BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has taken full responsibility for the education and sports training of Jisan, a fifth-grader from Kishoreganj who recently went viral for his dazzling football skills. BNP leader Aminul Islam visited Jisan’s home with the announcement, bringing joy to the young talent and his parents. Jisan, the son of auto-rickshaw driver Joj Miah, grew up idolizing Messi and Maradona, honing his talent despite financial hardship. Tarique Rahman’s sponsorship marks a turning point for the boy, who now dreams of rising in national and international football. “BNP wants to nurture such talent to enrich the nation’s sporting arena and enhance Bangladesh’s image globally,” Aminul Islam said.

Jamaat leader Masud Saidi criticized political rivals for undermining democracy, pointing to a recent incident in Pirojpur where party activists snatched ballot boxes during an internal council. “That is why public confidence lies with Jamaat,” he declared. He urged parties to abandon misconduct rather than elections, accusing successive governments of treating power as personal property, looting resources, and clinging to office by force. He defended proportional representation (PR) as a fairer system, opposed only by those profiting from black money and nomination trade. “The 2026 election will not resemble past polls,” he said, noting the emergence of a new Islamic alliance.

BNP leader Hummam Quader Chowdhury recalled his abduction in 2016, when he was held for seven months. “Many thought I struck deals, but history has no such example. I survived by the prayers of people,” he said at a rally in Rangunia, his father’s stronghold. Hummam emphasized he is in politics to repay the debt to his father’s supporters, not for power. “I need prayers, not votes. Whether I become an MP will be decided by Allah,” he said. Stressing unity, he dismissed local political divisions, affirming his father’s vision of Rangunia-centric politics. He pledged development commitments, including urgent road repairs, and highlighted religious harmony in the area.

NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah has insisted that a new constitution must be finalized before the general election. He acknowledged the government’s stated timeline for polls but stressed that constitutional reforms and the process for drafting a new constitution require consensus. “If parties push for elections without unity on these fundamental issues, it signals they don’t truly want elections,” he remarked. He added, “We want elections held on time – it could even have been in December rather than February – but only if key conditions are met.” He warned that those seeking delays were actually avoiding reform implementation, creating doubts about their intentions.

Advisor Dr. Asif Nazrul stated that the interim government is working as a team to implement reforms. Nearly half the recommendations have already been enforced, while about 70% of actionable proposals from six reform commissions are expected to be implemented by December. He clarified that reforms requiring constitutional changes need broader political consensus. “We cannot amend the constitution through ordinances or executive orders,” he said, adding that some proposals wrongly presented as constitutional issues could actually be resolved through rule changes. He cited the example of parliamentary standing committee leadership, which only requires procedural amendment. Advisors Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud and Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan are leading evaluations of recommendations from five other commissions, with some already under implementation.

Private primary school teachers excluded from the government’s nationalization process faced police water cannons and sound grenades while marching toward the Jamuna River. Forced to retreat, they regrouped near the National Press Club. Since morning, around a thousand teachers gathered under the banner of the “Bangladesh Private Primary School General Teachers’ Unity Council.” They demanded urgent nationalization of over 5,000 excluded schools, as per the consultation committee’s recommendations. While 30,000 schools were nationalized in January 2013, nearly 5,000 were left out allegedly for political reasons. Despite a letter sent by the Chief Adviser’s office to the ministry in February, no progress has been made, protesters said.

Khelafat Majlis has declared a three-day protest program pressing for six demands, including conducting the next general election under the July Charter and implementing proportional representation (PR) in voting. Their demands also call for banning political activities of what they termed “Awami allies.” Secretary General Abdul Kader announced protest marches for September 18 in Dhaka, September 19 in all metropolitan cities, and September 26 nationwide. He voiced doubts about fair elections, criticizing the electoral roadmap announced prior to the July Charter. On the same day, Islami Andolan and Jamaat-e-Islami also announced protest programs.

BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has cautioned that bypassing public mandate to pursue street programs will harm democracy. He urged that all demands be addressed through electoral victory, warning that delays in restoring democracy would deepen national crises. He stressed that the post-uprising phase should focus on returning people’s ownership of the state, cautioning that without timely elections, Bangladesh risks division and civil unrest. Highlighting BNP’s agenda, he pledged to empower persons with disabilities, calling for financial, moral, and social investment from the state. “BNP does not believe in charity politics – we believe in empowerment, development, and productive growth,” he said.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali has urged police officers to maintain the highest level of neutrality during the upcoming general election. Citing the recently held DUCSU elections as an example of fair practice, he emphasized the importance of collective efforts in ensuring free and credible polls. He warned against activities of banned organizations, stressing vigilance and strict action against those disrupting law and order. With Durga Puja ahead, he directed preparations for smooth celebrations. Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md. Sarwar highlighted DMP’s modernization drive, including video-based prosecution of traffic violations. At the monthly crime review meeting, outstanding officers were recognized with awards.

Singapore’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr. Derek Loh Yu Se, held a courtesy meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami leader Motiur Rahman Akand at a hotel in Dhaka. He was accompanied by Charge d’Affaires Mr. Mitchell Lee and South Asia Country Director Mr. Tai Dai Ern. Discussions centered on Bangladesh’s current political and economic climate, industrial and trade prospects, the upcoming national election, state reforms, and proportional representation (PR) systems. Derek Loh praised Jamaat’s constructive role in Bangladesh’s economic progress and democratic journey. Both sides expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral relations in the future.

BNP leaders have accused former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of conspiring from India to destabilize Bangladesh. Speaking at a press briefing, BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque said, “For 16 years, Sheikh Hasina distorted history and signed anti-national deals. Now she is sitting in India plotting to create instability in Bangladesh. Awami League’s loyalists are trying to sabotage the upcoming February elections.” Another BNP adviser, Harunur Rashid, warned that the party would not tolerate any conspiracy to derail the electoral process.

BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) has terminated the employment of Rakibul Mobin, a staff member, after he made offensive remarks on social media about newly elected female representatives of Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU). The move followed a formal complaint lodged by newly elected DUCSU Law and Human Rights Secretary Shakhawat Zakaria last Thursday. In a statement, BIGD said: “Rakibul’s personal comments in no way reflect the values, standards, or institutional stance of BIGD. We strongly condemn any disrespectful or discriminatory remarks based on gender, religion, political affiliation, or any other identity.” It was revealed that Rakibul had shared a photo of the victorious DUCSU women leaders and referred to them as “house slaves.”

AB Party leader Asaduzzaman Fuad has branded the Jatiya Party as a “historical threat” to Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty, and national interests. “Since its inception, the Jatiya Party has undermined the country’s security. It rehabilitated Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League in politics, ruled the country without elections for nine years, and later acted as Awami League’s ‘B-Team’ for 16 years to serve Delhi’s interests,” Fuad alleged. He further claimed that every reason behind the people’s uprising against the Awami League also applies to the Jatiya Party, saying the only difference lies in the degree of involvement.

A meeting of the five-party liaison committee was held at the central office of Islami Andolon Bangladesh to review the country’s political situation. The participants discussed ways to strengthen public opinion for holding the next national election under the framework of the July Declaration, emphasizing its legal recognition. The committee also decided to engage with political, social, and religious leaders to build momentum for this demand. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ahmad Abdul Kader, Secretary General of Khelafat Majlis; Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad, Secretary General of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis; Maulana Abdul Majed Athari, Vice-President of Nezame Islam Party; Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamidi, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon; and Islami Andolon Secretary General Maulana Yunus Ahmad.

In a major policy shift, the government is preparing to introduce paternity leave for civil servants alongside existing maternity leave benefits. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, maternity leave of six months has been in place since 2011, and many private institutions now follow the same rule. However, paternity leave is still absent in Bangladesh’s laws, leaving working fathers unable to properly support their families during childbirth. A summary on amending the Bangladesh Service Rules has been sent to the Chief Adviser’s Office. The proposal cites international practices: paternity leave is available in 78 countries, including India, where fathers get 10 days of paid leave twice in their service careers, and Pakistan, where fathers can take one month of paid leave up to three times. Officials say the move is being considered in light of growing demands from civil servants and to ensure better family care for newborns.