BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has sent Eid gifts to over 557 Islamic scholars across the country.

According to BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan, the gifts were distributed through party leaders, including 106 scholars from Dhaka city. The initiative was taken as part of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to honor religious leaders.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman have extended Eid greetings to the people of Bangladesh.

Professor Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, informed the media that she is celebrating Eid in London at her son Tarique Rahman’s residence. “Madam is spending the day privately with her family. This is her third Eid in London, and her daughters-in-law and three granddaughters have arranged everything around her,” he said.

He added, “She is doing much better than before. She can now say ‘Alhamdulillah, I am much better.’” Both Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman conveyed their heartfelt Eid wishes to the nation and BNP supporters.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stated that party Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently in London for medical treatment, has shown signs of improvement. He mentioned that this Eid marks the first time in eight years that she is celebrating with her family. While her exact return date is uncertain, she is expected to be back in Bangladesh by mid-April. Fakhrul alleged that Khaleda Zia developed liver cirrhosis while in prison, where she received no proper medical care. He further claimed that she was subjected to slow poisoning while incarcerated, citing the deplorable condition of her prison cell—damp walls, crumbling plaster, and the presence of rats.

In an undisclosed location in Barguna, Awami League activists distributed Eid gifts under the banner of ‘Joy Bangla Parishad’ in the name of fugitive Sheikh Hasina. A video of the distribution went viral, leading BNP activists to stage a protest against it.

The viral Facebook video, posted by former Barguna municipal councilor Touhid Molla, shows Awami League’s Upazila Vice President Abu Zafar, District Jubo League leader Tanvir Siddiqui, and several others distributing Eid gifts labeled as “A gift from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.” In response, BNP leaders condemned the act, accusing Awami League of destabilizing Barguna. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved, calling them fascists.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has invited BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman for an Eid greeting exchange. On Thursday, Assistant Director of the Chief Adviser’s Office, Khandaker Mominur Rahman, personally delivered the invitations to the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Muhammad Yunus is expected to perform Eid prayers at the National Eidgah and later host a gathering at the Chief Adviser’s Office.

Amid uncertainty over the next general elections, 52 political parties, including BNP, are demanding that the elections be held by December. Senior leaders of these parties have stated that no compromises will be made on this demand. They also called for electoral reforms and a clear roadmap for the election process. If their demands are not met, mass protests are expected by the end of April. Discussions are ongoing as opposition leaders accuse the government of deliberately keeping the election timeline ambiguous.

Tensions have erupted between BNP and Awami League following a violent attack in Chatak, leaving Faruk Khan (35) critically injured. While returning home from an Iftar gathering, Khan was ambushed and suffered 15-20 stab wounds. The incident has intensified political hostilities in the area, with reports suggesting that the attack was linked to political rivalry. Khan, a leader of the BNP-affiliated Volunteer Wing, was attacked near his home in Kanchanpur after attending an event hosted by former UP chairman Nizam Uddin.

The Ziaur Rahman Foundation distributed Eid gifts to 12 families in Sherpur who lost members in the July uprising. The foundation’s divisional committee, led by Engineer AKM Zahirul Islam and Dr. Md. Sayem Monowar, personally delivered gifts and a commemorative letter on behalf of acting BNP chairman Tarique Rahman. Family members demanded the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings.

BNP North Dhaka Convener Aminul Haque accused a group of attempting to delay elections under the pretext of reform. He emphasized the need for an immediate, fair election to restore stability and establish a government chosen by the people. He argued that democracy can only be fully realized through such a government and demanded the trial of Sheikh Hasina and her allies.

On Saturday, the Pakistan World Alliance announced that PTI leader Imran Khan has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership and efforts in human rights and democracy. A post on X from Partiet Centram stated that they collaborated with an eligible nominator to put forward Khan’s name. Previously, Khan was nominated for the prize in 2019 for his peace initiatives in South Asia.

BNP central leader Ruhul Kuddus Talukdar Dulu warned the government that if an election is not held soon, public anger will reach uncontrollable levels. He accused Sheikh Hasina of rigging elections and suppressing the people's right to vote for 15 years. He stated that the upcoming election will be held under the BNP’s leadership, with Tarique Rahman at the helm, and vowed to restore democratic rights through mass movement.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju said that those who once exploited state power for personal gain and terror are now realizing the consequences of their actions. He highlighted how political violence and revenge-driven politics have exhausted citizens. Manju asserted that the July uprising was a clear rejection of the old politics of violence. He believes that as young leaders take charge, the era of political terror will be left behind, making it impossible for fascist rule to return.

NCP Secretary Akhtar Hossain stated that Bangladesh was under fascist and autocratic rule for a long time. He credited the student-led uprising of July-August 2024 for liberating the country from dictatorship. To prevent such a regime from returning, students have organized under the National Citizens Party (NCP). He emphasized that every citizen of Bangladesh has rights and dignity, and their party's long-term vision is to ensure these rights through political reform.

BNP leader Abu Naser Mohammad Rahmatullah claimed that after assuming power, Ziaur Rahman rescued Bangladesh from famine and made it self-sufficient in food production. He accused the "terrorist" Awami League of plundering the country, oppressing farmers, and forcing dependency on India for expensive agricultural goods. Rahmatullah recalled how Ziaur Rahman took charge through the Sipahi-Janata revolution after the tragic events of 1975 and introduced groundbreaking agricultural reforms to ensure food security.

BNP leader Mostafizur Rahman Babul made a controversial statement, demanding both the return and execution of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“We want Sheikh Hasina back, we want Mirza Azam back, we want Obaidul Quader back—but we also want Sheikh Hasina to be hanged,” he declared.

He lamented that in the past 15-16 years, people have been unable to vote freely, elect MPs, or form local governments. He claimed that the most persecuted person in the country is BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, whom he referred to as the “Mother of Democracy.” Babul accused the ruling government of imprisoning her for years under false cases and pushing her toward death through “kangaroo court” verdicts.