United News of Bangladesh

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has called a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee at noon on Monday (3rd November 2025) at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. The meeting will begin at 12:30pm, followed by a press conference at 3pm at the same venue, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan. BNP’s divisional organising secretaries have also been asked to attend the meeting at the Chairperson’s office. Party sources said Tarique Rahman, who will join the meeting virtually from London, will chair the session, while other Standing Committee members will be present in person. Election uncertainty may endanger democratic transition: Tarique Several senior BNP leaders said the meeting will mainly focus on finalising single candidates for each constituency under the party and its alliance for the upcoming national election. The meeting comes a day after Tarique Rahman announced that BNP would soon release the first phase of its nomination list while launching the party’s new online payment gateway for membership renewal and registration at a programme held at a Gulshan hotel on Sunday. Tarique said it is not possible to nominate everyone, and BNP has also decided to support some candidates from other democratic parties that took part in the anti-fascist movement alongside BNP. “Because of this, some BNP aspirants may not get party nominations.” He urged all BNP leaders, workers, and supporters to accept this reality in the greater interest of the country, the people, and democracy. “Whoever receives the nomination, please work unitedly to ensure their victory. Remember, a hidden dictatorship with secret ambitions is lurking around you. So do not let petty resentments, quarrels or disputes among yourselves reach a level where the opponent can take advantage of your differences,” Tarique warned. Fakhrul urges BNP leaders to strengthen digital presence Party insiders said Tarique had held discussions with potential candidates from different divisions over the past two weeks at the Chairperson’s office. He instructed all aspirants to support whoever is officially nominated with the ‘sheaf of paddy’ symbol. Sources said the first list may include around 200 constituencies. Earlier, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told reporters that the party expected to publish its initial list of about 200 candidates in early November. “All nominated and non-nominated aspirants must work together for the officially endorsed candidate,” Salahuddin said. Bangladesh voter count hits 12.76 crore

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday voiced concern that the ‘enemies of Bangladesh’ are reemerging and attempting to create chaos and instability in the country. “We are seeing that the enemies of Bangladesh are rising again. As time goes by, there are growing attempts to create a completely anarchic situation in the country,” he said. Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, Fakhrul said they are also, unfortunately, noticing a spread of propaganda and false information on social media aimed at fuelling unrest and disorder in the country. He said the current political situation is full of uncertainty and frustration. “People are constantly wondering what will happen next.” Earlier, Fakhrul attended a joint meeting of the party and its associate bodies to finalise a 10-day programme to observe with due respect the ‘National Revolution and Solidarity Day’, marking the ‘civil-military uprising’ on November 7, 1975. BNP announces 10-day programme to mark November 7 The BNP leader said November 7 is a very important day in the political and national history of Bangladesh, as it brought a historic change in the country’s politics. He said the unprecedented unity of the people and soldiers on that day paved the way for Ziaur Rahman to enter politics and rebuild the country through major economic reforms. “That’s why November 7 is very important to us. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the people and soldiers’ revolution,” Fakhrul said. He recalled how late President Ziaur Rahman united the nation and how party Chairperson Khaleda Zia led long struggles against autocracy and for democratic change. “In the same way, our Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly from London to unite the nation and lead the party. He is giving new hope to the people of Bangladesh,” the BNP leader said. Reflecting on the events of November 7, 1975, and Ziaur Rahman’s rise to state leadership, Fakhrul said the country witnessed new enthusiasm and development under Zia’s rule. BNP forms 7 teams for media, social media, grassroots outreach “During his rule, the country was engaged in a wave of development, and a spirit of enthusiasm spread among the people. Sadly, the enemies of Bangladesh brutally killed President Ziaur Rahman at the Chattogram Circuit House, marking another dark chapter in our history,” he said. He said the philosophy of Ziaur Rahman, based on Bangladeshi nationalism, “can never be defeated”. “That’s why the BNP has never been defeated as it has risen again and again from the ruins, just like the mythical phoenix.” Fakhrul also highlighted Zia’s contributions to introducing multi-party democracy and reforms in the administration, judiciary, economy, education, industry, agriculture, media and women’s empowerment.  “November 7 remains an important day in our political life. We want to remember this day with respect and move forward with the spirit of the revolution and solidarity it represents,” the BNP leader said. BNP Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Abdus Salam Azad, Chairperson’s Special Assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and leaders of the city units and associate bodies of the party were present.    

