Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today called upon the party men to take preparation for the national elections.

"Democracy and BNP are synonymous. If democracy is endangered, BNP's interests are also endangered. After the escape of the mafia leader, a democratic environment has now returned to the country. The time for the national elections is also approaching. You should prepare yourselves mentally (for elections)," he said.

BNP wants to restore people's voting rights and establish such a government accountable to the people, Tarique Rahman said seeking people's support in this regard.

He was virtually addressing the second extended meeting of the central committee formed through the sixth council held in March, 2016 at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.

The BNP acting chairman said a conspiracy is underway to destroy national unity and election environment.

"Various conspiracies have already started to thwart the opportunity and possibility created after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina's fascist Awami League regime. Attempts are being made to destroy the national unity and environment of the national elections which came through blood-soaked streets," he said.

"The conspiracy of those who wanted to make Bangladesh a subservient state has not stopped yet," he added.

Tarique Rahman called upon all including farmers, workers, scholars, ulama, Pir Mashayek, and people of all classes and professions to stay vigilant against any conspiracy to destroy the environment of national unity and the national elections.

BNP's extended meeting is being held after a long 7 years as the last one was held on February 4, 2018. The party claimed they could not hold further extended meeting or council of the BNP during the Awami League rule.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia spoke at the function virtually from London as the chief guest as she is now at her elder son Tarique Rahman's residence for treatment purpose. In her speech, she wished the success of the meeting seeking prayers from all.

Tarique Rahman recalled the contribution of BNP founder and great proclaimer of independence Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman saying he lit the light of democracy in the darkness of one-party cursed Bangladesh.

"Ziaur Rahman gave all the political parties to be banned by the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman an opportunity to do politics in Bangladesh. He handed over the flag of democracy to the BNP, blessed with the love of the people," he said.

About reform, the BNP acting chairman said reform in the state and politics is a continuous process. "The idea of reform is not new to BNP. BNP has always embraced the aspirations of the people whatever position it has held either in the government or in the opposition," he said.

"The establishment of multi-party democracy in the country after November 7, 1975, which was the reflection of the aspirations of the Liberation War through the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, and the establishment of a parliamentary government in the country in 1991 were all epoch-making reforms in the field of state politics," he added.

In addition, during its various terms of office, the BNP government created opportunities for girls to study in schools and colleges free of cost and established the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to ensure proper evaluation of freedom fighters in the state and society, Tarique Rahman said.

The BNP government established the Ministry of Science and Information Technology to keep Bangladesh ready in keeping pace with the world's information technology, and formed the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment to ensure the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis, he noted.

These were also some important reforms in the state and government and there are countless other examples of this kind, he said.

Tarique Rahman said, "All avenues for reform were closed as the fugitive dictator Sheikh Hasina seized power through conspiracy. In order to make Bangladesh a subservient state forever, Awami League had almost destroyed the country's education system in the last one and a half decades. It had made the country's defense system fragile".

He said the AL government had made the country's economy fragile by laundering money and looting and all the country's constitutional and statutory institutions were made ineffective.

It had deprived the people of their rights to vote and made them politically powerless, endangering the country's independence and sovereignty, he said.

"In such a situation, the Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia gave Vision 2030 in 2017 with the aim of qualitative change in the state, government and politics. In continuation of this, BNP announced a 27-point program in 2022. Later, a 31-point programme was announced after exchanging views with pro-democracy political parties," Tarique Rahman said.

Currently, dialogue with the people across the country is underway at the initiative of BNP on these 31 points, he said.

Tarique Rahman said although there are 31 points for repairing the state-government-politics and political parties, it's ultimate goal is to build a safe, democratic, humane Bangladesh as well as to ensure the political and economic empowerment of the people in the state and society.

If this cannot be ensured, none of independence-sovereignty-democracy-security-prosperity will be sustainable, he observed.

Noting that there is no alternative to the political empowerment of the people for the independence and security of the state, the BNP acting chairman said the precondition for ensuring their political empowerment is to implement the voting rights of every citizen.

And for this purpose, BNP as a political party has repeatedly demanded national elections in order to establish a government accountable to the people through the people's votes, he added.

He said BNP's 31-point outline is the charter for establishing a non-discriminatory, democratic, humane Bangladesh.

"However, these 31 points are not the last word. There is also scope for additions and deletions to these 31 points for the reform of the state government-politics and political parties as the need of the time. Even there is no fundamental difference between the BNP's 31-point outline and the current interim government's one," he said.

He said all pro-democracy political parties, including the BNP, have unconditional support to the interim government.

Raising concern about the current law and order situation, he said murder, rape, theft, and robbery are increasing across the country while the prices of daily necessities are out of control due to the market syndicate.

He sought effective government actions in dealing with the issues to bring comfort in people's daily life.

Highlighting BNP's electoral commitment, he said if BNP is voted to power in the next national election, it will bring those who were involved with mass killing in July and August last under justice.

Demanding national election first, Tarique Rahman sought specific roadmap of action plan from the interim government.

Noting that BNP believes in multi-party democracy, he said the party welcomes all new political parties and organizations.

However, the people will make the final decision to accept or reject any party through elections, he said.

The BNP acting chairman urged the Election Commission to hold a free and fair national election with the participation of every party.

"Neutrality is the biggest asset of the interim government for a free and fair election in the country," he said urging the interim government to be more careful to maintain its neutrality.

About BNP's plan for the country, he said they want to build a Bangladesh in which Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and everyone, regardless of party, religion, or caste, will enjoy equal rights.

"Living in this 56,000 square mile Bangladesh territory, we all have one identity that we are Bangladeshis," he said.

Noting that BNP's perspective on foreign policy is also clear, he said, BNP believes that there is no such thing as a permanent enemy or ally in the current world rather, the relationship between one country and another will be based on protecting mutual interests, need, and fairness.

"Our policy in maintaining relations with other countries is 'Bangladesh first'. That is, protecting the interests of our own country and people must be the first and main priority," he said.

He urged the party men to make specific proposals in their speeches and discussions on how to make the party stronger and more consolidated by confronting the conspirators.