United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has spent around 12 hours at his party’s Gulshan political office, continuing work until around 3:00am on Sunday, as he oversaw key organisational activities and interviewed aspirants for reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. According to Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, the BNP office remained active even long after house lights dimmed across the capital, with the nomination process continuing in full swing until late at night. The interviews of the party aspirants began at 3:00pm on Saturday at the Gulshan office. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Nazrul Islam Khan, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, AZM Zahid Hossain and Selima Rahman were present as members of the nomination board. Candidates from districts under Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions took part in the interviews, which continued till late at night. Earlier on Friday, aspirants from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal and Faridpur divisions were interviewed. Party sources said around 900 nomination forms were submitted out of 1,025 sold. Earlier, the Election Commission on April 8 announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seat election. According to the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will be held on April 22 and 23. Appeals against scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26 and will be disposed of on April 27 and 28. Election symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. Under the seat distribution, the BNP-led alliance will get 36 seats, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-aligned bloc 13 seats, and independents one seat.

The BNP has started the final selection process for nominating candidates for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, with aspirants appearing before the party’s nomination board. The nomination board began interviewing the aspirants on Friday afternoon at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi told reporters that interviews of those who collected and submitted nomination forms for the reserved seats started in the afternoon. “As per the party constitution, the nomination board is headed by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, and its members are from the party’s standing committee,” he said. On the first day, candidates from Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur and Faridpur divisions are being interviewed. More than 400 aspirants are taking part in the interviews, Rizvi said. He said interviews for candidates from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Cumilla and Mymensingh divisions will begin at 3:00pm on Saturday. Earlier, the Election Commission on April 8 announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seat election. According to the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals against scrutiny decisions can be filed on April 26 and will be disposed of on April 27 and 28. BNP has political track record of managing crises, achieving growth: Titumir Election symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. The EC said all preparations have been taken to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election. According to seat distribution, the BNP-led alliance will get 36 seats, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents one seat. Since early afternoon, BNP aspirants and their supporters gathered in front of the party Chairman’s Gulshan office. Security personnel allowed only the candidates to enter the premises. Inside the office, a designated waiting area has been arranged for the aspirants. Highlighting the criteria for nomination, Rizvi said the party will consider the contributions of women leaders, especially their role during the last 15-16 years of political struggle. He mentioned that many women leaders faced harassment, including cases, attacks, and intimidation during that period. The BNP leader also said educational background, ability to speak in Parliament, and knowledge of lawmaking will be taken into account in selecting the final candidates. Rizvi expressed hope that the party will make proper evaluations in choosing the women members of parliament.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday urged BNP leaders and activists to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and order across the country and not to take the law into their own hands. He gave the instruction at the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat following the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected members of parliament from Bogura-6 (Sadar) and Sherpur-3 constituencies, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman. Addressing party members at the ceremony, he said they must work closely with the administration and law enforcement agencies so that peace and law and order are maintained in their respective areas. “If anyone does anything that disrupts the peace of the area, it is your responsibility to inform the law enforcement authorities. Never take the law into your own hands,” the Prime Minister said, pointing at party members. He also stressed the importance of development alongside maintaining order. “We must ensure development in every area at any cost, and we must also safeguard peace and stability under all circumstances.”

