Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relationship, rejecting any discussion on sovereignty. Her statement came a day after US President Donald Trump expressed a desire to begin immediate talks on acquiring ownership of Greenland. Frederiksen emphasized that while Denmark is open to political discussions on security, investment, and economics, sovereignty is not negotiable.

She noted that Arctic security is a concern for the entire NATO alliance and that discussions between NATO’s Secretary General and the US President are both natural and appropriate. The prime minister added that Denmark has long worked to strengthen its engagement with the Arctic for NATO’s benefit and maintains regular dialogue with both Greenland’s government and NATO.

Frederiksen further said Denmark seeks constructive dialogue with allies to enhance Arctic security, including cooperation with the United States’ Golden Dome initiative, provided that such efforts respect Denmark’s territorial integrity.

A clash broke out between activists of the BNP and Jamaat in Bhabaniganj, Lakshmipur, on Thursday morning over the placement of election festoons. The incident occurred at the Rifugi Market area of Bhabaniganj Union under Sadar upazila, leaving four people injured. The injured were identified as BNP’s former organizing secretary Md. Shahajan, Jamaat’s ward activist Firoz Alam, Islami Chhatra Shibir ward secretary Yasin Arafat Tahsin, and finance secretary Md. Sohag Hossain.

According to Jamaat activist Firoz Alam, the conflict began when BNP workers allegedly obstructed them while putting up festoons of Dr. Rezaul Karim. He claimed that later BNP activist Shahajan attacked them with sticks. However, BNP’s Shahajan stated that Jamaat activists attacked him after he tried to stop them from placing festoons in front of the BNP office. Other BNP leaders, including Kamal Hossain and district Jubo Dal president Abdul Ali Humayun, alleged that Jamaat members assaulted Shahajan, who is mentally unstable.

Lakshmipur Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Wahid Parvez said police were sent to the scene and that action would be taken following investigation.

Dr. Abdul Mannan, the Jamaat-e-Islami–nominated and 10-party–backed candidate for the Dhaka-6 constituency, formally began his election campaign on Thursday morning by visiting the graves of martyrs of the July uprising at Jurain Cemetery. During the visit, he offered prayers for the martyrs, including Sharif Osman Hadi, and pledged to work for justice and equality in Bangladesh.

Mannan stated that the people of Old Dhaka have long been deprived of their rights and promised to address chronic issues such as traffic congestion and gas shortages if elected. He emphasized building an equitable Bangladesh inspired by the spirit of the July uprising. The event was attended by relatives of the martyrs, including Sheikh Jamal Hasan and Shahriar Khan Palash, as well as local Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and residents.

Following the cemetery visit, Mannan conducted public outreach in various areas of the constituency as part of his campaign activities.

In Cumilla-4 constituency, the Election Commission declared BNP candidate Engineer Manjurul Ahsan Munshi’s nomination invalid on loan default charges, a decision later upheld by the High Court. The ruling has caused frustration among BNP supporters, who lament being unable to vote for their traditional symbol after many years. The once politically vibrant Debidwar area, known as a BNP stronghold, has grown unusually quiet as the election nears.

With Munshi’s disqualification, the contest has effectively lost its competitiveness. The Jamaat–NCP alliance candidate, Hasnat Abdullah, who serves as the chief organizer for NCP’s southern region, is now widely viewed as the likely winner. Local BNP leaders argue that the cancellation not only removed their candidate but also deprived voters of their right to choose the BNP symbol. Debidwar BNP convener Giyas Uddin said Munshi has appealed to the chamber court, expressing confidence that the decision could still be overturned.

If the appeal fails, the election in Cumilla-4 is expected to proceed with minimal opposition, marking a significant shift in a constituency long dominated by the BNP.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) formally launched its campaign for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on reform on Thursday afternoon. The event began at Dhaka University campus with visits to the mausoleums of three leaders and the grave of July revolutionary martyr Osman Hadi. NCP Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patowary, and other senior leaders attended the program.

Following the inauguration, Nahid Islam expressed confidence that the ten-party electoral alliance would win by a large margin and form the next government, saying that the people of Bangladesh stood with them. He emphasized that victory for the alliance was essential to advance reform inspired by the aspirations of July. Nahid Islam also urged voters in Dhaka-8 to support Nasiruddin Patowary, the alliance’s candidate, under the Shapla Koli symbol, highlighting his connection to the struggles and dreams of local residents.

