Tension has arisen within the BNP-Jamaat alliance over the oath-taking of members for the Constitutional Reform Council following the recent referendum victory of the 'Yes' side. According to procedure, each newly elected Member of Parliament must take two oaths—one as an MP and another as a member of the council. The oath ceremony was scheduled for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. in the oath room of the National Parliament Building, with preparations made by the Parliament Secretariat for both the 13th Parliament and the council.

BNP has announced that while its members will take the oath as MPs, they will not take the oath as council members. BNP’s Cox’s Bazar–1 MP-elect Salahuddin Ahmed stated that they were not elected as council members and would act only after constitutional approval in Parliament. In contrast, Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP leaders said they would take both oaths. Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said their MPs were scheduled to take the oath at noon but warned that if BNP abstains, Jamaat MPs will also refrain, viewing a non-reformed Parliament as meaningless.

Of the 300 parliamentary seats, voting took place in 299 constituencies last Thursday, with one postponed due to a candidate’s death and two under court injunctions.

Members of Parliament from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have declined to take the oath as members of the newly formed Constitutional Reform Council, though they have already been sworn in as MPs. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said the party will decide on the council oath after the parliamentary session begins. In contrast, elected representatives from the Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizens Party (NCP)-led 11-party alliance have taken both oaths as MPs and as council members.

The National Parliament Secretariat had prepared for two separate oaths following the July National Charter (Constitutional Reform) Implementation Order, which mandates the formation of a Constitutional Reform Council composed of newly elected representatives. However, BNP’s 209 MPs refused to take the second oath, arguing that the existing constitution does not recognize such a council or authorize the Chief Election Commissioner to administer its oath.

Observers noted that BNP’s refusal has created an early obstacle for the interim government’s reform initiatives and may lead to a new political crisis.

Permanent Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed stated on Tuesday that his group remains committed to implementing the July Charter. Speaking to journalists around 12:30 p.m., he clarified that none of them were elected as members of the Constitutional Reform Council and therefore did not take any oath.

The remarks were made amid ongoing political developments, including reports of oath-taking by alliance members under Shafiqur Rahman’s leadership and upcoming demonstrations in the capital by Jamaat. Salahuddin’s statement emphasized adherence to the July Charter as a guiding principle while distancing his group from the constitutional reform process.

Further details about the implementation steps or political implications of the July Charter were not provided in the report.

Members of Parliament from the Jamaat alliance took their oaths under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman on Tuesday at 12:24 p.m. in the oath room of the National Parliament building. The oath was administered by Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin.

BNP-elected MPs did not take their oaths as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet is scheduled to be sworn in at the South Plaza of the Parliament building. Following the landslide victory of the BNP in the 13th national election, party chairman Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister.

The day’s events mark the formal transition toward a new government formation after the election, with Jamaat alliance MPs joining Parliament while BNP prepares for executive leadership.

A total of 45 vehicles have been prepared and lined up at the Secretariat for newly appointed cabinet members. The vehicles were arranged on Tuesday morning in front of Building No. 1 of the Secretariat. According to the Cabinet Division, the Government Transport Department was instructed to ensure the required number of vehicles were ready for use.

In line with that directive, 47 vehicles have been initially prepared for ministers. Officials explained that under VVIP protocol, a few extra vehicles are always kept ready to ensure immediate replacement in case any vehicle becomes unusable or faces an accident. The arrangement aims to maintain uninterrupted transport support for cabinet members.

The preparation reflects standard administrative practice for ensuring smooth logistical support during the formation of a new cabinet, as indicated by the Cabinet Division sources.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a protest rally and gathering in Dhaka today, citing dissatisfaction with the prevailing national situation and instability. The event is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the north gate of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, organized by the Dhaka Metropolitan South unit of the party. The announcement was confirmed by Abdus Sattar Suman, assistant publicity secretary of the unit.

The protest comes amid uncertainty surrounding the oath-taking of newly elected members of the National Parliament. According to the report, Jamaat-e-Islami and an eleven-party alliance held a similar demonstration at the same location on Monday. The party’s latest call for protest reflects its continued opposition to the current political and social conditions.

The timing of the demonstration, coinciding with parliamentary developments, indicates Jamaat’s intent to maintain pressure on political authorities during a period of national uncertainty.

Ehsanul Haque Milon, Member of Parliament for Chandpur-1 and former state minister for education, has been invited to take oath as a minister in the new BNP government. Milon confirmed the invitation to the media on Tuesday morning, and the cabinet swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for the afternoon at the South Plaza of the National Parliament building.

Earlier in the morning, at 10:40 a.m., newly elected BNP members of the 13th National Parliament took their oaths in the parliament’s oath room, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A. M. M. Nasir Uddin. However, BNP lawmakers did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Milon won the Chandpur-1 (Kachua) constituency under the BNP’s “sheaf of paddy” symbol.

Following the BNP’s landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election, party chairman Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new prime minister later in the day.

Bangladesh’s recently concluded 13th parliamentary election has drawn attention for the absence of post-election violence against religious minorities, a recurring issue since 1991. Reports indicate that no major incidents or propaganda campaigns targeting minorities have surfaced this time, marking a significant departure from previous elections. The BNP-led alliance achieved a landslide victory, while Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as a strong opposition force.

In earlier elections, particularly under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, widespread attacks on minority homes, businesses, and temples were documented by rights groups. The 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections saw hundreds of violent incidents, including arson and assaults, often leaving minority communities in fear. Transparency International Bangladesh had warned before the latest election about potential risks of violence and religious influence, but those fears did not materialize.

