The Appellate Division has overturned the convictions of BNP leader Amanullah Aman and his wife Sabera Aman, lifting legal barriers to their participation in elections. In 2007, Aman was sentenced to 13 years in prison and his wife to 3 years for concealing information and acquiring illegal wealth. The recent acquittal clears their names and paves the way for their return to politics.

Saiful Hock of the Revolutionary Workers Party stated their support for reducing the terms of parliament and the president to four years. They proposed limiting the prime minister to two terms and leaving development tasks to local governments. The party also advocated for reducing the deposit amount in national elections and expressed concerns that local elections could destabilize the country.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain criticized the government’s unilateral decision to establish a humanitarian corridor in Rakhine, Myanmar. “This decision was made without any dialogue with political parties or the public. We are unaware of the conditions attached to this decision,” he said. The BNP believes that an unelected government lacks the authority to make such a sovereignty-sensitive decision and demands full disclosure and transparency.

A 19-year-old female student of a private university was reportedly raped in Durgapur, Netrokona. Police have arrested three individuals, including Faisal Ahmed Durjoy (25), a local leader of the BNP’s student wing. The victim had arrived at a resort with her fiancé Munna Mia and stayed in Room 201. When Munna stepped out for some errands, his friend Durjoy, familiar to the victim, entered the room, initiated a conversation, and allegedly raped her after physical assault.

In a statement, Ganosamhati Andolon expressed concern over the proposal to establish a humanitarian corridor in Rakhine, Myanmar. “Bangladesh is already entangled in the complex Rohingya crisis with far-reaching implications. Before making any decision regarding a humanitarian corridor, there must be thorough discussion and national consensus. This issue involves critical concerns of sovereignty and national security,” the statement said. The party urged the government to immediately initiate dialogue with all political parties concerning the Rohingya crisis, the border situation with Myanmar, and the corridor proposal, and to make decisions based on the outcomes of these discussions.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir warned party members against engaging in extortion and misconduct, saying they could face a fate similar to the ruling Awami League. He urged party leaders to hand over any wrongdoers to the police. Fakhrul said the current government created a “mirror prison” system, with nearly 1,700 enforced disappearances reported by the UN. He challenged Prime Minister Hasina to return and face legal cases like BNP leaders if she truly enjoys public support.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to return to Bangladesh next month following improvements in her health. Tareque Rahman’s wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and Koko’s wife Syeda Sharmila Rahman may also accompany her. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain confirmed that preparations for a special air ambulance from Qatar are underway following a formal request from the BNP.

The Chittagong University branch of Chhatra Shibir has proposed amendments to the constitution of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CUCSU). The proposal includes three new clauses under Section 2 to promote democratic, religious, and humanitarian values rooted in Bangladesh’s liberation and democratic movements. They also proposed expanding the executive council from 10 to 21 members and reducing the unilateral authority of the president, who will continue to be the university’s vice chancellor by default.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan stated that no system in the world is foolproof; otherwise, there would be no need for reform or revolution. He supported a voting process for expatriates that is logical, efficient, and cost-effective for the majority. He also questioned the accuracy of claims that 2.9 million Bangladeshis reside in India, citing the lack of official government data and reliance on YouTube sources.

Assistant Inspector General Enamul Haque Sagar reported that 1,339 individuals were arrested during a nationwide police crackdown on April 28. Among them, 799 were wanted in cases or had outstanding warrants, while 540 were arrested in connection with other incidents. Authorities also recovered illegal firearms including pistols, revolvers, and ammunition. The operation will continue.

A Dhaka court has set May 12 as the new date for submitting an arrest report against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and 16 others in a corruption case involving RAJUK plot allocations. Police were supposed to file the report today but failed to do so, prompting the court to extend the deadline.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman has urged the nation to commemorate International Workers’ Day on May 1, highlighting the historical sacrifices made by laborers in Chicago in 1886. He noted that the struggle for workers’ rights is ongoing, with many still forced to protest for their fair wages. Rahman cited Islamic teachings advocating timely payment to workers and emphasized that human-made ideologies have failed to fully address workers’ issues.

CBC reports that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won the Canadian election, overcoming early predictions of a major loss. A surge in nationalist sentiment followed provocative statements by U.S. President Trump, who threatened Canadian sovereignty and suggested turning Canada into America’s 51st state. The resignation of Justin Trudeau helped the Liberals regain momentum.

The Gano Adhikar Parishad has proposed reducing the minimum age for parliamentary candidates to 23 and shortening the term of parliament to four years. They are also calling for a national referendum on constitutional amendments. Leader Nurul Haque highlighted additional proposals, including extending maternity leave for women and halving their work hours for up to two years. The party suggests members of parliament be allowed to vote freely on all issues except constitutional amendments, budget bills, and confidence motions.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Md. Nurul Islam Bulbul claimed that past elections only resulted in changes in political power without establishing people’s rights. He asserted that Jamaat-e-Islami has been persistently oppressed despite not holding state power and highlighted the party’s longstanding efforts in social welfare, regardless of political or religious affiliation.