Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir officially submitted his nomination papers for the Thakurgaon-1 constituency on Monday afternoon.  In a symbolic gesture, the senior leader traveled from the district BNP office to the Deputy Commissioner’s office by rickshaw to file his documents with the District Returning Officer. Addressing a brief gathering at the party office prior to the submission, Mirza Fakhrul emphasized the need for national healing and communal harmony.  "We want to live peacefully with people of all religions, but there are those who are trying to create division and confusion," he stated, asserting that the BNP has never engaged in such tactics and remains committed to inclusivity. Reflecting on the country’s political landscape, the BNP Secretary General lamented that "politics of division" had been practiced over the last 15 years, leading to a fragmented society.  He expressed his party's commitment to rebuilding a nation rooted in communal harmony and democratic values. "The country lost many lives in the movement last year. Our goal now is to eliminate corruption and establish a truly democratic state," he said. Mirza Fakhrul also touched upon the importance of religious tolerance, noting that loyalty to one's own faith must be balanced with respect for others. He described the upcoming election as a pivotal moment for the nation’s future.  Read More Tarique Rahman to Contest from Dhaka-17, Nomination Paper Collected on Sunday "This is a very important election. We must decide to establish a truly liberal democratic country where men and women enjoy equal status," he added. Concluding his remarks, he urged citizens of all faiths—Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian—to unite in creating a "beautiful and peaceful environment" for the country.  The event was attended by top local leaders, including District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin and General Secretary Poygam Ali.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Sunday officially collected his nomination paper to contest the upcoming the upcoming13th National Parliament Election 2026 and the Referendum from the Dhaka-17 constituency. The polls and referendum is scheduled for February 12 next year.  Private Secretary to the BNP Chairperson ABM Abdur Sattar collected the form from the office of the Dhaka Divisional Commissioner at approximately 11:10 am on behalf of the BNP Acting Chairman.  This follows a high-level party decision confirmed by BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.  Read More 'I Will Never Forget These Moments': Tarique on His Return to Bangladesh “Our party’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman will contest the election from two seats. One is Bogura-6 and the other is Dhaka-17. This is a party decision,” Salahuddin said. It also cleared the air regarding the candidacy of alliance partners. Addressing rumors that BJP Chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho might run for the Dhaka-17 seat, Salahuddin Ahmed clarified that Partho will instead contest from his home constituency, Bhola-1, under his own party's symbol. Tarique Rahman’s move to run for parliament comes just days after his return from 17 years in exile and his formal voter registration on Saturday.  Earlier, Bogura District BNP President Rezaul Karim Badsha collects a nomination form on behalf of Tarique Rahman for the Bogura-6 constituency on December 21.  The form was collected from the office of Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Taufiqur Rahman. Several senior BNP leaders including BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Advocate AKM Mahbubur Rahman, former MP and Bogura-5 constituency candidate GM Siraj, former District BNP President Saiful Islam, former General Secretary Joynal Abedin Chan, District BNP Acting General Secretary Mosharraf Hossain, Town BNP President Hamidul Haque Chowdhury Hiru, and Sadar Upazila BNP President Maftun Ahmed Khan Rubel were present there.     

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (Friday) expressed hope that Bangladesh will transform into a truly democratic state under the leadership of the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. He made the remark to journalists this afternoon before paying respects at the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city.  Read More BNP Launches 'Cleanup and Reforestation Drive' at July 36 Expressway Mirza Fakhrul said that the people have wholeheartedly welcomed Tarique Rahman through his 'royal return' and believe that he will bring about significant change. Meanwhile, Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas said that Tarique Rahman's arrival will clear up the election-related complexities and all other uncertainties. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to pay his respects and offer dua (prayers) at the grave of the BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.  He will later visit the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar to pay homage to the valiant martyrs of the Great War of Liberation. 

Welcoming the homecoming of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman stated on Thursday that his party will closely observe Rahman's future role and political strategy within the current national context. Describing the return of a political colleague to active politics after a 17-year exile as a positive sign, the Jamaat Ameer told the media, “One of my political contemporaries is returning directly to the political arena after a long time, which I view positively.” He noted that the arrival of such a key figure after nearly two decades signals a significant shift in the country's political environment. However, Dr Shafiqur maintained a tone of strategic observation, emphasizing that Jamaat would monitor Tarique Rahman’s actions—specifically regarding how he intends to foster national unity and implement his vision for the country. Echoing this sentiment, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar also spoke favorably of the homecoming.  He clarified, however, that Tarique Rahman’s standing in national politics would ultimately be defined by his leadership style and conduct moving forward. These remarks come as both parties, formerly long-term allies, prepare for the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the historic Referendum scheduled for February 12, 2026. Read More Fakhrul Calls for National Unity to Resist 'Evil Forces' After Media Attacks The Ameer Collects Nomination for Dhaka-15 In a significant move toward the upcoming polls, Dr Shafiqur Rahman officially collected his nomination papers on Thursday to contest the Dhaka-15 seat. A delegation led by Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair submitted the papers at the Returning Officer’s office in Agargaon, Dhaka. The submission was confirmed by Dhaka Regional Election Officer and Returning Officer Md. Yunus Ali. Other Candidates Enter the Fray The election atmosphere in the capital intensified on Thursday as other prominent leaders also collected their nomination papers.  Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Mawlana Muhammad Mamunul Haque and Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj both collected their papers for the Dhaka-13 constituency.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday described the recent mob attacks on the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo as a direct assault on democracy, calling for unity beyond political boundaries to resist "evil forces."  Urging every democracy-loving person to come together, he emphasized that those seeking to move from darkness to light must unite to ensure Bangladesh remains a truly independent, sovereign, and democratic nation. Speaking at a joint protest meeting organized by the Editors’ Council and the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB) at a city hotel, Fakhrul emphasized that the country has reached a defining moment where symbolic protests, such as human chains or expressions of solidarity, are no longer sufficient to protect the under-threat freedom of expression.  Read More Salahuddin Condemns Arson Attacks on Media as a ‘National Disgrace’ "The time has now come to stand up and resist… all of you who love Bangladesh must come together. We have to resist this evil force," he said. He urged every democracy-loving individual to move beyond simple awareness and stand together with full strength to ensure Bangladesh remains a truly independent and sovereign nation.  "Those who want to see Bangladesh as a truly independent and sovereign democratic country must do more than be aware. We must stand and resist now. Only forming human chains or expressing solidarity will not be enough. Everyone who loves Bangladesh must unite with full strength to stop this evil force," he added. The veteran BNP leader expressed deep concern that the current situation does not align with the democratic dreams he and the freedom fighters fought for, noting that these attacks are not just against specific media houses but against the fundamental right of every citizen to think and speak freely.  "It is very clear and there is not much left to explain. It is not just The Daily Star or Prothom Alo that has come under attack – it is democracy itself. My right to think freely and my right to speak have come under attack," he added.  Fakhrul further alleged that the recent violence also undermines the spirit of the July movement, which was originally aimed at establishing people's rights. The meeting, attended by political leaders, editors, journalists and civil society members, served as a platform to demand justice and a thorough investigation into the mob violence that targeted the two national dailies. With Inputs from UNB