BNP, in addition to their movement on the streets, has also been taking serious preparations silently for upcoming national elections. The task of finalizing candidates, in addition to preparing election manifesto, is going on. The visible activity of BNP in this regard will be started having political solution and understanding of their issues. With a view to come to a political solution, the party has been conducting their movements.
The acting chairman of the party, Tarique Rahman has sent a clear message to the aspiring candidates of the party that none will be given nomination just because he/she’s very influential. Everyone has to stay on the field of movement. Those who will stay on the streets movement cordially will be considered specially.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is trying to implement this decision of acting chairman within the party and the country. This information has been known through reliable sources of BNP. Mirza Fakhrul Islam said, “We have risked our lives in this movement. I won’t leave the streets even if I die. All political parties, including BNP, will participate in the elections under a neutral government through one point movement. Through this, the country and people will be freed from tyranny.”
According to the sources, BNP has started a simultaneous movement with like-minded parties with the aim of taking the ongoing one-phase movement towards the final result through the implementation of a peaceful program. New program will be announced again in a day or two. The party secretary general is holding one after another meeting with the leaders from root-level to the central-committee, leaders from like-minded political parties and alliance for planning the movement. Then after discussing these matters with the acting chairman, the decision is shared with everyone. In addition, the Acting Chairman of BNP, Tarique Rahman, is continuously talking to the leaders of different levels across the country about determining the program of the movement and what needs to be done to involve the people. He has already spoken to the top leaders of the district level, former MP-ministers from the party, divisional organizing and co-organizing secretaries and top leaders of the organization. He even met with the party's candidates in the last national elections. The announcement of the 'all out' program may come in the next month. Hence, all concerned are being repeatedly warned from the high command that there should be no split in the party and none must neglect their responsibilities.
Several leaders of the district level who spoke to the acting chairman said the party high command has told potential candidates that many leaders and workers have been killed, disappeared and crippled in the past days and in the ongoing movement and struggle. Those who continue the movement are still fine. If the movement does not succeed, there is no guarantee that many of them could bear the consequences as they think Awami League will not spare any BNP leaders and workers if it comes to power again.
According to the instructions of the high command given to the district level leaders regarding the upcoming elections, BNP will participate in the elections under a non-partisan government. And it won’t consider who is big leader, influential person or MP-minister in that election. Those who will play a good role in the movement will be nominated. According to the sources, besides the field movement, as a preparation for the national elections, BNP has started selecting candidates for 300 constituencies across the country for long ago. Nomination papers will be handed over to the final candidates. However, everything depends on the fulfillment of the demand of non-party government.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the member of BNP's standing committee, in this regard told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "There is a one point movement for national elections under a non-partisan neutral government. We all have to participate in this movement together. No negligence can be done. It’s not only the acting chairman's decision, but the whole party's decision. We are all committed to implement the decision. BNP will ensure a free and fair national election under a neutral government with the support of people, InshaAllah.
BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu told The Bangladesh Pratidin, "Not only BNP, but the entire nation, including all opposition parties, is united in a one-point movement right now. If almighty wants, we will return home after realizing this demand.”
(The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 11 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)
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