[🇧🇩] Monitoring the political activities of BNP

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Either listen to what BNP says or leave: BNP leader to OCs, UNOs

Chattogram south city Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) convener and former Patiya upazila chairman Idris Mia has said the administration will be forced to listen to the BNP leaders and activists if they remain united. “The administration will be forced to listen to the BNP if we remain...

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Either listen to what BNP says or leave: BNP leader to OCs, UNOs
Staff Correspondent Chattogram
Published: 16 Jun 2025, 18: 24

Chattogram south city BNP convener and former Patiya upazila chairman Idrich Mia

Chattogram south city Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) convener and former Patiya upazila chairman Idris Mia has said the administration will be forced to listen to the BNP leaders and activists if they remain united.

“The administration will be forced to listen to the BNP if we remain united. Either they listen to us or the OC’s and UNO’s will have to leave this place. They should not be given chances anymore. There is no time for that either. We will have to realise our demand on our own,” he stated.

He made the remarks while addressing an Eid reunion orgnised jointly by all BNP units of Satkania upazila at a local community hall in the upazila on Tuesday.

A video of his speech went vial on social media drawing massive criticism countrywide.

The video shows a banner behind the BNP leader during his speech which mentioned Satkania upazila BNP organisational unit as the organiser of the Eid reunion programme. Idris Ali was the chief guest at the programme.

Asked about the viral video, the BNP leader claimed he had not given any such speech addressing the upazila nirbahi officers or the officers-in-charge (OC) of the local police station.

Idris claimed that the video was generated artificially to undermine him.

Earlier, on 2 February, the BNP announced the partial committee for the party’s Chattogram south city unit. The complete committee was announced on 6 May. Before this term, Idris Mia also served as the vice-president of the same unit of the BNP.​

 

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Tarique’s return looms large; Gulshan Avenue’s 196 house prepared for him

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, situated on a 32-katha plot donated to her by the government in 1981, has been prepared for her elder son and party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to stay with his family, as he is preparing to return home, ending his 17 years of exile in Londo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tarique’s return looms large; Gulshan Avenue’s 196 house prepared for him

Published :
Jun 17, 2025 22:05
Updated :
Jun 17, 2025 22:05

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence, situated on a 32-katha plot donated to her by the government in 1981, has been prepared for her elder son and party Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to stay with his family, as he is preparing to return home, ending his 17 years of exile in London, according to BNP insiders.

They said the duplex house at 196 Gulshan Avenue, located just beside Khaleda’s current residence ‘Feroza’ and formerly used by a multinational company, has undergone major renovation to make it suitable for Tarique’s residential use, UNB reports.

A number of senior BNP leaders confirmed that Tarique will move into this house once he returns from London.

Earlier, on June 5, the interim government handed over the title deed of the house to Khaleda Zia.

After the assassination of Ziaur Rahman on May 31, 1981, while he was President of the Republic, his wife Khaleda Zia was allotted the house.

Besides, BNP leaders said a new political office close to the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office is being rented for him, which he is expected to use to lead the party’s next election-related activities.

Party insiders have hinted that Tarique’s return is closely tied to the announcement of a clear election roadmap by the Election Commission. “Once the roadmap is in place, he will come back to reenergise the party and lead from the front,” said a senior BNP leader close to Tarique, requesting anonymity.

He said they believe the Election Commission will announce the election roadmap within July, as the government is trying to make notable progress regarding reforms and the trial of those involved in mass killings during the July–August mass uprising last year.

“Tarique Rahman may return home any day before the historic August 5, the day of the ousting of the Awami fascist regime, if the election roadmap is announced by July,” the BNP leader said.

He said Tarique will be given a grand reception from the airport to the Gulshan house upon his return, to make his homecoming a historic and memorable day.

Besides, the BNP leader said their party has plans to hold a grand public rally on August 5 in front of BNP’s Nayapaltan central office to mark the fall of the Awami League regime and the fleeing of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina in the face of a mass uprising on that day last year.

"If all goes as planned, Tarique Rahman will attend the rally and deliver an address as the chief guest—marking his first in-person political appearance after his homecoming,” he said.

Contacted, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said Tarique Rahman will return home very soon.

He said all arrangements have been made, including preparing the house, to welcome their acting chairman upon his return.

Another BNP Standing Committee member, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, said Tarique Rahman will definitely stay in a suitable house when he returns.

When the date of Tarique’s return approaches, he said, initiatives by his party and family regarding his residence will become visible.

During a recent visit to Gulshan Avenue, it was seen that house number 196 has undergone renovation, making it a neat and well-kept two-storey white house surrounded by trees. The British multinational company, which had been using the house, vacated it six months back.

Party insiders said the inside of the house has also been decorated beautifully. “This decoration work has been going on for the past few months and is now fully complete,” said a close aide of Tarique Rahman.

He also said Tarique Rahman's wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, visited the house before going back to London.

During the 1/11 government, Tarique Rahman was arrested on March 7, 2007. He was granted bail on September 3, 2008, and left for London with his family on September 11 for medical treatment. Since then, he has been living in London with wife Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman.

During the last Awami League government, he was sentenced in five different cases in his absence, while around 100 cases were filed against him.

But after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, he was cleared of all charges through legal processes. Now, he has no cases pending against him.

On June 12, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no government bar on Tarique Rahman's return to the country and he may come back anytime.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also told reporters recently that Tarique Rahman would “definitely return” and the party is expecting him “very soon.”

Speculation about his return intensified after a meeting in London last week between Tarique Rahman and Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.​

 

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BNP wants to keep trust in the govt

The BNP will continue its course with trust and confidence in the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus

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BNP wants to keep trust in the govt
Special Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 17 Jun 2025, 23: 16

The BNP will continue its course with trust and confidence in the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The party’s top leaders have taken a decision in principle not to get involved in anything that may create mistrust for now.

