DHAKA, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - BNP Chairman's Adviser and spokesperson for the party's Election Steering Committee Mahdi Amin today alleged that a certain quarter, alarmed by the growing wave of public support for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, has chosen the path of planned propaganda, disinformation, and personal attacks. He said, "In the past week, at least 29 rumours and pieces of disinformation targeting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman have been spread, clear evidence of which has emerged in reports from various fact-checking platforms." He also said that attempts are being made to create confusion among the people using the same language, tactics, and type of slogans. Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference held today at the BNP Election Steering Office in Gulshan of the city.  He said, "The spontaneous participation of a huge number of leaders, activists, supporters, and common people during BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman's recent visits to Khulna and Jashore has turned into a historic mass wave in favour of the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol." "In the face of BNP's increasing public support, they have abandoned the path of healthy political competition and chosen the tactic of dirty propaganda," Mahdi Amin alleged.  He said that activists of a political party have taken on the responsibility of reviving old and false narratives created during the fascist era and are launching personal attacks using indecent language.  Mahdi Amin informed that Tarique Rahman will visit Barishal and Faridpur tomorrow as part of his election campaign. He said, "Tarique Rahman will arrive in Barishal from Dhaka by air at 11:00 am on February 4, and will participate in an election rally at Bells Park Ground at 12:00 pm. Thereafter, he will depart from Barishal for Faridpur at 1:00 pm and participate in another election rally at Rajendra College Ground in Faridpur. After the rally, he will return to Dhaka by air again." At the press conference, the BNP Chairman's Adviser also expressed concern over the decision to deploy BNCC cadets on the occasion of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the public referendum, adding, "many of the college and university-going BNCC cadets are affiliated with one political ideology or another. Therefore, involving them in electoral work could damage the environment for a free, fair, and impartial election." In this context, he informed that the BNP has already sent a letter to the Election Commission specifically requesting not to deploy BNCC cadets.  Regarding the appointment of election observers, Mahdi Amin said that according to the EC website, over 55,000 observers from 81 local organizations have been approved. However, among them, more than 34,000 observers are from just 16 organizations, which is concerning. He claimed, "Members of a particular political party are at the leadership level of several organizations, and there are fears that a section of them could be used for dishonest purposes on election day." In this situation, Mahdi Amin called upon the Election Commission to take several steps to ensure a level playing field. "These include scrutinizing the full list of observers and removing politically affiliated individuals, reducing the number of observers from less experienced organizations, and prohibiting more than two local observers from entering a polling centre simultaneously," he added.  Mahdi Amin said that the BNP was the first to present proposals before the nation for introducing a bicameral parliamentary system, limiting the Prime Minister's tenure, and reforming the quota system. As part of this continuity, the BNP has taken a position in favour of voting 'Yes' in the public referendum for state reform in the upcoming national election. He alleged that those who never spoke of reform in the past are now making tall claims about reform and spreading confusion and propaganda.  Regarding the history of the Liberation War, Mahdi Amin said the history of the Liberation War is a settled matter. "It is an undeniable truth that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was the proclaimer of Bangladesh's independence." He also commented that any attempt to distort history will be rejected by the people of the country. Regarding the manifesto, Mahdi Amin informed that the work on BNP's election manifesto is almost complete and the manifesto may be announced next Friday. Regarding the complication over the 'Sheaf of Paddy' symbol on the ballot paper, he said that because of this, the BNP has suffered some injustice in terms of a level playing field. Mahdi Amin said that the BNP believes in empowering the people and continues to work at the grassroots level in the continuity of positive politics. He also mentioned that the BNP's 31-point programme is a fundamental basis for state reform in the future Bangladesh. He said, "A free, fair, and acceptable election is the main demand of the BNP. We expressed hope that if all parties concerned, including the Election Commission, play a responsible role, people's voting rights will be ensured and the next government will be formed through that."  

RAJSHAHI, Feb 3, 2026 (BSS) - Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) recovered firearms and ammunition during an anti-crime drive in the city early today. Acting on a tip-off, a team of the elite force conducted the drive at Fudkipara area under Shahmukhdum Police Station around 1:30 am, said a RAB press release issued here at noon. During the operation, the team recovered one foreign-made revolver, one one-shooter gun, two air guns and 20 rounds of pistol bullets, the release said. However, no one was arrested in connection with the recovery, it added.