Former adviser to the interim government Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has joined the National Citizens Party (NCP) and has been appointed as the party’s spokesperson. The announcement was made by NCP convener Nahid Islam at a press conference on Monday evening.

Nahid Islam stated that Asif Mahmud will not contest in the upcoming election. Instead, he will work to ensure that NCP-nominated candidates win and represent the cause of the July mass uprising in parliament. For this purpose, he has been given the responsibility of heading the NCP’s election management committee. The position was previously held by NCP leader Nasiruddin Patwari, who stepped down to participate in the election.

Asif Mahmud said he considers it a greater success to help his fellow activists reach parliament rather than running himself. He pledged to make every effort to support their election campaigns.

The Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party has joined the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election. The announcement was made on Monday afternoon after the party’s general secretary, Asaduzzaman Fuad, submitted nomination papers at the Barishal returning officer’s office. He stated that seat-sharing discussions had already taken place and that further talks were ongoing. The party plans to formally join the alliance in Dhaka following the nomination submission.

According to AB Party chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, the party is now part of Jamaat’s eight-party electoral understanding, with discussions continuing on several constituencies. Jamaat has not fielded candidates in Feni-2, Barishal-3, and Patuakhali-1 constituencies. On Sunday, the NCP and LDP also announced their inclusion in the Jamaat-led coalition.

With AB Party’s entry, the Jamaat-led alliance will expand to a total of eleven political parties participating in the upcoming election.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) held a celebration in Uttara on Monday marking the restoration of the long-lost Konai River within the capital. The event, titled “Lost Konai River Restoration Celebration,” was attended by DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz as chief guest, along with environmental leaders from BAPA and the Water Development Board. DNCC reported that the river, once vanished from city maps, now flows again through a nine-kilometer navigable stretch following field studies, eviction drives, and cleaning operations.

Speakers at the event praised the initiative as a model for reviving Dhaka’s waterways. Local residents expressed gratitude, noting that areas once walkable are now navigable by boat. Environmental activists highlighted the importance of maintaining the restored river through community stewardship and tree planting instead of embankments. BAPA’s general secretary suggested that properly planned river restorations around Dhaka could create attractive tourism zones.

According to DNCC, dredging from Abdullahpur embankment to Bawnia canal recovered a 3.18-kilometer section, reconnecting the full nine-kilometer waterway known locally as Khidir Khal, which joins the Turag River.

Dr. Tasnim Jara has completed the first stage of the election process by submitting her nomination to contest as an independent candidate for the Dhaka-9 constituency in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. She collected the required voter signatures and submitted them to the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Returning Officer in Segunbagicha.

According to the Election Commission’s rules, an independent candidate must gather signatures from at least one percent of registered voters in their constituency. For Dhaka-9, this meant a minimum of 4,693 signatures. Jara began collecting signatures last Sunday, setting up booths in Khilgaon and Basabo areas. Her team reportedly exceeded the required number by Monday afternoon.

Jara decided to run independently after leaving her party following the formation of an alliance between Jamaat and the NCP. Her submission marks a key procedural milestone ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has submitted his nomination papers to contest the 13th National Parliamentary Election from Dhaka-15 constituency. According to his election affidavit, he holds Tk 6,076,497 in cash, 10 bhori of gold worth Tk 100,000, and a duplex house on 11.77 decimals of land valued at Tk 2.7 million. His total declared assets amount to approximately Tk 10,273,640.

The affidavit further states that Dr. Rahman, a physician by profession, has no loans from any bank or financial institution. He owns 2 acres and 17 decimals of agricultural land valued at Tk 1,771,000 and earns Tk 300,000 annually from agriculture. His other assets include shares worth Tk 2,716,880 in both listed and unlisted companies, electrical goods worth Tk 200,000, a vehicle valued at Tk 450,000, and furniture worth Tk 240,000.

The nomination papers were submitted on Monday, December 29, at the Election Training Institute in Agargaon by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim on behalf of Dr. Rahman.

