Sarjis Alam, Chief Organizer of the Northern Region for the National Citizens' Party (NCP), has questioned the Election Commission’s decision to ban the water lily as a political symbol.

He argued that just like the paddy sheaf, jute leaf, and star—elements derived from national symbols—the water lily is a part of the national emblem and should be allowed as an electoral symbol. “If one part of the national emblem can be used as a party symbol, so can the water lily,” he said, opposing the ban.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka Metropolitan North branch held a rally and assembly on July 19 in the Karwan Bazar and Farmgate areas to mobilize support for their national convention. Addressing the crowd, Metropolitan Amir Mohammad Selim Uddin urged activists to work tirelessly towards achieving the party’s seven-point demand plan aimed at building a new Bangladesh free from discrimination, extortion, and terrorism. He emphasized that people would no longer have to seek their rights elsewhere, as elected representatives will act as servants of the people, not rulers. He invited residents of Dhaka to participate in the upcoming national convention.

National Citizen Party (NCP) activists were allegedly attacked at the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) regional office in Mohammadpur while protesting against extortion.

According to the NCP, a group of assailants led by Mahbub Alam confined the protesters to a room and attacked them with local weapons, seizing their mobile phones and wallets. At least six individuals were injured and admitted to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.

The party accuses Mahbub Alam of being closely associated with Mayor Atiqul Islam and being involved in lobbying, tender manipulation, and extortion within the DNCC. The Mohammadpur police station’s officer-in-charge stated that an investigation will begin upon receiving a formal complaint.

A crude bomb (cocktail) exploded outside the National Citizen Party (NCP) office on Wednesday night at 10:58 PM, injuring Imon Howlader, the Joint Convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Kalabagan. He was admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital for treatment.

This marks the third such incident outside the NCP office, with previous attacks occurring on June 23 and July 2, leaving several others injured. Police have launched an investigation into the latest explosion.

Aminul Haque, Convener of BNP's Dhaka North Metropolitan Unit, has criticized the Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system, calling it “disconnected from the people.” He argued that individuals who are not even qualified to be Union Parishad members are now dreaming of becoming Members of Parliament under this system.

Speaking at a party event, Haque stated that the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their voting rights for the past 15 years and are now eagerly waiting for a truly free and fair election—one in which they can elect candidates of their own choosing.

He called on party leaders and activists to remain disciplined, emphasizing that no injustice should be done to ordinary citizens and urging coordination with law enforcement agencies to maintain order.

Expressing hope that the next general election will be held by February, Haque urged all BNP supporters to stay united and vigilant. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to confronting all political conspiracies under the leadership of Tarique Rahman.

BNP Joint Secretary General Advocate Abdus Salam Azad has called on Jamaat-e-Islami to abandon what he described as its "misguided path." Speaking to reporters, he criticized the party for its controversial role during the Liberation War and accused it of political opportunism, citing its shifting alliances with the Awami League, Jatiya Party, and BNP.

Azad also lashed out at Chormonai Pir, condemning his recent remark: “Money is raised at Paltan and sent to London.” He labeled the statement as “completely false and baseless,” and urged the Pir to publicly repent in front of his followers for spreading misinformation.

Azad further accused Jamaat of trying to delay national elections under the pretext of prioritizing local polls and pushing for a Proportional Representation (PR) system as part of a broader political conspiracy.

A violent clash broke out between two rival factions of the BNP in Sujanagar, Pabna, leaving at least 25 people injured, including five with gunshot wounds. Among the injured is Sheikh Abdur Rouf, a local BNP leader.

The conflict occurred between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM on the Nandita Cinema Hall Road. Long-standing tensions between supporters of Sheikh Abdur Rouf and his rival Mujibur Khan escalated into a deadly confrontation, with both groups engaging in chase and counter-chase before violence erupted.

To control the situation, police were joined by members of the army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Law enforcement sources have claimed that the incident stemmed from personal enmity rather than political rivalry.

Nahid Islam also alleged that more than 1,200 Bangladeshis have been killed over the past 25 years, attributing many of these incidents to India's Border Security Force (BSF), which he called a “murderous and rights-violating force.” Speaking during a march in Jhenaidah demanding judicial reform and a new constitution, Islam urged the Indian government to treat Bangladeshis with dignity. He stressed that while Bangladesh may have overcome dictatorship, it has yet to be freed from anti-people governance. The NCP continues to demand free elections under a reformed legal and constitutional framework.

Nahid Islam, convenor of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the relationship between Bangladesh and India must be based on equality and mutual respect. Speaking in Chuadanga, he claimed that the fall of the “authoritarian Hasina regime” came through public uprising, alleging via a BBC report that Sheikh Hasina had directly ordered violence. He accused India of sheltering her and demanded accountability. Islam asserted that India is as dependent on Bangladesh as Bangladesh is on India. He called for public resistance against corruption and extortion, comparing current governance to past autocratic eras.

Germany has summoned China’s ambassador following an incident where a Chinese warship used a laser to target a German aircraft during an EU maritime security mission in the Red Sea. The laser targeting endangered the pilot and forced the aircraft to land safely in Djibouti, suspending the mission temporarily. Germany condemned the act as unacceptable. Similar accusations were previously made by the US in 2020. The Chinese embassy in Berlin and Beijing have yet to respond to the latest incident.

Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party, warned that postponing the national election could lead to serious multidimensional security risks. He cited rising lawlessness, mob violence, and social unrest as signs of deepening political instability. Haque criticized the Election Commission’s failure to announce an election schedule and dismissed local elections held before national polls as irrelevant. He also advocated for reforms and a proportional representation system in the upper house. Haque expressed hope that a national charter could be signed by the end of July.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mahsud announced that political parties will no longer be allowed to use the national flower ‘Shapla’ (Water Lily) as an election symbol. The decision stems from its status as part of Bangladesh’s national emblem. Applications by parties such as Nagorik Oikya and the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP) requesting the symbol were rejected. Although 69 symbols are currently scheduled, the EC plans to expand this list to over 100 ahead of the next general election. A proposal to amend the official symbol list will soon be sent to the Ministry of Law for approval.

President Trump’s plan to finalize 90 trade deals in 90 days is faltering, with only a few deals progressing and the deadline extended to August 1. Markets remain calm, anticipating Trump’s usual last-minute delays. However, global resistance is mounting, with Japan and South Korea openly opposing U.S. demands. While U.S.-China trade falls, China is expanding trade elsewhere. The dollar’s value is dropping, and new tariffs may worsen the situation. Meanwhile, other countries are strengthening trade ties, bypassing the increasingly isolated U.S.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on the government to ensure the highest level of medical care for iconic Lalon singer Farida Parveen, even if it requires treatment abroad.

Visiting her at Ayesha Memorial Hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday, he described her as a peerless artist in the subcontinent. Currently battling severe kidney complications, Farida Parveen, he said, deserves the nation's full support. Fakhrul urged the chief adviser to take personal initiative if necessary and to form a special medical board for her care.

The BNP has extended financial and moral support to the mother of Bangladesh women’s football team member Rituparna Chakma, who is battling breast cancer. On Wednesday, BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi visited the remote village of Magai Chhari in Rangamati to meet the family.

Acting on the directive of party leader Tarique Rahman, Rizvi handed over a total donation of BDT 200,000—half from the “We Are BNP Family” fund and half from the local BNP unit. He also spoke about the region’s infrastructural neglect and reiterated the demand for early national elections.