Following the thirteenth national parliamentary election in which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an absolute majority, the concept of a ‘shadow cabinet’ has become a topic of political discussion. Interest grew after comments from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mohammad Shishir Monir and NCP leader Asif Mahmud. The shadow cabinet is described as a parallel structure formed by the main opposition party, where each government minister has a corresponding ‘shadow minister’ from the opposition who monitors and critiques policy areas.

The article explains that shadow cabinets are typically led by the opposition leader and composed of senior lawmakers, former ministers, and policy experts. Their roles include ensuring government accountability, proposing alternative policies, leading parliamentary debates, and preparing for potential future governance. The practice is institutionalized in Westminster-style democracies such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, while countries like India and Bangladesh have only informal or partial versions.

Analysts cited in the report note that a strong shadow cabinet strengthens democratic checks and balances, promotes policy continuity, and reduces the risk of one-party dominance by fostering alternative political thinking.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar stated on Sunday that the Election Commission (EC) will decide on any vote recount only if directed by the court. Speaking to journalists, he clarified that the commission did not rush in publishing the election gazette and that all procedures were carried out within the legal framework. He emphasized that the gazette was released at the appropriate time.

Anwarul Islam described the issue of reconsidering the results of the 11-party alliance as irrelevant, noting that any complainant has the right to seek legal remedy. He asserted that the commission successfully conducted a fair, transparent, and neutral election, achieving results that exceeded expectations.

He also mentioned that the EC has not yet made a decision regarding the Sherpur-3 constituency, indicating that further steps may depend on future legal or procedural developments.

A Jamaat-e-Islami activist named Mohiuddin, aged 32, died after being struck by a train while taking a selfie on a railway line in Bagmara, Lalmai upazila of Cumilla. The accident occurred around 7:45 a.m. on Sunday at the Bagmara Dudh Bazar bypass area along the Dhaka–Chattogram rail route. Mohiuddin, son of Shahidul Islam from West Chengahata village in Shilmuri Union of Barura upazila, worked as an autorickshaw driver.

According to eyewitnesses and close acquaintances, Mohiuddin drove his autorickshaw to Bagmara market in the morning and went to the railway line around 7:30 a.m. to take a selfie. He posted the photo on his Facebook account named “Islami Shanti” moments before being hit by a Dhaka-bound train, dying instantly at the scene. His family later took his body home before police arrived.

Laksam Railway Police Officer-in-Charge Jasim Uddin stated that the Dhaka-bound Upakul Express from Noakhali likely struck Mohiuddin after passing Laksam station around 7:30 a.m.

Chhatra Dal president Rakibul Islam Rakib has demanded that Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir make all their committees public. In a post on Saturday night, he declared that secret politics would no longer be tolerated in Bangladesh and insisted that the identities of Jamaat and Shibir leaders and activists be revealed.

Rakib alleged that while BNP and its affiliated organizations face public scrutiny and social media attacks over personal or social issues, Jamaat and Shibir keep their members’ identities hidden for years, avoiding accountability. He described this as a deceptive political tactic and said such practices have led many, including religious scholars, to label Jamaat and Shibir as hypocritical.

Rakib warned that the ongoing situation would not be allowed to continue and that the political issue would be resolved soon, emphasizing that concealing thousands of activists to undermine BNP politically would no longer be accepted.

In the 13th National Parliamentary Election, fourteen candidates, including two from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, lost their security deposits in Jhalakathi-1 and Jhalakathi-2 constituencies after failing to secure the required share of votes. According to election law, a candidate must obtain at least one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of the total valid votes to retain their deposit.

In Jhalakathi-1 (Rajapur-Kathalia), 129,044 votes were cast, requiring a minimum of 16,131 votes to keep the deposit. Eight candidates, including Islami Andolan’s Ibrahim, failed to meet this threshold. BNP candidate Rafiqul Islam Jamal won the seat with 62,010 votes, while his nearest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dr. Faizul Haque, received 55,120 votes. In Jhalakathi-2 (Nalchity-Jhalakathi Sadar), 221,264 valid votes were recorded, setting the deposit threshold at 27,658 votes. Six candidates, including Islami Andolan’s Muhammad Sirajul Islam Siraji, failed to reach it.