Mahfuz Alam, a former information adviser to the interim government and a leading figure in the July uprising, has announced plans to pursue a new political solution. He made the declaration on Monday, December 29, through a Facebook post, emphasizing a fresh start driven by vision, honesty, and commitment to Bangladesh and its youth. Alam reiterated that there would be no compromise in this new journey.

Earlier, he had confirmed through his verified Facebook page that he would not join the National Citizens Party (NCP). He had also previously stated that he would not participate in the upcoming national parliamentary election. His latest statement signals a shift toward forming or supporting a new political direction rather than aligning with existing parties.

The announcement highlights Alam’s intent to channel the spirit of the July movement into a renewed political effort, though details of the initiative or its structure have not yet been disclosed.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Ahsan Ullah, accused of sheltering the main suspect in the Keraniganj madrasa explosion case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The order was issued on Monday, December 29, 2025, by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Tajul Islam Sohag after police sought a ten-day remand. The investigation officer, Sub-Inspector Md. Zahurul Islam of South Keraniganj Police Station, argued that Ahsan Ullah had given refuge to fugitive Sheikh Al Amin, the madrasa director and main accused, after the blast.

According to the case details, the explosion occurred on December 26 at a madrasa building in Hasnabad Housing area, damaging walls and the roof. Following the incident, law enforcement agencies including the CID Crime Scene Unit, Anti-Terrorism Unit, RAB, and Fire Service conducted a two-day recovery operation. They seized around 400 liters of liquid chemicals, bomb-making materials, and several explosive devices from Al Amin’s rented residence.

Six other suspects arrested earlier were also placed on remand for varying periods as the investigation continues to identify additional individuals linked to the banned militant organization.

Bangladesh is experiencing severe cold across the country despite the absence of an official cold wave, according to the Meteorological Department on December 29, 2025. Persistent dense fog has blocked sunlight for days, causing daytime temperatures to fall unusually low. Northern regions have faced this condition for a week, while the capital has endured it for four days. Meteorologists said the situation may continue for another three to four days, with a possible cold wave around January 3.

The lowest temperature on Monday was recorded at 10°C in Nikli, Kishoreganj, while Naogaon’s Badalgachhi saw 11.7°C. Dhaka recorded a minimum of 13.8°C and a maximum of 15.5°C. The department described the situation as severe and disaster-like, noting that the difference between maximum and minimum temperatures has narrowed, intensifying the cold feeling. Dense fog and chilly winds have disrupted daily life, transport, and business activities.

Hospitals are seeing rising numbers of patients with cold-related illnesses such as fever, cough, and respiratory problems. Street vendors in Dhaka reported increased sales of winter clothing, while day laborers continue to struggle in the biting cold.

Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh leaders Allama Muhibullah Babunagari and Allama Sajedur Rahman have alleged that an anti-national fascist group is again attempting to play the 'militant card' following several recent incidents, including an explosion at an unregistered madrasa in Keraniganj, a bomb attack targeting Mufti Jasimuddin Rahmani, mysterious arson at several Hindu homes, and the recovery of 24 electric detonators near the Sunamganj border. They made the remarks in a statement to the media on Monday, December 29, 2025.

The Hefazat leaders claimed that such acts are intended to create fear, disrupt the upcoming national election, and divert public attention from the demand for justice in the killing of Shaheed Osman Hadi. They accused domestic collaborators of using militancy narratives for political gain and called on the government led by Yunus to take stricter measures to maintain law and order.

Hefazat instructed its members nationwide to hand over anyone found involved in militant or sabotage activities to law enforcement while ensuring that no innocent person is falsely implicated. The organization reiterated that it does not want to see a repeat of what it called 'militant dramas' in the country.

The Bangladesh Railway authorities have called on citizens to refrain from damaging trains, engines, coaches, wagons, and other railway assets. The appeal was made on Monday through a press release issued by Rezaul Karim Siddiqui, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Railways. The statement highlighted recent incidents of stone-throwing at trains, unjustified rail line blockades, and deliberate damage to railway tracks, which have caused financial losses and disrupted train operations.

