[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

[Saif]

‘If Nahid did not respect the president, why did he take the oath?’ Khosru asks

Finance minister tells parliament, NCP MP’s criticism of President Shahabuddin is contradictory

www.thedailystar.net

‘If Nahid did not respect the president, why did he take the oath?’ Khosru asks

Finance minister tells parliament, NCP MP’s criticism of President Shahabuddin is contradictory

Star Online Report

Illustration: Anwar Sohel/Star Digital Graphics

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury today said anyone who believes in constitutional democracy must respect its institutions, noting that the president himself is one such institution.

While speaking on the thanksgiving motion on the president's address in the House, Khosru said he does not have any personal affection for President Mohammed Sahahabuddin.

Referring to NCP MP Nahid Islam, the finance minister said another member has made several remarks about the president. “But the president is an institution -- he is not merely an individual.”

“Take Nahid, for example. He took his oath of office from the president. If he did not respect the president, why did he take the oath?” Khosru asked.

“If you became a minister by swearing in before the president, then you acknowledged the institution. I give you credit for that; you did the right thing, because you respected the institution,” the minister added.

“Now that you are no longer a minister and are sitting in the opposition, you are once again denying the president the respect owed to his office as an institution. That contradiction is clear in your statements,” Khosru said.

“Such comments are unacceptable. If you believe in constitutional democracy, you must respect its institutions. This is not about individuals, it is about respecting the institutions of constitutional democracy. That respect must be ensured,” he added.

The July Charter, BNP’s 31-point outline for reforms, and the party's election manifesto are fully aligned, he said.

July Charter is the “mother agreement.” The subsequent developments are like its sons and grandsons. “But instead of focusing on the mother agreement, you spend all day talking about the sons and grandsons,” he said.

“Secondly, based on this charter, BNP aligned its manifesto, campaigned, and went to the people. The people endorsed us with a two-thirds majority,” the finance minister added.

“The parliament is sovereign. At the end of the day, all roads lead to the parliament. Decisions must be made here,” he said.

“We came with a mandate. The July Charter itself says that whichever party wins will implement its decisions. That is exactly what we are doing -- nothing more, nothing less.”

After talking about the grim economic condition that they inherited form previous governments, the finance minister warned that the next two years will be difficult. “Many decisions will have to be made, and many measures taken that may not be popular. To overcome this tough situation, hard choices are unavoidable.”

The finance minister sought the opposition’s cooperation. “This is in the interest of the country, in the interest of all. To lift the economy up, we must work together in unity. Our leadership is sound, our captain is sound, and I believe the captain’s vision is sound -- he is working from a position of fairness and justice,” he said.

He noted at present, non-performing loans are over 30 percent. When defaults exceed 30 percent, the economy almost grinds to a halt. In 2005, this figure was 13 percent.

On the issue of rescheduling BNP leaders’ loans, the finance minister clarified that loan rescheduling is a normal process in business and banking culture. “BNP did not invent it. From the day banking systems began in the world, loan rescheduling has existed -- and it will continue in the future,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Wife says senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas feeling ‘much better’

Mirza Abbas, the prime minister's political advisor and a senior BNP leader undergoing treatment at a hospital in Malaysia, is now “feeling much better,” says his wife. On Wednesday night, Afroza Abbas said: "[His] condition is much better now. He is feeling much better. "His physical

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Wife says senior BNP leader Mirza Abbas feeling ‘much better’

bdnews24.com

Published :
May 06, 2026 22:39
Updated :
May 06, 2026 22:39

Mirza Abbas, the prime minister's political advisor and a senior BNP leader undergoing treatment at a hospital in Malaysia, is now “feeling much better,” says his wife.

On Wednesday night, Afroza Abbas said: "[His] condition is much better now. He is feeling much better.

"His physical condition has improved. He is being given therapy every day."

Afroza requested Bangladeshis living at home and abroad to pray for his speedy recovery.

On her Facebook account, Afroza posted two photos showing the former minister sitting on a wheelchair, flanked by family members including herself.

Afroza said: "This photo was taken [Wednesday]."

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas was first admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Mar 11 after suddenly losing consciousness during Iftar in Ramadan.

A medical team of neurology specialists later performed emergency brain surgery.

On Mar 15, the Dhaka-8 lawmaker was airlifted to Singapore and admitted to the General Hospital for better treatment.