BNP’s Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto won the Jhalakathi-2 seat with 113,919 votes, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami’s S.M. Neyamul Karim, who received 70,556 votes.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman and National Citizens Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam at their residences on Sunday evening. According to BNP Media Wing member Shamsuddin Didar, Tarique will meet Shafiqur Rahman at his Bashundhara residential area home at 7 p.m. and then visit Nahid Islam’s residence on Bailey Road at 8 p.m. The meetings are described as courtesy calls following the BNP’s victory in the recent parliamentary election, aimed at promoting positive politics.

On Saturday, Tarique Rahman urged unity among all political groups and sought cooperation in governing the country in the coming days. The 13th parliamentary election was held on 12 February across 299 constituencies, where the BNP won 209 seats. Results for two constituencies, Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4, remain pending due to legal complications. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 68 seats, while the NCP won six.

Other parties, including Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and several smaller groups and independents, also gained limited representation in the new parliament.

Thirteen Jamaat-e-Islami activists were injured in post-election violence across several unions of Chowgacha upazila in Jashore on February 15, 2026. Jamaat supporters alleged that local BNP activists carried out the attacks following the election results. Incidents occurred in Sukkhupuria, Phulsara, and Pashapol unions, where homes were attacked and individuals beaten. Police have detained one suspect and increased patrols in the affected areas.

According to the report, the violence erupted after the election symbol ‘scales’ won in some centers. Victims claimed that many attackers were previously affiliated with the Awami League but now identify as BNP members. Jamaat leaders also alleged that a farmer’s teak garden was destroyed in Patibila union for voting for the ‘scales’. Local BNP leaders denied responsibility, stating that the party would not take blame for any post-election violence. Police and the newly elected MP Dr. Mosleh Uddin Farid urged restraint and called for an end to political attacks.

Authorities said legal action would follow upon receiving complaints, and security measures have been strengthened in the area.

Outgoing legal adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the oath-taking ceremony for newly elected members of parliament will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m., followed by the swearing-in of new cabinet members at 4 p.m. The events will take place in Dhaka, with foreign ministers from SAARC member countries invited to attend. Nazrul shared the information while speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday.

Earlier that morning, the interim government’s advisers held their final meeting at the Chief Adviser’s Office, where no major decisions were made. Nazrul said the meeting focused on exchanging experiences and informing everyone about the upcoming oath ceremonies. He added that the Chief Election Commissioner is expected to administer the MPs’ oath, while the President will likely administer the cabinet’s oath at the South Plaza of Parliament, a venue proposed by the BNP.

Nazrul clarified that invitations are being handled by the Cabinet Division and that he is unaware of any invitations extended to prime ministers, including India’s. He confirmed that, so far, only SAARC foreign ministers have been invited.

The Eleven-Party Alliance in Kurigram-2 has strongly condemned a violent attack on Jamaat-NCP supporters in Rajarhat upazila, allegedly carried out by BNP’s armed group. The incident, described as premeditated, left several activists including Hasan Jihadi, Tanzim Hasan, and Nasir Limon seriously injured and under medical care. The attack reportedly took place on the night following February 13, when BNP activists allegedly created panic in the area by playing loud music.

According to the report, the violence escalated when a youth leader, Nasir Limon, was confined and beaten inside his home in the Sarishabari area. When others arrived to help, they were also attacked with sticks and local weapons. The attackers were allegedly led by several local BNP and Jubo Dal leaders. Local women reportedly risked their lives to rescue the injured and shelter them. Despite repeated notifications, law enforcement arrived about two hours later to control the situation.

The alliance demanded immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible, warning that failure to act could trigger a broader public movement against political violence.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company has announced that gas pressure will remain extremely low across all its service areas, including Dhaka and surrounding regions. The company stated on Sunday that the disruption is caused by maintenance work at one of the LNG terminals, which has significantly reduced gas supply from LNG sources. The low-pressure situation is expected to continue until midnight on Monday.

According to Titas Gas, the maintenance-related shutdown of the LNG terminal has led to a notable drop in gas availability, affecting all categories of consumers under its network. The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers and assured that normal supply would resume after the maintenance period.

