BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday that the BNP is a party of the people and the guardian of Bangladesh’s independence and sovereignty, questioning whether the party has fallen into such a crisis that it needs to recruit members from the Awami League.
He was addressing the opening ceremony of the BNP’s fresh member enrolment and renewal campaign for the Sylhet division as the chief guest at the Sylhet Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the city.
Salahuddin said: “Anyone who believes in Bangladeshi nationalism and identifies as Bangladeshi can become a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The BNP embraces and cherishes every speck of dust of this country. Though the official population is said to be 180 million, in reality, it has now surpassed 190 million.”
“Has BNP fallen into such a crisis that it needs to import members from the Awami League? Why should we invite members of a party whose DNA lacks democracy to join the BNP?” he questioned.
He said: “On August 5 last year, the people of Bangladesh ousted the Awami League. The Awami League is responsible for some of the most heinous massacres in history. Their political demise has already occurred.”
He added: “To this day, they have shown no remorse or sought forgiveness for their wrongdoings. Instead, during the mass uprising, they labelled the protesters as miscreants. How can such a party be fit to engage in politics in Bangladesh?”
Salahuddin continued: “Our leader Tarique Rahman had already announced a 31-point program in 2023 to reform the state structure. We knew that one day the downfall of fascism would come. Those who killed, maimed, abducted, and disappeared citizens must face justice.
“We must ensure that Bangladesh never again becomes a breeding ground for dictatorship or fascism.”
Notably, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said earlier this month that those who were once involved with the Awami League but did not support or participate in its misrule and had already distanced themselves from the party are welcome to join the BNP.