After a month of intensive care, his condition improved substantially.

On medical advice, he was shifted to Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia on Apr 14 for continued physiotherapy.​

 

[Saif]

Get ready to play effective role in JS: PM to BNP women MPs

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the BNP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) from women’s reserved seats to get prepared for playing an effective role in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS). He came up with the directive while addressing a meeting with the newly elected women MPs at the

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Get ready to play effective role in JS: PM to BNP women MPs

UNB

Published :
May 18, 2026 20:07
Updated :
May 18, 2026 20:07

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday directed the BNP’s Members of Parliament (MPs) from women’s reserved seats to get prepared for playing an effective role in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

He came up with the directive while addressing a meeting with the newly elected women MPs at the Public Administration Hall of the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat, said a release issued by the PM’s Press Wing.

Tarique Rahman, also the Chairman of the ruling BNP, said the women MPs must enrich themselves with information and have a clear understanding of parliamentary rules and procedures to become skilled lawmakers.

He also instructed them to remain careful and responsible while speaking in Parliament.

The Prime Minister asked the lawmakers to stay alert so that no one can mislead people through the misinterpretation of religion.

He also stressed the need for increasing public engagement in their respective constituencies. “People suffered from a kind of mental distress for 17 years. They could not speak freely. After the BNP government assumed office, people are now enjoying all democratic rights,” he said.

During the meeting, the women MPs shared their views on parliamentary activities, the current political situation and implementation of the government’s election pledges.

All 36 BNP women MPs were present at the meeting, with 17 of them delivering speeches.

Of the 350 seats in Parliament, 50 are reserved for women. BNP secured 36 of those seats.

Talking to UNB, Arifa Sultana Ruma, MP, said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told them that the party will provide training on parliamentary procedures before the second session of the 13th Parliament begins.

She said Tarique Rahman also urged them to strengthen their engagement with people in their respective areas and actively promote the party’s ideals and activities at the grassroots level.

BNP Secretary General, and Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and party’s Senior Joint Secretary General, and Prime Minister’s Political and Agriculture Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were present at the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

BNP eyes local govt elections; challenges include ensuring single candidates, reviving party activities

The government is preparing to hold Union Parishad elections between November and December this year. These polls may mark the beginning of local government elections across the country. However, with no party symbols being used, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is concerned about the...

en.prothomalo.com

BNP eyes local govt elections; challenges include ensuring single candidates, reviving party activities
With no party symbols being used, the governing party, the BNP, is concerned about the possibility of “rebel” candidates and election-related violence. At the same time, the party sees the local elections as an opportunity to accelerate its organisational activities at the grassroots level.

Selim Zahid
Published: 20 May 2026, 15: 43

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who is also chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, addresses a roadside rally in Cumilla on 16 May. Most of the banners and festoons around the venue belonged to aspirants seeking the party’s nomination in the upcoming local elections. Prothom Alo

The government is preparing to hold Union Parishad elections between November and December this year. These polls may mark the beginning of local government elections across the country.

However, with no party symbols being used, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is concerned about the possibility of “rebel” candidates and election-related violence. At the same time, the party sees the local elections as an opportunity to accelerate its organisational activities at the grassroots level.

Relevant sources said the upcoming national budget will include the necessary allocation for holding the elections. After the Union Parishad polls, elections for other tiers of local government are planned in phases.

Local Government Minister and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Prothom Alo that Union Parishad elections would be held within this year, likely by December. Elections will first be held in those unions where the terms of the councils have already expired. Pourasava elections will follow afterward.

Multiple sources at both the government and BNP policymaking levels said the prolonged absence of elected representatives in Union Parishads has severely disrupted public services at the grassroots level. Although administrators and secretaries are currently managing operations, this is not their primary responsibility. As a result, the quality of services has declined, directly affecting ordinary citizens.

After assuming office, the interim government removed elected representatives of city corporations, pourasavas, upazilas, and Union Parishads who had been elected during the previous Awami League government through what it described as controversial elections, and appointed administrators in their place. Consequently, most levels of local government are now effectively without elected representatives. Many former representatives remain in hiding.

Against this backdrop, while preparations for local government elections are underway, several strategic concerns are evident within the BNP. Party policymakers say the two main challenges are ensuring single candidates and maintaining the party’s image through peaceful elections.

