BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has warned that “branches of conspiracy have begun to spread” in an attempt to derail the upcoming national election, calling on all to remain vigilant.
He issued this call on Sunday afternoon while addressing a discussion meeting marking the party’s founding anniversary.
The discussion, titled “BNP’s Founding: Purpose and Significance,” was held at the Institution of Engineers, Dhaka, marking BNP’s 47th founding anniversary. A documentary on BNP was also screened at the event.
Tarique Rahman said: “Ahead of the forthcoming national election, various conspiracies are unfolding. But as long as we maintain our bond with the people, we believe, Insha’Allah, no conspiracy will be able to halt BNP’s march forward. Everyone must stay alert.”
Extending greetings to leaders and activists on the party’s founding anniversary, the acting chairman said: “In our 47 years of proud struggle, BNP has always received the support and cooperation of the pro-democracy people of this country. On this day, let us renew our pledge to the people.”
He added: “Just as BNP has never deviated from the path of democracy, justice, rule of law, and the establishment of people’s rights in the past, Insha’Allah, we will not deviate in the future either. Your party, our party, BNP, is rooted in this Bangladesh. The strength of the people is BNP’s strength.”
Cautioning that the situation in the country is being made increasingly complex, Tarique said: “Either the country’s stability is naturally turning complex or it is being deliberately complicated.”
He added: “Conscience is the greatest court of humankind. In that court of conscience, we must ask ourselves—will slogans like ‘the election will not be allowed’ weaken the unity of anti-fascist forces, or will it pave the way for the resurgence of fugitive fascist elements?”
Issuing directives to party leaders and activists, he said: “Politics does not mean only a flurry of promises. Politics means improving people’s living standards and building a safe Bangladesh for future generations.”
He further said: “With that vision, BNP has already laid out specific blueprints through various programs and statements on how our plans for current and future generations will be implemented.”
He added: “BNP has not only prepared plans but also completed the paperwork on how those plans will be executed. Now, our responsibility is to take these steps to every mother, sister, young person, teacher, and student across the nation. We must preserve our close relationship with the people.”
Warning of sinister activities, Tarique said: “Until a free, fair, and impartial election establishes a democratic government accountable to the people through direct votes, democracy will not be risk-free.”
He added: “Almost a year ago, I said invisible forces were already at work centering the upcoming election. People are now beginning to see how these evil forces are preparing to destroy the people’s opportunity to establish their rights in their own Bangladesh. Their activities are gradually becoming visible.”
He continued: “At a time when an interim government is moving to restore people’s rights in a Bangladesh free of fallen, defeated, and fugitive dictators, some political parties are imposing various conditions not to ensure people’s rights through elections, but to serve their narrow partisan interests.”
“Many people have started to think that such conditions are nothing but a planned attempt to obstruct the electoral process,” he concluded.