NCP leader Akhtar Hossain has expressed doubts over BNP’s willingness to pursue genuine constitutional reform, noting the party’s objections to both the July Charter and the idea of drafting a new constitution.

“True reform requires writing a fresh constitution through a Constituent Assembly election. Some are opposing this, creating confusion,” he said.

He warned that holding elections under the “fascist constitution” would only embolden authoritarianism. “Without implementing the July Charter and ensuring decentralization, democracy will not take root,” Akhtar added.

He questioned whether BNP is heading toward deception, pointing out that if reform proposals are enshrined in a new constitution, they cannot be challenged in court.

Akhtar also criticized the trend of leaving crucial issues—such as parliamentary structure, upper house provisions, presidential powers, and women’s leadership—unclear for the next ruling party, warning that such ambiguity risks making reforms unsustainable.

South Indian superstar Thalapathy Vijay has openly labeled India’s ruling BJP as “fascist,” declaring that the battle against the party is no longer just political, but ideological.

Speaking at his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s conference in Madurai, Vijay said: “The BJP is using religion as a tool for division while weakening democracy. They are my biggest ideological enemy.”

He clarified that while his competition with DMK is political, the conflict with BJP lies on fundamental ideological grounds. His party’s principles—equality, free thought, secularism, and social justice—stand in stark contrast to BJP’s philosophy.

“We cannot remain silent spectators. We must rise against the fascist BJP now,” he proclaimed to thunderous applause.

Founded in 2024, Vijay’s party has rapidly gained millions of supporters, becoming one of the fastest-growing political movements in Tamil Nadu.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that both Bangladesh and the United States have benefitted from recent negotiations over tariff-related issues.

“Bangladesh has successfully retained its trade privileges. Our export market is expanding and will continue to grow,” he noted while speaking at a seminar.

He added that some groups attempted to exploit the tariff issue but failed. “We want to expand bilateral trade with the United States, and purchase orders are already on the rise.”

Co-speakers at the seminar stressed the importance of strengthening trade ties with Japan, Korea, and Europe, while also urging continued efforts to further reduce U.S. tariff rates.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has warned that extremism is being spread in the country in a “very strategic” way at a time when society should be moving toward progress and reducing inequality.

“Fragmented and patchwork solutions cannot bring real change,” he said, adding that widespread corruption in teacher recruitment and deep-rooted irregularities cannot be eradicated overnight.

He urged for clear objectives and planning for real reform, stating: “When we want a progressive society, when we want to reduce inequality, efforts are made to push us in the opposite direction. Extremism is spreading with great caution.”

Fakhrul further emphasized that democracy requires debate and disagreements, but unity beyond corruption could bring about change in Bangladesh, as it has in other countries.

A local leader of the opposition Jubo Dal was brutally hacked to death in Khulna’s Aatharo Mile area on Friday night. Police have detained two suspects in connection with the killing.

The victim, Shamim Ahmed (35), was the son of Abdul Gaffar from Tala, Satkhira, and served as joint convener of Islamkati Union Jubo Dal.

According to his wife, Bushra Akter, two acquaintances—Ejaz and Shariful Islam—visited their home Friday evening. Later that night, Shamim was found murdered on the third floor of the building where they had gathered. The suspects had fled by the time she discovered the scene.

Police confirmed the incident as a homicide and sent the body for autopsy. An investigation is underway.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President ASM Abdur Rob has cautioned that the “echoes of fascism” are once again being heard in Bangladesh following the historic July uprising. He emphasized that the country’s student movement will not allow any attempt to revive fallen fascist forces or their enablers.

Speaking on Friday, Rob urged students to remain vigilant, vocal, and united, warning that power-centric politics could otherwise undermine the dreams of the July people’s movement.

“In today’s context of growing social and economic inequality, an inclusive, universal, and people-oriented education system is the key not just to the empowerment of students, but to the liberation of the entire nation,” he said. Rob also stressed that students must play an active role in building a participatory political system.

Calling for collective resolve, he added: “Let us pledge together—education must be entirely people-centric, free from discrimination, and a driving force for national progress.”

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has raised concerns over sudden discussions about proportional representation in Bangladesh’s electoral system.

“The people neither relate to nor are familiar with PR. Why bring it up now? Does this mean there is an ill motive behind the election process?” Rizvi asked during a prayer gathering.

He said unresolved issues around restoring democracy and ensuring free, fair elections must be addressed first. “Introducing a new system now will only create chaos. Sheikh Hasina has already thrown society into disarray—we must return to real accountability.”

Rizvi further accused the government of continuing conspiracies and highlighted failures across multiple sectors, adding that enforced disappearances, killings, and secret murders under Hasina’s rule remain a dark chapter of fascist misrule.

AB Party chairman Mojibur Rahman Manju has announced his candidacy from the Feni-2 constituency in the upcoming elections.

“Many are asking if I will run. Inshallah, I will contest from my ancestral and motherland seat of Feni-2,” Manju declared.

