Foreign Minister and re-elected MP from Sylhet-1 constituency, AK Abdul Momen, today paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. BNP has nothing to do now except waiting for another 5 yrs: Obaidul Quader Momen, along with the elected MP from Sylhet-2 constituency, Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32 and placed a wreath on the portrait of Bangabandhu. It won't affect polls whether left leaning parties boycott or not : Hasan Mahmud Local Awami League leaders were present on the occasion.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said political stability is essential to sustain the development spree in the country. He made this remark during the unveiling of the book 'SDGs and Development Features Collection' published by the Press Institute of Bangladesh. AL candidates collect nomination letters for January 7 polls amid festive mood  "Political stability is necessary for the country's development. Although the Awami League government, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been  in power for the last 15 years, we cannot claim there has been political stability. We witnessed arson violence in 2013, 20 14 and 2015. The current arson incidents are jeopardizing the country's political stability. Development is unattainable without political stability," he said. He further said amid BNP's blockade, traffic jams are occurring in various parts of Dhaka and long-distance vehicles are operating. By holding peaceful polls we want to show we keep words: Quader “They are undermining themselves with this programmes. I fail to comprehend why they make such decisions. No one is endorsing these programmes.”

Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury on Wednesday said if the mutations of the inherited lands are done following the registered partition deeds, the land related litigations will come down greatly in the country. Land surveys stopped amid surge of complaints across country: Land minister “The land related litigation will be reduced a lot in the country, if the mutation of all the inherited assets and inherited family assets are made following the registered partition deeds,” he said. The minister made the remark while chairing a meeting at the Land Ministry here in the city, said a PID handout. Saifuzzaman said one of the major causes behind the disputes among family members is the inherited lands are parted through verbal deeds or simple written deeds instead of registered deeds.  Later, the deeds are broken due to the rise in value of (particular) assets or various interests, which lead to a long dispute from generation to generation, he said. 3 land law drafts to be tabled in next JS session: Land Minister He asked the authorities concerned to enhance public awareness about the registration of inherited land partition deeds. The Land Minister also put emphasis on paying a special attention to protection of sisters’ rights in the distribution of the inherited assets. The meeting reviewed the progress of the annual development programmes (ADP), which were taken under the land ministry for 2023-2024. Efforts on to pass Land Crime Act during current govt’s tenure: Land Minister Land Secretary Md Khalilur Rahman and Land Reform Board Chairman Md Abdus Sabur Mondal, among others, were present.

The Ansar Battalion Bill, 2023, would not be  passed without  a primary emphasis on the recommendations and statement from the police force, said Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq. Looking forward to all taking part in election: Law Minister He said this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday. When asked about whether the Ansar will be granted the authority to make arrests, he responded, "The Home Minister has unequivocally said no such authority will be given to the Ansar." “The concerns raised regarding this law are currently under scrutiny, and the legislation will be enacted with a primary emphasis on the recommendations and input from the police force," he said. Law Ministry releases updated 'Bangladesh Code' with 47 sections The Ansar Battalion Bill, 2023 was placed in Parliament on Monday by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan with a provision for bestowing greater powers to Ansar battalion members- including authority to arrest offenders, frisk detainees, and seize goods. The bill was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the home ministry for further examination. Law and order situation in Bangladesh remains peaceful: EC Secretary The law minister said all the concerns related to the law’s provisions will be addressed by the standing committee.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being invited to the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, two months before the general election, demonstrates that world leaders stand with her. Dhaka’s streets to be under AL’s control on October 28: Info Minister The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Global Gateway Forum conference in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday afternoon, local time. "Leaders of different countries and global organizations have appreciated the development and progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in every meeting,” said Hasan Mahmud, also the joint general secretary of Awami League. “Sheikh Hasina was the ‘focus’of the plenary session of the Global Gateway Forum. The international media has also repeatedly reached out to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Hasan told reporters. BNP's road march to drown in Jamuna or Buriganga: Info Minister The information minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the “most touching and thematic speech” at the plenary session.  Referring to the significance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being invited to the global event two months ahead of the national election, the info minister said, “This invitation is a testimony to the fact that world leaders are with the prime minister.” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and PM's Principal Secretary Tofazzal Hossain Miah were present during the press briefing. Perpetrators of August 15 need to be punished to honour Sheikh Russel: Info Minister Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently attending the Global Gateway Forum, organised by the European Commission in Brussels, along with other heads of states and governments and representatives of the private sector, civil society, finance institutions and international organizations from the European Union and around the world.

