BNP leader Shamsuzzaman Dudu has criticized parties pushing for proportional representation (PR) in elections, claiming they fear direct polls. “Many Islamic parties have never had their candidates elected to parliament, including Islami Andolon,” he said.
According to Dudu, Islami Andolon suffered severe political setbacks at the hands of the Awami League, particularly in the most recent Barishal election where their spiritual leader was injured. “Now they are opposing the Awami League, though they had long participated in elections under its tenure, even treating AL as a ‘friendly’ party,” he added.
Dudu also argued that in countries where PR has been implemented, political instability has been common — citing Nepal as an example, where governments have fallen at least ten times within three years. He further stated that if any political party fails to contest elections even during an interim government, it would be their own failure.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said the foundations of democracy must be strengthened gradually, starting from the local level. Speaking virtually at the DAB conference, he noted that almost all current reform proposals had already been presented in BNP’s 31-point plan two years ago. Since the BNP is leading in popularity ahead of the upcoming election, he said the party aims to establish a transparent, accountable democracy. At the same event, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reiterated the need to end the culture of political hostility.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Tarique Rahman is the future Prime Minister of Bangladesh, adding that the BNP has already announced a 31-point program addressing the nation’s most urgent needs, including healthcare. Speaking at a Doctors’ Association of Bangladesh (DAB) conference, he warned that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry faces collapse due to harmful regulations from the Health Ministry’s assistant advisers, potentially shutting down medicine factories. Fakhrul criticized the interim government’s policies as self-destructive and called for ending the culture of political hostility. He stressed the need to secure all rights for the people—not just voting rights.

Asaduzzaman Fuad, a leader of the AB Party, claimed that the July declaration was designed to please certain political groups and began with an Awami League narrative that diminished “24.” He stressed the urgent need to implement points of consensus immediately, warning that under Article 7(k) of the Constitution, all members of the consensus commission are committing treason. Fuad called for the legal enforcement of the July Charter and a proclamation after discussions with all parties, warning that failure could lead to executions of political leaders. He also expressed doubts about the Election Commission’s ability to hold a fair vote, noting dissatisfaction with its current pace and predicting increased election-related violence as polling day approaches.

BNP leader Aminul Haque has urged party members to solve local problems by engaging directly with citizens and treating their issues as their own. “If you fail, leadership will change,” he warned, stressing that influence-peddling should be replaced with public consultation. Aminul promised that if BNP comes to power, it will make sports compulsory in schools and organize nationwide tournaments to keep youth away from drugs. He accused the ruling Awami League of prioritizing its own interests over public welfare.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15, with further details to follow. Trump explained that the date and venue were kept secret earlier to avoid overshadowing the peace agreement he brokered between Azerbaijan and Armenia, signed at the White House on Friday. He revealed that the Russia-Ukraine peace deal under discussion involves a land swap, and expressed optimism that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky seek peace.

Umaama Fatema, a Dhaka University student leader, has faced criticism after submitting a petition to ban politics in the Sufia Kamal Hall without naming leftist student organizations. In her letter to the hall provost on Friday, she referenced a previous agreement to prohibit all political activities in the hall but alleged that some groups had been secretly active. Controversy arose as she omitted leftist groups like the Student Union, which had recently formed a hall committee. Later, Fatema clarified that her demand was for banning politics of all groups, including leftist organizations.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused India of harboring Sheikh Hasina while Bengali-speaking Muslims in India are unable to survive and are being pushed into Bangladesh. “Why isn’t she being pushed back?” Rizvi asked. He claimed Sheikh Hasina has lost control, often making reckless statements from abroad, and operating anti-Bangladesh activities from an office in Kolkata. According to Rizvi, Hasina aims to destabilize the country and fled last year amid mass protests fueled by student bloodshed. He also alleged that despite political persecution, lawsuits, and attacks, no BNP member fled the country — unlike Sheikh Hasina.

Marking the first death anniversary of martyr Afiqul Islam Sad, Manikganj BNP convener Afroza Khanom Rita said no words could console parents who lost a child. “We came not to console, but to honor his parents,” she said while visiting his grave. She accused the Awami League government of firing indiscriminately at students and protesters during the July movement, adding that BNP must take responsibility for supporting the families of martyrs. She also pledged to push for restoring Manikganj’s parliamentary seats from three to four.

BNP leader Prof. Md. Rezaul Karim said Bangladesh was freed from fascism under Tarique Rahman’s leadership. During the student-people uprising, Tarique allegedly directed activists from London, uniting students, citizens, and BNP members to oust Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5. Karim said the new Bangladesh would be built under Tarique’s 31-point reform plan, aiming to make the country prosperous and globally respected.

Advisor Farida Akhter called for increased participation of women in all sectors for building the future of Bangladesh. She said women excel in competence, commitment, and sincerity and will be the main driving force of the country’s future. Farida noted efforts to bring July movement daughters into policy-making roles but lamented their insufficient representation in major national events. She recalled emotional moments where mothers of martyrs shed tears listening to the national anthem, emphasizing the crucial role mothers played in every movement. She criticized the marginalization of women’s roles after independence and post-movements, calling it unacceptable. Farida stressed that rights are not given but must be claimed, urging the July Daughter Foundation to ensure women’s advancement wherever they are.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan has announced a complete ban on both overt and covert political activities in all residential halls. The decision followed a wave of protests demanding a ban on student politics after JCD announced its hall committees. Demonstrators, including Rokeya Hall students who broke through locked gates, rallied in front of the Raju Sculpture on Friday morning.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman stated that since the July coup, there have been significant improvements in Bangladesh, with extrajudicial killings ceasing and police fabrications of disappearances and false cases dramatically reduced. This has restored a sense of relief among the public. Over the past year, no one has been disappeared for political revenge, and the fear of nighttime abductions has eased. Although a few isolated incidents have occurred, they are being thoroughly investigated. The AG highlighted the interim government’s focus on judicial reform and anti-corruption efforts, which have brought many corrupt and criminal individuals to justice. He urged that the nation look forward rather than dwell on the 1990s struggle, warning that forgetting past struggles might weaken future resistance.

New Delhi has dismissed reports claiming India suspended its US arms purchase plans due to tariffs imposed by President Trump as false and fabricated. Officials clarified that talks on acquiring weapons like Stryker combat vehicles and Javelin missiles remain active. A planned visit by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington for procurement announcements was canceled, but the overall defense cooperation continues. India criticized the recent US tariff hike on Russian oil imports as unfair, emphasizing ongoing strategic defense ties.

The Israeli security cabinet committee approved a plan to establish full control over Gaza, prompting UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk to call for its immediate withdrawal. He stressed that the plan violates the International Court of Justice ruling demanding Israel end its occupation swiftly. Turk urged implementation of the two-state solution and protection of Palestinian self-determination. He warned the plan could cause forced displacement, mass suffering, and war crimes, while demanding release of detainees held by both Hamas and Israel.