BNP-nominated candidate for Munshiganj-1 constituency, Sheikh Md. Abdullah, reaffirmed his commitment to remain close to the people as the national election approaches. Speaking on Thursday morning in Patharghata, Sirajdikhan upazila, while assisting farmers in harvesting paddy, he said that true representatives are those who stand by the people. Abdullah pledged that if elected, his party would work to ensure farmers’ rights and overall prosperity. Local BNP and Krishak Dal leaders, including Sirajdikhan BNP General Secretary M. Haidar Ali and Krishak Dal central committee member Advocate Omar Faruk Russell, were present at the event, showing grassroots-level engagement in the election campaign.

Bangladesh’s Home and Agriculture Adviser, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, stated that the country’s law and order situation remains normal, with no major disturbances reported. Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Thursday, he said minor incidents were promptly addressed and there is no cause for concern regarding banned political groups. On the agricultural front, he expressed optimism about a bumper Aman rice harvest this season, noting that prices have been fixed at Tk 34 per kg for paddy, Tk 49 for atap rice, and Tk 50 for parboiled rice. He added that vegetable production is strong and prices remain stable, though potato farmers have suffered losses and will receive incentives. He also confirmed that onion imports are unnecessary due to sufficient domestic supply.

Bangladesh police have arrested 42 Awami League leaders and activists in Savar, Ashulia, and Dhamrai within 24 hours as part of a special operation to maintain security and prevent sabotage surrounding the party’s banned 'Dhaka Lockdown' program. According to police, 28 were detained in Savar, 11 in Ashulia, and 3 in Dhamrai. Authorities have intensified patrols, set up checkpoints, and deployed additional police, RAB, and intelligence personnel across key points of the Dhaka district. The army and RAB also maintained joint patrols. Despite the heightened security, no untoward incidents were reported in the affected areas. Dhaka District Police stated that the enhanced deployment and surveillance aim to ensure public safety and prevent any potential violence or subversive activities related to the political program.

In Chattogram’s Patiya upazila, banned Chhatra League leader Nurul Islam Rubel, 27, was detained by anti-discrimination movement leader Golam Mawla Mashraf and his associates before being handed over to police on Thursday morning. Mashraf reportedly told the officer-in-charge, 'Sir, here’s your gift,' while delivering Rubel. Rubel, a joint convener of the upazila Chhatra League, faces allegations of planning sabotage and involvement in two drug cases. According to police, he has been shown arrested in a case related to an attack on anti-discrimination activists. The anti-discrimination group stated that they acted to prevent further banned Chhatra League activities and are prepared to continue their campaign against such acts.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central executive council has declared that the government’s decision to hold the national election and referendum on the same day is not acceptable to the nation. The statement came after a meeting chaired by Naib-e-Ameer and former MP Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. The council reviewed the chief adviser’s recent speech and expressed disappointment that public demands were ignored. Members discussed the overall political situation, public expectations, and the evolving context ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election. The meeting concluded with a call for unity, public cooperation, and prayers for a peaceful, just, and prosperous Bangladesh.

In Shariatpur’s Gosairhat upazila, the Awami League’s announced lockdown saw little to no participation from party leaders or activists, who reportedly remained in hiding. Despite the call for a shutdown, daily life continued normally with shops, markets, and schools open, and local transport operating as usual. Residents said they noticed no signs of a lockdown, while police maintained heightened vigilance to prevent any untoward incidents. In contrast, BNP activists were seen holding a motorcycle rally in protest against the lockdown, claiming that people had rejected the Awami League’s program. Police officials confirmed that additional forces were deployed across key areas to ensure law and order and to prevent any potential acts of sabotage or unrest.

The Editors’ Council of Bangladesh has elected a new executive committee during its annual general meeting held on Thursday, November 13, at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka. Nurul Kabir, editor of New Age, was elected as the new president, while Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of Bonik Barta, was re-elected as general secretary. The outgoing president, Mahfuz Anam of The Daily Star, presided over the meeting, which was attended by leading editors from major national newspapers. According to the council’s constitution, the newly elected committee will serve for the next two years. Members expressed optimism about strengthening the council’s activities through mutual cooperation. Nurul Kabir pledged to promote free, safe, and independent journalism, while Mahfuz Anam emphasized the council’s continued commitment to responsible and independent media practices.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will release the sixth installment of its loan to Bangladesh after discussions with the country's newly elected government, according to Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Speaking after a meeting of the Food Planning and Monitoring Committee, he said an IMF mission will visit Bangladesh in February to assess the situation before making a decision. The government has agreed to the IMF’s proposal to delay the disbursement until after the review. The IMF has advised Bangladesh to increase revenue collection, strengthen social safety nets, and continue banking sector reforms. Dr. Ahmed added that the current administration will prepare a comprehensive package for the next government covering IMF loan terms, reform conditions, and pay commission issues.

Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator of the National Citizens Party (NCP), stated that the July Charter order should be issued by the chief adviser rather than the president to ensure moral legitimacy. Speaking at a discussion organized by the National Farmers’ Force in Dhaka, he argued that although a presidential order would be legally valid, it would lack ethical justification. Patwari also claimed that a disconnect has grown between the government and the people over the past year due to constitutional decisions under Article 106. He further noted that while the public supported the president’s resignation, political parties failed to unite on the issue, allowing the ruling Awami League to take advantage of divisions within the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

In Dinajpur’s Nawabganj upazila, local leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a night-long street demonstration opposing an Awami League-declared lockdown. The protest took place around 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, in the upazila town center. Participants included the upazila Jamaat Amir, Secretary Rezaul Islam, council member Selim Reza, and Binodnagar Union Amir Azizul Islam, among other local leaders. The demonstrators reportedly organized a procession and sit-in program to express their opposition to the lockdown initiative. No incidents of violence or arrests were reported during the event, but the situation drew attention from local residents and authorities monitoring the area.

Md. Abdus Salam Bepari has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Local Government Division under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives on November 11. Bepari, who previously served as Additional Chief Engineer at Dhaka WASA, will hold the position for a three-year term starting from his joining date. The appointment follows the removal of former MD Md. Shahjahan Mia on October 30, who was reassigned as Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. Shahjahan Mia had been serving as both the Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation and MD of Dhaka WASA since earlier this year.

UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to observe ongoing humanitarian programs supporting refugees and local communities. During her visit to camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, she interacted with women, children, and aid workers, emphasizing the importance of education and women’s empowerment. Chapman praised the resilience of Rohingya women engaged in income-generating activities and highlighted the need for self-reliance alongside humanitarian aid. She also inspected food distribution centers operated by the World Food Programme and skill development projects. The visit, coordinated by the Inter-Sector Coordination Group, aimed to assess current aid efforts and guide future cooperation. The British High Commission reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh to ensure sustainable solutions for the nearly one million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar.

At least 23 farmers, including two women, were injured in an alleged attack by local BNP leaders in Galachipa upazila of Patuakhali on Thursday. The clash occurred in Charbangla area when farmers, who had received government lease rights to cultivate watermelon on khas land, were reportedly assaulted by BNP leaders opposing their cultivation. Police said the dispute arose between two groups claiming rights over the same land. Ten of the injured were admitted to the upazila health complex. Local BNP leaders denied involvement, saying the incident stemmed from a dispute over dismantling old houses on the land. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer stated that both parties had previously attended a mediation meeting and that legal action would be taken against those responsible. The situation is now under control, according to police.

The Sub-Assistant Land Officer of Mirat Union Land Office in Naogaon’s Raninagar upazila, Durul Hoda, has been transferred following allegations of corruption and bribery. The transfer order, signed by a senior assistant commissioner from the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner’s Office on November 12, was implemented the next day. Hoda has been reassigned to the Gopinathpur Union Land Office in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat district. Earlier, two other staff members from the same office were transferred after a newspaper investigation exposed irregularities. The district administration has also directed the Raninagar Upazila Land Office to prepare and send a formal charge sheet for departmental action against Hoda. Reports suggest he allegedly demanded bribes ranging from a few thousand to nearly one lakh taka for various land-related services.

Police in Rangpur’s Pirganj upazila have arrested Mizanur Rahman, vice president of the local Awami League unit and an assistant professor at Pirganj Women’s College. He was detained on Thursday afternoon near the upazila parishad gate based on a tip-off. According to a police press release, Mizanur Rahman was allegedly conducting campaigns to support a lockdown called by the banned organization Awami League on November 13, which authorities said aimed to tarnish the government’s image. Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam Akand led the operation and later produced him before the court in connection with an explosives case. The arrest has drawn attention locally due to Rahman’s dual role as a political leader and educator.