After nearly 14 years, the central member conference of the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has commenced publicly. Members from across the country are participating directly in the event. The conference activities began on Tuesday, December 31, at 8 AM at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital. It has been reported that this is the first conference to take place at Suhrawardy Udyan following over 15 years of Awami League rule. Members from across the nation have joined the event, where the name of the central president elected for the 2025 session will be announced. Voting for this took place online from 7 PM on December 29 to 9 PM on Monday, December 30. According to the organization, the conference's chief guest will be Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Following Shibir tradition, the father of a martyr inaugurated the conference. The event is being conducted in two sessions: an open session from 8 AM to 1 PM, followed by an executive session from 2 PM to 5 PM. Sadeq Abdullah, the central publicity secretary of the organization, stated, "We have invited only the highest tier of the organization, its members, and prominent individuals, including leaders of various parties." He further mentioned that even during the repression and oppression by the Awami League, member conferences were held. During the pandemic and other challenging times, the conference was conducted online. This year, as in previous years, the conference is taking place.

Harish Chowdhury, the former political secretary to BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, will be laid to rest today. On Saturday (December 28), following identification, his body was handed over to police and family members by Dhaka Medical College Hospital authorities at midnight. Present at the time were the case investigation officer, SI Md. Wazed Ali, Harish Chowdhury’s daughter Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, and other family members. Samira Tanzin Chowdhury stated, “For 15 years, my father was misrepresented. Finally, justice has been served.” She added that her father would be buried with due honor on Sunday (December 29) in Kanaighat, Sylhet. Paying tribute to those killed and injured in the July uprising, Harish’s daughter said, “Their sacrifice made my battle easier.” It is worth noting that Harish Chowdhury passed away on September 3, 2021. His identity was kept hidden, and he was buried under the name of Professor Mahmudur Rahman in the premises of Jamia Khatamunnabiyyin Madrasa in Savar’s Birulia. Following a writ petition by his daughter Samira, the High Court ordered the exhumation of the body in the presence of relevant authorities. Samples were collected by the CID for DNA testing, which later confirmed the body to be that of Harish Chowdhury. The family then initiated preparations to bury him in Sylhet.

Tarique Rahman, Acting Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has stated that the party’s 31-point plan for state reform is not solely their own but represents the collective opinions of all parties and organizations participating in the simultaneous movement to oust the authoritarian Awami League government. Speaking as the chief guest at a training workshop on the “31-Point State Reform Plan and Public Engagement,” organized by BNP’s Training Affairs Committee for the districts of Manikganj, Narsingdi, and Munshiganj on Thursday (December 19), he emphasized that the plan reflects a united anti-authoritarian stance. Rahman explained, “The 31 points are not just BNP’s agenda. Initially, BNP proposed 27 points. Later, through discussions with the political parties and organizations involved in the joint movement against the authoritarian regime, these 31 points were finalized. Therefore, this is a reflection of the collective opinion of everyone opposing authoritarianism.” He added that BNP remains open to including any reasonable suggestions from others into their 31-point plan. Rahman underscored the party’s commitment to implementing the plan, citing BNP’s proven ability to deliver on reforms in the past. “This is not just rhetoric. We have evidence that we can and will implement these changes,” he said. He highlighted BNP’s achievements, such as resolving water issues through canal excavation and doubling food production post-independence. BNP was also the first to export food from the country, introduced free education up to the intermediate level to empower women, and launched the food-for-education program to promote education. Rahman criticized rival governments, stating, “Interim or authoritarian regimes boast about two major accomplishments: remittance and the garment industry. But both of these were initiated by BNP for the benefit of the nation and its people.”

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said conspiracy against the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh has not stopped, it continues. “The conspirators have also inserted agents into the BNP. Therefore, everyone must be on alert. The conspirators must be resisted with an iron hand,” he said while virtually addressing three workshops on 31-points for repairing the state structure in Gazipur, Dhaka and Naryanganj this afternoon. BNP chairperson’s adviser Ismail Jabiullah, Dhaka division organizing secretary Kazi Saieydul Alam Babul, media cell member Mahmuda Habiba, BNP executive member Abdus Sattar Patowari, assistant health secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam Bacchu, assistant labour secretary Humayun Kabir Khan, Mayor Majibur Rahman and Aktarul Alam Master, among others, were present at the workshop with BNP Gazipur district unit president Fazlul Haque Milon in the chair. Its general secretary Shah Riazul Hannan conducted it. Tarique Rahman said the main autocrat has fled. “But the tail of the body remains in the country. They are plotting deep conspiracies. They must be resisted with an iron hand. This is my instruction. The party's reputation and the people's trust cannot be destroyed," he said. He said BNP leaders and activists have maintained the unity of the party and the trust of the people, despite facing many torture and sufferings over the past 17 years. Now, if anyone try to harm this trust and belief to achieve their own interests, they must be resisted, he added. He said, "I can say with cent percent guarantee that the upcoming elections will be much tougher than any previous elections.” Regarding the upcoming national election, Tarique Rahman warned party leaders and activists to not suffer from overconfidence. “If anyone thinks there is no opponent or the opposition is weak, and the election will be easy, they are wrong. This election will be far tougher than any of the ones held in the past. So, prepare yourselves accordingly," he added. The BNP acting chairman said BNP's significant public support has made it a target of envy for many political parties and individuals. He said the countrymen are looking at the BNP. They have high expectations, he said, adding that when millions of people have expectations from a political party, the responsibility becomes much greater. Tarique Rahman said people believe that only BNP can do something good. And this is the success of BNP, he added. He said the greatest success of a political party is to earn the trust of the people. “It is the responsibility of all of us to maintain this trust,” he added. He said, “We do not believe in dummy elections, ballot stuffing overnight, or rigged elections. We believe in free, fair, and transparent elections where people can vote freely without fear.” The acting chairman of BNP said, "The 31-point must be taken to the marginalized people. We have to go to every citizen of the society for it." (Source: BSS)

In his Victory Day message, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman called for celebrating the occasion free from "fascism" and urged reforms to establish a truly democratic Bangladesh. “This Victory Day, celebrated in an environment free from fascism, is certainly more joyful and significant,” Rahman said in a statement on social media. He expressed hope that future observances would reflect a stronger commitment from the state to the welfare of its people. Rahman emphasized the need for unity and structural reforms, warning against complacency. “We must harness this unity to build a Bangladesh free from discrimination and division,” he said, adding that empowering the people is crucial for sustainable national unity. The opposition leader criticized past governance practices and called for transparency from the interim government. He urged it to share a clear roadmap with objectives and timelines, asserting, “The people have the right to know the interim government’s practical roadmap.” Central to his vision is a parliament composed of genuinely elected representatives. “A parliament reflecting the aspirations of the people serves as the cornerstone of democratic governance,” Rahman stated. He underscored the importance of harmony between an accountable government and a functional parliament for sustainable democracy. Rahman’s Victory Day remarks combined celebration with a call for reform, unity, and accountability, highlighting the enduring challenges in fostering a democratic system that empowers the people.