The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced the formation of its election steering committee to oversee preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in 2026. According to a press release signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the committee will be chaired by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, with Rizvi serving as the member secretary. The announcement was made on Thursday.

The committee includes Selima Rahman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu as vice chairmen, while Md. Ismail Jabiuallah has been named the chief coordinator. Other members include Advocate Moyazzem Hossain Alal, Bijon Kanti Sarkar, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Dr. Ziauddin Haider, Dr. Mahdi Amin, and several others from the party’s senior leadership. The formation reflects BNP’s organizational preparations ahead of the national election.

The announcement signals the party’s move to formalize its election management structure as it prepares for the 2026 parliamentary polls.

Inquilab Mancha has called for nationwide prayers, supplications, and sermons opposing dominance to seek justice for the killing of martyr Sharif Osman bin Hadi and for the forgiveness of his soul. The organization made the appeal in a statement issued on Thursday night, emphasizing the need for collective remembrance and resistance.

The organization, founded by martyr Osman Hadi, stated that he was a leading figure in the anti-Indian dominance movement and a visionary for building a just Bangladesh. Through its statement, Inquilab Mancha reiterated its commitment to continuing the struggle against dominance and honoring the legacy of its founder through spiritual and social mobilization.

The call reflects the group’s ongoing focus on anti-dominance activism and remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause, as expressed in its official statement.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that his government will adopt a tougher stance against what he termed 'illegal Bangladeshi' immigrants. Speaking ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, he declared that anyone identified as a foreigner in Assam would be expelled without following any diplomatic procedures. Sarma said the era of a 'soft policy' on deportation had ended, and his administration would act immediately once a foreigner is declared.

According to the report, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making the issue of so-called 'immigrants' or 'infiltrators' a central theme of its election campaign in Assam. Sarma stated that the state government’s approach aligns with recent remarks by India’s Home Minister Amit Shah. Previously, deportation required a lengthy diplomatic process involving the Ministry of External Affairs and verification with Bangladesh.

Sarma said that under the new policy, Assam will no longer wait for formal responses from Bangladesh before expelling those declared foreigners, signaling a significant shift in the state’s handling of immigration cases.

An audio recording of former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia expressing anger toward party leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has gone viral on social media. The conversation, reportedly from 2013, captures Khaleda Zia reprimanding Khasru for allegedly obstructing a party program in Chattogram. In the audio, she instructs former organizational leader Golam Akbar Khondkar to ensure that Khasru does not interfere with the work assigned to Dr. Shahadat Hossain, warning that she would remove him immediately if he did.

Golam Akbar Khondkar confirmed the authenticity of the conversation, explaining that it took place during a period of internal disagreement within the Chattogram BNP over movement strategies. At the time, Khasru was the city convenor, and Khondkar served as organizational secretary. The dispute reportedly arose over the organization of a rally or meeting that Khasru opposed despite directives from Khaleda Zia.

Attempts to reach Amir Khasru for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages. Senior BNP leaders declined to comment publicly, with some suggesting that the resurfacing of the old audio might have political motives.

Professor UH Ruhina Jesmin of Khulna University’s English Discipline sparked controversy after posting on Facebook comparing former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a convicted war criminal named Hasina. The post, made on Wednesday from her personal account, praised both women’s empowerment journeys in a male-dominated society and described their rise from domestic life to national leadership as inspirational. The post quickly drew anger from students on campus and across social media.

Students criticized the comparison as historically inaccurate and politically biased, citing human rights concerns during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Several commenters described the post as an attempt to elevate Hasina’s image by equating her with Khaleda Zia. Allegations also surfaced that Jesmin mocked religious students and pressured female students to remove hijabs during classes and exams. Rumors circulated that her university appointment was linked to political connections with a former Awami League mayor.

Jesmin defended her post, saying her intention was to highlight women’s empowerment, not politics. She later uploaded a video apology, stating she had clarified her position and expressed regret for any misunderstanding.

