DHAKA, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party electoral alliance today announced seat allocations for 253 constituencies for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.  Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher formally declared the seat distribution on behalf of the alliance at a joint press conference of the alliance at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in the capital this evening. Jamaat-e-Islami will contest 179 seats, National Citizen Party (NCP) 30 seats, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis 20 seats, Khilafat Majlis 10 seats, and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) seven seats out of the 300 parliamentary constituencies. Besides, Nezame-e-Islam Party will contest two seats, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party three seats and Bangladesh Development Party two seats.  Dr Taher said the number of seats to be contested by Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (Jagpa) has not yet been finalized. Moreover, no representative from Islami Andolan Bangladesh was present at the press conference. Speaking on the issue of seat sharing with Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamaat Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman said discussions with the party were still ongoing. "The alliance remains intact as an 11-party platform. Talks with Islami Andolan Bangladesh are continuing," he said. Dr Shafiqur Rahman said the alliance would not accept any form of vote rigging in the election. "We want to ensure the votes of the youth. We demand justice for the murder of Hadi. We know who were involved in this killing," he said. He said, "After 54 years of politics riddled with rot, the nation desires liberation, and it is this aspiration that drives our united effort." Rejecting past political practices, he added, "We do not want the old politics that turns fascist and weighs heavily on the nation, killing innocent people or indulging in corruption and extortion. Instead, embracing the spirit of the July Revolution, we aim to build a new, inclusive Bangladesh that reflects the aspirations of our youth." On electoral integrity, he said, "There will be no tolerance for electoral engineering, rigging, or vote theft as in the past. The youth who were unable to cast their votes in the last three elections will have their rights fully ensured, and we call on them to exercise their franchise responsibly." Paying tribute to the nation's sacrifices, he said, "We can repay the debt only by creating a new Bangladesh free from authoritarianism and fascism." He also demanded justice for the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, warning, "Without justice, no new revolutionaries will emerge, and the nation will fear taking risks."  NCP Convener Nahid Islam said, "Several political parties that stand for reform, freedom, anti-discrimination, and anti-corruption in Bangladesh have come together on a single platform."  He added, "We will move forward carrying the vision of the Bangladesh we desire-a Bangladesh rooted in the values of equality, human dignity, and social justice of our great Liberation War," noting the alliance also embraces "the spirit of the 1947 struggle for freedom, along with all historic movements." Emphasizing unity, he said, "Across Bangladesh, in every constituency, there will be no individual party candidates. From today's announcement onward, all candidates will be identified as nominees of the 11-party electoral alliance."  He further said, "Through collective cooperation, we will work in favour of the people, in favour of the 'Yes' vote, and deliver an electoral outcome that will move Bangladesh forward." LDP President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed Bir Bikram urged the people to uphold the rule of law, good governance, and a system free from extortion and corruption. He said, "If you undermine yourselves, no one will be able to come to your aid." He said, "The country must now decide-will you submit to India's domination, or will you serve the people of Bangladesh?" and added, "Those of us present here have not come to rule over the people; rather, we have come to work as servants of the people." Referring to the election environment, Oli Ahmed said, "If such an environment is not created, then not only the Chief Election Commissioner but others as well-just as many have gone to jail before-will also face imprisonment in the future, and you will not be spared." He urged officials, "Do not follow anyone blindly or show allegiance to any individual. Serve only the people of Bangladesh. Do what is best for the country."  Criticizing the election process, Oli Ahmed said, "People are still not receiving proper justice. Petitions submitted to grant legitimacy to some or to declare others illegitimate are not being reviewed properly, nor are decisions being delivered fairly." Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mawlana Mamunul Haque said, "Our journey essentially began with the July Revolution and its aspirations-its commitment to reform, to a discrimination-free Bangladesh, and to liberating the people and the country from the politics of corruption and misrule." "As part of this continued struggle, we came together long ago with the noble objective of implementing the July Charter on a solid legal foundation," he added.  "Through phased movements and sustained political struggle, including the demand for a referendum to ensure the legal implementation of the July Charter, we have traversed a long path of activism and electoral politics." "In this context, eleven political parties have reached a consensus to jointly face and participate in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election." "Today, based on this consensus, we will announce our seat-sharing arrangement." "Through this arrangement, a 'one-box policy' will be implemented nationwide, under which a single jointly nominated candidate will be finalized for each constituency on behalf of the eleven-party electoral alliance."  "We call upon leaders and activists of all allied parties, as well as the people of the country, to work collectively in support of the nominated candidates in every constituency."  "At the same time, we urge the entire nation to unite and ensure the victory of the 'Yes' vote in the referendum aimed at legally enforcing the July Charter."  "The objective of today's press conference is to mobilize the people of Bangladesh toward unified action for the full and effective implementation of the July Charter through legal means."  Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon leader Maulana Mujibur Rahman Hamid, Nezame Islami Party leader Anwarul Haque, Amar Bangladesh Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, Bangladesh Development Party President Advocate Anwar Islam, Jagpa Spokesperson and Senior Vice President Engineer Rashed Pradhan, NCP Spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari and senior leaders from different parties were present in the programme.  

