United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho has opined that “politics can be very cruel,” while expressing concern over the silence of Awami League leaders regarding the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. In a post on his verified Facebook page on Thursday, Barrister Andaleeve Rahman wrote that Begum Khaleda Zia is critically ill and that people from all religions, professions, and walks of life across Bangladesh are worried, saddened, and praying for her recovery. “Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prayed for the recovery of Begum Khaleda Zia. However, it is surprising that I have not heard a single word from any of the top leaders of the Awami League in this regard. Politics is sometimes very cruel,” he added. Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital since November 23 after being admitted with multiple health complications. As her condition worsened, she was moved to the Critical Care Unit on 27 November, where she is still under close observation. Doctors said Khaleda Zia is receiving intensive care for several complications related to her liver, kidneys and heart. She may be flown to the United Kingdom early Friday for advanced treatment by a royal air ambulance provided by the Emir of Qatar, said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday.

Rashed Khan, general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, has warned that the Election Commission will face protests if Awami League allies and dummy candidates take part in the next national elections. He made the remarks on Wednesday evening after a road rally at Hatgopalpur Bazar in Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila. Rashed said that if Awami League members contest elections as independent candidates with money or foreign backing, the people will resist. He also warned that a movement could be formed against the interim government if it shows flexibility toward such participation. Rashed recalled the July mass uprising, saying many people, including children, were killed. He stated that Awami League members involved in past oppression will not be allowed to take part in the next elections unless they are held accountable. However, he clarified that those who have not harmed the people will not face oppression. He urged voters not to be influenced by money and promised that dummy Awami League candidates would be rejected by the public. “As soon as you see Awami League dummy candidates, you will drive them out,” he said. Rashed also prayed for the recovery of National Leader Begum Khaleda Zia, calling her a symbol of Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democracy. The rally was attended by GOP’s District President Md. Sakhawat Hossain, General Secretary Zahid Iqbal Rajan, and Jubo Odhikar Parishad Organizing Secretary Mission Ali.  

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman visited BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in the capital on Tuesday night. He arrived at the hospital in Bashundhara around 10pm, stayed for a while, and later spoke to reporters. Seeking prayers for Khaleda Zia, Ameer said “It comforts me that I could see her with my own eyes. May Allah forgive her, have mercy on her, and grant her the blessing of recovery.” “Everything rests with Allah. He can take the living and give life to those near death. Alhamdulillah, since she is still surviving, we hope and pray she recovers soon, inshallah,” he said. The Jamaat chief inquired about her treatment and prayed for patience and strength for her family during this difficult time. He once again urged all to pray for her recovery and requested that people avoid crowding the hospital and disrupting order. Two more foreign specialists' teams set to arrive Wednesday for Khaleda Earlier, the chiefs of the three armed forces also visited Khaleda Zia at the hospital. The BNP chairperson was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after routine health check-ups. Her condition worsened over the course of her stay in the hospital.  

The National Citizen Party and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) have received final registration from the Election Commission (EC). As no objections were filed against the parties, the EC issued the official gazette on Monday. With this, both parties will be able to contest the upcoming election with their own symbols. The two parties have also been invited to join the EC’s dialogue scheduled for Wednesday. However, the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party has not yet received final approval, as objections were submitted against it. Bangladesh Election: EC to launch mobile app for postal balloting Tuesday On November 4, the EC issued a public notice announcing its preliminary decision to grant registration to three parties. It also fixed until November 12 inviting objections, if any, against the registration of the parties. A total of 10–15 objections were filed against the Bangladesh Aam Jonogon Party, which is under further review.      

Eight like-minded political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon, on Sunday urged citizens to vote ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, expressing concern over public confusion after the government announced a national parliamentary election and a referendum on the same day. The parties, now united in a joint movement for five-point reform, called on the government to resolve the uncertainty and ensure a smooth process. Speaking at a press conference at Al-Falah Auditorium in Moghbazar, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, representing the eight-party alliance, said, “The date of the referendum should have been announced before the national election to give legal validity to the proposed reforms. The failure to do so has created confusion, and it is the government’s responsibility to address this.” He said the top leaders of all eight parties had agreed to support the reforms in the referendum and would actively encourage a ‘Yes’ vote. Earlier, a joint meeting of the top leaders of the eight parties was held at the same venue, chaired by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Participants included leaders from Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party, National Democratic Party (JAGPA), Bangladesh Development Party and Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan. The leaders discussed the political situation and strategies to implement the July National Charter reforms through the referendum. Parwar emphasised the need to appoint neutral officials at all administrative levels, including Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police, to ensure free and fair elections. “If loyalists of a particular party are appointed in the administration, conducting a neutral election will be impossible,” he said. He also claimed that public sentiment strongly favours a ‘Yes’ vote, while those campaigning for ‘No’ oppose both the reforms and a neutral electoral process. On the continuation of the eight-party movement, Parwar said, “The eight-party liaison committee is responsible for our programme. They will convene and make announcements. Not all our demands have been met, so our movement will continue.”