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday said their party would abolish the indemnity provision in the power sector if it returns to power. Speaking at the ‘CAB Youth Parliament 2025’ organised by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at Dhaka University, Rizvi said the indemnity law had legalised massive corruption in the power sector. “During the fascist regime, hundreds of thousands of crores of taka were looted from the energy sector. Using the indemnity law as a tool, money was siphoned off abroad,” Rizvi alleged. He said through rental and quick rental power projects, the previous government unleashed a wave of plunder in the energy sector, and the indemnity provision had paved the way for further large-scale corruption. “BNP stands firmly against such looting. Once in power, BNP will definitely repeal the indemnity,” he affirmed. Read more: Salahuddin slams ‘mismatch’ between July Charter and Commission report Rizvi said investment in the energy sector had declined and stressed that Bangladesh must start focusing on renewable energy now. “The previous government never thought about energy for people. Although the current interim government’s intentions regarding renewable energy seem right, their actions are not yet visible,” he observed. The BNP leader said that the party’s 31-point reform agenda places special emphasis on renewable energy, adding that acting chairman Tarique Rahman has repeatedly highlighted the issue in his speeches. “BNP has also pledged to plant 250 million trees across the country,” Rizvi said, adding that the party has always been serious about environmental issues. Apart from tree planting, our acting chairman has repeatedly talked about restoring the navigability of 20,000 km of canals, wetlands, and dead rivers,” he added. On the country’s renewable energy potential, Rizvi said Bangladesh needs to explore more alternative sources beyond solar and wind power. “Currently, only 4.71 percent of the national grid’s electricity comes from renewable sources. If Bangladesh can produce biofuel like Brazil—from sugarcane husks and other byproducts—it can make significant progress in this sector,” he said. Rizvi identified investment as the major challenge in renewable energy, saying that foreign investments are often delayed or blocked due to bureaucratic hurdles. “Overcoming these challenges is crucial to take the renewable energy sector forward,” he added. Read more: Fakhrul slams Jamaat for ‘spreading lies’ to mislead people ahead of election

The Rajshahi University Central Students’ Union (RUCSU) election of 2025 isn't just about who wins; it's about a fundamental shift in campus politics. The shift is characterized by a focus on issues, service, and collaboration over traditional ideology and confrontation. This new style, particularly demonstrated by the fresh faces, involves running a continuous "proof-based campaign" highlighting "procedural steps & microresults". The Race for Control: Jote's Scale vs. Oikkoboddo's New Posture According to UNB PLUS data, the contest is primarily between two major panels. The Sommilito Shikkharthi Jote (Shibir) enters as the organized and experienced team , currently commanding the conversation with a strong 58.60% engagement and an "exceptionally clean tone" of 93.75% positivity. The Jote panel, described as disciplined and data-driven, currently leads the overall race. In contrast, the JCD-backed Oikkoboddo Notun Projanmo panel is the face of change, introducing "fresh faces" who are academically strong and politically unscarred. Their candidates including Nur Uddin (VP), Nafiul Islam Jibon (GS), and Zahin Biswas Esha (AGS) are first-time contestants focused on process, policy, and inclusion. Oikkoboddo retains a substantial presence with 36.52% engagement but carries a heavier negative load (15.52%) than Jote, which the analysis suggests they must reduce to win over undecided voters. Read more: RUCSU elections underway after 35 years  Crucially, this JCD-backed group has introduced a new political vocabulary, running a continuous "proof-based campaign" focused on "procedural steps and microresults" like seat-list transparency and Wi-Fi uptime, demonstrating a significant departure from confrontational, older models of student politics. Key Contests: VP Leans Jote, AGS is a "Photofinish" According to UNB PLUS data, while Jote is predicted to take the overall panel with a moderate-to-high confidence, the individual lane races are intense: - Vice President (VP): Mostakur Rahman (Jote) currently leads with 62.29% engagement, holding a sustained margin over Sheikh Nur Uddin (Oikkoboddo) at 36.41%. - General Secretary (GS): Fahim Reza (Jote) leads in reach with 67.28% engagement. However, his opponent, Nafiul Islam Jibon (Oikkoboddo), maintains the highest positive tone of any major candidate at 98.06%. - Assistant General Secretary (AGS): This is the most competitive race, deemed a "photofinish." S M Salman Sabbir (Jote) edges the lead in engagement at 47.89%, while his rival, Zahin Biswas Esha (Oikkoboddo), is right behind at 47.73%. While Esha retains scale, Salman's campaign carries a "far cleaner tone" (95.38% positive vs. Esha's 70.98%), a factor that may prove decisive. Read more: No extra ballots printed for RUCSU election: EC Voter Demand: Fairness and Service Over Ideology The ultimate decider for the election is not ideological loyalty, but a demand for "unity-driven fairness with service visibility". While the election process itself remains the dominant topic (62% of engagement), the "marginal votegetters" are themes of Unity (17.43%) and Services & Facilities (7.58%). Students are seeking leaders who can make the system work by becoming a "bargaining authority" that compels the administration to deliver, ensuring accountability and transparency. The Bigger Picture RUCSU Election 2025 is a test of whether today's students will choose the "comfort of old-school, transactional politics" or back a "longer game" where institutions are made more answerable. No matter the final seat count, the election has already marked a significant turning point, institutionalizing a data-driven, digital-first, and policy-minded student leadership that has successfully changed the tone of politics. Read more: Security heightened ahead of RUCSU polls

Bangladesh now stands at a threshold where the familiar theatre of politics is being rewritten before our very eyes. Once, the story was told through posters plastered on cracked walls, festoons strung across narrow lanes, and the blare of megaphones cutting through the night. Now, the script has changed. The new battlefield is the screen; the new weapons are memes. Laughter slices deeper than slogans. Irony pierces harder than pamphlets. Once, citizens gathered in town squares, markets, or outside city halls to speak up, protest, and debate. They held signs, chanted slogans, and faced one another. Today, that stage has mostly shifted - into our phones. Social media is now the battlefield, the meeting place, the soapbox all in one. In this new “public square,” comment threads, TikTok videos, meme pages, and viral posts have replaced physical rallies. Political stories, grievances, and loyalties are born, spread, and challenged in real time - often by ordinary people, not just by the powerful. This change brings both hope and danger. On the bright side, a single meme or clever post can circle the country overnight. Voices once ignored - students, artists, the quiet observers - can now speak and be heard. It is now obvious that the great battle for power is no longer fought only in the streets — it is being waged in the feeds of the masses. The ‘Youthquake’ that lit the fire: July 2024 The turning point came with the student uprisings of July 2024. Streets thundered with chants, but the internet raged with a parallel storm. Memes seared authority with biting wit, hashtags outpaced the speed of slogans, and protest art became the new graffiti—spray-painted not only on the walls, but also across screens. What once was dismissed as jest turned into a clarion call, it was not just mere annotation anymore. It was mobilization. And in that moment, the internet was not just a witness to history, it became history’s weapon. Our soil is especially ripe for this transformation because Bangladesh is a young country. Youth make up about one-third of our population.  Among registered voters, more than 30 percent are under 35. But until recently, many of those young people stayed away from elections. A survey found that 54 percent of youths had never voted in a general election. Another study reported 75 percent of youth said they had never participated in a national election. Then came July 2024. The student uprisings shook things, and young people poured into streets and into screens. Hashtags, meme pages, comment threads - politics became a conversation again, not just a grand show by old parties. Some who had never voted before began reading debates in comments, watching candidate profiles, sharing sarcastic memes about corruption, inequality, demand for change. The mix of memes and youth has created new fault lines. The young are less patient with old speeches, more drawn to sharp humor, more likely to share than