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday called on all political forces to stay united and work together to build ‘humane Bangladesh’. He described his party’s landslide victory in the national election as not just a triumph for the BNP, but also a victory for Bangladesh and for pro-democracy forces across the country. At a press conference held at a city hotel, Tarique Rahman also congratulated all 51 political parties that participated in the election. Emphasising the importance of unity, he said, “National unity is strength, division is weakness.” We recognise overall election outcome: Jamaat Ameer   He urged all parties to rise above differences and collaborate for the overall development of Bangladesh. “Time has come for collective efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure a stable, inclusive future for the nation.” According to unofficial results, the BNP secured 209 seats in the parliamentary polls.  Tarique Rahman was elected from both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. Members of the BNP Standing Committee were also present at the press conference.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, on Sunday said political parties must take greater responsibility for ensuring women’s security—both online and offline—as well as within their own organisations. “I think political parties should take more responsibility for women’s security in terms of cyberbullying and physical safety,” she said while addressing a seminar in the capital. The seminar titled “Women’s Struggle for Democracy: Contributions and the Bangladesh of Tomorrow”, was held at the Bangladesh Institute of Strategic Studies (BISS) conference hall. Zaima said alongside state laws, political parties should introduce their own codes of conduct to protect women within party structures from harassment and other forms of abuse. “Political parties should have internal codes of conduct so that they can protect women within the party and stand by them if any untoward incident occurs,” she said. Calling for greater participation of women in policymaking, Zaima stressed the need to build and sustain a leadership pipeline from student politics to local government. Read More: Zaima Rahman calls for common platform to build inclusive Bangladesh “If we fail to create and maintain this pipeline, opportunities will not be available and capable women leaders will not come forward,” she said, highlighting the importance of continuity in leadership development. Zaima noted that while men often receive various opportunities in politics, women do not enjoy the same level of access. She also emphasised the role of mentorship and training by political parties in nurturing young women leaders. “Political parties also must take responsibility for mentoring and training young women so that new leadership can emerge,” she said. Read More: Zaima Rahman joins BNP meeting for first time Highlighting the economic barriers faced by women in politics, Zaima said financial constraints remain a major challenge. She urged political parties to provide financial support to reduce gender disparity in politics and promote women’s leadership. “Financing is a major factor in politics. More support and facilities are needed to reduce inequality. If women leaders receive such support, women’s participation in politics will increase,” Zaima said. Urging the effective use of young people’s talents, Tarique’s daughter said the country needs a change in mindset of people to build a different and inclusive Bangladesh.

In a scathing attack, National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator and Jamaat-led 11-party alliance candidate for Dhaka-8 Nasiruddin Patwary on Saturday described BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as a ‘paper tiger’ and Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal ‘terrorist organisations’. “Tarique Rahman’s pressure sometimes leads the government to open fire on the July movement activists, and sometimes on its own people. Tarique Rahman is actually a paper tiger. There is nothing to fear about him,” Nasiruddin said while addressing a rally titled ‘Rally for Bangladesh’ organised by July Oikya at the Central Shaheed Minar in the afternoon. Criticising both Tarique Rahman and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, he said, “Yunus Sir, out of fear of Tarique Rahman, went to London and made a deal with BNP. There is nothing to fear about him. Tarique Rahman. The real Royal Bengal Tiger is the Inqilab Moncho.” Alleging manipulation of the electoral process, Nasiruddin said the Election Commission was moving towards ‘selection in the name of election’. “To ensure Tarique Rahman’s victory, the government has made elaborate arrangements to bring him back to the country. Tarique Rahman and the BNP are being provided with so many facilities and support. This is not a democratic election; this is a selection in the name of an election,” he said. Nasiruddin went on to say, “Those who are loan defaulters and hold dual citizenship were not supposed to be eligible for elections. But by creating mobs in front of the Commission with terrorist organisations like Chhatra Dal and Jubo Dal, extortionists and loan defaulters have been given the opportunity to contest.” Referring to slain Dhaka-8 aspirant and Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Osman Hadi, Nasiruddin quoted him as saying, “Hadi bhai had said that if he went to Parliament, he would deprive extortionists of sleep. Today Hadi bhai is no more, but thousands of Hadis have been born. We will not only keep the extortionists awake—we will make their lives unbearable. If they die, we will put up signboards on their graves saying ‘extortionist’.” Polling environment hampered by admin’s inaction: NCP Nasiruddin also claimed that the attack on Inqilab Moncho activists at Shahbagh and in front of the Chief Adviser’s official residence Jamuna on Friday—during protests demanding justice for Osman Hadi’s killing—was aimed at thwarting the national election scheduled for February 12. “An influential group within the interim government itself wants to derail the election,” he alleged, adding, “No matter what, the election must be held on February 12.”

