand accountability for past crimes.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said that despite Jamaat-e-Islami’s return to the spotlight, the party has failed to gain significant influence among the masses.

“Jamaat is well-organized and regimented, but winning an election outright is beyond their reach,” Fakhrul told reporters.

With the Awami League banned from political activities after being ousted from power and the Jatiya Party in near-inactive condition, Jamaat has found itself in a relatively advantageous position. However, Fakhrul believes this advantage is limited to media visibility and organizational activity.

“I’m active in field politics, I travel, I talk to people—there’s no strong public momentum behind them,” he said. He acknowledged that Jamaat has strong organizational discipline and ample funding, which serve as strengths, but insisted that electoral success remains unlikely.

He added that, like elsewhere in the world, right-wing politics is trying to gain ground in Bangladesh. But, according to him, this attempt will not translate into votes.

NCP leader Sarjis Alam has accused the Election Commission of succumbing to pressure in denying his party the lotus symbol despite no legal grounds. “The commission is using baseless excuses, claiming the lotus is a national emblem, which it is not in legal terms. Other symbols with national relevance have already been allotted to parties,” he argued.
Sarjis said his party had applied months ago, but the commission avoided updating its list. “This clearly shows the decision was made under pressure,” he alleged.
Turning to the ruling party, he claimed: “Awami League is bringing back billions siphoned abroad just to hire people for occasional rallies. These are not signs of real strength. The League’s political chapter is over.”

At least 29 people were killed in a stampede during a rally led by popular actor and TVK party president Thalapathy Vijay in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday. The rally, part of Vijay’s state-wide political tour, drew massive crowds.
As the gathering intensified, several people fainted, prompting chaos. Victims were rushed to Karur Medical College Hospital and nearby private clinics. “So far, seven adults and three children have died. More patients are arriving by ambulance,” said hospital dean R. Shanthimala, warning that the death toll may rise.

BNP Chairperson’s adviser Habibur Rahman Habib has issued a stern warning to party members. “It does not matter who gets the nomination or the green signal. What matters is ensuring a landslide victory for the BNP-nominated candidate under the paddy-sheaf symbol,” he said.
“But those who ignore party directives for personal gain, those who defy Tarique Rahman’s instructions, essentially defy his father too,” Habib added, referring to BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. He warned of “many conspiracies” against BNP but assured that they would be tackled under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Jamaat leader Helal Uddin has pledged to bring healthcare to every doorstep if given the chance to govern. “Each administrative ward in Dhaka-8 constituency will have a city health complex,” he said, adding that modern medical facilities would be ensured nationwide.
Helal highlighted Jamaat’s four-point operational policy, emphasizing social reform and service. “We do not and will not engage in corruption, extortion, or terrorism. Jamaat believes standing by people in times of need is a responsibility, not a choice,” he said. If elected, Helal promised to build “a modern, humane welfare state free from inequality.”

Jamaat leader General Maulana ATM Masum has called for a combined movement and electoral campaign to ensure political change. Speaking to party supporters, Masum said Jamaat aims to establish a just and welfare-oriented state ensuring people’s rights.
He urged the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation to play a vital role in securing Jamaat candidates’ victories. “We have rolled out a five-point program for free and fair elections. The July Accord must be given legal recognition, the next parliamentary election must adopt proportional representation, and a level playing field for all parties must be ensured,” Masum said. He also demanded visible justice for what he termed “Awami fascism” and stressed the need for an interim government to oversee reforms before elections.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused Pir Saheb of betraying his own words. “For 29 years, Pir Saheb waved the hand fan for Awami League, but now he is doing the same for Jamaat,” Prince said. He recalled Pir Saheb’s earlier remark that “wherever the poison of Jamaat spreads, it will bring destruction.”
“Today, by forming an alliance with Jamaat, he has applied that poison on himself—inviting his own downfall. For the greed of power, Jamaat’s venom has become nectar to him,” Prince added.