Ganaforum MP Mokabbir Khan on Monday said people of the country are worried about the 12th national election. He said that not only the investors but also the common people are experiencing unrest and panic. Also read: All going pear-shaped for Gonoforum “We have completely destroyed the electoral system for our own benefit. People are worried about the election. The people who own the state want a free, fair and impartial election,” he said while participating in the public opinion verification discussion on the Bangladesh Economic Zone (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Mokabbir Khan thinks that it is necessary to unite everyone again like in 1971 when the people fought for the independence of the country. Also read: Dr Kamal urges govt to start talks with political parties immediately for credible polls He said that national unity can be created through free, fair and impartial elections. “The wheels of the economy will move. Investors’ confidence will return. The country will reach the desired goal. Economic zones will be activated,” he said. Also read: Lack of effective parliamentary democracy is very sad: Dr Kamal Regarding the 100 economic zones, Mokabbir Khan said that it was said that 1 crore people will be employed when the work is complete by 2030. “But that is questionable today. At present domestic and foreign investors are losing interest.” Referring to a recent survey published by the Japan External Trade Organisation, he said that 71 percent of Japan's large investment companies are not satisfied with the investment environment in the country.

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was placed in Parliament on Thursday in a bid to extend the tenure of vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor and treasurer to four years. Health Minister Zahid Maleque placed the Bill in Parliament and it was sent to the respective scrutiny committee for further examination. The Committee was asked to submit its report within seven days. Read: PM: Padma Bridge is confidence-booster for Bangladesh The draft law was designed to bring several changes in the existing Act of 1998. Now the tenure of Vice Chancellor, pro-Vice Chancellor and Treasurer of the university is three years, which will be extended to four years keeping consistency with that in other universities. Read: Uprooting poisonous communalism Quader's Victory Day oath this year 

Five out of seven BNP members of the parliament (MPs) submitted their resignation to Speaker of the Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Sunday, as part of their anti-government movement with a 10-point demand that includes dissolution of parliament. The BNP MPs submitted their resignation letters at 12:20 pm,  Mohammad Siraj, MP of Bogura-6, told UNB. The MPs who resigned are: Md. Zahidur Rahman, Thakurgaon-3; Md. Mosharof  Hosen, Bogura-4; Gulam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-6; Md. Aminul Islam, Chapainawabganj-2 and Rumeen Farhana, from women’s reserved seats. Read more: BNP declares start of ‘simultaneous anti-govt movement’ on Dec 24 Md. Harunur Rashid of Chapainawabganj-3, who is now in Australia and ailing MP of Brahmanbaria-2 Abdus Sattar Bhuiyan could not submit resignation to the Speaker today. They will tender their resignation later as they have to submit it in person as per the constitution, said Mohammad Siraj. Speaking to reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad, BNP’s international affairs secretary Rumeen said they submitted their resignation to the Speaker following their demand for dissolution of parliament. “This is just the beginning. Now the other MPs from different political parties who support democracy should also come forward and resign,” she added. Read more: BNP activists, locals complain of internet service disruption in and around Golapbagh rally venue Earlier, Rumeen Farhana announced the decision from the party’s Golapbagh rally on Saturday. The MPs sent their resignation through an email on Saturday. BNP on Saturday unveiled a 10-point charter of demands from Golapbagh rally aimed at unseating the government through a simultaneous movement.