Rashed Khan, a young national-level politician, has resigned from Gono Odhikar Parishad and joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Following his move, he received the BNP nomination for the Jhenaidah-2 (Kaliganj–Sadar partial) constituency. According to his election affidavit, he owns no house, car, land, or plot. He listed his professions as politics and business, while his wife, Rabeya Akter Alo, was described as a homemaker.

The affidavit states that Rashed Khan holds 3,545,875 taka in cash and 7,582 taka in two private bank accounts. His wife has 30,000 taka in cash. The couple jointly possess 40 bhori of gold, valued at 81,48,412 taka at current rates, received as gifts. His wife also owns gold, electronics, furniture, and other household items worth about 17,70,000 taka. Rashed Khan declared no immovable property, shares, bonds, savings certificates, or foreign assets.

For the 2025–26 fiscal year, he reported an income of 450,000 taka and total assets worth 38,45,915 taka, according to his tax return information.

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and Sylhet city Ameer Muhammad Fakhrul Islam stated that despite Bangladesh’s vast potential, ordinary citizens remain deprived of their rightful benefits due to the absence of proper political direction and honest leadership. He made these remarks on Thursday, January 1, during a winter clothing distribution event organized by the 39th Ward Jamaat at Tukergaon in Sylhet’s Jalalabad area.

Fakhrul Islam criticized corruption and plundering in politics, saying that while some leaders have amassed personal wealth, marginalized and underprivileged people see no positive impact on their lives. He emphasized Jamaat-e-Islami’s goal of building a welfare state by eliminating social inequality and establishing a justice-based system. He urged party members at all levels to work unitedly to fulfill public expectations.

He added that Jamaat believes in serving humanity to attain divine satisfaction and continues humanitarian efforts such as distributing winter clothes to the poor affected by severe cold across the country, including Sylhet.

The Chattogram district administration has launched a winter blanket distribution program for cold-affected people, led by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah. During a late-night visit to different city areas, the DC encountered a beggar family at the Sholoshahar railway station. After hearing their plea for help, he provided initial assistance and invited them to his office, promising permanent rehabilitation.

According to district administration sources, the DC and his team distributed blankets among destitute people on Wednesday night, starting from Sholoshahar station and continuing through several city points. Among those they met was Abdul Majid, a physically challenged man from Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, who lives on the streets of Chattogram with his seven-year-old daughter Yasmin. The DC assured them of long-term support, citing concern for the child’s safety and future.

Following the incident, news of the DC’s gesture spread widely on social media, drawing widespread praise for his compassionate response and commitment to social welfare.

Mushfiq Us Salehin, joint member secretary and media cell editor of the National Citizens Party (NCP), has resigned from the party. On Thursday, January 1, 2026, he announced his resignation through the NCP’s media-related WhatsApp group and confirmed that he had sent his resignation letter to convener Nahid Islam later that afternoon.

Earlier the same day, Khan Muhammad Mursalin, the party’s joint chief coordinator, also resigned through a video message posted on his Facebook account. Both resignations were made public within hours of each other, indicating a wave of departures from the NCP’s leadership ranks.

The report did not specify the reasons behind the resignations or any official response from the party leadership.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer and Rangpur-2 (Badarganj-Taraganj) parliamentary candidate ATM Azharul Islam said the local administration remains disorganized and ineffective in the election field. Speaking to journalists on Thursday afternoon after the nomination scrutiny at the Rangpur district returning officer’s office, he stated that the Election Commission has yet to demonstrate neutrality in its operations and must act more impartially to create a level playing field.

Azharul Islam expressed concern that if the administration continues to function in its current state, holding a fair election will be difficult. Responding to a question about election-related fears, he said apprehensions persist because a non-political activist, Sharif Osman Hadi, was killed due to election-related circumstances. He added that the Election Commission’s measures regarding candidate safety remain unclear and called for stricter security to prevent further incidents.

Local Jamaat leaders, including Badarganj Upazila Ameer Kamaruzzaman and Taraganj Upazila Ameer Alamgir Hossain, were present during the remarks.