Aam Janatar Dal Member Secretary Tarek Rahman ended his hunger strike on Sunday night after 134 hours, following a request from BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed. Later, he was taken to Gonoshasthaya Nagar Hospital by an ambulance for medical treatment. Earlier, Salahuddin visited him in front of the Election Commission office in Agargaon, where Tarek had been on a hunger strike since Tuesday, protesting the Commission’s decision not to include his party’s name in the list of registered political parties. Talking to reporters, Salahuddin said he came to see Tarek because his health has become very weak after the long hunger strike. “Tarek Rahman of Aam Janatar Dal is a shining star in the struggle against fascism in Bangladesh,” he said. “Many of those who joined him in the movement have become martyrs or were injured — some have even been left crippled.” The BNP leader said Tarek himself suffered extreme persecution under the fascist rule. He has been detained and brutally tortured while in remand and his wrists were once so tightly handcuffed that the skin rotted. “The whole nation feels sympathy for him — we all do.” Salahuddin said Tarek and his party wanted to join the democratic process by forming a political party and applied for registration with the Election Commission. After a long review, he said the Aam Janatar Dal was informed that their application could not be considered. “Aam Janatar Dal leaders told me several times that they faced harassment during the field-level verification process. Local election officials at upazila and district levels have harassed them repeatedly.” The BNP leader urged the Election Commission to look into these allegations seriously and ensure fairness. “We have requested that, if they appeal, the Commission should review their case compassionately and lawfully. I have already spoken to some senior Commission officials. I hope justice will be done.” He said Tarek’s condition had become very critical and risky due to the long hunger strike. “That is why I came here today and requested him to end it. He agreed to my request and broke his hunger strike. Salahuddin said Tarek must be taken to hospital and kept under close observation. “His health is fragile, but I hope he will recover soon.” He also hoped that the Election Commission will consider his party’s appeal with sympathy and ensure a proper investigation at the field level The BNP leader said the Tarek’s party is expected to file an appeal with the Election Commission on Monday. Tarek began his hunger strike on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the Commission announced registration for three other parties — the National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party. Leaders and activists from various political parties and organisations, including BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad, expressed solidarity with Tarek during his protest. On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla also held separate sit-in programmes in front of the Commission gate in support of his demand. Earlier, on March 10, 2025, the Election Commission invited applications from new political parties seeking registration by April 20 ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The deadline was later extended to June 22, and 143 parties applied. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level verification to assess their eligibility and authenticity. Since the introduction of the registration system before the 2008 general election, a total of 57 parties have obtained registration. Five of them later lost their status, though two regained it.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Sunday urged Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarek Rahman, who is on a hunger strike demanding registration of his party, to appeal to the Election Commission following legal procedures. Speaking at a briefing at the Nirbachan Bhaban on Sunday afternoon Akhtar Ahmed said the EC will consider the matter if the Aam Janatar Dal proceeds through the proper legal channels. “The commission has already informed you through a letter of our position from a legal standpoint. Now you can appeal and address the gaps that exist. Appeal, correction, modification, or extension of time — these are usual practices,” he said. The EC senior secretary also said any appeal from the Aam Janatar Dal should be submitted through the EC secretary’s office. Meanwhile, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain visited the site on Sunday afternoon to express solidarity with Tarek Rahman.  Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarek Rahman began a 'hunger strike unto death' on Tuesday afternoon shortly after the announcement of the EC’s decision to award registration to three other parties—National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party. He has already spent 125 hours on hunger strike. People from various parties, organisations, and professions including BNP and Gono Odhikar Parishad expressed solidarity with Tarek. On Wednesday morning, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla joined the demonstration with separate sit-in programmes at the EC gate. On March 10, 2025 the Commission invited applications from the new political parties by April 20 next to get registered ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The EC received applications from 143 parties seeking registration within the extended deadline of June 22 last. After scrutiny, 22 parties were shortlisted for field-level inquiries to verify the authenticity of their claims of fulfillment of registration conditions. A total of 57 parties have so far obtained registration since the registration system was introduced before the 2008 general election. Later, five of them lost their status but two parties regained the registration. Besides, the registration of Awami League remains suspended.  

