United News of Bangladesh

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.

BNP will start interview of nomination seekers for reserved women seats in the 13th Parliament on Friday. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the schedule at a press briefing at the party’s central office at Nayapaltan in the capital on Thursday. Interviews will be held at the BNP’s Chairman’s Gulshan office starting at 3pm on Friday and Saturday. Candidates from Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna, Barishal and Faridpur divisions will be interviewed on Friday while those from Dhaka, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions on Saturday. A large number of aspirants have submitted nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats, prompting the party to arrange the interviews, said Rizvi. BNP nomination board, headed by Party Chairman Tarique Rahman, will conduct the interviews in the presence of members of the party’s standing committee, he added. More than 600 aspirants have collected nomination forms. The Election Commission earlier announced the schedule for the reserved women’s seats election. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21 while scrutiny will take place on April 22 and 23. Appeals can be filed on April 26, and will be settled between April 27 and 28. Symbols will be allotted on April 30, and voting will be held on May 12. According to the seat distribution, the BNP alliance is expected to get 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami alliance 13 seats, and independents one seat.    

Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir on Wednesday said the BNP government has a proven political history of navigating global crises while simultaneously delivering two percent economic growth, asserting that the current government is equally equipped to manage challenges arising from the ongoing Middle East conflict. Titumir made these remarks after the inaugural meeting of the Advisory Committee formed under the Planning Commission's General Economics Division tasked with formulating economic strategies to accelerate national development and implement the government's electoral manifesto. “Every time BNP came to power, it faced a crisis and every time, it overcame that crisis and opened new horizons,” Titumir said. “In the 1970s, President Ziaur Rahman confronted the twin challenges of a global energy crisis and a post-famine economy. He rose to the occasion, laid the foundation of remittance earnings by exporting manpower to the Middle East, and unlocked a new chapter for Bangladesh's economy. In the 1990s, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia spearheaded a revolution in the garment industry. The two pillars of Bangladesh's economy were both built under BNP governance.” He added that even when economists in the 1970s declared the crisis unmanageable, BNP found a way through. “BNP has always had the capacity to mobilise people and manage crises, backed by strong public support. That capacity remains intact today.” Titumir said by objective economic indicators, Bangladesh's growth trajectory has remained essentially stagnant since BNP last left office. “Neutral statistics show that Bangladesh's economic position did not meaningfully advance after BNP's departure. Whenever BNP has taken power, the growth rate has risen by two percentage points.” The adviser stressed that the current government would pursue only realistic and future-oriented economic projects, rejecting schemes that are impractical. “We will not write feel-good narratives. Development will not be confined to rhetoric. The government has begun the task of recovering a damaged economy and moving it forward.” On social protection, Titumir said the previous system was politically motivated, often benefiting party loyalists and those who needed no assistance. “BNP has brought about a social revolution here, ensuring that benefits reach those who truly deserve them. Farmers are getting their fair dues. Women are receiving dignity through the Family Card. This is proof that Bangladesh is steadily moving towards a welfare state.” Responding to questions on fuel prices, Titumir said the government would adjust energy prices in line with global fluctuations but would not rush into any hasty decisions. “We will calibrate price adjustments carefully to ensure inflation does not spike and farmers are not hurt during the Boro season.” He also noted that at least 9 million people had fallen into poverty over the past three years, partly as a result of repeated hikes in gas and electricity prices by the previous government under various pretexts decisions that disproportionately burdened general people. “The current BNP government is accountable to people and every decision will be taken with the people's welfare in mind,” the adviser said, adding that the government would craft strategic policies for energy conservation and build domestic capacity to ensure long-term energy security.

Expressing optimism, Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister on expatriate welfare and overseas employment, said that the ‘Farmers Card’ initiative will contribute significantly to the country’s socio-economic development. Farmers Card will facilitate access to fertiliser, seeds, irrigation services and agricultural machinery. It will also create opportunities for farmers to receive training, he said while speaking at a press briefing held on Monday. In the first phase, a total of 20,000 farmers in 11 upazilas across 10 districts will receive the cards. The programme will later be expanded gradually to include all farmers nationwide. Govt aims to make farmers self-reliant, prosperous: PM The fishermen and livestock farmers will also be brought under the scheme, he added The adviser noted that the initiative would help ensure transparency in the distribution of agricultural subsidies and enable farmers to receive fair prices for their produce. Earlier in the day, the government on Tuesday launched the Farmers’ Card pre-pilot programme in Tangail on Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, marking another step towards fulfilling its election pledges. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the programme at Shaheed Maruf Stadium in Tangail.

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.”

