The government of Bangladesh will sell milk, eggs, beef, and dressed broiler chicken at subsidized prices throughout the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. The initiative, jointly organized by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Department of Livestock Services, aims to ensure affordable access to animal protein for the general public. According to a ministry press release issued on Tuesday, the program will run for 26 days—from the day before Ramadan until the 25th of Ramadan—through mobile sales centers.

Under the plan, dressed broiler chicken will be sold at Tk 245 per kilogram, pasteurized milk at Tk 80 per liter, eggs at Tk 8 each, and beef at Tk 650 per kilogram. The ministry held a meeting on February 1, chaired by adviser Farida Akhter, to finalize measures for maintaining steady supply and stable prices of meat, milk, and eggs during Ramadan.

Initially, 25 key locations in Dhaka and city corporation areas have been selected for the mobile sales operation, including Secretariat, Farmgate, Mirpur, Azimpur, Uttara, and others. The number of outlets will gradually increase in coordination with local authorities and entrepreneurs.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has alleged that a political party continues to exploit the issue of an ID hack even after the matter has been clarified. He made the remarks on Tuesday around 11:15 a.m. during a public rally in Kishoreganj. Rahman said the youth of 2024 seek change and will not allow anyone to divide the nation. He also claimed that some groups are using women’s issues to target Jamaat and vowed that no future election would be allowed through unfair means.

Rahman emphasized that Jamaat does not want to see dirty politics anymore and aspires for Bangladesh to be established as a humane and dignified nation. He expressed hope that the country would stand proudly and independently on the global stage. Paying tribute to the youth, he said they had resisted all forms of fascism in July and sacrificed their blood for freedom and independence.

The speech reflected Jamaat’s stance against political exploitation and its call for unity and integrity in national politics.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to visit Naogaon on Thursday, February 5, as part of his nationwide election campaign and political tour. He will attend an election rally at the Etim Maidan in Naogaon city at 11 a.m. as the chief guest and deliver a speech outlining the party’s vision for the future.

District Jamaat secretary and Naogaon-5 candidate Advocate A S M Sayem confirmed the visit after inspecting the rally ground on Tuesday morning. He said that Dr. Rahman will be accompanied by top leaders of the 11-party alliance. Sayem added that preparations for the rally are ongoing and that people from all 11 upazilas of the district are expected to attend.

According to Sayem, the event aims to demonstrate growing public support for change and for the party’s electoral symbol. He expressed confidence that the rally would attract between five to six lakh participants and serve as a platform for Dr. Rahman to present Jamaat’s outline for the future of Bangladesh.

A major uncertainty has emerged over the government’s plan to dissolve the National Board of Revenue (NBR) and create two separate divisions named Revenue Policy and Revenue Implementation. Although the Administrative Reorganization Implementation Committee, chaired by the Chief Adviser, approved the proposal on January 20, no gazette notification has been issued to set an effective date. Officials expressed concern that the absence of such a notification has stalled the process, with administrative reluctance reportedly growing amid an election atmosphere and anticipation of a new government.

An NBR official said the necessary administrative cooperation was lacking, pushing the initiative into uncertainty. The interim government’s Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan had earlier stated that the restructuring would be completed by mid-February, but that timeline has not been met. The reform process had already faced strong internal resistance, including strikes and protests by NBR staff, leading to disciplinary actions and investigations.

Officials now doubt whether the incoming government will implement the plan, as policy priorities may differ. Some believe donor pressure, including IMF loan conditions, could influence the eventual decision.

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, admitted responsibility for the deaths during the July 2024 student movement. Speaking virtually from abroad at a book launch organized by the BJP-affiliated cultural group ‘Khola Hawa’ in Kolkata on Monday, Joy expressed remorse and acknowledged that innocent students and civilians were killed during the protests. He described the quota reform protesters’ demands as legitimate and called the government’s handling of the issue a failure, though he maintained his stance regarding alleged conspiracies behind the unrest.

Joy claimed that an audio recording of Sheikh Hasina proved that extremists attacked police stations, sparking the violence. He asserted that neither the government nor police initiated the clashes, blaming militant groups for the escalation. Turning to the upcoming February 12 general election, Joy labeled it one-sided, saying the exclusion of the Awami League and suppression of progressive parties made it a contest between the BNP and Jamaat. He warned that such a process was unacceptable and raised concerns about India’s border security if Jamaat gained influence.

