Sajjad Hossain

The BNP office has been abandoned, heavily guarded and padlocked for a month now.

Little-known parties are planning big for the January 7 polls and a number of them are selling nomination forms to anyone willing to buy so that they can field candidates in all 300 constituencies.

Scenes at the Awami League and BNP offices could not be more contrasting.

Mohammad Alauddin, who drives a CNG-run three-wheeler on hire for a living, had waited to no avail for passengers at Pallabi of Dhaka yesterday during the usual peak hours from 10:00am to 12:27pm.

Two-year-old Mehreen Akter was seen waiting with her mother in front of the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) court in Dhaka for more than seven hours yesterday, just to have a glimpse of her father.

Families continue to throng the court premises to have a glimpse of their loved ones

Student attendance was significantly lower in most educational institutions in Dhaka on the first day of the three-day blockade called by BNP and Jamaat.

There were no signs of life on the Meghna river as our engine boat cut through the darkness on the night of October 5. It was around 12:30am.

Hilsa lovers may be able to satisfy their cravings without hassle as ready-to-eat canned Shorshe Ilish could be introduced to the market in the next three months

Several years ago, the Someshwari river would draw locals in large numbers in Netrakona’s Durgapur upazila. They would wade in water with fishing nets, bathe or stand on the banks with fishing lines.

BNP standing committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury has claimed that the country is being run not by the Awami League government, but by corrupt government officials, law enforcers and businesspeople.

Just a decade ago, Totail Beel, surrounded by unspoiled and pristine nature, could be reached from the Buriganga river.

A fire ripped through Mohammadpur Krishi Market early yesterday, burning down groceries and other goods worth several crore in over 200 shops.

Almost 10 years ago, Sondha Rani, 45, started her small betel leaf shop in Mohammadpur Krishi Market, after taking a loan from a relative. She, along with her husband, ran this small shop, which served as the only means of income for their three-member family.

"I have lost everything," said an inconsolable Matin Khan who had a small shop in the Mohammadpur Krishi Market that was ravaged in a devastating fire early this morning

Azad Hossain, an employee at a private company, is beside himself with joy. He finds it difficult to process that the travails of his daily travel to his office have forever changed.

The BNP observes its 45th founding anniversary today amid growing doubts among supporters about the effectiveness of their movement demanding Awami League government’s resignation.

A decade has passed since  Hridi’s father, Parvej Reza, the then president of Paltan Thana Chhatra Dal, went missing without a trace. Year after year, on the occasion of International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the 12-year old participates in various events, demanding the return of her father.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday said the faces of Awami League leaders have dried up in fear and there are no more smiles left on their faces.

Trucks parked on both sides, unused rickshaw lanes devoid of their intended vehicles while office-goers, students, and ambulances transporting critical patients stranded in a gridlock -- this is what one will observe upon reaching  Mayor Annisul Huq Road, specially during office hours.