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said the upcoming national election is not merely about electing public representatives but about restoring people’s rights and rebuilding Bangladesh.  “The February-12 election would be an election to rebuild the country as people had been deprived not only of political rights and freedom of expression but had also fallen behind economically over the past decade,” he said while addressing a massive rally at Thakurgaon Government Boys’ High School ground. Pointing towards some people seated beside the stage, Tarique said their relatives had fallen to enforced disappearances and killings while many others had endured repression and torture over the past decade in their struggle to restore democratic rights. “The time has come for people to reclaim their lost rights,” he said. Addressing youths, he said proper job opportunities have not been created and young people have not been trained as skilled workers as promised. He also stressed the need for empowering women economically, saying half of the country’s population is women and the country cannot move forward without ensuring their employment. Read More: BNP to make women self-reliant if voted to power: Tarique On farmers’ issues, Tarique said the previous authoritarian government had failed to provide necessary economic support to farmers. He said BNP plans to introduce family cards to support women financially and help households run smoothly while agriculture cards would be given to farmers to enable easy access to agricultural loans. Tarique also promised that if BNP wins the election, agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000 would be waived. “BNP wants to move the country forward with people and the support of citizens is essential as people are the real owners of the country,” he said. Seeking votes for the BNP, he said his plans include reopening sugar mills and other industries in the region, establishing Thakurgaon Cadet College, building cold storage facilities for farmers, and creating an IT sector hub to generate employment. He also promised that the local airport would be made operational as soon as possible if BNP forms the government. Read More: Vote for BNP’s ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ against autocracy: Tarique Rahman Tarique said people of all religions would live in peace and everyone would be judged based on merit and competence, not religion. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, also present at the rally, said the country is looking towards Tarique Rahman to rescue it from destruction, urging people to give him full support in these difficult times. BNP candidates from Thakurgaon-1, Thakurgaon-2, Thakurgaon-3, Panchagarh-2 and Dinajpur-1 constituencies also addressed the rally.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will kick off a three-day election campaign in the northern region starting on Thursday, aiming to rally support ahead of the polls. Tarique will leave for Rajshahi at noon by air to formally launch the tour. Tarique is scheduled to address an election rally at Rajshahi Madrasah Ground at 2pm. Later, Sayrul said, he will speak at two more rallies — at Atim Field in Naogaon at 5:30pm and at Alatunnesa Sports Ground at 7:30pm. According to the party, Tarique’s three-day programme includes visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed at Pirganj in Rangpur at 3:45pm on January 30 before addressing a rally at the Rangpur Eidgah Field at 4:30pm. On January 31, the BNP chairman will speak at BSCIC Industrial Park at 2pm and at a roadside rally in the Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway at 4pm. During the tour, the BNP chief will stay overnight for two days at Hotel Naz Garden in Bogura. Tarique began his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet. He later campaigned in Chattogram on 25 January and in Mymensingh on January 27. So far, he has addressed 16 election rallies across various regions. Large crowds attended most venues, with some meetings delayed by three to five hours as supporters waited late into the night for his arrival.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will kick off a three-day election campaign in the northern region starting on Thursday, aiming to rally support ahead of the polls. Tarique will leave for Rajshahi at noon by air to formally launch the tour, BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan said on Wednesday. He said Tarique is scheduled to address an election rally at Rajshahi Madrasah Ground at 2pm on Thursday. Later, Sayrul said, he will speak at two more rallies — at Atim Field in Naogaon at 5:30pm and at Alatunnesa Sports Ground at 7:30pm. According to the party, Tarique’s three-day programme includes visiting the grave of Shaheed Abu Sayeed at Pirganj in Rangpur at 3:45pm on January 30 before addressing a rally at the Rangpur Eidgah Field at 4:30pm. On January 31, the BNP chairman will speak at BSCIC Industrial Park at 2pm and at a roadside rally in the Darun Charjana Bypass area on the Dhaka–Tangail highway at 4pm. During the tour, the BNP chief will stay overnight for two days at Hotel Naz Garden in Bogura. Feb 12 Polls: BNP rebels cloud alliance candidates’ prospects Tarique began his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet. He later campaigned in Chattogram on 25 January and in Mymensingh on January 27. So far, he has addressed 16 election rallies across various regions. Large crowds attended most venues, with some meetings delayed by three to five hours as supporters waited late into the night for his arrival.