Joy urged international intervention to prevent Jamaat from becoming a dominant political force in Bangladesh.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has imposed a 12-hour ban on fireworks, firecrackers, and lanterns across the city to preserve the sanctity and ensure peaceful observance of Shab-e-Barat. The restriction, announced through a public notice signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali on February 3, 2026, will remain in effect from 6 p.m. on February 3 to 6 a.m. on February 4.

According to the notice, the decision was made under Section 28 of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Ordinance to maintain law and order during the religious occasion. The ban covers all forms of fireworks, gas balloons, and explosive materials, including their sale, transport, and use. The DMP stated that the measure aims to prevent any disorder and allow citizens to perform religious activities without disturbance.

Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone violating the directive during the restricted hours.

The interim government of Bangladesh has decided to rename the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the Special Intervention Force (SIF). The announcement was made by Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury following a core committee meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. The chief adviser has approved the new name, and the force will begin operations under the new title once the official order is issued. The uniform of the force will also be changed.

RAB was originally formed in 2004 during the government of Khaleda Zia, initially known as the Rapid Action Team (RAT). Over the years, the force has faced multiple allegations of human rights violations. In response to such allegations, the United States imposed sanctions on RAB and seven of its officers on December 10, 2021, through the Treasury Department and the State Department. The sanctions list included former RAB Director General Benazir Ahmed, who was also banned from entering the United States.

A 2024 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recommended the dissolution of RAB, while Human Rights Watch has long advocated for the same. The renaming marks a significant administrative shift amid ongoing international scrutiny.

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, ruled on Tuesday that three BNP-nominated candidates—Sarowar Alam of Chattogram-2, Aslam Chowdhury of Chattogram-4, and Fahim Chowdhury of Sherpur-2—may participate in the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. The court’s order confirmed that there are no legal barriers to their participation.

According to lawyer Md. Mojibur Rahman, the order regarding Aslam Chowdhury came in response to an appeal filed by Jamuna Bank challenging the validity of his nomination. For Sarowar Alam, the court allowed him to contest but directed that the election result for his constituency remain withheld until the pending appeal is resolved. Earlier, the High Court had suspended the Election Commission’s decision that canceled Sarowar’s candidacy over loan default allegations. In Sherpur-2, Fahim Chowdhury regained eligibility through appeal after his nomination was initially rejected over dual citizenship claims.

The rulings collectively ensure that all three BNP candidates can take part in the election process, though one constituency’s result will remain pending until further judicial resolution.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Amir Maulana Mamunul Haque addressed an 11-party electoral alliance rally at Nandokumar Institution field in Shibchar, Madaripur-1 constituency on Monday night, February 2. In his speech, he alleged that individuals with numerous criminal cases were moving freely in the country and criticized what he described as the return of those once expelled by the nation’s martyrs. He said the 'July Revolution' had changed the mindset of Bangladeshis, making them more courageous and determined.

Haque argued that for 214 years, the people of the region had been exploited under various rulers, from foreign powers to domestic elites, and that the nature of oppression had not changed since independence. He claimed that the current political system continued to deprive citizens of their rights. He called on the public to reject corruption, violence, and exploitative politics, describing the upcoming election as a struggle to restore the people’s right to food and vote.

The rally was chaired by Shibchar Upazila Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Maulana Sarwar Hossain Mridha and attended by alliance leaders including Saeed Uddin Ahmad Hanzala and Maulana Mokhlesur Rahman.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has made an emotional appeal to voters of Thakurgaon-1 constituency ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. In a Facebook post from his verified page on Monday night, he described this election as his last and urged voters to give him one final opportunity to serve them. He expressed that he stands at the end of his life and wishes to fulfill the unfinished dreams of his constituents.

Analysts believe that Fakhrul’s heartfelt message, delivered under the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol, has added a new dimension to the electoral contest in Thakurgaon-1. His declaration of this being his final election has drawn attention within the constituency as campaigning intensifies.

The post reflects a personal tone rarely seen in political appeals, signaling a deeply emotional connection with local voters as the national election approaches.

Four BNP-nominated candidates in Dhaka South have pledged to work together to ease public suffering if elected. In interviews with the daily Amar Desh, Mirza Abbas (Dhaka-8), Gayeshwar Chandra Roy (Dhaka-3), Engineer Ishraq Hossain (Dhaka-6), and Tanvir Ahmed Robin (Dhaka-4) promised to eliminate extortion, drugs, terrorism, and waterlogging, and to address traffic congestion through responsible engagement at the policy level. They claimed to have received strong public response from residents of Dhaka South.

