BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday pledged to restore the name Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) if his party is voted to power, saying the force’s historic identity—rooted in the spirit of the Liberation War—was unjustly erased in the aftermath of the 2009 Pilkhana tragedy. He said the decision to remove the name BDR following the brutal massacre of army officers at the force’s headquarters was not an act of reform, but a politically driven attempt to sever an institution from its history. “After the horrific killings of army officers at Pilkhana in 2009, the fallen, defeated, fugitive and ousted fascist forces changed the name of Bangladesh Rifles—an institution inseparably linked with the memories of our Liberation War,” Tarique said. Addressing a views-exchange meeting with retired army officers and family members of those killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny at a city hotel, he expressed deep anguish that even the force’s traditional uniform had been altered. Sharing what he described as a personal conviction, Tarique said the legacy of BDR could not be erased by administrative decisions. “I want to speak from the heart today. If the people, through their verdict, entrust BNP with the responsibility of running the state, we will restore the historic name Bangladesh Rifles—a name that carries the legacy and sacrifices of the Liberation War,” he said. Tarique also said BNP plans to consult the army to declare February 25—the day of the Pilkhana massacre—as ‘Shaheed Sena Day’, ‘Army Martyrdom Day’ or a ‘National Mourning Day’, so that such a tragedy never occurs again. The BNP Chairman said several recommendations have already been placed by senior retired army officers ahead of the meeting, including the formation of a National Security Council and reforms to certain provisions of the Army Act. “I personally believe that all these recommendations are undoubtedly important. At this moment, I can say that if, by the grace of Allah, BNP is given the responsibility of running the country through the people’s verdict in the upcoming February 12 national election, we plan to form a committee comprising both retired and serving Army officers to implement the recommendations you have placed before us,” he said. Based on the committee’s findings, Tarique said each recommendation will be carefully examined and implemented gradually with sincerity. He reiterated BNP’s commitment to implement the ‘One Rank One Pay’ policy for retired members of the armed forces, saying the provision has already been included in the party’s election manifesto and will be implemented if the party is voted to power. Nearly one million security personnel to guard Bangladesh elections At the beginning of his speech, the BNP chief thanked the organisers for inviting him and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, to the programme. Referring to his close emotional bond with the Army, he said, “My wife and I truly feel a sense of nostalgia when we take part in discussions like this with you. We always consider the Army, and the armed forces as a whole, as an extended family.” Referring to his emotional and close bond with the Army, Tarique said, “My wife and I truly feel a sense of nostalgia when we sit in a discussion like this with you. We consider the Army, or the armed forces as a whole, always as an extended family to us.” He said the bond perhaps stemmed from his and his family’s upbringing in army cantonments. “We lost our father at a very young age. But as I grew up, I saw that my late mother Begum Khaleda Zia had a deep sense of trust in and respect for the Army. She always believed that Bangladesh must have a strong Army to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty,” Tarique said. Tarique Rahman said that, as a son, he is proud of his father late President Ziaur Rahman, and believed that by declaring Bangladesh’s independence as an Army officer, he also made the Army proud. “Just as I take pride in my father, I believe the democratic and freedom-loving people of Bangladesh are proud of Shaheed Zia as the proclaimer of independence and a valiant freedom fighter. I firmly believe that our family, and in the same way the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, also feel that pride,” he said. Tarique Rahman noted that people regard the army as the most reliable guardian of the country’s independence and sovereignty, and warned that involving the army in non-core activities undermines its primary role. Referring to the past 15 years, he said questions remain about how the army’s honour and role were affected during that period, including after the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, in which 74 people, including 57 army officers, were killed. Tarique said during the period when the country fell under the grip of fascist and subservient forces, not only were democracy and citizens’ freedoms violated, but also the nation’s independence and sovereignty were also put at risk. He said that even after the planned massacre of army officers at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana in February 2009, the Armed Forces were neither able to properly observe the tragic day nor permitted to do so. “The honour of the army cannot be restored through words alone. Honour must be earned and upheld through actions,” Tarique said. The BNP chairman stated unequivocally that the army would never be used to serve political interests if BNP returns to power. “BNP did not do this in the past, does not do it today, and will never do it in the future,” he said, adding that the party has always stood for Bangladesh and its sovereignty. He stressed that while the army should remain politically conscious, it must never be drawn into partisan politics, urging officers to remain vigilant so that professionalism is not compromised by political considerations. The programme opened with special prayers seeking eternal peace for the souls of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and the martyrs of the armed forces. Retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar delivered the welcome address. Earlier, Tarique Rahman personally greeted retired officers, moving around the venue to exchange handshakes. During the programme, several retired officers spoke of alleged repression over the past 15 years, while Rakin Ahmed Bhuiyan, son of slain BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed, also addressed the gathering. The programme was also attended by Dr Zubaida Rahman and senior retired army officials. Tarique Rahman later joined the retired officers for dinner.  