RANGPUR, Jan 15, 2026 (BSS) - The divisional level 'Monetary Policy Discussion Meeting' of Bangladesh Bank (BB) was held at the conference room of Rangpur Branch of the bank on Thursday afternoon.   BB Deputy Governor Dr Md Habibur Rahman presided over the event arranged to collect suggestions of all stakeholders concerned to formulate the second  half-yearly (January-June 2026) monetary policy of the FY 2025-2026.   Divisional level high-ranking government officials, public and private sector bankers, economists, academics, chamber leaders, industrialists, businesspersons, entrepreneurs and local journalists participated in the event.   Executive Director of BB Rangpur Branch Md Ali Mahmud delivered a welcome address at the event.   Director (Incharge) of the Monetary Policy Department of BB Md Sadrul Hasan delivered his speech narrating the goals and objectives of the divisional level monetary policy discussion meeting.   Executive Director of the Monetary Policy Department of BB Mahmud Salahuddin Naser delivered a presentation on Monetary Policy and discussed the gradually improving inflation, bank liquidity, deposit situations and other aspects as a result of monetary policy.   Director of the Banking Regulation and Policy Department of BB Md Bayazid Sarker said that sustainable regional progress and people's welfare are not possible without equitable development in the July Uprising spirit.   Implementation of the Teesta Master Plan in Rangpur region at a cost of about one billion US dollars or one percent of the GDP can yield four billion US dollars to the economy every year.    "But, it is not understandable why implementation of the Teesta Master Plan is still uncertain. Monetary policy must be adopted that supports economic development," he said.   In the open discussion session, participants highlighted obstacles to industrialization in the agro-based economy of the Rangpur region and  provided specific suggestions for creating employment and ensuring fair prices for agricultural products and ease inflation.   The experts discussed the situation when the economy was facing significant macroeconomic challenges when the current interim government took power in  2024.   The challenges included persistently high inflation, rapid exchange rate depreciation, dwindling foreign exchange reserves, arrears in external  payments, tight liquidity conditions, lack of good governance, and high non-performing loans.   Bangladesh Bank has outlined a forward-looking strategy, emphasizing its commitment to controlling inflation, stabilizing exchange rate, rebuilding  foreign exchange reserves, and restoring confidence in the banking sector through improved good governance.   BB Chief Economist Dr Md Akhtar Hossain in his speech discussed monetary policy, the economic situation, and issues to be considered in formulating  monetary policy for the second half-yearly (January-June 2026)of the current FY.   BB Deputy Governor Dr Md Habibur Rahman said monetary policy involves controlling the supply of money in an economy to achieve goals like price stability and economic growth.    Bangladesh Bank formulates and implements monetary policy using open market operations, reserve ratio adjustment, interest rate determination, and other measures to control the value of the money issued and control inflation.   "The suggestions received from today's discussions in Rangpur will be properly utilized in the formulation of the central bank's monetary policy,"  he said and thanked the participants for their overall cooperation.