The BNP on Friday started selling party nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad. The programme formally began around 11:00am at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, inaugurated by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Addressing aspiring candidates, Rizvi said the party’s parliamentary board will select nominees based on their political contributions, particularly their roles in movements over the past 16-17 years, along with leadership qualities and the ability to speak effectively in Parliament. He urged party leaders and activists to accept the board’s decisions, warning against creating internal divisions over nominations. “Everyone must respect the party’s decision,” Rizvi said, adding that leaders and activists have made significant sacrifices for the party. He also said nomination forms will be sold until April 12 and must be submitted within this stipulated time. Several hundred women leaders gathered at the party office to collect forms, each paying Tk 2,000, unfolding scenes of enthusiasm and emotion. Rizvi handed over the first nomination form to Jerin Delwar Hossain and the second one to Fatema Asad, wife of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal founding convener Kazi Asaduzzaman Asad. Earlier, the Election Commission announced the election schedule on Wednesday, setting May 12 as the voting date. The deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, while scrutiny will take place on April 22-23. The last date for filing appeals against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers by the returning officer is April 26, while appeals will be disposed of on April 27-28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, and election symbols will be allocated on April 30. Voting by MPs will be held on May 12. The reserved seats are filled through an indirect election system based on the proportional representation of political parties in the 300 general seats. MPs are required to vote if there is more than one candidate for a seat. However, voting is usually not needed, as parties generally nominate candidates equal to their allocated seats. According to the EC, BNP and its allies will receive 36 seats, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners 13 seats, and independent lawmakers one seat, making a total of 50. As per the law, the EC must hold elections for the reserved women’s seats within 90 days of the gazette notification of the general election results, which was issued on February 13, the day after the election.  

The BNP will start selling nomination forms for the reserved women’s seats of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad on Friday. The forms will be available at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan from 11am on April 10 and will continue to be sold until April 12, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said on Thursday. He said aspirants will be able to both collect and submit nomination forms during this period, with April 12 set as the final day for both purchase and submission. The development came after the Election Commission (EC) had announced the election schedule for the 50 reserved women’s seats. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the schedule on Wednesday at a press briefing, setting May 12 as the date for the voting. According to the schedule, the deadline for submission of nomination papers is April 21, which must be submitted to the EC Secretariat. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 22 and 23. The last date for filing appeals against the acceptance and rejection of nomination papers by the returning officer is April 26, while disposal of appeals will take place on April 27 and 28. The deadline for withdrawal of candidature is April 29, and election symbols will be allocated on April 30. The voting by MPs will be held on May 12. The reserved seats are filled through an indirect election system based on proportional representation of political parties in the 300 general seats. MPs are required to cast votes if there is more than one candidate for a seat. However, voting is usually unnecessary as parties generally nominate candidates equal to their allocated seats. According to the EC, BNP and its allies will receive 36 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami and its alliance partners 13 seats, and independent lawmakers one seat, making a total of 50. As per the law, the EC must hold elections for the reserved women’s seats within 90 days of the gazette notification of the general election results, which was issued on February 13, the day after the election.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and his wife Rahat Ara Begum left for Singapore on Monday night for medical check-ups. They departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 11:55pm on a Singapore Airlines flight, said Yunus Ali, Assistant Private Secretary to the minister. “Sir and Madam have gone to Singapore for health check-ups and to consult doctors. They will see specialist physicians there. Their appointments with doctors have been scheduled for Tuesday,” he said. Yunus also said Fakhrul and his wife are expected to return home in about a week. Fakhrul and Rahat Ara Begum have previously travelled to Singapore for treatment. They last visited the country on April 6, 2025, for medical check-ups. In 2015, while in jail, a blockage was detected in Fakhrul’s internal carotid artery. After his release, he went to Singapore for treatment. Since then, he has been travelling there regularly for follow-up treatment.  

The BNP Standing Committee on Saturday night discussed holding the party’s next national council and expanding its political and organisational activities. “We discussed how we can quickly move the party towards a council in the near future in order to further expand our political and organisational activities,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after over a two-hour meeting of the party’s Standing Committee at the party chairman’s Gulshan office. Fakhrul said the meeting also reviewed the 47-day programme taken by Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, and Standing Committee members shared their opinions and suggestions on various aspects of the initiatives. He said their discussions mainly focused on strengthening and expanding the party’s organisational and political activities. “We will try to move towards the council as quickly as possible, and we discussed this in detail,” he added. Asked whether the party council will be held before Eid-ul-Azha, he replied in the negative, saying it would take at least a few months to prepare before fixing a date. The party last held its sixth national council on March 19, 2016. Replying to another question, he said the issue of nomination of party candidates for the parliament’s reserved seats for women did not come up for discussion at their meeting. He said their chairman convened the meeting of the Standing Committee, the party’s highest policymaking body, to discuss how to keep the party active and continue its regular activities. The meeting began at around 8:40pm with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair and ended around 11:50pm. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku and Prof AZM Zahid Hossain attended the meeting in person. Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman joined the meeting virtually. Another Standing Committee member, Mirza Abbas, is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore. This was the first meeting of the BNP’s highest policymaking body since the party returned to power through the February 12 national election. The last meeting of the Standing Committee was held on January 9 at the same venue.  

The BNP Standing Committee, the party’s highest policymaking body, sat in a meeting on Saturday night at the party chairman’s Gulshan office. The meeting began around 8:40pm with BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku and Prof AZM Zahid Hossain joined the meeting in person. Two other members Nazrul Islam Khan and Selima Rahman joined the meeting virtually. Another Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore. This is the first meeting of the BNP’s highest policymaking body since the party returned to power through the February 12 national election. A Standing Committee member, requesting anonymity, said the meeting is expected to discuss the country’s latest political situation, the energy crisis and several organisational matters. Its last meeting was held on January 9 at the same venue.