Says Khaleda at BNP extended meeting
Video grab
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Video grab
BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday said the people expect the interim government to hold an acceptable election following swift implementation of minimal reforms to repair the state so that the country can return to democracy.
“People from all walks of life in Bangladesh, especially the youth, are eager for a positive democratic change. We must work for the greater interest of the country by rising above pettiness,” she said while addressing an extended party meeting virtually from London, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
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Calling upon the youth, students, and the people, Khaleda said, “Let us build our beloved Bangladesh truly a livable, developed, and democratic state, not through revenge or vengeance, but with mutual love and brotherhood.”
Speaking as the chief guest, she said the cohorts of fascists and enemies of Bangladesh are plotting to undermine the achievements of the mass uprising. “Through unity, we can thwart the conspiracy.”
Asking the party activists to remain united to ensure success in the upcoming national election, Khaleda said, “Don’t take any action that would render your long struggle and sacrifices useless.”
The BNP’s extended meeting started at 11:00am at the ground adjacent to LD Hall of the parliament, with around 4,000 leaders and activists from across the country joining the event. The theme of the meeting was “Shudiro Oikya Rukhe Dite Pare Shorojontro” (Strong unity can foil conspiracies).
The party’s last extended meeting was held on February 4, 2018, at a city hotel. Khaleda presided over that programme.
As Khaleda, also a former prime minister, appeared on the big screen at exactly 12:23pm yesterday, the party leaders and activists stood up, applauded, and chanted slogans in her name.
Photo: BNP Facebook
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Photo: BNP Facebook
She called upon her party activists to unite and re-organise the BNP with greater determination, incorporating the people, so that the party can once again lead movements and govern the state like it did in the past.
“Let us use our full strength in the coming days to realise Shaheed Ziaur Rahman’s dream of a modern, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh.”
Thanking the party leaders and activists for their sacrifices for democracy and her release, the BNP chief said, “We must always remember the words of Shaheed president Ziaur Rahman — the party is greater than the individual, and the country is greater than the party.”
Presiding over the party’s meeting, BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman called on the interim government to exercise greater caution in maintaining neutrality, as public doubt over its impartiality continues to grow.
“Neutrality is the interim government’s greatest asset in ensuring a free and fair election. Doubts over its impartiality have already emerged among the people. I urge the government to be more vigilant in upholding neutrality,” he said during his inaugural speech.
Tarique demanded an immediate announcement of a clear roadmap for the polls.
He said, “While the chief adviser’s statements on various occasions have fostered positive expectations, misleading remarks from some advisers have frustrated pro-democracy and freedom-loving citizens.”
Despite unconditional support from BNP and other pro-democracy parties, the interim government has yet to set clear priorities in its action plan, he claimed.
“When the government is failing to control price hike of essentials and ensure law and order, the public does not understand why it is complicating matters further by prioritising local elections over national polls,” Tarique said.
He said that holding local polls before the national election would “rehabilitate allies of the fugitive autocrat”.
“BNP will not fall into the trap of rehabilitating mass murderers, money launderers, and corrupt mafia groups.”
Tarique said those, who once sought to turn Bangladesh into a failed state, did not cease their conspiracies. A deliberate confusion is being created over issues such as reforms and local elections.
“Through you, I would like to call upon the farmers, workers, ordinary people, Alem-Ulema, Pir-Mashayekh (Islamic scholars and spiritual leaders) and all sections of society to stay vigilant against this conspiracy to destroy the national unity and environment of the national election.”
In his welcome speech, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said after Hasina fled to India on August 5, people hoped for a change in the country. They expected their voting rights to be restored quickly so that they could elect their representatives.
“But unfortunately, we still don’t see any clear direction in this regard.”
“…A group has started plotting in various ways. Attempts are also being made from outside. At the same time, some individuals and groups are trying to mislead the people by giving wrong explanations about the situation inside the country.”
The inaugural session featured a screening of the documentary “Prothom Bangladesh, Amar Shesh Bangladesh”.
BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, and Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin, were also present at the meeting.