BNP leader Hafiz Uddin Ahmed claimed the “old game” has resumed in the hills and argued that the farsighted decisions of Ziaur Rahman are still preventing any move that could be framed as an Indian declaration of independence. He accused Jamaat of fearing the people’s verdict and suggested that some political groups, influenced by intellectuals from Europe and America, are attempting to impose electoral systems that will not win public support.

Hafiz warned that if anyone tries to obstruct elections, BNP will respond on the streets. He also criticized a UN trip by the Chief Adviser that involved 104 members, without elaborating on details.

Olik Mru has resigned from his post as NCP’s Joint Chief Organizer (Northern Region), protesting what he called the party’s silence over recent violence in Khagrachhari — including the deaths of three indigenous people — and denouncing alleged false statements by NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud regarding a reported rape.

In a Facebook post, Olik Mru accused the party of remaining mute about the alleged rape of an indigenous teenage girl, attacks on indigenous communities, arson of homes, and the fatal shootings of three indigenous people. He said he has sent his resignation by email and to party officials, and wished the party well, ending his message with “Inquilab Zindabad.”

Abdur Rahman, central vice-president of the Jatiya Oikya Party (JOP), was seriously injured late Sunday night in an attack by unknown assailants in the Borbari area of Gazipur. Initially taken to the local Bord Bazar Hospital, his condition worsened and — with police assistance — he was later admitted to Shahid Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College Hospital in Gazipur.

Majedur Rashid, president of the Gazipur city unit of the Labour Rights Council, said Rahman received 12 stitches to the head. Rashed Khan, the party’s general secretary and an MP candidate, condemned the assault and demanded a full investigation and punishment for the perpetrators.

Rashid alleged the attackers struck Rahman on the head and body and shouted threats, saying, “We’ll end your dream of becoming an MP today — this is the last day of your life.” Patrol police later rescued Rahman and transported him to hospital.

Former industries minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun passed away at 8:20 a.m. while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Humayun had served as industries minister twice during the previous authoritarian government: first in 2019 and again in 2024.

Humayun had been in custody following arrest in a case concerning killings, attacks and vandalism in Narsingdi linked to the July uprising. He was transferred from prison to DMCH in an unstable condition on Sunday and died while under medical care.

Cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, described in a social post as an “Awami affiliate,” reportedly extended birthday greetings to fugitive Sheikh Hasina. The message drew immediate criticism. In the aftermath, adviser Asif Mahmud posted on Facebook reiterating, “You called me thousands of names for not rehabilitating one person. But I was right. That ends the discussion here.”

A later reply on Shakib’s Facebook page reads: “In the end someone admitted that because of him I could not wear the Bangladesh jersey or play for the country. Maybe one day I will return to the motherland. I love Bangladesh.” (Note: these posts reflect the original social-media statements and reactions.)

BNP leader Aminul Haque said the past 17 years of authoritarian rule have not only hollowed out Bangladesh’s democracy and politicized state institutions, but have likewise politicized and damaged the country’s sporting sector. “Over the last 17 years we have achieved little in sport,” he said, adding that the BNP intends to rebuild a depoliticized sporting environment.

Aminul outlined a nationwide plan to use sport to raise healthier future generations across every remote corner of Bangladesh. He said attracting young people — many of whom have been lured into drug abuse over the last decade and a half — into playing fields will be a central part of building a drug-free society.

“A decision has been made by Tarek Rahman: if BNP forms the government after the February election, five sports — including football and cricket — will be made compulsory starting from class four in primary school,” Aminul said. “This will help shape healthier future generations and also produce better athletes.”

He added that a series of sports programs will aim to produce a qualitative change in Bangladesh’s politics, shifting young people away from traditional partisan thinking toward social transformation through sport.

BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan has said his party rejects all forms of social division, whether in the hills or the plains.
Speaking at a Durga Puja venue in Narayanganj, he criticized the proportional representation (PR) system, claiming it is not acceptable to the public. He added that people want to know exactly who they are voting for, not just parties.
Commenting on recent unrest in Guimara, sparked by protests over the gang-rape of an indigenous teenager, Moyeen Khan said, “There can be no division among people. BNP believes in unity, not division.”

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Bir Bikram Oli Ahmed criticized what he called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s affinity for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it has frustrated the Bangladeshi public. “Modi has never acted in Bangladesh’s best interests,” he said. “We are not against Hindus in India or the Indian people, but we oppose the government currently in power there. We will also oppose anyone who acts as India’s agent.”

Oli accused a small group of business magnates — singling out the S Alam conglomerate as controlling a disproportionate share of national wealth — of thriving under what he described as Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule, and blamed the current Indian prime minister for enabling that concentration of wealth. He added that public office should not be a private relationship and called for candidates to be elected by direct popular vote.

With Durga Puja approaching, he urged vigilance and protection of minority communities, calling them “our entrusted citizens,” and warned that actions taken from abroad could destabilize Bangladesh.