Three political parties, which were denied registration by the Election Commission, staged demonstrations in front of Nirbachan Bhaban on Wednesday, demanding official recognition. The three parties—Aam Janatar Dal, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party, and Moulik Bangla—staged separate programmes, demanding registration as political parties ahead of the next general election. Aam Janatar Dal member secretary Tarique Rahman began a hunger strike unto death on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed announced the decision to award registration to three other parties—National Citizen Party (NCP), Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and Bangladesh Aam Janagan Party. On Wednesday morning, Bangladesh Justice and Development Party and Moulik Bangla joined the demonstration with separate sit-in programmes at the EC gate. Till 8:30pm on Wednesday, leaders of the three parties were seen continuing their programmes.

Juboshakti, the youth wing of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has strongly condemned and protested what it described as a ‘false and politically motivated’ case filed against party Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary by a Jubo Dal leader. In a joint statement on Monday, Juboshakti Convener Advocate Md Tarikul Islam and Member Secretary Dr Zahedul Islam said the defamation case was intended to harass Patwary for his “truthful and constructive remarks” made during a recent discussion. Earlier in the day, Kazi Mukituzzaman, a member of the convening committee of Dhaka South Jubo Dal, filed a defamation case against Nasiruddin Patwary with the court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Zakir Hossain, accusing him of making defamatory remarks against Jubo Dal leader Rabiul Islam Nayon during a conference at the BMA Auditorium in Dhaka on November 1. The court later directed the Detective Branch (DB) of police to investigate the allegations and submit a report. Responding to the development, Juboshakti leaders said, “Nasiruddin Patwary has always stood for truth-based and rational politics. His comments reflected accountability and political integrity. The individuals, engaged in extortion and corruption, are now trying to hide their misdeeds by filing this baseless case.” NCP’s Nasiruddin Patwary sued for ‘defamation’ “Such politically motivated cases are nothing but an attempt to intimidate young, emerging voices in Bangladesh’s political arena. Punishing someone for speaking the truth contradicts the spirit of democracy and freedom of expression,” the statement says. Juboshakti leaders urged the top leadership of the BNP’s Jubo Dal to immediately withdraw what they called a ‘false case’ and to take legal action against those actually involved in extortion and corruption.    

The eight-party alliance, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has announced a fresh set of programmes to press home its previously declared five-point demand. The announcement came at a press conference on Monday where Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque made the declaration. Speaking at the event, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, “One of the parties is suddenly opposing the consensus we reached earlier. We hope they will clarify their stance soon. Unless the July Charter is implemented, there is no use debating whether the referendum will come before or after the election. The referendum itself must ensure the implementation of the July Charter, otherwise attention will shift during the ‘yes or no’ vote on election day.” Maulana Mamunul Haque said, “Bangladesh is now on the threshold of the 13th national election. Yet the dream that people saw through the July Charter—the vision for a new political framework—remains unfulfilled.” “Our struggle to realise the five-point demand of the eight-party alliance will continue. We have long been urging for the July Charter to be given legal status. The government must immediately issue an order to implement it. A separate referendum must be held on the July Charter before the national election. Any amendment to the RPO will not be accepted—we demand it remain unchanged,” he added. He further expressed optimism that all political parties could reach a consensus through dialogue and that the next national election would be held on the legal basis of the July Charter. The newly announced programmes include a mass procession on November 6 to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser and a protest rally on November 11. Commenting on the government’s seven-day deadline, Mamunul Haque said, “We believe the parties will hold discussions and reach an understanding within this time.” Leaders present at the press conference included Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim (Charmonai Pir), Maulana Yunus Ahmad, Prof Ashraf Ali Akon, Jamaat leaders Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and AHM Hamidur Rahman Azad, Nizami Islam Party’s Mufti Harun Izhar, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque and Secretary General Maulana Jalal Uddin, Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Dr Ahmad Abdul Kader, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) spokesperson Rashed Pradhan, among others. Earlier in the morning, top leaders of the eight parties met at the central office of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. Shafiqur re-elected as Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami The five-point demand centers around the implementation of the July Charter and related electoral reforms. These are: implementation of the July Charter before the national election through a separate referendum, legal recognition and constitutional basis for the July Charter to ensure the upcoming election reflects the new framework; no amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) — the electoral law must remain unchanged, and finally formation of an interim or neutral administration in line with the July Charter’s spirit to oversee the upcoming 13th national election. It also called for the release of political prisoners and withdrawal of false cases to create an inclusive and participatory political environment.