Analysts cited the absence of the Awami League as a key factor behind the peaceful outcome, suggesting that previous propaganda and political exploitation of minority issues were absent this time. The election’s calm conduct has been described as unprecedented in the country’s electoral history.

A mobile court led by Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana conducted a special raid in Bashkandi Union of Shibchar upazila, Madaripur, on Monday, February 16, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, the team discovered a large quantity of counterfeit and adulterated goods inside a factory located in the house of Kalam Bepari. Two individuals, factory owner Ramzan Bepari (20) and fake cigarette seller Rasel Molla (30), were detained during the operation.

Following the raid, the court sentenced Ramzan Bepari to one month in jail and Rasel Molla to seven days. Approximately Tk 700,000 worth of adulterated food items, soft drinks, fake cigarettes, and raw materials were seized and destroyed on-site. Some confiscated products were publicly burned at the Shibchar municipal bus terminal to raise awareness among residents.

Executive Magistrate Shaikha Sultana stated that such operations would continue in Shibchar to protect public health and prevent the sale or production of harmful adulterated goods.

BNP lawmakers have not taken the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, according to a report published on February 17, 2026. The party stated that a decision on the matter will be made after the parliamentary session begins. Before taking their oath as MPs, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated the party’s stance near the Parliament complex on Tuesday morning.

Salahuddin Ahmed explained that the Chief Election Commissioner holds the constitutional authority to administer the oath to members of the 13th Parliament. However, he noted that it has not yet been determined who will administer the oath to members of the Constitutional Reform Council. He added that constitutional amendments and related matters must be settled before such an oath can take place.

He further clarified that if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable or unable to perform the duty, the Chief Election Commissioner may administer the oath. The BNP maintains that the issue will be reconsidered once the parliamentary session is underway.

The trial of seven accused, including suspended Awami League general secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader, begins today in connection with alleged crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising killings. The proceedings are being held at Tribunal-2, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, with two other judges, retired district judge Md Manjurul Basid and district judge Nur Mohammad Shahriar Kabir. The tribunal is scheduled to hear opening statements and record the first witness testimony.

Formal charges were framed on January 22, and the tribunal set February 17 for the trial’s opening. All accused are absconding, including Awami League joint general secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, former state minister for information Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League president Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, general secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Chhatra League president Saddam Hossain, and general secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan. The prosecution previously detailed individual responsibilities, while defense lawyers denied involvement and sought dismissal of charges.

Law enforcement failed to locate the accused after arrest warrants were issued, leading the tribunal to appoint state defense lawyers and publish notices in newspapers. The formal complaint was filed on December 18 last year.

Members of Parliament from the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance have insisted on taking two oaths—one as MPs and another as members of the Constitutional Reform Council—before assuming office. They have declared that they will not take the parliamentary oath unless both are administered. The issue has created procedural complications within the parliament building, where representatives from the BNP, Jamaat, and the outgoing government are holding discussions to resolve the impasse. The swearing-in of Jamaat MPs is scheduled for noon.

BNP MPs, led by Tarique Rahman, took their parliamentary oath earlier at 10:40 a.m. but did not take the oath for the Constitutional Reform Council. Jamaat MPs, including Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, are currently present in the parliament building awaiting a decision. The situation has drawn attention as the new parliamentary session faces delays due to the dispute over the dual oath demand.

If the issue remains unresolved, the start of parliamentary activities could be further delayed, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions among the political groups involved.

BNP’s newly elected members of the 13th National Parliament took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the Parliament Building, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. Following the ceremony, the party held a parliamentary meeting where Tarique Rahman was elected as the parliamentary party leader. The BNP members did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council.

Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet is scheduled to take oath at the South Plaza of the Parliament Building. After the party’s landslide victory in the February 12 election, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as the new Prime Minister. This marks the party’s return to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades without democratic governance. Tarique Rahman, who previously played a key role in BNP’s 2001 victory, is credited as the architect of this electoral success.

BNP won 209 parliamentary seats, though one seat was vacated following Rahman’s resignation from Bogura-6, and two others remain pending due to court cases. The party may include allied MPs as state ministers in the new cabinet.

Newly elected members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took their oaths on Tuesday morning at the parliament building’s oath room, administered by Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin. The ceremony followed the party’s landslide victory in the 13th national parliamentary election. However, BNP lawmakers did not take oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council. Later in the day, at 4 p.m., the cabinet will be sworn in at the South Plaza of the parliament, where BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to take oath as the new Prime Minister.

The BNP is returning to power for the sixth time after nearly two decades of what the report described as a democracy-free period. The February 12 election saw the party win two-thirds of the seats, marking a historic victory. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is credited as the architect of this electoral success, echoing his role in the 2001 landslide. A total of 209 BNP MPs were elected, though one seat was vacated and two others remain pending due to legal issues.

BNP’s parliamentary meeting is expected to finalize leadership roles, including deputy leader, chief whip, and six whips, while coalition partners may be invited to join the cabinet as state ministers.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has called a parliamentary party meeting following the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected members of parliament. The meeting is scheduled to be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Parliament Building, according to BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed, who announced the plan on Tuesday morning.

Ahmed stated that the meeting will elect the leader of the parliamentary party. As the leader of the majority party, BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister. The announcement follows the completion of the 13th National Election and referendum held on February 12, with the Election Commission publishing the gazette of 297 winners out of 299 constituencies the following day.

The meeting marks the first formal gathering of BNP’s parliamentary team after the election, signaling the beginning of the party’s organizational activities in the new parliament.