AFM Solaiman Chowdhury, founding convener of the AB Party, has formally rejoined Jamaat-e-Islami after submitting a membership form at the party’s central office on Saturday. He had announced his resignation from the AB Party on Thursday via Facebook, explaining that the movement’s broad national engagement goals were not being met.

Solaiman Chowdhury said the AB Party had become a Dhaka-centric organization and that district leaders were resigning and leaving the party. He lamented that the original commitment to mobilize the public nationwide had evaporated. A long-time Islamist activist, Solaiman Chowdhury joined Islami Chhatra Shangha in 1964, entered Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh in October 1975, and became an official Jamaat member (Rokon) in January 1976, later serving as the party’s central health secretary that same year.

Following a Facebook photo-card in which Jamaat leader Dr. Syed Abdullah Md. Taher is quoted as saying he hopes India will intervene — claiming such an intervention would erase the “stigma” imposed in 1971 and allow Jamaat to prove itself as a true freedom fighter — the president of the student front strongly condemned the remarks.

The student leader said those who, out of fear of “killer Hasina,” spent the past 15½ years sheltering under the ruling party’s flag and serving as campus enforcers have now been publicly mocked by their former parent organization. He criticized the organization’s top leaders for continuing to coordinate with the Awami League even after some of their leaders were executed, and for having little to no visible record of dissent against “killer Hasina” on social media or police records during the last 15½ years.

“This is a cruel mockery of the struggle and sacrifices we made over the past 15½ years,” he said, condemning Taher’s comments as reckless and offensive.

Hefazat’s Amir and Secretary General said in a joint statement that separatist militant groups operating in the Chittagong Hill Tracts engage in activities that undermine national sovereignty and are routinely involved in crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, enforced disappearance, and ransom. These actions, they said, have made life intolerable for both the local Bengali population and ethnic communities living in the hills.

The statement accused separatist groups, allegedly supported from across the border, of trying to portray the military — which is tasked with protecting landowners, Bengalis and geographic security — as the enemy. Hefazat stressed that residents of the hills are citizens of Bangladesh and that those identified as separatist organizations should be declared traitors. They called for the development of a state security policy focused on the vulnerable Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Hefazat urged the government to strengthen military security measures in the region and warned against long-standing international conspiracies aimed at severing the hills from Bangladesh to form a Christian state. The group pledged the support of patriotic, religiously observant students and citizens alongside the armed forces and border guards to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

A 12-party alliance held talks with the Left Democratic Alliance and several progressive political parties to discuss implementation of the July national charter. Participants advised against unnecessary delays by the reform commission on matters not essential to the charter and urged continued momentum for the election-focused reform process.

Leaders at the meeting emphasized that Bangladesh has boarded the “election train” and must keep that journey moving. The 12-party alliance said attendees agreed, for the sake of national consensus, to sign implementation commitments and pledges even if compromises are required. They warned against any pretext that could obstruct the election and stressed that there is no alternative to democracy.

Left-alliance leaders cautioned that holding referendums on election day could create complications. They also recommended that fundamental constitutional reforms be implemented in the next parliament rather than through emergency measures.

National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman said that conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are comparatively improving and that this is the moment to take substantive political steps. Speaking at a discussion organized by the U.S. State Department, he recalled Bangladesh’s own history of mass atrocity and displacement half a century ago, when nearly a million Bangladeshis fled across the border into India before returning after the conflict ended.

Khalilur Rahman reported that the Arakan Army now controls some 85–90% of Rakhine territory and that Bangladesh maintains regular communications with the group. He said Arakan Army representatives recently sent him photographs showing internally displaced Rohingya returning from camps and engaging in dialogue with the Arakan Army as they returned to their home villages.

“As we move forward, we must come together in the coming months. We will invest politically in resolving this crisis and must make that commitment both to ourselves and to the refugees,” he said, adding that Bangladesh does not want to keep spending on refugee camps indefinitely. “Within three to four years, we should not be funding refugee encampments. Rather, part of those funds should be invested inside Myanmar so Rohingya can begin new lives and reclaim their futures.”

Awami League Advisory Council member Tofail Ahmed, whose political activities are currently banned, has been placed on life support at Dhaka’s Square Hospital. His family has requested prayers for his recovery.
Ahmed, who has long relied on a wheelchair following a stroke that left part of his body paralyzed, has been under regular medical supervision. A nine-time Member of Parliament, he was last elected from Bhola-1 in a controversial “dummy election.” He also served for years as a Presidium member of the Awami League.

NCP convener Nahid Islam has pledged that the party’s election manifesto will ensure equal dignity and rights for all citizens, regardless of community or faith.

After visiting Dhakeshwari Temple during Durga Puja, Nahid urged the government to guarantee security so that Hindus can celebrate their festival without fear.

He stressed that NCP will ensure participation from all communities in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. “Since the July uprising, we have been working toward building an inclusive Bangladesh, based on unity across religion, ethnicity, and ideology,” Nahid said.

He acknowledged that while the interim government tried to address many demands of the Hindu community, much remains unfulfilled. “Our manifesto will reflect the vision of equal rights and dignity for every citizen,” he affirmed.