BNP vice-chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has warned that if fundamentalist forces seize power in Bangladesh, the nation’s future will be bleak.

“India was once a secular country, but that has changed. If fundamentalists take power in Bangladesh, it could become another Afghanistan or Syria,” Bulu cautioned.

He urged voters to protect the secular ideals of the Liberation War by exercising their franchise responsibly in the upcoming national elections.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain dismissed calls for introducing Proportional Representation (PR) elections through street movements.

“The constitution only provides for direct voting and direct election of representatives. If PR is to be adopted, it must be approved in Parliament after the people accept it in the next election,” Zahid said.

He warned that efforts to push PR through agitation while simultaneously negotiating at the table may undermine democracy and open the door to authoritarianism.

Zahid further stated that the people are eagerly waiting to vote after being denied the right for 17 years, and elections are expected by mid-February.

A delegation from the European Union held a meeting with the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) at its Banglamotor office on Saturday.

The EU team included election observation experts Riccardo Chelleri, Mete Bakken, Manuel Wally, and Baiba Zarinas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh.

The NCP delegation was led by chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, with joint conveners Sultan Mohammad Zakaria, Khaled Saifullah, Taznuva Jabeen, joint member secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and Zahirul Islam Musa, and joint chief coordinator Navid Nawroz Shah.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has declared that the party’s future will be centered on unity, the people, and nation-building. “BNP will move as the people want. Wherever Bangladesh’s interests lie, BNP will stand there,” he said.

Tarique warned that without unity among democratic forces, hidden authoritarianism could resurface, much like post-independence autocracy.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that political exploitation of Islam will be countered through electoral politics. He urged BNP activists to remain vocal on social media to counter misinformation and propaganda.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused four senior Awami League leaders of advising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on orchestrating killings.

“Obaidul Quader, Anisul Huq, Salman F. Rahman, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — these four masterminded every killing under Hasina’s direction,” Rizvi alleged, after visiting injured former JCD leader Dolon in Rupganj.

He further claimed that Hasina’s security adviser Tariq Siddique suggested killing some people to suppress the opposition movement. “Even leaked phone conversations expose how killings were ordered,” Rizvi said.

He alleged that 1,400 to 1,500 students and workers, including 142 JCD activists, have been killed, along with over 400 BNP activists. “The people no longer want to see this cycle of bloodshed under Hasina’s regime,” he added.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused certain quarters of using religion for political gain, warning that the people must respond through their votes.

“Those who are trying to sell tickets to heaven are nothing but religious businessmen. This country will not allow anyone to profit from exploiting people’s beliefs,” Salahuddin said.

He further alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reliance on the “spirit of 1971” narrative ultimately led her to seek shelter in Delhi. “Their politics died in Dhaka and was buried in Delhi,” he added.

Salahuddin vowed that justice for every killing will be pursued, though the process may take time. He also cautioned BNP leaders and activists to remain united against conspiracies.

BNP leader Abdul Moin Khan has accused the Awami League of deceiving the Hindu community over the past 17 years while subjecting them to exploitation.

“Across the country, their homes and businesses have been looted under the pretense of friendship. Even when the Hindu community sought justice from the then Prime Minister, no remedy was provided,” Moin said at a public meeting.

He argued that while the Awami League preaches one thing, it practices the opposite.

Moin reaffirmed that the BNP believes in nationalism, ensuring equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or ethnicity.
“If the people elect BNP in the next election, we will guarantee those rights,” he declared.

BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy lost his mobile phone during a party program in Lalbagh on Friday evening.

The incident occurred as he attended a meeting with Durga Puja organizing committees of Dhaka-7 constituency. After delivering his speech and stepping down from the stage, Goyeshwar realized his phone was missing.

Despite a thorough search, it could not be found. An announcement was later made at the venue, offering a Tk 5,000 reward for anyone who returns the device.

Jamaat leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has claimed that poverty could be eradicated from Bangladesh within three to four years if Zakat were officially collected and managed.

He proposed mobilizing Zakat funds from across the Muslim world to create massive employment opportunities.

For example, he suggested that if a youth were given Tk 500,000 from Zakat funds to run 10 small food carts, each could employ 10 people, generating Tk 700–800 in daily profits and Tk 90,000 monthly income for the owner.

“This way, thousands of crores could be mobilized for nationwide employment,” Taher said, also praising the sacrifices of expatriates in past movements.

GOP leader Rashed Khan has warned that introducing a Proportional Representation (PR) system in elections could destabilize Bangladesh.

“If PR is implemented, MPs will be bought and sold every morning and evening. Stability will collapse. In reality, PR is not feasible for the lower house, though discussions could be held for the upper house,” Rashed argued.

He further cautioned that the system might rehabilitate the Awami League and risk triggering ethnic divisions and religious strife.

Rashed questioned the Election Commission’s stance on reforms, accusing both the Commission and government of trying to shirk responsibility. “It is the government’s duty to bring differing opinions into consensus,” he said, while also questioning why an “invisible government” was controlling the interim authority.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said that his party will never compromise on Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty.

Speaking at a rally, Taher declared:
“Some try to scare us by saying that if we come to power, India will invade. I pray they do invade. Once they do, the false stigma placed upon us in 1971 will disappear, and we will have the chance to prove ourselves as true freedom fighters. At least five million youths will wage a war of independence against India.”

Taher elaborated that one group would launch guerrilla attacks while the other would spread out across the region, igniting a full-scale resistance. He also linked the idea to prophetic traditions of battle.

Criticizing the Awami League, Taher claimed the ruling party would never fight India but rather assist them. “When the time comes, the organized force will be us. Then we will be the true liberation fighters, and no one will be able to devour Bangladesh,” he said.

BNP leaders held a meeting with a visiting European Parliamentary delegation to discuss the country’s political climate ahead of the upcoming general election.
BNP representatives emphasized the need for a free, fair, and participatory election, ensuring equal opportunity for all political parties. The delegation included election monitoring and follow-up experts Ricardo Celleri, Mete Bakken, and Manuel Wali.
BNP’s side was represented by senior leaders Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, Ismail Jobiullah, and Shama Obaid.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin assured that the Election Commission will not issue instructions favoring any side and will operate strictly in line with the law.
He emphasized that the Commission is determined to hold a historic and credible election in February, despite visible and invisible challenges. Commissioner Anwarul Islam added, “The backbone of the Commission remains strong. We will conduct the vote with utmost professionalism.”
Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the upcoming polls would be more challenging than any in the past, particularly in preventing AI misuse and facilitating voting for expatriates.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed satisfaction with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s address at the UN General Assembly.
Fakhrul highlighted that Yunus gave a “clear and powerful” message about holding national elections in February 2026, removing all doubts. “We are convinced the election will take place. For the first time, opposition parties were brought into the government’s international narrative, showcasing national unity,” Fakhrul said. He added that BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman fully supported this inclusive effort.

Controversy erupted at the mausoleum of former President Ziaur Rahman when Dr. Sabrina, accused of having links with the Awami League, faced protests from BNP’s student wing, Chhatra Dal. A video circulating on social media shows activists confronting her, demanding she leave the premises.
Sabrina insisted she had never raised slogans in favor of Sheikh Hasina, rejecting the allegations. However, Chhatra Dal leaders argued she was not authorized to attend. Despite initially refusing to leave, Sabrina eventually departed the site by car, saying, “Zia’s shrine belongs to everyone.”