BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged his party leaders and activists to remain alert against any conspiracy aimed at preventing voters from exercising their rights to elect public representatives through the ballot in the next national election.
“We want this message to reach everyone that we want around 12.5 crore voters of Bangladesh in the coming days to be able to express their opinions through the ballot. We must stay alert so that no one can conspire against this,” he said.
Addressing the biennial council of the Patuakhali district unit BNP virtually from London, Tarique said they often hear whispers and rumours about attempts to obstruct the election. “As followers of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia, all our leaders and workers across Bangladesh must remain aware of these issues.”
The BNP leader said many of their leaders and activists have sacrificed their lives, been maimed, killed, persecuted and tortured to establish the people’s right to vote over the last 17 years. “So, we must make sure that no one can conspire against this right. We must stay alert.”
He also expressed the hope to see BNP leaders and activists on the country’s soil soon and urged them not to do anything that could harm the party’s image.
“If you do something that people dislike, every leader and activist--even the party itself --will have to bear its negative impact. That’s why I urge every leader and activist in all 64 districts of Bangladesh not to indulge in any activities that may cause publicresentment against us,” Tarique said.
He directed party leaders and workers at all levels to win public trust through their good work and positive behaviour.
“Why should any of our colleagues do anything that may harm the party? If you see any of your colleagues doing something that could damage the party’s image or erode public trust, it is your duty not to let it happen,” the BNP leader said.
As members or leaders of the country’s largest political party, he said everyone must act responsibly and live up to people's expectations.
Tarique said it is the responsibility of every BNP member not only to strengthen the foundation of democracy but also to ensure that neither they nor any of their colleagues do anything that could damage the party’s reputation.
“Everyone must keep this in mind. Today, I give every leader and activist of the party this sacred responsibility. It is everyone’s duty to protect the party’s reputation at any cost. Those who damage the party’s image must not be given any kind of indulgence or protection,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, stating that people’s unity is now more important than ever, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman urged political parties to carefully consider whether the proportional representation (PR) election system is suitable for Bangladesh, warning that it could lead to division.
“Some political parties have raised the demand for a proportional representation (PR) electoral system. While this system of elections exists in certain countries around the world, I urge everyone to carefully consider how suitable—or whether it is suitable at all—for Bangladesh at this moment, given the country’s current reality and its geographical-political context,” he said.
Tarique made the remarks while virtually addressing the party’s discussion, ‘Mass Uprising 2024: National Unity and Democratic Journey’, held at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
To establish Bangladesh on a strong democratic foundation, he said the country must be freed from subservience.
“At this moment, national unity is more important than ever. But I would like to humbly appeal to the leaders of all political parties to seriously consider whether the proportional representation system could lead to a divided society and an unstable government instead of national unity,” the BNP leader said.
He said there is now an opportunity to build a democratic and discrimination-free Bangladesh as the country has been freed from fascism through the mass uprising.
The BNP leader said establishing democracy and forming an elected government through a fair national election is necessary to honour the sacrifice of the martyrs.
Tarique Rahman expressed his respect to the martyrs and conveyed his sympathy to the families of those who were martyred or injured during the mass uprising and the long democratic movement.
He said just as people have not forgotten those who laid down their lives for the country’s independence in 1971, the nation will also not forget those who were martyred during the mass uprising in 2024.
If BNP comes to power, Tarique said, the party will name various state institutions and establishments after the martyrs in their honour.