The BNP will continue to place its trust and confidence in the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. Accordingly, the party's policymaking leaders have taken a decision in principle to refrain from engaging in anything that could create distrust at this stage.

A reliable source in the party says during discussions at the BNP’s standing committee meeting last night, Monday, the party considered the issue in light of two recent developments: the London meeting and the subsequent situation, and the movement led by party leader Ishraque Hossain.

At the London meeting on 13 June, during discussions with BNP's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, the interim government's chief adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, indicated that national elections could possibly take place in the first half of February next year.

The chief adviser returned to the country on 14 June. However, the government has yet to instruct the election commission regarding the polls. Members of the standing committee discussed various aspects of this issue at the meeting.

On the other hand, BNP central leader Ishraque Hossain is protesting, demanding to be sworn in as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation after receiving the court verdict.

Meanwhile, since last Monday, he has started performing mayoral duties on his own without taking the oath. He has also held meetings with city corporation officials and employees. The party leaders reviewed the two incidents in the standing committee meeting presided over by the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman last Monday.

The party leaders said in the meeting that if Ishraque Hossain steps back from the movement after the London meeting, it would send the wrong message to the public that BNP has reached an understanding with the government on all issues. Critics would also get an opportunity.

Therefore, the movement should continue with patience. However, the meeting also discussed that although BNP supports this movement, the party is not directly involved. Leaders want to present it as a ‘guardian-less’ people's movement of Dhaka South City.

Speaking regarding this, BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, “Ishraque Hossain has received the verdict of the highest court. The election commission has also issued a notification. The Local Government Ministry should have arranged for his oath-taking as mayor by accepting the court’s verdict. Here, the law has been violated, and the court’s verdict has been disrespected. We want the court’s verdict to be implemented. Beyond that, we have nothing to say.”

Speaking to BNP leaders it has been learned that they discussed speaking cautiously and keeping a close watch on the government’s activities no matter what the situation is, especially after the London meeting. Leaders believe the government will reveal in due time what it truly intends to do. Now, it is just a matter of waiting.​

 

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BNP disapproves NCC formation: Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said his party does not support a proposal for the formation of National Constitutional Council (NCC) to recruit some key constitutional posts and bodies as the proposed council has no accountability. “We as a democratic party can&r

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP disapproves NCC formation: Salahuddin

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 18, 2025 21:30
Updated :
Jun 18, 2025 21:30

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said his party does not support a proposal for the formation of National Constitutional Council (NCC) to recruit some key constitutional posts and bodies as the proposed council has no accountability.

“We as a democratic party can’t support any institution that has authority, power, and functions but no accountability. Creating a separate organ with such functions will lead to an imbalanced situation,” he said.

Salahuddin made the remarks at a press briefing following Wednesday’s session of the second round of reform talks between the National Consensus Commission and political parties, held at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital, reports UNB.

He explained that the NCC is a proposal by the reform commissions that suggests a nine-member council headed by the President.

The council will include the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, speakers of both the upper house and the lower house, the Chief Justice, two deputy speakers nominated by the opposition and another member from both houses combined.

The NCC will remain effective until the appointment of the Chief Adviser.

After the Chief Adviser’s appointment, a five-member body consisting of the Chief Adviser, two advisers, the President and the Chief Justice will take over during the election period.

The NCC’s functions and authority will cover appointments of key constitutional figures, including the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, the Attorney General, Public Service Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, the National Human Rights Commission, the proposed Local Government Commission, chiefs of the armed forces, and other posts prescribed by constitutional laws.

The proposed council will also be able to recommend the name for the appointment of the Chief Adviser of the caretaker government before the President.

Salahuddin said they (BNP) earlier explained why they cannot agree with this NCC concept and reiterated that the functions and responsibilities proposed for this NCC are already carried out by the executive branch through various laws and constitutional provisions.

“We can ask, or you (journalists) can ask—with so much responsibility and power, and (to carry out) so many appointments, where is the accountability? Is there accountability? There is no one. We cannot support any institution without accountability,” he said.

Refuting an argument for the NCC that anarchy creates in the country as these appointments are done by the chief executive (of the government), the BNP leader said, “What we need is a balanced state structure, social system, and governance system. “Had there been a caretaker government, the elections wouldn’t have been held in this manner.”

He said the entire parliament couldn’t be abolished or the entire executive branch couldn’t be blamed for these problems.

He stressed that if the Election Commission is allowed to function independently and constitutionally, the executive branch and Parliament would permanently lose their authoritarian grip. If there are any faults (in these systems), it will be addressed by an independent judiciary. For this reason, BNP proposes complete independence of the judiciary, said Salahuddin.

He said they hope that there would be gradual progress towards a truly independent judiciary through some court verdicts, constitutional reforms and ratifications. “Then these systems will be well-guarded.”

Some 30 political parties, including BNP, NCP and Jamaat joined Wednesday’s reform discussion presided over by Vice Chairman of the Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz. Alongside NCC formation and the authority of the President was discussed on Wednesday.

However, Prof Ali Riaz at a press briefing said political parties feel the need for a constitutional body to handle appointments to the constitutional posts. “Although a couple of parties differ on some principles, all opted for establishing a constitutional mechanism,” he said.

He said the commission is considering two proposals regarding presidential elections—one from the Constitutional Reform Commission and another from the Electoral Reform Commission. Discussions on expanding presidential powers and balancing authority will continue, said Prof Ali Riaz.

On Thursday, the tenure of Prime Minister and the basic principles of the state alongside the unfinished issues including the President’s appointment are scheduled to be discussed in the reform talks.​