Acknowledging the party’s modest organizational reach and limited financial base, he noted that critics expect him to lose his deposit, while others doubt his ability to even win a local seat. “But success never comes overnight. Criticism and encouragement are both essential parts of life,” he said.

Manju hinted at “surprising developments ahead” while stressing that real success lies in long-term perseverance, not temporary gains.

BNP leader Asaduzzaman Ripon has warned that introducing proportional representation (PR) in Bangladesh’s elections would plunge the country into instability.

Speaking at a discussion, he argued, “No political party would be able to form a majority government under PR. We would see one government in the morning and another in the evening, threatening our independence and sovereignty.”

Ripon insisted that in countries where democracy is not yet deeply rooted, PR elections could only produce fragile coalitions and political chaos. “Bangladesh needs stability, not disaster,” he said.

At an anniversary event of CRAB, Jamaat leader Ghulam Parwar lamented the decline of fearless journalism in Bangladesh.

“The greatest crisis today is the absence of courageous journalism—the ability to call white, white and black, black,” Parwar said. He stressed the importance of conscience, noting that no matter what excuses one makes, “the sting of conscience cannot be avoided.”

He described organizational anniversaries as opportunities for inspiration, self-reflection, and renewed commitment. Looking ahead, Parwar expressed hope that responsible journalism will support the journey toward a new democracy after the recent mass uprising.

Also speaking at the event, NCP leader Mushfiq-us-Salehin said, “We expect factual and objective reporting from journalists. Freedom of expression has returned after the uprising, and truthful reporting can help us reform. Yet, the media remains under state agency control.”

BNP leader Dr. Moin Khan has accused the Awami League government of causing irreversible damage to the Sundarbans by establishing a coal-fired power plant in the region.

Speaking at a program, Khan said, “Whether the project operates or not, it has already destroyed our biodiversity. We must now raise awareness and teach our people that humanity can only survive in harmony with nature. No civilization in history has thrived by destroying the environment.”

He urged mass tree plantation under the slogan “Plant Trees, Save the Nation” and echoed Tarique Rahman’s call from London for environmental awareness to be integrated into all development planning. “To save Bangladesh, we must protect its environment,” he added.

Abdul Kader, convener of BAGSAS, has demanded that Dhaka University students listed on the voter roll be allowed to vote in the Daksu election without requiring hall identity cards.

He pointed out that a significant number of students are non-residential and do not possess hall IDs, while many residential students have been unable to renew their cards due to financial hardship. “Making hall ID the sole proof for voting would be unjust,” Kader said, urging the university to accept student ID cards or other documents as valid alternatives.

He emphasized that the administration must adopt a student-friendly approach to ensure that every name on the voter list translates into voting rights. BAGSAS announced that the demand will be formally submitted to the Election Commission in the coming working days.

NCP leader Dr. Tasnim Jara has dismissed rumors that she met with an American official during her recent visit to Nepal. Jara clarified that she traveled to Nepal at the government’s invitation to attend a seminar on "Clean Air," where she spoke about the health impact of polluted air.

She stressed that no American official contacted her during the trip, contrary to reports in an Indian news portal claiming she held a breakfast meeting with a US diplomat. The report even alleged that Bangladesh’s intelligence agencies were aware of the meeting—something Jara labeled “completely false and fabricated.”

Addressing similar past rumors, she recalled speculation about her meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas in Cox’s Bazar. Jara noted that on August 11, NCP did hold a meeting with the US envoy, but it was publicized through a press release, not a secret gathering. “BNP and Jamaat also held similar meetings with the ambassador, yet no disinformation was spread against them. False propaganda will not silence us,” she declared.

BNP leader Lutfozzaman Babar has declared that his party will never compromise on people’s rights, national independence, or sovereignty.

“The worst victims of persecution in this country are Begum Khaleda Zia and her family. One of her sons died under the Awami regime’s oppression, while her elder son Tarique Rahman remains in exile in London,” Babar said.

He stressed the need for unity ahead of the next general election: “We have a difficult road ahead. We must remain united, avoid wrongdoing ourselves, and resist injustice by others.”

Expressing gratitude to Tarique Rahman, he said: “Today, BNP is stronger than at any time in the past. Despite false cases and death sentences imposed by the fascist Awami regime, I have returned free through your prayers and Allah’s mercy.”

Jamaat leader Professor Mujibur Rahman has said the people of Bangladesh, having escaped one-party dictatorship, will not accept a new form of hostage politics.

“To end extortion and plunder, there is no alternative to adopting a Proportional Representation (PR) electoral system,” he said.

Rahman argued that implementing Quranic and Sunnah-based principles in personal, social, political, and state affairs would ensure peace, discipline, and prosperity.

He added: “We are preparing for elections while also continuing our movement for people’s rights. The public increasingly understands the need for PR, though some political parties refuse to accept it because they want to cling to outdated systems. But the people will reject those old ways.”