The announcement serves as a caution for households and industries in the affected areas to prepare for limited gas availability until the stated time frame.

Interim government Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus extended greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. In a message delivered on Sunday, he called on everyone to preserve the sanctity of Ramadan and embrace its teachings of self-restraint, sacrifice, empathy, and spiritual purification.

Dr. Yunus emphasized that Ramadan inspires individuals and the nation to reject injustice, corruption, and wrongdoing, and to build a society based on justice and welfare. He said the month teaches honesty, fairness, and compassion, while awakening a sense of responsibility toward the poor and deprived. He urged citizens to avoid indulgence, envy, and hatred, and to focus on worship, Quran recitation, prayer, repentance, and good deeds.

The Chief Adviser concluded his message by praying for divine acceptance of fasting, prayers, charity, and righteous acts, and for peace and prosperity for the nation.

The High Court has directed that all government and private lower secondary and secondary schools in Bangladesh remain closed throughout the holy month of Ramadan. The order was issued on Sunday, February 15, 2026, by the bench of Justice Fahmida and Justice Md Asif Hasan. The directive followed a writ petition seeking closure of schools during Ramadan.

The writ was filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Iliyas Ali Mondal after he sent a legal notice to the secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education on January 5, 2026. The notice argued that 98 percent of Bangladesh’s citizens are Muslims and that closing educational institutions during Ramadan has been a long-standing legal and customary practice since independence. It also cited constitutional provisions stating that no action can be taken without legal authority and that customs with legal force are recognized as law.

The petition further stated that keeping schools open during Ramadan could cause hardship for fasting students and contribute to severe traffic congestion in cities, leading to public inconvenience. The High Court’s order now mandates closure of schools for the entire month.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has extended advance congratulations to BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman as the country’s future prime minister. In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, he said Tarique Rahman visited his residence, calling the meeting a historic moment for national politics and expressing hope that it would mark a new chapter of political maturity and mutual respect.

In his statement, Dr. Rahman said he envisions a fascism-free, sovereign Bangladesh founded on justice and fairness. He reaffirmed Jamaat’s commitment, alongside the 11-party alliance, to building a prosperous and democratic state based on constitutional governance. He added that Tarique Rahman assured him of effective measures to prevent post-election violence and attacks on opposition activists or minority communities.

The Jamaat chief also pledged full cooperation with the elected government on matters of national interest while maintaining the party’s ideological stance as a responsible opposition. He emphasized that Jamaat’s goal is reform, not conflict, and that citizens expect a parliament that upholds justice, rights, and stability.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman visited the residence of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka’s Bashundhara area on Sunday evening. The meeting took place under tight security around 7 p.m. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman greeted Tarique Rahman with flowers upon his arrival. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, and Assistant Secretary General and head of the party’s publicity and media division Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair were also present.

The visit followed Tarique Rahman’s call for unity during a press conference held on Saturday, where he urged all to remain united and cooperate in the future governance of the country. The meeting between the two political leaders comes amid ongoing discussions about political cooperation and coordination among opposition parties.

No further details about the content or outcome of the meeting were disclosed in the report.

At a memorial event marking the sixth death anniversary of poet Al Mahmud, speakers alleged that he was severely marginalized and effectively banned for 15 to 17 years during a past fascist regime. The commemoration, organized by the group Kaler Kolosh, took place on Sunday at the ‘Al Mahmud Corner’ in the Bangla Academy premises, attended by literary figures, cultural activists, and admirers. The program began with recitations from Al Mahmud’s poetry in his honor.

Speakers highlighted that Al Mahmud’s poetry inspired freedom-loving people through key moments of Bangladesh’s identity struggles, from the 1952 Language Movement to the 1971 Liberation War and the recent July uprising. They described his work as a rare blend of rebellion, love, nature, and spirituality. Kaler Kolosh editor Abid Azam said Al Mahmud belonged to the entire nation, not any political ideology, and noted that efforts are underway to reintroduce his poems into textbooks.

UN civil society representative Dr. Abul Kashem Sheikh pledged to promote Al Mahmud’s literary legacy internationally and to seek UNESCO and UN support for establishing an institute or research center in his name.