In Kurigram, the returning officer has declared the nomination papers of two candidates invalid for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The decision was announced on Thursday, December 1, after the first day of the nomination scrutiny process. The disqualified candidates are Jatiya Party’s former Member of Parliament Ponir Uddin Ahmed, accused of concealing case information in his affidavit, and Bangladesh National Party’s candidate Atikur Rahman, whose affidavit was found incomplete.

According to the returning officer’s office, all six candidates in Kurigram-1 constituency were declared valid, while in Kurigram-2, seven out of nine candidates, including those from BNP, Jamaat, Islami Andolon, and NCP, were approved. Ponir Uddin Ahmed’s nomination was canceled for not disclosing a recent case filed against him, and Atikur Rahman’s was rejected for missing information in his affidavit.

Both candidates are eligible to appeal the decision between January 5 and January 11. Ponir Uddin Ahmed stated he was unaware of the case filed in Dhaka’s Mirpur and intends to appeal the decision.

Police in Pakundia, Kishoreganj arrested Motayem Hossain Swapon, a 65-year-old leader of the banned Awami League, late Wednesday night. The arrest took place around 11:30 p.m. at his residence in Charpakundia under the municipal area. Swapon is a former joint convener of the Pakundia Upazila Awami League and the son of late freedom fighter Rafiqul Haque Chandu Mia of Charpakundia village.

Pakundia Police Station’s Second Officer, Sub-Inspector Binoy Sarkar, confirmed the arrest and stated that Swapon faces a political case. He was sent to court on Thursday morning following his detention. The report did not specify details of the case or the reasons behind the ban on the local Awami League activities.

The incident highlights ongoing law enforcement actions in the region involving political figures, though further information about the case proceedings or party response was not provided in the source.

Former state minister for home affairs and BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) never used the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) for party interests. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, January 1, after visiting the grave of Begum Khaleda Zia, he said the force was formed under her directive to ensure public safety, not for political purposes. Babar emphasized that no one could prove that RAB was politically used and that even BNP members were not spared if they committed wrongdoing.

He described Khaleda Zia as uncompromising on national security and sovereignty and said he found similar qualities in her son, acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. Babar added that he came to the graveyard out of personal emotion, not political intent, and had obtained permission from law enforcement authorities.

The remarks highlighted Babar’s continued loyalty to the BNP leadership and his call for prayers for a people’s government under Tarique Rahman’s leadership.

Police in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila arrested two local Awami League leaders during a special drive under Operation Devil Hunt Phase-2. The detainees are Md. Yunus Molya, 65, president of the Ballavdi Union Awami League, and Yusuf Matubbar, 70, president of the 2nd ward of Bhawal Union Awami League. Yunus Molya was arrested from Phulbari area on Wednesday night, while Yusuf Matubbar was detained from Saltha Bazar on Thursday morning. Both were sent to the Faridpur court on Thursday afternoon.

According to Saltha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md. Bablur Rahman Khan, the arrests were made on allegations of involvement in activities aimed at creating unrest and sabotage in the area. The police official stated that the special operation would continue as part of the ongoing law enforcement efforts in the region.

The report did not mention any further details about the charges, court proceedings, or responses from the Awami League or other stakeholders.

On January 1, 2026, the nomination paper scrutiny for Narsingdi-2 (Palash) and Narsingdi-4 (Monohardi-Belabo) constituencies was conducted as part of the 13th National Parliamentary Election process. A total of 18 nomination papers were reviewed on the first day, and four candidates were disqualified for failing to meet the required conditions.

In Narsingdi-2, three candidates were excluded: Engineer Mohshin Ahmed of Islami Andolan Bangladesh for loan default, A N M Rafiqul Islam Selim of Jatiya Party for lacking proper party nomination papers, and Mohammad Ibrahim of Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh for incomplete personal information. In Narsingdi-4, Kazi Shariful Islam of Bangladesh Congress Party was disqualified due to issues with proposer and supporter signatures.

Returning Officer and Narsingdi Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Anwar Hossain stated that scrutiny was carried out in two of the district’s five constituencies according to election procedures, and four nominations were canceled for not fulfilling submission requirements.