just listen. In a filtered feed, one clever meme can travel faster and wider than a campaign leaflet ever could. Satire sharpens its edge: DUCSU 2025 The tide swelled in 2025 through the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) and hall union elections. Campaigns abandoned hollow chants and embraced parody. Posters mocked currency. Slogans dripped with sarcasm, and memes that were once laughed off as simple jokes began to carry real weight, almost like political manifestos. But every sword casts a dreadful shadow as well. With satire came smear. Falsehoods spread like wildfire, targeting candidates, especially women, with venomous precision. The Election Commission intervened with warnings. It felt as if online missteps could carry the same weight as tampering with ballots. A sobering truth emerged - satire was no longer just harmless fun. It had become a fatal double-edged weapon, capable of ending someone’s career as easily as saving it. Faceless army: The bot Invasion Yet hidden behind the scene, a silent power directs the show. Bot armies, silent and relentless, amplify narratives, drown dissent and create illusions of consensus. A candidate’s popularity, or its perception at least, can be inflated in minutes. Critics can be buried beneath waves of coordinated noise. For the common voter scrolling through their feed, the line between genuine support and engineered approval has all but disappeared. Humor may lighten the meme wars, but distortion fuels them. And in this strange new arena, the opponent may not be another citizen; but an ‘Army of Shadows’. Election 2026: Rules of war rewritten As the nation steels itself for the 13th general election in 2026, the Election Commission has laid down a new code of combat. The old order is gone. Posters, festoons, and PVC banners - all summarily banished. Billboard ads, once towering symbols of influence, cut down to just twenty per constituency. Every social media handle must now be declared, every message subject to scrutiny. A single misleading post could summon not applause but imprisonment and a fine sharp enough to cripple a campaign. Clearly, the age of poster wars has ended. The age of meme wars has begun. No longer will victory belong to those who command the walls of a city. It will belong to those who command its feeds. Candidates who wield satire with skill and algorithms with precision will surge forward. Those clinging to the relics of the old world will fade into irrelevance. But the danger is stark as one careless meme can undo a career. One viral punchline can crown a leader. The margin between triumph and ruin has never been so thin. Warnings from Abroad Look abroad for signs of what may come. In Germany’s 2021 federal election, researchers documented how campaigns and disinformation used social media to sway voters. Platforms struggled to stem the tide of fake news flooding timelines. One study found that extra ad impressions on social media could shift vote shares by a few percentage points. (OUP Academic) Meanwhile, in Tanzania, ahead of its 2025 election, the government blocked access to X (formerly Twitter) after alleged “cyberattacks” — raising questions about whether this new “public square” can be shut down at will. These examples reveal both the promise and peril of digital politics: memes and algorithms can spark change, but they can also be captured, censored, or twisted by those in control. Perils of the ‘new age’ Yet the odyssey ahead is artful. The imposed regulations on ‘harmful content’ may become a stern shackle for dissent. Legions of bots could shake the very foundations of democracy, turning honest debate into a battlefield of deception. It is certain that the eco-friendly reforms will save the environment, but there lies risks of sidelining candidates who lack digital muscle to compete. Thus, the stage of Bangladeshi politics has been transformed. The festoon and the poster, once the lifeblood of campaigns, now surrender to social media, memes and hashtags. What once simply entertained has become a calculated strategy. What once adorned walls now shapes destinies. As the countdown to the 2026 election continues, one thing is clear - the real fight won’t be in crowded squares or noisy rallies, but in the digital feeds where stories are crafted, sharpened, and spread. And make no mistake, that battle is already underway. The streets may still reverberate with echoes, but the screens will be the dominant medium, for sure. And, in this kingdom of pixels and punchlines, the victor will not be the one who shouts the loudest, but the one who makes the world laugh, click and believe.

India beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on Sunday night, but the cricket has been overshadowed by the fallout that followed. On the field, it was a classic. Pakistan, given a strong start by Sahibzada Farhan’s half-century, crashed from 113 for 1 to 146 all out. Nine wickets gone for just 33 runs. Kuldeep Yadav’s four wickets did the damage. India’s reply was shaky — three wickets down for 20, the crowd buzzing, Pakistan sensing a way in. Then Tilak Varma stood firm. His 69 not out, alongside Shivam Dube’s 33, dragged India over the line with two balls to spare. It should have been about that chase. Instead, attention flipped the moment the presentation began. India’s players refused to take the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chairman. They posed for photos with imaginary silverware, leaving the real trophy behind. India decline Asia Cup trophy from ACC chief Pakistan captain Salman Agha called it “disrespectful, not just to us but to the game.”  He said India’s refusal to shake hands throughout the tournament and their behaviour at the ceremony sent the wrong message: “If kids are watching this, what are they learning?” Politics rushed in almost immediately. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India congratulated the Indian team with a post linking the win to “Operation Sindoor,” the military action against Pakistan earlier this year. “On the field too, Operation Sindoor. Result the same — India victorious,” he wrote. Naqvi hit back within the hour. “If war is your measure of pride, history has already written your defeats,” he posted, accusing Modi of dragging war into cricket. The row capped a tournament already heavy with tension. Captains didn’t shake hands at tosses, joint photos were skipped, even routine pleasantries avoided. By the time India held their mock celebration on stage, the frost had turned into a visible split. India now have nine Asia Cup titles, two in T20 format. Yet this edition will be remembered as much for politics as for cricket — for a night in Dubai where a final ended not with a trophy in hand, but with both sides pointing fingers long after the game was done.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday expressed confidence that the ongoing dialogue between political parties and the National Consensus Commission will lead to peaceful and comprehensive solutions to all political issues. “We think the discussion between the political leaders and the National Consensus Commission is still underway. We are hopeful that political parties’ discussions with the Commission will result in peaceful resolutions to all issues,” he said. Alam made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question regarding certain political parties’ plans to take to the streets to press their demands, and the interim government’s stance on the matter. He was briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy following a meeting of the Council of Advisers, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad were also present at the briefing. The interim government has already extended the tenure of the National Consensus Commission by one month. The Commission, formed through SRO No-55 Act, 2025 on February 12, will now continue its work until October 15. The seven-member Commission, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, was tasked with reviewing and adopting recommendations from the reform commissions. As part of its responsibilities, it has been engaging with political parties to reach agreements on reforms. Prof Dr Ali Riaz is serving as the Vice-President of the Commission. Other members include Dr M Aiyub Mia (Public Administration Reform Commission), Safar Raj Hossain (Police Administration Reform Commission), Badiul Alam Majumder (Election System Reform Commission), Justice Emdadul Huq (Judiciary Reform Commission), and Dr Iftekharuzzaman (Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission). Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), and six other political parties are set to announce a simultaneous programme with some demands, including the immediate implementation of the July Charter, media reported. Draft law approved to intensify EC’s authority to punish negligence in election duty Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, while presiding over the meeting of the Council of Advisers, instructed the ministries and divisions to inform the public about reforms they have undertaken on their own initiative, in addition to those recommended by the reform commissions formed under the interim government. Press Secretary Alam said the ministries have been implementing a wide range of meaningful reforms beyond the scope of commission proposals. “They have been instructed to compile a list as soon as possible,” he said, adding that they will be able to share this list within the next month in a booklet form and it will be distributed among all.  Of the 121 reform recommendations submitted by the commissions, 77 have been prioritised as very important. To date, 24 of these have been fully implemented while 14 proposals are partially implemented, with the remaining currently in progress. Responding to a question, Alam said the four political leaders will attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the invitation of the Chief Adviser. This is an important occasion and the political parties are the stakeholders of the government, he said. BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen will be part of the Bangladesh delegation to the UNGA this year.

