BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman visited the grave of martyr Osman Hadi on Saturday at around 11:30 a.m. He also paid respects at the nearby grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and participated in prayers with senior BNP leaders. The visit took place before Rahman departed for the Election Commission to register as a voter at 11:40 a.m.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and Joint Secretary General Habibun Nabi Khan Sohel were present during the visit. Rahman also spoke with Hadi’s brother, Abu Bakar Siddique. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, along with other university officials and DUCSU Vice President Sadik Kayem, welcomed Rahman at the site.

The visit highlighted Rahman’s engagement with party leaders and university officials ahead of his voter registration process.

More than 100 passengers were rescued after a passenger launch became stranded on a shoal in the middle of the Padma River due to dense fog on Friday night. The vessel, named ‘ML Mizanur,’ had departed from Daulatdia launch terminal in Rajbari’s Goalanda upazila for Paturia in Manikganj around 7:45 p.m. when it lost direction near the Kolbagan area opposite Daulatdia ferry terminal No. 7. Responding to a 999 call, a team from the Daulatdia River Police began a rescue operation using a trawler despite poor visibility.

According to police sources, the rescue team, led by SI Mehedi Hasan Apurbo and ASI Ashok Dutta, reached the stranded launch around midnight with the help of artificial lighting. Passengers were safely transferred to trawlers and brought to the Daulatdia bus stand area. Officer-in-Charge Trinath Saha confirmed that no injuries or damage occurred during the incident.

Authorities temporarily suspended all ferry and water transport operations on the Padma River due to the heavy fog. The Daulatdia River Police continued public announcements and maintained round-the-clock safety measures in the area.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that concerns over the upcoming election have subsided, though conspiracies remain active. He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking to journalists before visiting the grave of Shaheed Sharif Osman Hadi near Dhaka University. Fakhrul said Tarique Rahman demonstrated political wisdom by deciding to visit Hadi’s grave and would also pay respects at the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Responding to questions, Fakhrul noted that while conspiracies cannot be fully predicted, Tarique Rahman’s return to the country has largely dispelled election-related plots. He added that Rahman’s arrival has simplified the political equation and revived nationalist ideology within the party. According to him, nationalism remains the most suitable philosophy for the people’s liberation.

Fakhrul further expressed optimism that Tarique Rahman’s leadership and new political plans would open a new direction for national politics and that he would achieve significant political success in the forthcoming election.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to become a registered voter today, Saturday, at the Election Commission (EC) office in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to EC and BNP sources, he is expected to visit the EC between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. The voter registration form was completed on Friday using his Gulshan address. EC Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Ma’sud confirmed there is no legal barrier to his registration, noting that the EC can enroll any eligible citizen at any time.

Sources from both the EC and BNP said Rahman may register using the address of his Gulshan residence ‘Firoza,’ though his birthplace Bogura is also under consideration. The final decision will be made before his photograph is taken. EC officials clarified that registering after the election schedule announcement is not unprecedented, citing previous cases including Sheikh Rehana in 2001 and Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar.

Rahman returned to Bangladesh last Thursday after 17 years abroad. The 13th national election schedule was announced on December 11, with voting set for February 12 next year. To contest in the election, being a registered voter is mandatory.

A new report has revisited Bangladesh’s first parliamentary election held on 7 March 1973, following the adoption of the country’s constitution in December 1972. The election, conducted under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League, resulted in the party winning 293 seats and forming a government without any opposition presence in parliament. Researchers and political analysts cited widespread irregularities and manipulation across the country, including allegations that ballot boxes were flown to Dhaka to ensure the victory of certain candidates.

One of the most controversial cases was in Comilla-9, where Awami League candidate Khandaker Moshtaque Ahmed reportedly won after ballot papers were taken to Dhaka for recounting. Analysts said the ruling party’s dominance left no space for opposition, with several Awami League leaders, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, winning uncontested. Contemporary newspapers described the election as a “mockery,” while opposition figures alleged that results in dozens of constituencies were altered through coercion and irregularities.

The 1973 election remains a defining episode in Bangladesh’s political history, marking the beginning of a parliament without an opposition and raising questions about the democratic process in the newly independent nation.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman left his residence in Gulshan on Saturday morning to visit the grave of martyr Osman Hadi. According to the report, he departed around 10:45 a.m. before heading to the Election Commission office in Agargaon to complete his voter registration process.

