Effat Sania Nancy from Khulna

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday warned his party leaders and workers that the upcoming national election will be one of the toughest in the history of Bangladesh, and urged them to work hard to garner public support.

“In light of my 30-35 years of political experience, it seems that although one of our main opponents may have weakened, the next election will still be one of the toughest we’ve ever faced in Bangladesh,” he said while virtually addressing two workshops simultaneously in Mymensingh and Khulna.

The BNP's central training committee organised the workshop in Tarique Smrity Auditorium, Mymensingh and Khulna Press Club on the party's 31-point state reform proposal.

He said it is becoming increasingly clear with time that the next election will not be easy, as people’s thoughts and ideas have evolved over the last 20 years. “The people are now much more aware, thanks to social media and other factors.”

Tarique, the eldest son of former president Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, said that the people of the country have confidence in the BNP.

“But retaining this trust is difficult. It is our responsibility, not the people’s, to maintain this confidence. The people will keep their trust in you if you stay connected with them and behave and speak in line with their expectations,” he said.

Tarique said the BNP always believes that the source of all the party's power is the people. “So, be with the people and keep the people with you."

He observed that some BNP leaders, workers, and colleagues have developed an attitude as if they are already in power or about to come to power. “I would like to tell you all that we have not come to power yet. I don't know if we will come to power. We’ll only be able to gain power when we earn the support of the people of Bangladesh. So, we must earn the people’s support.”

Tarique said the future of BNP depends on the way its leaders and workers speak, behave, and make statements.

“People recognise you as BNP, whether you belong to Chhatra Dal, Jubo Dal, Swechchasebak Dal, or any other associated body. So, you must act in a way that ensures their support is for you and for the party in the future,” he asked the party rank and file.

The BNP leader said it is the responsibility of everyone, not just the acting chairman and standing committee members, to maintain the party’s image. “Protecting the party and taking it forward is the responsibility of everyone, at every level.”

The BNP leader said that if BNP leaders have made any mistakes over the past three months, they need to correct themselves and guide their colleagues back onto the right path.

He also instructed the party leaders and workers to earn public support through their good work and positive attitude to implement the 31-point proposals. "We must retain the people’s trust in us at any cost. If we truly believe that the people are the ultimate source of power, we must behave accordingly.”

Tarique said the 31-point outline details what the BNP will do if it receives the public mandate to govern the state.

The BNP leader urged party leaders and activists to present the proposals to the common people in order to gain their support. While some people are now talking about reforms, the BNP had prepared its reform proposal two years ago, as the party has always been focused on the country and its people, he said.

Tarique said the issues currently being discussed in terms of reforms are almost already addressed in the 31-point outline, which was formulated in consultation with other parties. “We must secure public support for it by effectively communicating these points to the people.”

Greeneries in the country, the BNP leader said plants and trees have significantly decreased, with many old trees being chopped down over the last 16 years in the name of development.

If the BNP gets the public mandate to run the country, he said, they will aim to plant five crore rain trees and enhance greenery in the Sundarbans.

The BNP leader also mentioned that in response to natural disasters, the party would initiate the digging of rivers and canals to address flooding and the water crisis.

Stating that the three most important persons, (mother, wife and daughter) in his life are women, Tarique said that a social movement is essential for further empowerment and for ensuring the dignity of female citizens in the country.

Besides, the BNP leader said, they will provide female members of poor families with a ‘family card’ offering various facilities. They will introduce a farmers' card, identifying genuine farmers to provide them with various benefits and financial support, he said.

The BNP leader also stressed the importance of placing great emphasis on imparting moral education to children in primary schools as a means to curb corruption.