By ALI HUSNIAN

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is one of the leading political parties in Bangladesh. It was founded on 1 September 1978 by President Ziaur Rahman. According to the party's founder, the nation's economic progress, democratic advancement, national unity based on Bangladeshi nationalism, and the instillation of a spirit of independence in the populace have been the party's key goals. Another important goal was to protect territorial integrity, national independence, and sovereignty. Its central theme has been the 19-point Programme of Action. Democracy, full confidence, and faith in the Almighty Allah, nationalism, and socialism—which have been its guiding principles—are the four main tenets of state policy. Economic and social justice has been seen as their central values. Right from its inception, the BNP has begun its activities mainly to foster national unity. Rejecting the policy pursued by the post-independence government, especially its pro-Indian bias and Bangladesh's close linkage with the Indo-Soviet axis at the exclusion of other actors in international politics, BNP adopted a kind of foreign policy which was considered by many observers as 'neutral' and 'independent'.

BNP also has some additional benefits bestowed upon it. The party's platform is so open and widely shared that the students in general and those attending universities were drawn to it because of its independent role in global politics. Even some of the nation's academics and intellectuals came to embrace its goal of promoting national unity. Businesspeople and manufacturers started to embrace its goal of gradually eliminating the socialist fervor from economic activity and increasing the constructive cooperation between the private and public sectors. In response to the BNP's democratic goals of restoring multi-party democracy in the nation, the liberals started to support them.

The forthcoming elections of 2023 in Bangladesh are of great importance and challenging as well in order to decide and chose the right leadership which would be the most effective decision by Bangladeshis for their future. The BNP party workers and supporters have come up with more strength and patience. Further, The Bangladesh High Court also delivered a split verdict over whether imprisoned former prime minister and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party's chief, Khaleda Zia, should be allowed to contest the upcoming general election.

It appears that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is waking up from its slumber. Amanullah Aman, a top BNP leader, announced on October 8 that the party would stage processions and demonstrations across the nation that would result in Khaleda Zia, the party's chairperson, and Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson, taking control of the government on 10^th December. The BNP, Bangladesh's major opposition party, has been staging public protests since Aman's declaration on October 8. So far, three rallies have been held without incident. Although the government tried to prevent people from attending the rally by, for example, closing down public transportation, the rallies were well-attended. On, the capital city of Dhaka will host the last rally.

In recent months, the BNP seems to have rejuvenated itself and is holding large public rallies across the country. At a rally in Narayanganj on July 31 to mark the 44th anniversary of the BNP’s founding, an activist was shot dead and scores of others were injured. Moreover, the BNP also has accumulated manpower as on October 22, people in small groups started moving towards the rally venue marching and chanting Shibbari intersection in Khulna. The places around the BNP rally venue were already filled with BNP supporters and activists before time. Further Ferryghat Intersection was also swarming with people. Their love and support for the party is extraordinary. Most of the leaders and activists arrived at the venue on the night before the rally. More than a thousand people have already taken positions in the vicinity of Dakbangla intersection, Ferryghat intersection, and Khulna railway station in Khulna city.

The BNP is in great support of restoring democracy in the state and as well the people of Bangladesh. Although BNP is facing so many hurdles in campaigning and completing preparations for the upcoming elections by the current government in Bangladesh yet it is determined and enthusiastic in organizing different peaceful rallies throughout the state. The BNP’s motto is clear and critical that almost all of the literate mass is supporting it and welcoming it countrywide. The forthcoming election in Bangladesh is so critical and could be proven as a game changer in Bangladesh if the right leadership for Bangladesh is elected using democratic rights.

RIYADH, 13 November 2022, (TON): State media said “Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman appreciates France's rejection of threats that undermine the stability of the region.”

The Saudi Press Agency said “the crown prince expressed his appreciation during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron.”

During the call, the crown prince and Macron discussed ways to enhance Saudi-French relations and reviewed the most prominent regional and international issues and efforts made towards them to enhance security and stability.

LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced new questions over his choice of senior officials after his No. 2 was accused of behaving aggressively toward staff.

The controversy over Dominic Raab, who is deputy prime minister and justice secretary, came after fellow Sunak ally Gavin Williamson was forced out of the new government because of alleged bullying.

Raab, Sunak’s most vocal supporter in the summer Conservative leadership race against Liz Truss, was brought back into the Cabinet when Truss was forced out as prime minister after just six weeks.

WASHINGTON, 13 November 2022, (TON): Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba pressed Southeast Asian countries for political and material support in his county’s fight against Russia, while accusing Moscow of playing “hunger games” with the world by holding up shipments of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products.

Kuleba told reporters on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit that with a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain and fertilizer due to expire Nov. 19, the world needed to pressure Russia not to object to its extension, saying Ukrainian products were critical in Africa and Asia.

More than just continuing the deal, however, Kuleba accused Russian inspectors of “quiet sabotage,” saying they were intentionally dragging their feet in allowing shipments through.

KUWAIT, 13 November 2022, (TON): More than 400 local development projects will be launched on Kuwait’s Saji Island, the acting director general of the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise Development has said.

Adel Al-Hasawi told Kuwait News Agency that the artificial island, located south of Jaber Causeway, is versatile and will be divided into four areas: Al-Bandera, Al-Safar, the Marina and the Service Area.

The Marina will allocate water taxis to transport visitors to and from the island from the city of Salmiya, as well as organize tours. The Service Area will include a parking lot, gas station and buses to facilitate movement.

LONDON, 13 November 2022, (TON): The UK and France condemned on Friday Iran’s violent repression of legitimate peaceful protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police, died on Sep. 16 while in custody.

During talks held in Paris, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also condemned Tehran for supplying Russia with drones used to indiscriminately target civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

DOHA, 13 November 2022, (TON): Qatar and Kuwait reaffirmed their commitment to provide aid to Afghanistan at a UN General Assembly session.

Qatar News Agency reported “UN Permanent Representative of Qatar Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani said that her country had made long-term diplomatic and political efforts to facilitate negotiations between local and international parties to end the war in Afghanistan.”

Qatar’s efforts resulted in the joint declaration between the US and Taliban in February 2020.

Sheikha Alia also noted the High-Level Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan, during which Qatar pledged $25 million to the Afghan people as part of its humanitarian response plan.

WASHINGTON, 13 November 2022, (TON): US President Joe Biden landed in Asia vowing to urge Chinese leader Xi Jinping to rein in North Korea when they hold their first face-to-face meeting at next week’s G20 summit.

Biden touched down in Phnom Penh for meetings with Southeast Asian leaders ahead of his encounter with his Chinese counterpart on Monday in Bali.

The meeting between the two superpowers comes after a record-breaking spate of missile tests by North Korea sent fears soaring that the reclusive state would soon conduct its seventh nuclear test.

DUBAI, 13 November 2022, (TON): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said “Russian forces destroyed the critical infrastructure in the southern city of Kherson before fleeing.”

The President said that local authorities were starting to stabilize the city.

Jubilant residents welcomed troops arriving in the center of Kherson on Friday after Russia abandoned the only regional capital it had captured since the start of the war.

Zelensky said “before fleeing from Kherson, the occupiers destroyed all the critical infrastructure: communications, water, heat, electricity.”

LONDON, 13 November 2022, (TON): Britain hauled in a senior Iranian diplomat after what it described as death threats against journalists living in the UK, following weeks of anti-regime protests.

The move coincided with Melika Balali, 22, an Iranian-born wrestler now based in Scotland, receiving police protection after accusations that she too had been threatened by the Tehran regime.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted “I have summoned the Iranian charge d’affaires today after journalists working in the UK were subject to immediate threats to life from Iran.”

He said that we do not tolerate threats and intimidation from foreign nations toward individuals living in the UK.