The candidates criticized the government for dividing the Dhaka City Corporation, calling it politically motivated and counterproductive. Mirza Abbas emphasized social awareness and structural reform to combat extortion and drugs, while Gayeshwar Chandra Roy proposed a long-term master plan for planned urbanization in Keraniganj. Ishraq Hossain focused on resolving gas shortages, waste management, and corruption, pledging zero tolerance against extortion and illegal structures. Tanvir Ahmed Robin vowed to eradicate local gangs and ensure women’s empowerment and workers’ rights.

All four expressed hope that ending corruption, nepotism, and extortion would bring qualitative change to national politics and improve urban governance in Dhaka South.

Hasnat Abdullah, the Jamaat–NCP alliance candidate for Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency and chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP) in the southern region, stated that his 11-party coalition depends on ordinary citizens rather than extortionists, tender manipulators, or drug lords. He made the remarks on Tuesday, February 3, during a courtyard meeting in Mohanpur Ward No. 5 of Debidwar upazila.

Hasnat emphasized that his alliance is accountable to the people and not to any illegal business groups, asserting that they have not taken money from such sources. He declared that February 12 would mark the end of drug lords in Debidwar, urging those involved in extortion or drug trade to seek legitimate employment through his team. He also called on supporters to campaign for at least ten votes each and to cast two votes on election day—one for the “Shaplakoli” symbol and another “Yes” vote.

The meeting was attended by local leaders of Jamaat and NCP, including Saiful Islam Shahid, Professor Shahidul Islam, Mosleh Uddin, and others from various unions.

In Bogura, young voters are expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming 13th national election. Across the district’s seven parliamentary constituencies, about 151,068 new voters have been added since 2024, bringing the total electorate to 2,981,672. Candidates from major parties, including BNP and Jamaat, are focusing their campaigns on attracting these first-time voters with new promises and targeted outreach. Local observers believe this group could determine victory or defeat in several constituencies.

Bogura’s electorate now includes 1,480,842 men, 1,507,788 women, and 42 hijra voters. Many of the new voters are young people voting for the first time, expressing priorities such as education, good governance, food security, and anti-corruption measures. University students and local residents emphasized choosing candidates based on integrity, competence, and commitment to public welfare.

Experts, including Naogaon University’s vice-chancellor Hasanat Ali, noted that many in this group are voting for the first time in 18 years, making them a major factor in the election outcome. The Bogura Press Club president observed that youth-focused campaigning is more visible than ever, signaling a potential “voting revolution.”

The Election Commission (EC) has begun distributing ballot papers bearing candidate names and symbols to returning officers across Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming national election. Over Sunday and Monday, the EC sent ballot papers to 21 districts from its headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka. The first phase covered 13 districts including Meherpur, Kushtia, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, and others, while the second phase reached eight more districts such as Habiganj, Chapainawabganj, and Gazipur.

According to EC officials, the ballot papers and other election materials are being transported under tight security and will be stored at the offices of returning officers until the day before voting. The commission stated that approximately 260 million ballot papers are being printed for both the national election and a referendum, costing around 400 million taka. Voting is scheduled nationwide on February 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Law enforcement personnel have already been deployed to ensure security and maintain a peaceful environment at polling centers across the country.

In Madaripur district, rebel candidates have emerged in two of the three constituencies ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, leaving the official BNP nominees in a difficult position. Despite being expelled from the party, the rebels are drawing local attention and raising concerns among BNP activists about the party’s chances of victory. Local leaders believe the internal divisions have put the BNP at risk in both constituencies, while candidates from the 11-party electoral alliance appear to be gaining an advantage.

In Madaripur-1, BNP’s official candidate Nadira Akter faces competition from rebels Sajjad Hossain Siddiqui and Kamal Zaman Molla, as well as alliance candidate Sayeed Uddin Ahmad Hanjala of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish. In Madaripur-2, BNP’s Jahandar Ali Jahan is challenged by rebel candidate Milton Baidya and alliance contender Abdus Sobahan. Only Madaripur-3, where BNP’s Anisur Rahman is running, remains free of rebel contenders.

Party insiders say maintaining unity and countering rebel influence have become major challenges for BNP nominees in the district.