Jatiya Party’s parliament members have decided to join the parliamentary session on Monday, a day after they announced to stay away from parliament till the speaker recognises GM Quader as the leader of the opposition instead of Raushan Ershad. JP Chairman GM Quader directed all the MPs of the party to join the 20th session of parliament on Monday upon assurance from Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, said Khandakar Delwar Jalali, JP press secretary. Earlier on Sunday, Jatiya Party announced they will stay away from Parliament after a discussion with the speaker where she offered no hint of a positive decision in this regard coming soon. Currently, Raushan Ershad is the opposition leader who has been abroad for a long time for medical treatment with GM Quader as her deputy. Read: Jatiya Party removes Ranga as opposition chief whip Earlier on September 3, the JP parliamentary party proposed to make GM Quader the opposition leader of the parliament instead of Raushan but the speaker is yet to take a decision in this regard. The 20th session of the current parliament that began Sunday will continue till November 6.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the successful construction of Padma Bridge has boosted self-confidence that Bangladesh can implement even larger projects in future. “The decision for the construction of Padma Bridge with our own fund brightened the country’s image and the whole world has started to show respect towards Bangladesh,” she said. The prime minister said this during a general discussion on a motion placed in Parliament to greet and thank her for the construction of the 6.15-km Padma Bridge.  The motion was passed unanimously by a voice vote following over six hours-long marathon discussion. Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury brought the motion in the House under section 147 of the Rules of Procedure.  Hasina said the people of Bangladesh have gained knowledge over technology (to build such mega bridge). “In future, we’ll be able to do more improved and bigger task,” she added. Lambasting the role of Dr Muhammad Yunus in canceling the World Bank’s funding for Padma Bridge project, the PM questioned how a person can make such a big harm to the country just for the lust of a post of managing director of a bank. She also alleged that an editor (of a newspaper) was also involved closely in this matter. “Dr Yunus and that editor emailed the World Bank time and again so that funding would be stopped….. Hillary Clinton was engaged in the matter,” she added. In this connection, she said, ”They thought we would surrender to them. But I am the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I didn’t and will not bow down to anything unjust .” The PM said she, her government and her family members and Cabinet members faced tremendous pressure, humiliation and false cases regarding the baseless corruption allegation that ultimately declared false by a Canadian court. Explaining the rise of project cost compared with the design taken by the caretaker government back in 2007, Hasina said there was no rail line, electricity and gas supply lines in the previous project design.   Besides, the cost against land acquisition in the new design went up three times and the amount of acquired land was increased several times. She also mentioned strong river training and construction of 100 percent bridge with navigation clearance and rise of length of the main bridge as reasons behind the higher project cost. In his motion, the Chief Whip said, “Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, should be cordially congratulated and thanked on behalf of the nation through special discussion in Parliament for her courageous and firm leadership, unconditional love for the people and providing the nation the gift of Padma Bridge.” He said the Prime Minister will open Padma Bridge, the much desired largest infrastructure project in the history of Bangladesh, on June 25, 2022. “This day will always be remembered as a glorious day in our national life,” he said. Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge on July 4, 2001 aiming to improve the living standards of more than three crore people of the country’s 21 southwestern districts. “The 6.15-km bridge with four-lane highway and one lane railway is a reality today. It is a symbol of pride, self-confidence, ability and self-respect for Bengalis,” said Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury. He said it is none other than Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who deserves the credit for this achievement as she was uncompromising, steadfast and unwavering like her father in the construction of the Padma Bridge by ignoring hundreds of adversities, obstacles, baseless allegations and conspiracies of the World Bank. “Sheikh Hasina did not bow her head to any pressure that day,” the chief whip added. He said today Sheikh Hasina has opened the door to the immense potential of Bangladesh through the successful implementation of the Padma Bridge. According to the economic survey, the implementation of the Padma Bridge project will increase the country's GDP by at least 1.23 percent per year, he added.  Awami League lawmakers Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Obaidul Quader, Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Shajahan Khan and Muhammad Faruk Khan; Jatiya Party lawmakers Kazi Firoz Rashid, Anisul Islam Mahmud and Fakhrul Imam; JaSod MP Hasanul Haq Inu; Workers Party MP Rashed Khan Menon; and BNP lawmakers Harunur Rashid and Rumeen Farhana, among others, participate in the discussion.