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman has vowed to modernise Bangladesh’s tea gardens and improve the living standards of workers, describing their current conditions as “inhumane,” with little access to education, healthcare, or basic amenities. Speaking at a packed election rally at New Field in Habiganj on Saturday morning, Dr Shafiqur promised that no child in the tea estates would be denied schooling if Jamaat assumes power. He also committed to establishing healthcare and community services to uplift the workers and their families. Dr Shafiqur further announced a sweeping plan to reform the political culture, beginning with his party’s own members of parliament. He said they would forego tax-free vehicles, government flats at subsidised rates, and other privileges. “If necessary, we will ride rickshaws,” he declared, underscoring Jamaat’s stance that politics is a duty, not a profession. The Jamaat ameer criticised career politicians who treat politics as a business, alleging that such practices fuel corruption, extortion, and looting, creating insecurity for women and vulnerable communities. “No leniency will be shown in cases of mistreatment of women,” he warned, stressing accountability and law enforcement. Dr Shafiqur outlined additional measures to ensure transparency and integrity. He said Jamaat lawmakers would purchase property and vehicles with their own money at market rates, and income and expenditure statements of party MPs and their families would be made public. “No one will be spared if they misuse public wealth,” he said firmly. Invoking the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War, Dr Shafiqur highlighted that Bangladesh’s independence was won for a discrimination-free country, yet dishonest politics has perpetuated inequality. He pledged that Jamaat would work to uphold social justice, fairness, and unity. On the issue of national cohesion, Dr Shafiqur warned against any division of the country and reaffirmed Jamaat’s commitment to religious harmony. “Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians have lived together in this land for generations,” he said. A veteran politician and leader of Jamaat-e-Islami since [insert year if known], Dr Shafiqur has steered the party through decades of political upheaval, positioning it as a force advocating anti-corruption, social justice, and moral governance. Analysts note that his emphasis on grassroots welfare, particularly in the tea garden belts of Sylhet and Chittagong, reflects a broader strategy to consolidate support among historically marginalised communities.

Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken so far as part of election-centric preparations, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Saturday said the next one week would be very crucial as the twin elections – national election and referendum – are scheduled to take place on February 12. “We are satisfied. We are very happy,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters quoting the Chief Adviser as saying at a high-profile meeting on the election preparation held at the State Guest House Jamuna. At the beginning of the meeting, Prof Yunus said the main challenge is to make the voting ‘perfect’ and described the next week as very crucial. The Chief Adviser expressed satisfaction over the election campaign across the country that is taking place in an ‘enthusiastic, peaceful and cordial’ atmosphere. He sees such a smooth campaign as a positive sign for the country’s political culture and hopes that the election will be festive and safe where people, including women will join with the whole family. “Candidates are not using abusive language against one another, nor is there any unruly behavior, which is a very positive change for our political history and culture," Press Secretary Alam quoted the Chief Adviser as saying. The meeting, chaired by the Chief Adviser, reviewed overall preparations, security deployment and the challenges ahead.  The Chief Adviser hoped that the election festival will be in full swing and women will vote happily - the whole family will join the voting festival together. “I hope that this election will be memorable in history.” The Press Secretary said there are about 43,000 polling stations all over Bangladesh, out of which 25,700 are being given body-on cameras, and a demonstration of how these body-worn cameras work was given in the meeting first. During the demonstration, the Chief Adviser spoke to those who were carrying body-on cameras at random five places. Responding to a question, the Press Secretary said there is no risk to the safety of journalists. PASHA Not Getting Cards The Election Commission (EC) has postponed its decision to issue more than 10,000 election observer cards to the so-called non-governmental organisation People’s Association for Social Advancement (PASHA) for the national election. Briefing reporters after a high-level meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Saturday night, Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said an NGO named PASHA had applied to appoint 10,000 election observers. “The Election Commission conducted an inquiry into the organisation. After the inquiry, the EC was not convinced of PASHA’s capacity. As a result, the distribution of election observation cards to the organisation has been postponed,” Azad said, quoting EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Azad made the remarks at a press conference held in front of the state guesthouse Jamuna after the meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also briefed reporters on the overall outcomes of the meeting, which focused on election preparations. Azad said no political involvement has been identified in PASHA’s case so far, but investigations are still ongoing. At the beginning of the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus said the main challenge is to ensure a “perfect” voting process and described the coming week as very crucial. An investigative report titled ‘One-person-based PASHA giving 10,000 election observers’ was published in Prothom Alo on Friday. The report revealed that the organisation is run by a single individual who has converted a room in his house into PASHA’s office.