National
PM Sheikh Hasina: No Need for Vote Theft
Speaking at an election rally in Kalabagan, the capital city, on Monday (Jan 1), Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and President of the Awami League, affirmed the party’s commitment to genuine public service amid the ongoing democratic processes in the country. Stressing the Awami League’s dedication to securing votes through authentic connections with the people, she dismissed the need for engaging in vote theft. Sheikh Hasina pointed out that those unlawfully coming to power not only resort to vote theft but also seek to obstruct the electoral process.
Highlighting the Awami League’s history of service to the country’s people since 1975, Sheikh Hasina emphasized shaping the nation’s destiny through dedicated efforts without compromising the well-being of the citizens. In a critical tone, she accused the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of inflicting suffering on the country akin to invaders post-2001, attributing the imposition of an emergency in the country to their misrule.
Addressing BNP’s reluctance to participate in elections without the option of vote theft, Sheikh Hasina asserted that elections are a fundamental right of the people, and BNP lacks the courage to obstruct it. Urging vigilance among the public, she cautioned that BNP’s actions could potentially harm the nation.
Commenting on BNP’s alleged plans to disrupt voting through arson, Sheikh Hasina called for responding through democratic means and emphasized that all disruptions caused by BNP and Jamaat should be addressed through the power of voting. Making an appeal for votes symbolized by a boat, the electoral symbol of the Awami League, she highlighted promises of development in 15 constituencies of Dhaka and urged voters to support the boat for the envisioned ‘Smart Bangladesh’.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