Message on local polls at major meeting

Since elections will not be held under party symbols this time, the risk of multiple candidates contesting the same post has increased. There are concerns that aspirants who fail to secure party backing may still run independently. In this context, the BNP’s top leadership has become active in preserving party discipline and unity.

On 9 May, Prime Minister and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman held an exchange meeting at the Krishibid Institution auditorium in Khamarbari, Dhaka, with central and district-level leaders of the BNP and its three affiliated organisations — Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal. It was the party’s first large-scale organizational meeting since the 12 February parliamentary election.

The meeting was attended by members of the party’s Standing Committee, all divisional organising and co-organising secretaries, presidents and general secretaries of district and metropolitan committees, as well as central leaders of Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, and Chhatra Dal.

Relevant sources said 11 ministers and state ministers, including the Prime Minister, were also present. During the closed-door meeting, grassroots leaders questioned ministers on various issues, and the ministers responded accordingly.

At the meeting, Tarique Rahman delivered a message emphasising that local government elections must be neutral and competitive. Multiple attendees said he advised leaders and activists to remain united, win public support through good conduct, and earn people’s trust through field-level work.

Sources said Tarique Rahman clearly stated that, unlike the previous government, he had no opportunity to use administrative influence or party privileges to ensure anyone’s victory. Candidates would have to win through actual work.

The issue of “rebel” candidates in various constituencies during the 13th parliamentary election also came up at the meeting. In that context, discussions were held about possible rebel candidates in the upcoming local government elections as well. It is learned that divisional organising and co-organising secretaries have been given special responsibilities to discourage such candidates. They will contact potential contenders and urge them to comply with party decisions.

According to the government’s plan, Union Parishad elections may begin first in the southern Barishal division. However, both the party and the government are remaining cautious from now on, keeping in mind the risks of violence and intense competition surrounding the polls.

Indications of a Tougher Law-and-Order Stance

Concerns over election-related violence are among the BNP leadership’s major worries regarding local government polls. Since there will be no party symbols, multiple candidates from the same party may contest in many areas. BNP leaders believe this could increase the risk of local rivalries, power struggles, and clashes.

Law-and-order issues were also discussed at the 9 May meeting. According to meeting sources, grassroots leaders demanded visible measures to improve the law-and-order situation.

Later, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned everyone that law and order would be brought under control at any cost. No one’s identity or political affiliation would be taken into consideration in this regard.

The Home Minister further said that while there had been some leniency due to the long movement and repression, law enforcement would now be applied strictly. Things would no longer be viewed leniently, and internal divisions must therefore be reduced.

Several BNP leaders believe the local government elections will also be a major test for the government. Since the polls will take place after the national election, they will serve as the first major test of the government’s popularity at the grassroots level, its administrative capacity, and its ability to maintain law and order. For the party, meanwhile, the elections will test organisational discipline and public engagement.

Party sources said new programmes have been adopted to strengthen organisational activities ahead of the elections. During the closed-door meeting on 9 May, district and metropolitan leaders of the BNP and its affiliated organisations were given two key directives.

One was to counter what the BNP describes as “propaganda” by opponents regarding constitutional reforms and the July National Charter. The other was to promote the government’s welfare-oriented initiatives at the grassroots level. To this end, rallies and public meetings are being planned across the country.

Relevant individuals say the BNP’s internal realities are also a major reason behind this renewed activity. Since the 12 February parliamentary election, the party’s organisational activities have slowed considerably.

Some leaders and activists have become inactive, while others have formed local circles around members of parliament. Many have become more focused on business and contracting work, reducing their attention to party affairs. The central office has therefore taken initiatives to revive grassroots activity and overcome this stagnation.

At a BNP workers’ meeting in Sylhet on 2 May, Tarique Rahman addressed party members. Ahead of the local elections, the BNP is now actively reorganising itself at the grassroots level.

In a letter sent on 10 May to the top two leaders of district and metropolitan BNP units across the country, instructions were issued to intensify organisational activities. The letter, signed by the Prime Minister’s Political Adviser and BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, called for greater coordination at the local level in designing and implementing programs. The letter also stated that the party expects the directives to be implemented with due importance.

BNP policymakers believe local government elections are not merely about filling an administrative vacuum; they are also an opportunity to reactivate the party organization at the grassroots level.

However, to capitalise on that opportunity, the party will have to manage three major challenges: ensuring single candidates, preventing “rebel” contenders, and controlling election-related violence.​