After paying respects at the graves of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, the NCP leaders began their campaign journey titled “March for Justice,” which concluded in Motijheel.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman on Thursday accused a rival political party of deceiving people ahead of the upcoming election. Speaking at an election rally at Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground, he questioned the audience about their religious beliefs, using the responses to argue that promises made by the rival party were misleading and contrary to Islamic principles. He said that only Allah has the power to grant what some political leaders claim to offer, calling such claims deceitful.

Rahman further alleged that the rival party’s leaders were misleading Muslims and committing acts akin to shirk by making promises about matters that belong solely to Allah. He urged supporters to recognize this deception before the election and warned that greater deceit could follow afterward. He also invoked the sacrifices of 1971, saying that Bangladeshis had already seen the roles of those responsible for the suffering of millions.

The BNP leader called for unity against falsehood, extremism, and tyranny, emphasizing the need to establish people’s rights after freeing the country from autocracy.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman declared that the nation’s interests are his sole political priority, emphasizing “Bangladesh first, not Delhi or Pindi.” He made the statement on Thursday, January 22, 2026, while addressing his first election rally at the Alia Madrasa field in Sylhet. The event drew a large crowd, with BNP leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Rahman’s wife Zubaida Rahman present.

In his speech, Rahman accused the ruling party of serving foreign interests and looting national wealth over the past 15 years under the guise of development. He pledged to create employment opportunities for youth both domestically and abroad. Rahman also invoked religious sentiments, urging unity against what he described as falsehood and injustice. The rally featured references to missing BNP leader M Ilias Ali, with a designated area for families of the disappeared and martyrs.

Following the Sylhet rally, Rahman began a road campaign toward Dhaka, scheduled to address six additional gatherings along the Sylhet–Dhaka highway to introduce BNP-endorsed candidates in those districts.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman has alleged that the Election Commission has become hostage to business interests. Speaking at a press conference at TIB’s Dhanmondi headquarters in Dhaka on Thursday, he said many affidavits submitted by candidates for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election were opaque. He noted that no Islamist party nominated female candidates, and a major party denied nomination to a prominent woman because another party’s candidate was already contesting in that seat.

According to TIB’s analysis, 21 candidates earn income from foreign sources, 25 declared movable assets and bank accounts abroad, and 17 reported ownership of immovable property outside Bangladesh. The organization said these figures show that money and business dominate politics. TIB also found that two candidates who claimed to have renounced foreign citizenship still hold British nationality, and one candidate failed to disclose a UK property worth 210 crore taka purchased under a dependent’s name.

TIB reported that 87 percent of candidates are party-nominated, 13 percent independent, and 48 percent are businessmen. The highest declared wealth belongs to BNP’s Mohammad Aminul Islam with assets worth 619 crore taka.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman formally launched his party’s election campaign through a large public rally at the Alia Madrasa ground in Sylhet on Thursday afternoon. The event began around 12:30 p.m. under tight security. As Rahman took the stage, the crowd erupted in applause. He greeted supporters with a smile and wave, joined on stage by his wife Zubaida Rahman and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

From early morning, thousands of BNP leaders, activists, and supporters gathered around the Alia Madrasa ground and nearby areas including Chowhatta, Zindabazar, Amberkhana, Medical Road, and Dargah Road, turning the rally into a sea of people. Candidates from six constituencies in Sylhet and five in Sunamganj attended with their teams to show support.

The rally marked the official start of BNP’s campaign activities in the region, signaling the party’s mobilization ahead of the upcoming national election.

Professor Ali Riaz, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, called on citizens to vote 'Yes' in the upcoming national referendum, saying that every voter is a candidate for 'Yes'. Speaking as chief guest at a meeting in Khulna Divisional Auditorium on Thursday, he said a 'Yes' vote would open the door to building a new, democratic, and humane Bangladesh reflecting the aspirations of the July uprising.

Riaz explained that the referendum seeks public consent to implement the July Charter, drafted with consensus among all political parties. He said the 'Yes' vote would ensure joint work between the government and opposition in forming a caretaker government and election commission, limit prime ministerial tenure to ten years, and guarantee judicial independence. He emphasized that such reforms would prevent arbitrary constitutional changes and strengthen democracy.

