Imtiaz Ahmed, Narayanganj

BNP's Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, emphasized the importance of free and fearless voting, stating, “We do not believe in rigged or manipulated elections.

As a political party, it is natural for us to seek elections. Whoever earns the people's support and votes will come to power, and that’s perfectly fine. Our goal is to ensure people can cast their votes without fear. When people vote freely, they do so thoughtfully. To achieve this, we must gain the trust of the public.”

Speaking on Tuesday as the chief guest at a BNP workshop in Narayanganj, organized to discuss the party’s 31-point roadmap for reforming state structures, Tarique Rahman addressed grassroots leaders and activists.

He further stated, “Though the head of the dictatorship has fled, its remnants still exist. We must stay vigilant against them. Even within our ranks, infiltrators have entered, and we must confront them as well. If anyone thinks the opposition’s absence makes the election easier, they are mistaken. The upcoming election will be incredibly challenging. We aim to navigate this election with the support of the people.”

Tarique Rahman also observed, “When people recognize you as a BNP supporter, they greet you respectfully and ask, ‘When will the election be held?’ Businesspeople express concerns about the economy and stability, indicating their trust in BNP to bring positive change. Such trust and expectations are a political party’s greatest success.”

He added, “Winning people’s trust is not the responsibility of the public; it is ours. Your actions in your area represent BNP as a whole. If you do good, the BNP looks good; if you falter, the party’s image suffers. Therefore, it is crucial to uphold BNP’s reputation by curbing any wrongdoing within our ranks.”

Tarique Rahman also urged party leaders to ensure that no one exploits the party for personal gain, saying, “You are here as leaders, with many people working under your leadership. Be mindful that no one tarnishes the party’s image for their own benefit.”

Speaking about the party’s 31-point reform plan, he said, “Today’s workshop is a continuation of our grassroots dialogue. We’ve already held discussions with central and divisional leaders.

The event was attended by several prominent leaders, including former Jubo Dal President Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, BNP Executive Committee Member Mostafizur Rahman Bhuiyan Dipu, Dhaka Division Joint Secretary-General Nazrul Islam Azad, Narayanganj District BNP President Muhammad Gias Uddin, and General Secretary Golam Faruk Khokon, alongside other district-level leaders.