In a statement, the Nationalist Like-minded Alliance asserted that the people of Bangladesh now strongly desire a free, fair, and impartial national election. The alliance, alongside the BNP and nearly all pro-democracy parties and coalitions, wants the election to be held no later than December this year. They warned that any attempt to delay the election will not be accepted. The alliance leaders emphasized that it's not just one party demanding this timeline, but a collective voice of all democratic forces. However, they criticized the interim government for failing to announce a clear electoral roadmap and accused it of pitting reforms against elections. “We urge the government to immediately announce a transparent and definitive roadmap for the upcoming national election,” they said.

BNP leader Zainul Abedin has called on the government to heed the public's demand and hold elections before December. “It doesn’t take 10 months to make this reform. Hold elections and exit with honor,” he said. Abedin also accused the government of trying to erase Ziaur Rahman’s legacy. “You can’t erase him from people’s hearts. He lives within them,” he said. He added that attempts to eliminate Khaleda Zia have also failed, and that Tarique Rahman carries forward his father’s legacy.

Addressing a street rally, NCP leader Sarjis Alam urged voters to prioritize candidates’ integrity and public service over party loyalty. “We’ve seen leadership passed down from father to son to grandson. This blind loyalty breeds dangerous dynasties,” he said. “If a candidate truly stands with the people, vote for them—no matter the party.” He added that NCP has taken responsibility to give political direction to the student-led uprising. Highlighting long-standing crises in Sundarganj—like erosion, unemployment, and lack of healthcare—he said the people are no longer dreaming of change; they’re ready for it.

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended issuing work visas to citizens of 14 countries—including Bangladesh—until the end of the upcoming Hajj season in June. Other affected nations include India, Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco. According to Arab Times, the decision will adversely impact thousands of foreign workers and international businesses.

Speaking at a memorial event marking Ziaur Rahman's death anniversary, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury emphasized the urgent need for elections before December. “Investors first ask, when is the election? I want to see an elected government, opposition, and parliament,” he said. Khasru added that 52 parties that opposed Sheikh Hasina collectively want elections by December. “Only a few unregistered parties with no public support are against elections—just like the ‘King’s parties’ of the 1/11 era,” he said.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has denied allegations of secret seat-sharing negotiations with the BNP. “No such talks have occurred with BNP or any other party,” he clarified, responding to a claim made in an online talk show. He accused certain quarters of spreading false impressions to undermine the NCP. “From the beginning, we have demanded reforms, justice, and a roadmap for elections,” Hasnat said, urging for a genuine electoral environment through July’s reform charter—not sham elections driven solely by power grabs.

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has criticized the party’s chief adviser for his remarks against the BNP while in Japan. “It now appears the BNP misjudged him,” he said. Roy added that the people's movement was for democracy and fair elections—not for individual gains. “Ziaur Rahman stood for freedom, democracy, and sovereignty. He never sought publicity; it followed him. Today, some only preach his ideals without practicing them.”

Services at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital remain suspended for the fourth consecutive day due to ongoing clashes between hospital staff and relatives of injured patients. Hundreds of patients are being forced to return home without treatment. “I didn’t know services were halted. I came here because I can't afford private hospitals,” said one patient. The hospital typically sees an average of 1,500 outpatients daily.

The BNP’s Nokla Upazila unit has expelled Md. Shahajan, General Secretary of the party’s 8 No. Char Ashtadhar Union chapter, for actions that tarnished the party’s image. He was previously arrested by a joint task force on Thursday for hoarding rice from the government’s food assistance program. The expulsion is temporary pending further investigation.

A joint task force seized 603 sacks of government-subsidized VGD rice during a raid in Jamalpur’s Islampur on Friday night. The rice was stockpiled at the residence of Azgar Ali in Kachihara village. Captain Ahsan stated that they raided the premises following a tip-off, but the culprits managed to flee upon sensing the presence of the task force.

Gas supply to industrial zones across Bangladesh will increase starting today, according to Energy Adviser Mohammad Fawzul Kabir Khan. To tackle the ongoing gas crisis, four additional LNG cargoes are being imported. “This should have happened a couple of days earlier, but rough seas delayed the unloading of gas from the vessels,” he explained. Supply has already risen by 50 MMCFD, and an additional 100–150 MMCFD is expected soon. Regarding recent protests by rural electricity cooperatives, the adviser stated that a meeting will be held tomorrow to resolve issues concerning the relationship between the cooperatives and REB. “Demonstrations bring only harm,” he warned, citing past sabotage incidents where electricity was cut off at 26–27 locations.

Students blocked the Faridpur-Barisal highway for three hours protesting an alleged attack on anti-discrimination activist Boishakhi Islam Borsha and her father in Nagarkanda, Faridpur. According to reports, the assault was carried out by local BNP members after Boishakhi filed a police complaint regarding the harassment of her younger sister. The accused, Md. Sharif Bepari (21), son of a local named Md. Jalal Bepari, had allegedly been stalking the girl for an extended period. When police moved to arrest the attackers, they were met with resistance and physical assault. Boishakhi’s family believes the attack was retaliation for filing the general diary (GD) with police.

In a powerful show of resistance, thousands of local residents formed a human wall along a one-kilometer stretch of the border at Kochakata in Kurigram to prevent the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) from pushing 50–60 civilians into Bangladesh territory. The incident occurred near the Indian village of Faiskarkuti, where BSF had allegedly gathered the group at a local school with intentions to forcibly cross them into Bangladesh. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar-VDP forces took a firm stance to block the attempt. When BSF sought to negotiate with BGB late at night, the request was denied. Eventually, by around 3 AM, BSF retreated from the zero line.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman called for national unity to fulfill the dreams of the martyrs of the July Movement.
“Regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity, we must all work together to build the Bangladesh our martyrs envisioned,” he said.
He requested prayers for the souls of all who sacrificed their lives in Bangladesh’s democratic struggles, including former President Ziaur Rahman.
He emphasized that Ziaur Rahman established multiparty democracy in the country, and many people from all walks of life have laid down their lives in pursuit of democracy and welfare.

A female student named Baishakhi was publicly beaten by members of the student wing of the opposition party in Faridpur after she protested against harassment.
Sadeq Kayem, a leader of the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, condemned the incident and wrote, “No one has the right to exert forceful control over anyone’s life.”
He also cited other recent incidents: a BNP leader threatening a woman in Adabor, and two female students at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University being forced to leave their dorm for not attending a student political event.
Kayem criticized those who claim to advocate for women's safety but remain silent on such issues, accusing them of prioritizing political gain over justice.
“Those trying to act like neo-fascists even before gaining power will meet the same fate,” he warned.