According to the release, the railway is a state-owned national asset, and any harm to it represents a loss to the nation and its people. The ministry emphasized that preventing such damage is a moral duty of all citizens. It also reaffirmed Bangladesh Railway’s commitment to providing quality passenger services and called for public cooperation to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The statement further warned that any attempt to damage state property, including rail infrastructure, is a punishable offense. Those engaging in illegal acts under political, social, or other programs will face strict legal action under existing laws.

Former interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan has formally joined the National Citizens Party (NCP). The announcement was made on Monday evening at a press conference held at the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor, Dhaka, by NCP convener Nahid Islam. He stated that although the NCP has entered its electoral phase, Asif Mahmud will not contest in the upcoming election. Instead, he will work to ensure the success of NCP-nominated candidates and has been appointed as the head of the party’s election management committee.

Asif Mahmud previously served as one of the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement that led the mass uprising of July–August 2024. Following the fall of the then Awami League government on August 5, 2024, he took oath as an adviser in the interim government. He resigned from that position on December 10, 2025, with the resignation becoming effective on December 11, coinciding with the announcement of the election schedule.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has submitted his nomination papers to contest the Dhaka-8 parliamentary seat. The submission took place on Monday, December 29, 2025, before the returning officer. Patwari confirmed that he will run under the NCP’s symbol, the Shapla Koli, and described his candidacy as a continuation of the vision of Shaheed Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, the late spokesperson of Inquilab Monch, who previously represented the constituency.

Patwari stated that he is standing in the seat Hadi once aspired to represent, aiming to fulfill the dreams Hadi had for the area. He acknowledged that Dhaka-8 is a challenging constituency where few are willing to contest, referring to it as Hadi’s seat and expressing readiness to face any risk in pursuing national progress. The report did not mention other candidates or party reactions.

The nomination marks NCP’s attempt to strengthen its presence in Dhaka’s political landscape through symbolic continuity with Hadi’s legacy.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar said that the people will resist any attempt at vote rigging. He made the remarks on Monday at the Khulna Deputy Commissioner’s office while speaking to journalists on the final day for submitting nomination papers. Parwar stated that Jamaat-e-Islami is participating in the election based on an eight-party understanding, which has now expanded to ten parties after two more joined the alliance.

Highlighting concerns about possible electoral manipulation and deprivation of voting rights, he urged citizens to remain united to ensure a free and fair election. He also called on voters to support the July Charter by voting “yes” in the referendum scheduled on the same day as the election. Quoting the party’s Amir, Parwar said their struggle has shifted from fighting fascism to combating corruption, aiming for a corruption-free economy and society.

He emphasized that the nation seeks change after 54 years of governance by those he described as tested and failed, expressing confidence that his party will bring that change.

Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, a recently resigned adviser and a leading figure in the July uprising, is reportedly set to join the National Citizen Party (NCP). Multiple sources on Monday, December 29, 2025, indicated that he may be appointed as the party’s spokesperson, although he has not yet publicly confirmed his position. Following his resignation, speculation has grown about his political direction, while he has also announced plans to contest independently from Dhaka-10 and nomination papers have been collected on his behalf for Cumilla-3 (Muradnagar).

In contrast, another former adviser and July uprising leader, Mahfuz Alam, has declared that he will not join the NCP. In a Facebook post titled “My Political Position,” he explained that although he had long collaborated with NCP and the Citizen Committee, he chose to maintain his independent stance. Mahfuz emphasized his commitment to cultural and political resistance against fascism and to fostering a new political-economic framework.

The developments highlight internal realignments among July uprising leaders and suggest possible shifts in Bangladesh’s emerging political landscape.

Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced that the deadline for submitting nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election will not be extended. He made the statement during a briefing held on Monday afternoon, confirming that the existing schedule for candidate submissions remains unchanged.

The announcement comes as part of the Election Commission’s ongoing preparations for the upcoming national polls. The EC has been conducting briefings and coordination activities to ensure the election process proceeds according to the established timeline. The secretary’s statement indicates that the commission intends to maintain procedural discipline and avoid any delays in the electoral schedule.

Further details about the nomination process and subsequent election stages are expected to be released later, as the commission continues its preparations for the national election.