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday pledged a zero-tolerance stance against corruption and vowed to strengthen public security if his party comes to power through the 13th parliamentary election, warning that no one will be spared for graft or misuse of public resources. Addressing a big election rally at the Polo Ground in the port city, he also said the BNP will make Chattogram the country’s commercial capital if elected, completing an initiative first taken during the party’s last tenure but left unfinished. “We want to make it very clear that corruption is a crime. No matter who commits corruption, the law will apply equally. InshAllah no one will be spared,” Tarique told the crowd. The BNP Chairman also said, “These two things — tackling corruption and ensuring public security — are our commitments to the people of this country.” He said the BNP has proved in the past that it can control corruption, recalling how the Khaleda Zia government succeeded after coming to power in 2001. “When BNP was in office, you saw that even some of our own party leaders who engaged in wrongdoing did not get exemption,” the BNP leader added. Tarique said Chattogram carries historical, emotional and economic significance, and many people have long demanded the declaration of the city as the country’s commercial capital. “That initiative was taken by Begum Khaleda Zia, but could not be fully completed due to lack of time. If BNP forms the next government, the initiative will be implemented as quickly as possible,” he said. Tarique said such a move will create large employment opportunities, strengthen trade and boost economic activities not only in Chattogram but across the country. Introducing BNP candidates from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the Chattogram Hill Tracts, Tarique called upon voters to place their trust in the party’s election symbol, the ‘sheaf of paddy’. “We want to build an expected Bangladesh with everyone — whether from hills or plains, Muslim or another religion,” he said. Read More: Tarique Rahman appeals to voters, highlights BNP’s track record Through the large gathering, Tarique appealed to voters in the wider region to trust the BNP and its party symbol, saying that those who believe in democracy, free speech and citizens’ rights should support the party. “InshAllah, if BNP is elected, we will together build Bangladesh for working people, just like we did in the past,” he added, repeating his slogan: “Korbo kaj, gorbo desh, Shobar Aage Bangladesh” (We shall work, we shall build the country — Bangladesh before everything). Tarique alleged that a new political plot is underway similar to the previous 15 years during which, he claimed, people’s political and economic rights were “taken away”. “I urge you to stay alert so that your right to vote, to speak and to live is not snatched again,” he said. Urging people to vote on the election day, the BNP chief asked supporters to wake up for Tahajjud prayers and then go to their polling stations before dawn. “Offer Tahajjud, then Fajr in front of the polling centre, and stand in line from the very beginning,” he said, to which activists replied, “We will!” and he answered, “InshAllah.” Sunday’s rally marked Tarique’s first major public address in Chattogram in two decades. He last spoke at a similar rally at Laldighi Maidan on May 6, 2005 as BNP’s Senior Joint Secretary General. Now, as party chairman, Chattogram became the second stop of his national campaign outside Dhaka after formally launching his campaign in Sylhet on January 22. Supporters began arriving at the Polo Ground early in the morning from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban. By 10am the field was filled to capacity. Tarique in Chattogram for second phase of election campaign At the beginning of his speech, Tarique greeted the crowd in the local Chattogram dialect, asking, “Onera Ken Achon?” (How are you?). He then made historical references to Chattogram, noting that it was from this city that late President and his father Ziaur Rahman announced the country’s independence in 1971, that he was later killed here, and that his mother Begum Khaleda Zia was conferred the title of “Deshnetri” (leader of the nation). Tarique reached Shah Amanat International Airport on Saturday night and stayed at a hotel before attending Sunday’s programme. He arrived on stage at around 12:30pm and left for Feni at 1:40pm, where he was scheduled to address another election meeting before speaking in Cumilla’s Chauddagram, Suyagazi, Daudkandi, and later at Kanchpur near Narayanganj. Read More: Law and order, corruption high on BNP agenda: Tarique The rally was chaired by City Mayor and Chattogram BNP President Shahadat Hossain. BNP Standing Committee members Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed and other nominees from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the Hill Tracts also addressed the gathering.