BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday said his party would ensure a merit-based recruitment system and would not allow bribery in public sector jobs if it comes to power.
“If BNP comes to power, there will be no bribes for jobs, nor will anyone be allowed to take bribes. All appointments will be based on merit,” he said, adding that BNP does not betray public trust. “The votes people give us are a sacred trust. We will protect that trust even at the cost of our lives.”
He made the remarks while addressing separate election campaign meetings at Paikpara and Purba Begunbari BT School grounds in Begunbari Union of his Thakurgaon-1 constituency on Monday afternoon.
Mirza Fakhrul criticised the previous government, claiming that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina had “fled to Delhi after destroying the country,” which, he said, had endangered not only party leaders and activists but also the democratic process as a whole.
He also warned against internal divisions, saying: “There are some bad elements who want to create divisions among us. Everyone must remain vigilant so that no one can succeed in creating such divisions.”
Addressing members of the Hindu community, the BNP secretary general said they should not feel afraid. “We are with you in any problem. You are free to vote for whoever you want, and if anyone tries to obstruct you, we will stand by you,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul urged voters to reject those he said had betrayed the nation and collaborated with Pakistani forces during the 1971 Liberation War, calling on people to vote for democracy with the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf.
Local BNP leaders and activists were present at the meetings.