Reliable sources from the Election Commission and the BNP confirmed that Tarique Rahman is set to become a registered voter. The formalities for his voter form were completed on Friday, using his Gulshan address in Dhaka. His visit to the Election Commission marks the next step in finalizing his registration.

The report highlights that the process follows official procedures and that both the Election Commission and BNP sources have verified the information.

Inkilab Mancha has temporarily vacated the Shahbagh intersection in Dhaka due to security measures surrounding the visit of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman. He is scheduled to visit and pay respects at the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi, located beside the tomb of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The group, which had been staging a continuous sit-in demanding justice for Hadi’s killing, moved its protest site to the front of Aziz Super Market on Saturday morning.

Leaders of Inkilab Mancha stated that they would return to Shahbagh and resume their sit-in after Tarique Rahman completes his visit. Following their departure, members of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal took position at Shahbagh, chanting slogans ahead of Rahman’s arrival. The area saw a significant presence of BNP activists.

Extensive security arrangements have been implemented across Shahbagh and the Dhaka University area, with personnel from BGB, police, RAB, and the BNP chairperson’s special security force (CSF) deployed to maintain order. Authorities reported that the situation remains fully under control.

In Sariakandi upazila of Bogura, women from 117 chars along the Jamuna River are leading a quiet revolution in agriculture. They work across the sandy river islands, cultivating crops and contributing significantly to the rural economy. From seedbed preparation to harvesting and threshing, women now participate equally with men in nearly all farming activities, helping bring stability and prosperity to their families.

Despite their vital role, these women face deep-rooted wage discrimination. Female laborers report earning only 200 to 260 taka per day, while men receive 500 to 600 taka for the same work. Local sources note that both government and non-government organizations are conducting advocacy programs to raise awareness about women’s rights, but wage inequality remains unresolved. Agricultural officer Mohammad Ali Jinnah praised the women’s skill and dedication, emphasizing that ensuring fair pay could further strengthen the rural economy.

Observers believe that addressing wage disparity would not only recognize women’s true contribution but also enhance national agricultural productivity.

Mohammad Hossain, a young farmer from Purba Charumed in Lalmohan’s Ramaganj Union of Bhola, has achieved notable success in jujube cultivation. Over the past five years, he has expanded his orchard to 160 decimals of land, growing four varieties of jujube—Bol Sundari, Thai Apple Kul, China Tok-Mishti Kul, and Bharat Sundari. Despite unfavorable weather this year, his yield has been the highest among local growers, and he expects to sell around Tk 1.6 million worth of jujube this season.

Hossain began his venture on one acre of fallow land and gradually expanded due to consistent profits. He has already sold 2,000 kilograms of China Tok-Mishti Kul for about Tk 250,000, with wholesale prices at Tk 130 per kilogram and retail at Tk 150. His success has motivated 16 other farmers from nearby areas to start jujube cultivation under his guidance, receiving hands-on training and advice from him.

According to Lalmohan Upazila Agriculture Officer Abu Hasnain, Hossain’s orchard is managed hygienically and produces sweet, juicy fruits. The agriculture office has pledged full support to anyone interested in starting commercial jujube farming in the area.

Thirteen iron donation boxes of the historic Pagla Mosque in Kishoreganj were opened on Saturday morning, yielding thirty-five sacks of cash. The counting process began at 7 a.m. with the participation of more than four hundred people, including members of the mosque management committee, teachers and students from the mosque’s madrasa and orphanage, students from the nearby Jamia Emdadia Madrasa, and officials and employees of Rupali Bank.

The donation boxes, usually opened every three months, were opened this time after three months and twenty-seven days. Two new boxes were also added before this opening. The previous opening, held on August 30 of the same year, had revealed a record collection of 120.9 million taka along with a large amount of foreign currency and gold ornaments.

The opening was conducted in the presence of Kishoreganj Deputy Commissioner and Pagla Mosque Management Committee President Mohammad Aslam Molla, Superintendent of Police S.M. Farhad Hossain, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mizabe Rahmat.

The 35-kilometer Chandpur-Shariatpur four-lane road project has remained stalled for five years due to financial shortages, land acquisition complications, and administrative paralysis. Approved in the 2019–2020 fiscal year with a budget of Tk 860 crore, the project aimed to expand the road from Shariatpur’s Monohar Bazar to Vedarganj’s Ibrahimpur. Only six kilometers of work have been completed, leaving 29 kilometers unfinished and causing severe suffering for residents across 21 southern and southwestern districts.

