Respecting different opinions is foundation of democracy: Tarique Rahman

Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP, said that the party must progress to reinforce the foundation of democracy. He stated that BNP is committed to multi-party democracy and proudly initiated it in the country after BAKSAL. Democracy involves diverse viewpoints, and it is essential to respect those with differing opinions. He called on all leaders and activists to practice tolerance, emphasizing that respect for differing views is the cornerstone of democracy.

Speaking virtually from London as the chief guest at the Patuakhali District BNP conference on 2 July, Tarique Rahman emphasized the ongoing responsibility of party members to uphold and protect democratic values.

Tarique Rahman said, "BNP supports reasonable reforms in the state because BNP was the first to propose such reforms."

Addressing the party workers, he said, "The autocratic Hasina government was removed because it failed to meet the people’s expectations. Now it is very important to work to fulfill the people’s demands."

The conference was chaired by Patuakhali district BNP convener Abdur Rashid Chunnu Mia and conducted by member secretary Snehangshu Sarkar Kutti. BNP’s National Executive Committee Vice-Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu, Vice-Chairman Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Training Secretary ABM Mosharraf Hossain, and Co-Organizing Secretary Akan Kuddusur Rahman were also present.

For the first time in 23 years, voting was held through secret ballot in the district BNP conference. A total of 1,511 councillors from the district exercised their right to vote. BNP leaders and activists expressed excitement to participate after a long wait and to vote for their preferred leaders.

It is worth mentioning that in 2002, Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Altaf Hossain Chowdhury was elected president and Snehangshu Sarkar Kutti was elected general secretary at the last district BNP conference. After the committee’s term expired, it was dissolved on November 2, 2020. Afterwards, a 31-member convening committee was formed with Abdur Rashid Chunnu Mia as convener and Snehangshu Sarkar Kutti as member secretary.