Extending greetings on the occasion of Durga Puja, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed hope for a prosperous Bangladesh built on equality and free from corruption. “Through the July uprising, we began a journey toward a just and prosperous nation. To fulfill this vision, people must work together, transcending divisions of religion and caste,” he said.
Praying for peace and progress, Yunus added: “By defeating injustice and darkness, Bangladesh will move forward on the path of welfare and prosperity.” He also hailed Durga Puja as a unique symbol of interfaith harmony, expressing confidence that the festival would be celebrated nationwide in an atmosphere of joy and unity.

The government has approved the formation of two new upazilas by splitting Cumilla’s Muradnagar and Chattogram’s Fatikchhari. Ten unions under Bangra police station will form “Bangra Upazila,” while Fatikchhari will be divided to create “Fatikchhari North.”
The Cabinet Division has finalized the draft, which will increase the number of upazilas in Bangladesh from 495 to 497. Additionally, preparations are underway to establish two new administrative divisions—Faridpur and Cumilla. Final approval may come at the upcoming meeting of the National Implementation Committee on Administrative Reorganization (NICAR).

Jamaat leader Helal Uddin has pledged to bring healthcare to every doorstep if given the chance to govern. “Each administrative ward in Dhaka-8 constituency will have a city health complex,” he said, adding that modern medical facilities would be ensured nationwide.
Helal highlighted Jamaat’s four-point operational policy, emphasizing social reform and service. “We do not and will not engage in corruption, extortion, or terrorism. Jamaat believes standing by people in times of need is a responsibility, not a choice,” he said. If elected, Helal promised to build “a modern, humane welfare state free from inequality.”

Jamaat leader General Maulana ATM Masum has called for a combined movement and electoral campaign to ensure political change. Speaking to party supporters, Masum said Jamaat aims to establish a just and welfare-oriented state ensuring people’s rights.
He urged the Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation to play a vital role in securing Jamaat candidates’ victories. “We have rolled out a five-point program for free and fair elections. The July Accord must be given legal recognition, the next parliamentary election must adopt proportional representation, and a level playing field for all parties must be ensured,” Masum said. He also demanded visible justice for what he termed “Awami fascism” and stressed the need for an interim government to oversee reforms before elections.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has accused Pir Saheb of betraying his own words. “For 29 years, Pir Saheb waved the hand fan for Awami League, but now he is doing the same for Jamaat,” Prince said. He recalled Pir Saheb’s earlier remark that “wherever the poison of Jamaat spreads, it will bring destruction.”
“Today, by forming an alliance with Jamaat, he has applied that poison on himself—inviting his own downfall. For the greed of power, Jamaat’s venom has become nectar to him,” Prince added.

Food adviser Ali Imam Majumder has assured that the interim government will leave behind sufficient food reserves before handing over responsibilities.

Currently, Bangladesh holds 1.6 million tons of rice and about 100,000 tons of wheat in stock. Additional wheat shipments from the US and Russia are en route, with another deal in progress with the US.

Majumder said rice prices remain stable, with 5.5 million families now receiving 30 kilograms of rice per month under the Food-Friendly Program — up from 5 million families previously.

He noted that this has reduced market pressure and stabilized prices. The government will also launch an extensive Aman rice procurement drive in November, ensuring purchases directly from farmers.

BNP vice-chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu has warned that if fundamentalist forces seize power in Bangladesh, the nation’s future will be bleak.

“India was once a secular country, but that has changed. If fundamentalists take power in Bangladesh, it could become another Afghanistan or Syria,” Bulu cautioned.

He urged voters to protect the secular ideals of the Liberation War by exercising their franchise responsibly in the upcoming national elections.

BNP leader AZM Zahid Hossain dismissed calls for introducing Proportional Representation (PR) elections through street movements.

“The constitution only provides for direct voting and direct election of representatives. If PR is to be adopted, it must be approved in Parliament after the people accept it in the next election,” Zahid said.

He warned that efforts to push PR through agitation while simultaneously negotiating at the table may undermine democracy and open the door to authoritarianism.

Zahid further stated that the people are eagerly waiting to vote after being denied the right for 17 years, and elections are expected by mid-February.

Authorities at Gazipur Safari Park detained 11 individuals for illegally entering the park at midnight. They were later handed over to police.

The detainees, who reportedly work at local factories and other establishments, have not yet been identified. Park officials noted that past incidents of theft have endangered rare animals and valuable property, prompting stricter nighttime patrols.

The Election Commission has approved the registration of 73 domestic observer organizations ahead of the upcoming polls.

The EC has called for objections, if any, to be submitted by October 20, with supporting documents, six copies of the objection, and details of the objector. After hearings, the EC’s decision will be final.

This year, a total of 318 organizations applied for observer registration.

A delegation from the European Union held a meeting with the Nationalist Citizens’ Party (NCP) at its Banglamotor office on Saturday.

The EU team included election observation experts Riccardo Chelleri, Mete Bakken, Manuel Wally, and Baiba Zarinas, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh.

The NCP delegation was led by chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari, with joint conveners Sultan Mohammad Zakaria, Khaled Saifullah, Taznuva Jabeen, joint member secretaries Alauddin Mohammad and Zahirul Islam Musa, and joint chief coordinator Navid Nawroz Shah.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has declared that the party’s future will be centered on unity, the people, and nation-building. “BNP will move as the people want. Wherever Bangladesh’s interests lie, BNP will stand there,” he said.

Tarique warned that without unity among democratic forces, hidden authoritarianism could resurface, much like post-independence autocracy.

Meanwhile, Salahuddin Ahmed reiterated that political exploitation of Islam will be countered through electoral politics. He urged BNP activists to remain vocal on social media to counter misinformation and propaganda.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused four senior Awami League leaders of advising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on orchestrating killings.

“Obaidul Quader, Anisul Huq, Salman F. Rahman, and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal — these four masterminded every killing under Hasina’s direction,” Rizvi alleged, after visiting injured former JCD leader Dolon in Rupganj.

He further claimed that Hasina’s security adviser Tariq Siddique suggested killing some people to suppress the opposition movement. “Even leaked phone conversations expose how killings were ordered,” Rizvi said.

He alleged that 1,400 to 1,500 students and workers, including 142 JCD activists, have been killed, along with over 400 BNP activists. “The people no longer want to see this cycle of bloodshed under Hasina’s regime,” he added.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has accused certain quarters of using religion for political gain, warning that the people must respond through their votes.

“Those who are trying to sell tickets to heaven are nothing but religious businessmen. This country will not allow anyone to profit from exploiting people’s beliefs,” Salahuddin said.

He further alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s reliance on the “spirit of 1971” narrative ultimately led her to seek shelter in Delhi. “Their politics died in Dhaka and was buried in Delhi,” he added.

Salahuddin vowed that justice for every killing will be pursued, though the process may take time. He also cautioned BNP leaders and activists to remain united against conspiracies.

A heart-wrenching cry of “Allah, Allah, please don’t” echoed from the lips of 60-year-old Halim Uddin Akand when his hair was forcibly cut in public. Following the incident, his son, Md. Shahid Akand, lodged a case with Tarakanda Police Station, naming seven individuals and including four to five unidentified persons as accused.

According to the case statement, the incident took place on June 5 this year. Officer-in-Charge Tipu Sultan confirmed that the case was accepted after verifying details from the victim’s family. The names of the accused are not being disclosed at this stage for the sake of investigation.

Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Abdullah Al Mamun remarked, “Such inhumane treatment of an elderly man in public is unacceptable in a civilized society.”