According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Tk 431.68 crore was allocated for acquiring 95.85 hectares of land, but Tk 430.29 crore was spent acquiring only 49 hectares. The remaining 46.85 hectares require an additional Tk 300 crore, which was not included in the original budget. Many landowners have received only acquisition notices without compensation, leaving them unable to sell or repair their properties.

Officials said the project’s tenure has been extended three times, with the current term ending on December 31, 2025. The RHD has requested another extension and a revision of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) to secure additional funds and restart the tendering process.

Two separate fires broke out within one night at Rohingya camps in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, destroying a hospital and at least five houses. The first incident occurred early Friday at the D Block of Madhurchhara Camp No. 4, where a hospital was completely burned down along with valuable medical equipment. Firefighters and local residents brought the blaze under control after about two and a half hours. The previous night, another fire at Kutupalong registered camp’s B Block destroyed five houses. No casualties were reported in either incident.

The destroyed hospital, known as Obat Health Post, was established in 2017 by Obat Helpers USA for newly displaced Rohingya refugees. It was being operated by Obat Helpers Bangladesh with support from Human International USA and the camp administration. Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Local residents expressed deep concern as the facility had been a key source of free healthcare for both Rohingya and nearby communities.

Authorities have pledged to rehabilitate the damaged health center quickly and prepare a list of affected individuals for necessary assistance.

Farmers in the Padma char areas of Veramara upazila in Kushtia are facing financial losses despite achieving a bumper onion harvest this season. The losses have been attributed to the government’s decision to import onions from India, which has caused local market prices to fall sharply. Farmers have urged the government to suspend onion imports for two months to help them recover their costs.

According to local sources, 255 hectares of land in Veramara upazila were cultivated with murikata onions this season, with farmers expecting yields of 70 to 80 maunds per bigha. Although favorable weather supported strong production, rising costs of fertilizer, pesticides, and labor have increased overall expenses. Farmers who took loans from NGOs now fear they will be unable to repay them due to the price drop. Some reported potential losses of up to five lakh taka.

Upazila agriculture officer Mahamuda Sultana confirmed that government incentives and technical support helped achieve the cultivation target and good yields. However, she noted that the high yield and ongoing imports have contributed to lower market prices.

The Ministry of Public Administration has taken custody of 30 luxury Pajero vehicles worth about Tk 400 crore that were imported under duty-free privileges in the names of several fugitive former ministers and MPs of the Awami League. The vehicles, which had been stuck for one and a half years in the car shed of Chattogram Port, were transported to Dhaka on Friday morning with approval from the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Earlier, the cars had been put up for auction but failed to attract expected bids.

According to customs sources, the vehicles were imported after the 2024 dummy election by at least 40 former MPs and ministers using duty-free facilities. Most of the cars remained unclaimed amid the quota reform movement, leading to their seizure by customs. Attempts to auction them failed due to alleged manipulation by a syndicate offering unrealistically low bids. The government then decided to allocate the cars for official use through the transport pool after resolving legal complications.

Officials said the decision prevents national assets from being wasted, while future claimants may still retrieve the vehicles by paying full duties. Business representatives welcomed the move but suggested reforming the auction process to ensure fair competition and revenue collection.

A major fire broke out on the passenger ship MV Atlantic bound for Saint Martin from Cox’s Bazar early Saturday morning. The incident occurred at 6:20 a.m. at the North Nuniachhara BIWTA jetty, just before passengers were to board. Fire Service, Coast Guard, district administration, BIWTA, and Department of Environment officials brought the blaze under control around 9:30 a.m.

According to officials, the MV Atlantic and another vessel, LCT Kajol, were scheduled to carry 194 passengers to Saint Martin Island. After the fire, more than a hundred passengers were transferred to other ships—Keari Cruise & Dine, Keari Sindbad, and Bay Cruise. Nasir Uddin, an official of Atlantic Bay Cruise, said the fire started suddenly in the engine room while the ship was moving from anchorage to the jetty, though the cause remains unknown.

Authorities announced that passengers unable to travel on Saturday would be sent to Saint Martin on Sunday to avoid disorder. Senior district officials, including the Additional District Magistrate, visited the site following the incident.