In the wake of Shibir's decisive victory in the DUCSU election 2025, other parties have received a wake-up call, as the win signals a major shift in student politics. According to a social media sentiment analysis by SharedToday, Shibir's success can be attributed to a positive campaign focused on service and discipline, a strategy other parties may need to adopt. The New Face of Campus Politics The old labels and abstract political narratives are losing their grip on students. Shibir reframed the election around present-day issues such as discipline, order, and practical services. This approach resonated overwhelmingly with students. While the "anti-independence" narrative did see a jump in engagement late in the DUCSU election, it ultimately failed to stop Shibir's momentum. Students chose to interact with content about "present-tense" capacity and discipline, rather than history. A Wake-Up Call from the DUCSU and RUCSU Elections In the recent DUCSU polls, Shibir's victory was a result of a well-executed strategy of timing, simple promises, and strong organization. Shibir's VP candidate, Sadiq, dominated online engagement in the final days, with his share jumping from 53.09% to 88.97%, creating a perception of "inevitability" that rivals couldn't counter. In the General Secretary race, Farhad held his lead from the beginning, while his rivals' engagement shares collapsed. Read more: From DUCSU to JUCSU: Shibir’s winning streak rolls on This trend appears to be continuing in the RUCSU election. According to a SharedToday inception report on September 16, Shibir's Sammilito Jote panel is dominating social media engagement with 92.6% of the share. In the VP race, Shibir's Mostakur Rahman has a commanding 66.2% share of engagement. While JCD and Oikya's campaigns are smaller, they are leaning more positive. For instance, JCD's AGS candidate Zahin Biswas Esha has the strongest individual footprint online, with a 61.3% engagement share in her position. However, the overall data indicates that Shibir's powerful, service-oriented narrative is what is resonating most, capturing over 93% of all panel-level engagement in the early stages of the RUCSU campaign. Lessons for Other Parties The success of Shibir provides a clear lesson for other parties. The fragmented "July Bloc" (including Independent and Odhikar) saw its online engagement share collapse from 4.97% to 0.31% in the final stretch of the DUCSU election, largely due to a drop in presence and lack of "last-mile amplification". JCD, while holding its base in DUCSU, failed to excite voters, and its VP candidate's engagement collapsed from 30.33% to 9.08%. Read more: JUCSU: Newly-elected VP Zitu vows to end sycophantic student politics Shibir's strategy of disciplined organization, a focus on tangible services, and a positive message of moral leadership stands in stark contrast. As other parties look to compete, they may need to move away from old slogans and embrace a more positive, service-oriented approach to win over a pragmatic student body.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Saturday alleged that a deep conspiracy is currently underway in the country, which he fears, could be linked to an international plot. “I just want to tell the government — I have a strong feeling that a deep conspiracy is going on inside the country,” he said while speaking at a milad mahfil. Rizvi demanded that the interim government carry out an investigation into what he believes could be another wave of conspiracy against the country. “The attacks on shrines and the burning of a dead body could be part of a bigger international conspiracy. We strongly condemn these acts,” the BNP leader said. BNP organised the programme at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, marking Eid-e-Miladunnabi. Rizvi said such incidents as attacking shrines and burning dead bodies had never been heard of, even during the Pakistan era. “We are supposed to have progressed with time. So, why are these things happening all of a sudden now? These are the kinds of things Sheikh Hasina used to do,” he said. Rizvi also criticised what he called false propaganda against BNP.  “Whenever BNP is in power, we are accused of being pro-Pakistan and of giving shelter to Islamist militants. These are false accusations that have never been proven,” he said. In an indirect reference to Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, he said the party is trying to portray BNP as a pro-India party to gain politically. “You call us pro-India, but after 5 August, it was you who claimed a special relationship with India. During the 1971 war, when the nation was fighting for its freedom, it was you who supported the Pakistani military,” the BNP leader said. Pointing at deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Rizvi said she had once promised to run the country according to the Charter of Medina. “But what did we see? One minister owns 140 houses in London, while 60 kathas of land in Purbachal have been allocated in her children’s names. There were also plans to build 30 bungalows on 72 bighas of public land near Chattogram airport — while poor people die without treatment. During COVID, many died due to a lack of oxygen,” he said. Rizvi claimed that BNP is a patriotic party whose Chairperson Khaleda Zia remained in the country and suffered in jail in false cases.  “We are not a foreign-backed party. We are a pro-Bangladesh party. We are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)," he said. Referring to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Rizvi said, “Despite the extreme heat today, we are gathered to honour the great man who spread Allah’s message across the world. If we truly followed even a part of his teachings, our society would be free from injustice, violence, and bloodshed.”   He regretted that while Muslims claim to follow the Prophet, “in reality, they neither follow nor try to emulate him, and that is the greatest failure of the Muslim world.” Don’t want to return to Hasina’s 'barbaric era': Rizvi Rizvi said the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) united a deeply divided Arab society and offered a solution that pleased everyone. “Today we talk about the Charter of Medina, but in reality, we follow none of it.” On this day of celebration and prayer,” Rizvi said, “let us take inspiration from the life of the Prophet who brought the message of Allah. If we follow his example, corruption, greed, and hatred will disappear from society. We can live honestly and peace will return.”

BNP senior leader Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury on Thursday stressed the need for democratising the economy in Bangladesh to ensure that every citizen has an equal opportunity to take part in economic and development activities. “Democracy should not be limited to politics alone. We have to democratise the economy as well, where every citizen, regardless of their background, has a stake in the country’s economy,” he said. Khosru, a BNP Standing Committee member, made the remarks while speaking at a discussion organised by the Bangladesh Jano Odhikar Party at the Jatiya Press Club. Highlighting BNP’s vision of economic democracy, he called for collective efforts to build an inclusive economy that benefits all citizens and helps create a brighter future for Bangladesh. The BNP leader said economic democracy means creating a level playing field where all citizens—from rural artisans to educated professionals—can contribute to and benefit from the nation’s economic progress. “We cannot run the economy by favouring a particular group. The economy must belong to everyone. From blacksmiths, weavers, and women to retired persons, everyone must have the opportunity to take part in economic activities,” the BNP leader said. He said BNP is planning initiatives to involve people of all genders and social positions in economic activities, ensuring their skills and abilities are properly used. “Even those who have retired at 60 or 65 still have the ability to contribute. We are working on plans to engage them effectively.” Khosru said increasing people’s participation in the economy will help improve their income and standard of living, which in turn will make them more responsible citizens. He said when people earn more and their quality of life improves, they become aware of their rights and duties. “They will pay taxes, and in return, they will demand accountability for how their tax money is spent. They will have the right to say, ‘This cannot be done with my tax money,’ or ‘My taxes must be used for the people of the country,” Khosru added. Calling for unity among all political parties, Khosru said the focus should be on building a prosperous, democratic, and inclusive Bangladesh. “While every political party has its own agenda, we must find common ground when it comes to the country’s progress. Free thinking and open discussions must be encouraged to face the challenges ahead.” Bangladesh sliding backward for lack of democratic progress: Khosru He said the people of the country must come together to restore democracy and rebuild institutions so they serve the people, not the political interests of any party. “We have to restore people’s ownership of the country. We have to break these barriers and I have one thing to say to Bangladesh... We have to build an inclusive Bangladesh with people from all walks of life. But that doesn’t mean all parties will hold the same ideals and thoughts. Democracy means every party has its own thoughts, philosophy, ideology, and future work plans,” the BNP leader said.