DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz announced a citywide crackdown on unauthorized autorickshaws, workshops, and charging stations. DNCC, in collaboration with DMP, has already compiled a list of targets. Residents and homeowners’ associations have been urged not to permit illegal vehicles into their neighborhoods, emphasizing that a proactive local community would make it easier to eliminate such unauthorized operations.

Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud criticized the practice of appointing election-losing candidates as mayors through court verdicts, calling it an endorsement of rigged elections under Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Citing the cases of BNP candidates Shahadat Hossain and Ishraq Hossain, Mahmud urged political parties to refrain from legitimizing such elections. He clarified that they were not official parties to the lawsuits.

BNP leader Hasan Uddin Sarkar accused the Awami League government of turning educational institutions into hubs of corruption over the past 16 years. Speaking at a rally, he said teaching is a noble profession and that corruption among educators tarnishes the dignity of the profession. Sarkar praised private schools for their role in employment and education and urged teachers to uphold the integrity of their profession.

NCP leader Abdul Hannan Masud criticized activists for spreading false information without verification. He mentioned that after seeing a misleading thumbnail by Kaler Kantho, many activists posted false claims about him, such as receiving a lifetime gift of a car, when in reality it was a temporary arrangement during his stay in Hatia. Masud called on activists like Elias Hossain, Zulkarnaine Sayar, and Boni Amin to verify facts before spreading misleading narratives.

Home and Agriculture Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Industry and Housing Advisor Adilur Rahman visited farmers engaged in paddy harvesting and threshing in Arial Beel, Munshiganj. They participated in harvesting activities and pledged to stop illegal soil excavation in the beel area. They also announced plans to dredge local canals and build two cold storage facilities for preserving vegetables, emphasizing that curbing corruption would accelerate national development.

Students of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh railway line to show solidarity with job seekers on hunger strike at Dhaka University. Their eight-point demand includes punishment for those involved in the 46th BCS written exam question leak, assurances against cancelling the exam, raising viva-voce slots to 100 in the 45th BCS, and timely announcements of BCS results. They also demanded increasing the number of PSC members and ensuring employment for those who pass the viva exams.

A group of 10–15 outsiders attacked four students of Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) for allegedly not inviting the Vice Chancellor to an event, stating, “The VC is your guardian, why didn’t you invite him?” The students—Mohan, Sheikh Mujahid, Galib Rahat, and Md. Obaidullah—suffered cuts and bruises and are now receiving treatment at the KUET Medical Center. Police teams have been deployed to arrest the attackers, according to OC Kabir Hossain.

Santosh Sharma, General Secretary of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Council and Editor of Kalbela, sparked controversy by attending a Jamaat-e-Islami goodwill gathering. Following backlash, Jamaat leader Dr. Muhammad Rezaul Karim issued a Facebook apology but later deleted the post. In his apology, Rezaul mentioned that following Sharma’s appearance, various serious allegations against him surfaced, suggesting that if due action had been taken, Sharma would not have been able to attend the Jamaat event.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser, paid his last respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square, alongside leaders from over 130 countries. During the ceremony, Yunus exchanged greetings with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and leaders from Finland, Kenya, Montenegro, Ecuador, East Timor, Honduras, Iceland, Portugal, and Belgium, among others.

Lamya (17), daughter of July Uprising martyr Jasim Uddin, committed suicide by hanging at her home in Shekhertek on Saturday night. She had recently been a victim of gang rape and was scheduled to travel to her village for university entrance exams preparation. Family members allege that threats and harassment, possibly via phone, led her to take her life. The rapists had reportedly been released on bail.

The Nationalist Citizen’s Party (NCP) has announced a protest rally in Dhaka on May 2, demanding the trial, deregistration, and political ban of the Awami League. The NCP also decided to form a ‘Political Council’ to oversee decision-making and an ‘Executive Council’ to implement its resolutions. A constitution drafting team was also formed, tasked with submitting a draft within a week.

A major failure in the national grid caused a blackout across 21 districts in southern Bangladesh, including Khulna and Barisal, starting at 5:48 PM Saturday. Power was gradually restored in Khulna by 8 PM and in other areas soon after. Officials attributed the blackout to a sudden surge in load due to high temperatures, causing a malfunction at the Amin Bazar substation.

After meeting with a delegation from the Chinese Communist Party, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said relations between the two parties are deepening. He noted that while the BNP had longstanding ties with the CCP, these relations had stalled for 15 years due to the ruling regime. Fakhrul said the CCP wishes to see a stable, democratic Bangladesh.

Rashed Khan of Gano Adhikar Parishad warned that if the Awami League returns to power, more massacres will follow. He demanded state reforms and the prosecution of the Awami League and its past crimes before any election. Khan emphasized the need for a clean political environment in a new Bangladesh, free from extortionists, land grabbers, and corrupt politicians. He also called for an immediate announcement of the election roadmap.

BNP leader Aminul Haque emphasized that the upcoming election would be more competitive and challenging than ever before, with a significant portion of voters coming from the youth. He stressed the importance of engaging with their mindset. Haque highlighted that the BNP’s 31-point framework focuses on education, healthcare, and economic reforms, including unemployment benefits for educated youth, correcting distorted history, and ensuring universal healthcare. He urged party members to avoid internal conflicts and prioritize the greater good.