BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called upon his party’s rank and file to remain alert in a bid to foil any attempt to hatch a conspiracy against the country’s democracy.
“BNP believes in democracy. We want to see democracy practiced in the country. We want everyone to know that we want around 12.5 crore voters of Bangladesh in the coming days to be able to express their opinions through the ballot. We must stay alert so that no one can conspire against this,” he said.
The BNP leader came up with the statement while speaking virtually from London at the biennial council of the Patuakhali district unit BNP.
“We often hear whispers and rumours (about attempts to obstruct the election). As followers of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, all our leaders and activists across Bangladesh must remain alert about these issues,” he added.
Tarique Rahman said many of their party leaders and activists have sacrificed their lives, been maimed, killed, persecuted and tortured to establish the people’s right to vote over the last 17 years. “So, we must make sure that no one can conspire against this right. We must stay alert.”
He also expressed the hope to see BNP leaders and activists on the country’s soil soon.
The BNP acting chairman asked the party men not to engage in any act that could harm the party’s image.
“I call upon everyone that as an activist of the BNP we will not do such an act that people will become annoyed with us. Now there is no problem of enforced disappearance or killing in the country; then why do we do such acts that might affect the party’s image?,” he said.
He further said if the party men do something that people dislike, then every leader and activist – even the party itself – will have to bear its negative impact. The BNP acting chairman also directed party leaders and activists at all levels to win public trust through their good work and positive behaviour.
“If you see any of your colleagues doing something that could damage the party’s image or erode public trust, it is your duty not to let it happen,” he said.
The council was held at the Patuakhali Gymnasium Ground with the district unit BNP Convener Abdur Rashid Chunnu Mia in the chair.
BNP Central Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu inaugurated the programme while another vice chairman, Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Training Affairs Secretary ABM Mosharraf Hossain and 15 other central BNP leaders were present as special guests at the event.
bd-pratidin/GR
