Nobody can exploit BNP’s name for personal gain: Tarique Rahman

BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has urged party leaders and activists to remain vigilant so that no one can exploit the name of BNP for personal gain. He made the call while virtually addressing the triennial conference of Kishoreganj District BNP on Saturday (September 20) afternoon at the town’s old stadium.

Tarique Rahman said, “Every one of us, the soldiers of Shaheed Zia and Deshnetri Khaleda Zia, must remain extremely cautious. No one should be allowed to misuse the name of BNP for personal interest or spread confusion among the people. This responsibility belongs to all of us.”

He further said, “Across Bangladesh, all leaders and workers who still believe in establishing democracy must hold on to one goal—unity at any cost. There is no alternative.”

On the interim government’s reform and governance proposals, he noted, “These proposals were already included in BNP’s 31-point proposal. About 95 percent of the interim government’s proposals are reflected in our 31 points.”

He added, “The fascist is gone, now we must move forward. To ensure the people’s political rights, voting rights, right to live, employment, women’s rights, education, healthcare, as well as farmers’ and workers’ interests, it is essential to establish a democratic government based on the people’s mandate.”

Regarding preparations for the upcoming election, Tarique Rahman said, “The election will be held in February. We must bring the people on board based on our 31 points. Every worker of 'dhaner sheesh' and every supporter of nationalism must remain united in this great struggle to establish democracy. There is no alternative.”

Sounding a note of caution, he said, “Even though the autocrat is gone, invisible evil forces occasionally raise their heads. That is why we must stay more alert. We practice politics of development and production, and we uphold the ideals of Shaheed Zia and Khaleda Zia. We can no longer sit idle if we want to advance the march of democracy. If we remain united like steel and reach out to the people in the February election, BNP will succeed with public mandate.”

Toward the end of his speech, he urged leaders and activists, “Everyone must remain alert. No one should be allowed to misuse the party’s name for personal gain or create confusion within the party. We must stay close to the people with a mindset of public service—only then will the mandate be in our favour.”

At the conference, Tarique Rahman asked leaders and activists to make two pledges—unity in upholding party decisions, and ensuring that no one exploits the party’s name for personal gain or conspires against the party. The attendees raised both hands to express their support for these pledges.

Earlier in the afternoon, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the conference at the old stadium. Special guests included BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Abdus Salam, Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Emran Saleh Prince, Central Committee Treasurer M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Assistant Organizing Secretaries Advocate Shah Md. Wares Al Mamun and Abu Wahab Akand, and members Laila Begum and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Iqbal. Kishoreganj District BNP President Shariful Alam chaired the conference, while General Secretary Md. Majharul Islam conducted it.

The conference, held after nine years, saw participation from 2,090 councilors from 21 units of the district BNP. In the second session, they will vote to elect new leadership.