Since independence, Bangladesh has seen the rise of various political parties, with BNP being the largest among them. The Jatiya Party also held power through controversial elections but managed to establish certain regional vote banks. For decades, the country's political landscape has been dominated by Awami League and BNP. However, a new student-led party is emerging as a centrist force, steering clear of extreme right or left ideologies. Akhtar Hossain, the party's secretary, emphasized their commitment to equality, justice, and good governance. Samanta Sharmin stated that they aim to engage in politics driven by rights, responsibilities, and empathy. The party also draws inspiration from the success of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Imran Khan, and Arvind Kejriwal's political movements.

On the 20th anniversary of Rafik Hariri’s assassination, former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has announced his return to political activity. After three years away from politics, Hariri stated that his party, Future Movement, will re-enter the political arena. According to a report by Arab News, the party will remain committed to the ideals of the Taif Agreement, state-building, reconstruction, and institutional development. Hariri emphasized the vision of a normal state where no weapon exists outside the control of the state. He expressed support for the country’s president, government, and the new hope for unity during this period.

Abdus Salam, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami in Bandarban district, has stated that justice should come before elections. Speaking at a conference on Friday, he emphasized the need for harmony over hostility. He criticized those who, according to him, lacked the courage to remove a car from in front of their leader’s house yet now speak against Jamaat-e-Islami. He also claimed that there is no evidence of Jamaat activists being involved in extortion or tender manipulation. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of electing honest individuals as local representatives to establish good governance.

The National Consensus Commission, led by Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is set to begin its official activities today with a meeting with BNP. The discussion, scheduled for 3:00 PM at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, will focus on reports from six reform commissions formed by the interim government. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir will lead the party’s delegation. The reform reports have already been shared with political parties for review ahead of the discussions.

BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has expressed concerns that centrist politics may face significant challenges in the near future. He stated that a particular political party is advocating for local elections before holding the national elections, and some of its members are attempting to mislead the interim government. As a result, there is growing uncertainty about the future of centrist politics.

Rizvi also remarked on Dr. Muhammad Yunus, calling him an internationally renowned figure and a victim of persecution under the Hasina administration. He believes Dr. Yunus will make just decisions. Rizvi further emphasized that people have been fighting for free elections for 17 years, and a national election should first establish a stable political environment. Only then should the elected government organize local elections, he asserted.

On Friday, the Gano Odhikar Parishad of Dhaka Metropolitan staged a fascism-resisting protest and mass rally demanding justice for the 1971 genocide and the banning of the perpetrators’ political activities. During the event, Gano Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur stated, “Our party will not compromise on the question of banning the Awami League. It is the misfortune of this nation that its brave sons create new history by fighting in the streets while only a few benefit. Why, even six months after the people’s uprising, must we take to the streets to ban the Awami League?” He also called for the reorganization of the advisory council.

Mohammad Selim Uddin, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka Metropolitan North, has issued an ultimatum to the government, demanding the release of ATM Azharul Islam within seven days. He claimed that Azhar, the party’s former acting secretary-general, has been unjustly sentenced to death in a fabricated case solely for his political affiliation with Jamaat.

Speaking as the chief guest at a rally in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Selim Uddin warned that if the government fails to comply, a mass movement will be launched to secure his release. He further stated that during the August uprising, all political groups took to the streets, yet only Jamaat was banned. Calling the movement’s participants “Razakars” led to widespread outrage, and within days of the ban, the ruling party was forced to flee. He asserted that those who conspire to eliminate Jamaat have always been erased from history.

The National Revolutionary Council has issued a one-month ultimatum to the interim government, demanding the reinstatement of the ban on Israel in Bangladeshi passports. The organization has also called for a ban on the use of Pegasus spyware, allegedly purchased for surveillance purposes.

During a protest rally in front of the National Press Club on Friday, council leaders stated that despite the ceasefire agreement taking effect on January 19, Israel has killed 178 Palestinians. They accused Israel of attempting to take full control of Gaza and urged the Bangladeshi government to stand by the Palestinians by restoring the previous passport restriction as a symbolic gesture of support.

Hassan Mahmud Jewel, former chairman of Nandail Upazila and a leader of the Upazila Awami League, has been arrested. He was taken into custody from his residence on Friday afternoon. Reports suggest that Jewel is a close associate of former Nandail MP Anwarul Abedin Khan Tuhin.

According to the police, the arrest is linked to a case filed on January 4 by BNP leader Tahmina Begum’s husband. The case stems from a violent clash over the placement of election posters during the 2018 elections, in which Jewel has been named the prime accused.

Hefazat-e-Islam’s top leaders have called for a ban on the Awami League following the findings of a United Nations fact-finding mission. In a joint statement on Friday, Hefazat Amir Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Secretary-General Maulana Sajedur Rahman made the demand. The statement claimed that the UN report exposed severe crimes against humanity committed by the “fascist government and its loyal forces.” The leaders also called for a ban on the Awami League, citing incidents such as the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Square crackdown, and the July massacre. Additionally, they accused India of acting like a hostile state.

BNP leader Mirza Abbas remarked that some parties are stalling the election process, but confirmed that the BNP is ready to participate in the elections within the timeframe provided by the interim government. Speaking at a party event this afternoon, he added that no one involved in fascism or criminal activities should be allowed to join the party. He further emphasized that the party does not need thousands of leaders and workers; having just 10 good and honest members is sufficient. Mirza Abbas called for all political parties to abandon conspiracy and cooperate with the interim government for the sake of the country’s interests and to ensure a fair election.

The discussion on state reform with political parties will begin this Saturday, February 15, as announced by Industry and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan. Speaking after paying tribute to martyrs of the Anti-Autocracy Movement on February 14, Khan emphasized the government’s aim to restore citizens’ rights and prevent fascism in the country. Various political and student organizations also honored the movement’s martyrs. February 14 is observed as Anti-Autocracy Resistance Day, marking the 1983 protest against the government’s education policy.

A UN human rights report reveals that the ousted Awami League government used both police and armed party supporters to suppress the July-August student protests. Chhatra League, backed by senior Awami League leaders, led attacks on protesters. When they failed, police escalated force, even using live bullets. Armed Awami League supporters, including an MP, also attacked demonstrators. The government coordinated repression through a “Core Committee,” with direct oversight from Sheikh Hasina and top security officials. The crackdown intensified protests instead of stopping them.

In Patuakhali, BNP and Jamaat-affiliated lawyers have engaged in legal disputes over the district bar association elections. On Wednesday, Jamaat-affiliated lawyer PP Md. Ruhul Amin Sikder filed a lawsuit against 11 BNP-backed lawyers from the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum. In retaliation, BNP-affiliated lawyer and APP Md. Mizanur Rahman filed a counter-lawsuit on Thursday against 11 Jamaat-affiliated lawyers, including the district Jamaat Amir. BNP claims that Awami League nominated a Jamaat Secretary, while Jamaat alleges that BNP-backed lawyers attacked them.

ASM Abdur Rob, a key figure in Bangladesh’s independence movement, stated in a press release that Sheikh Hasina’s political career is effectively over following evidence of severe human rights violations. He emphasized that bringing all those involved in the brutal massacres to justice is a necessary step for the state. Rob also asserted that there is no alternative but to extradite Hasina from India and put her on trial. He further remarked that since an entire political party was complicit in the genocide, Awami League leaders have lost both their moral and legal right to engage in politics.