Special Assistant Monir Haider added that a 'Yes' victory would close the path to fascism and fulfill the long-held dream of equality and justice envisioned by the nation’s founders. The event was attended by senior officials from ten districts of the Khulna Division.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has alleged that the Election Commission (EC) is not acting neutrally and is providing special advantages to a particular political party. He made the remarks on Thursday morning while speaking to journalists after visiting the graves of three leaders and Sharif Osman Hadi in the Dhaka University area. The visit marked the beginning of the NCP’s campaign for the upcoming thirteenth parliamentary election.

Nahid Islam said the party chose Dhaka University as the starting point for its campaign because it was the birthplace of the language movement, the liberation war, and the 2024 uprising. He described the current election as a movement against dominance and called on citizens to support the ten-party alliance led by Nasiruddin Patwari, who is contesting against what he termed new mafias. Patwari, the party’s chief coordinator, stated that justice for those injured or killed in the 2024 movement, including martyr Osman Hadi, is a major election agenda.

The NCP formally launched its election campaign by paying tribute at the graves of four leaders, signaling the start of its outreach efforts.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is set to begin his election campaign in his Dhaka-15 constituency with a public rally at Mirpur 10’s Adarsha School ground on Thursday afternoon. The event, scheduled to start after 2 p.m., will feature Dr. Rahman as the chief guest. Preparations for the rally, including stage construction, have been completed, and party leaders and activists have started gathering at the venue.

According to the party’s central publicity department, leaders from various parties within the 10-party electoral alliance will attend the Mirpur rally as special guests. The rally marks the beginning of Dr. Rahman’s four-day campaign program, which includes public meetings across northern districts on Friday and Saturday. He is expected to return to Dhaka on January 25 to continue campaign activities in several constituencies.

Separately, Jamaat’s candidate for Dhaka-6, Dr. Abdul Mannan, will conduct an election outreach program on Thursday afternoon at Kaptan Bazar and in front of the Suhrawardy Mosque, joined by local leaders.

An allegation has surfaced that campaign banners of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul were vandalized and set on fire in Chapainawabganj-3 (Sadar) constituency. The incident occurred on Wednesday night in Ward No. 3 of Srirampur village under Baliyadanga Union. It remains unclear who was responsible for the arson. Local sources said miscreants deliberately set fire to festoons placed in different parts of the village, completely burning several of them.

Candidate Nurul Islam Bulbul described the incident as a deliberate and condemnable act aimed at disrupting the democratic environment. He also termed it a threat to the area’s peace and order. In response, Chapainawabganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Assistant Returning Officer Maruf Afzal Rajan stated that police had been sent to the scene after receiving a verbal complaint, and law enforcement agencies were investigating the matter.

Five candidates are contesting in the Chapainawabganj-3 constituency, representing BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, JSD, Islami Andolan, and Gano Adhikar Parishad respectively.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has appointed Advocate Md. Tariqul Islam, a member of its executive council and convener of the National Youth Force, as the chief coordinator of its election management committee. The announcement was made on Wednesday night through a statement signed by NCP convener Nahid Islam and member secretary Akter Hossain. The committee will be chaired by Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, with Monira Sharmin serving as secretary.

According to the statement, leaders from NCP, Youth Force, Student Force, and Workers Force at both central and metropolitan levels will work together in the committee. The appointment aims to make the committee’s activities more dynamic, effective, and well-coordinated ahead of upcoming electoral activities.

Following the announcement, the National Youth Force congratulated Tariqul Islam and expressed hope that he would carry out his responsibilities with dedication in coordinating the overall election management process.

Bangladesh’s political parties have intensified their online campaigns ahead of the February 12 national election, with viral songs, short dramas, and emotional voter interviews dominating social media platforms. A song supporting Jamaat-e-Islami, released in November, sparked a wave of digital campaign music from rival parties including the BNP and the National Citizen Party. The online battle began weeks before physical campaigning started on January 22, as parties sought to attract young voters who played a key role in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Analysts say the surge in digital campaigning reflects Bangladesh’s massive online population, with about 130 million internet users and over 60 million on Facebook alone. Nearly 44 percent of voters are aged 18 to 37, many voting for the first time after years of disputed elections. BNP’s online content focuses on policy promises such as a proposed “family card” program, while Jamaat-linked materials often criticize both BNP and India. The interim government and the NCP are also running online drives supporting a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum.

Experts note that online campaigning now rivals traditional rallies, shaping offline discussions and voter sentiment nationwide.