DHAKA, Jan 1, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today said there is nothing to be upset about emergence of any new political party as this is a democratic practice.

“BNP will welcome any democratic initiative for the interest of the state and politics. If required, any new political party can be formed. There is nothing to be upset about it,” he said while virtually addressing a discussion organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) marking its 46th founding anniversary.

The discussion was held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the capital's Ramna area this afternoon.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir joined the event as the special guest.

Tarique Rahman said BNP has been favouring the practice of multi-party democracy and difference of opinions in all situations since its inception.

“BNP's perspective in this regard is very transparent. The people will accept or reject a political party; they will give that verdict through elections. However, those who are afraid of facing the verdict of the people's court or have other intentions are spreading various misleading information about the election,” he said.

BNP acting chairman urged the democracy loving people not to lose their patience and get prepared  mentally for the election.

“Have faith that the Election Commission will fulfil its assigned responsibilities properly,” he said.

Addressing the party leaders and workers, he said, “Do not be misled by propaganda. Rather, be vigilant. Do not involve yourself in any work that gives anyone an opportunity to spread propaganda. Keep yourself in the trust of the people. Try your best to keep the trust of the people,” he said.

 

Recalling the supreme sacrifice made by Chhatra Dal activists in the July uprising, Tarique Rahman hoped the students and youth will take a stand in favour of a more advanced state system by reforming the existing rules and regulations of the state, politics, and government.

“It is natural that the young people of the country will play a role in changing the society. This is the characteristic of youth,” he said.

Warning the leaders and activists not to take hasty decisions, Tarique Rahman said, ‘We all have to be careful that a situation does not arise in which the aspirations of the mass uprising are destroyed due to any hasty decision.”

He urged leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal to stay alert and vigilant saying it is necessary to remember that the role of students and youth in particular is immense in building a safe and self-reliant Bangladesh for future generations.

Regarding the reform programme, BNP acting chairman said some quarters are raising questions whether reform or election. BNP as well as all patriotic political parties and people consider this to be an ill-motivated argument, he said.

“BNP believes both reforms and elections are necessary for qualitative changes in the state, politics and political parties. Reforms are an inevitable continuous process to make the existing system a time-befitting one. Similarly, elections are the most important and effective way to give a sustainable and institutional form to the democratic system,” he noted.

“The opportunity that the people get to exercise their right to vote through elections ensures the political power of the state and the people.”

Tarique Rahman said BNP believes that unless the political and economic empowerment of the people in the state is ensured, nothing, be it democracy, human rights or institutional reforms, is ultimately sustainable.

He said the interim government has undertaken reform programmes in several important areas. Reform initiatives are definitely needed; he said adding daily grievances of the people should not be ignored.

He underscored the need for breaking the market syndicate created during the dictatorial regime to bring the prices of goods within the purchasing capacity of the people.

Tarique Rahman said BNP doesn’t want failure of the current government, founded on the blood of hundreds  of martyrs.

“BNP, as a pro-people political party, continues to support this government,” he said.

 

Wishing Chhatra Dal leaders and workers on the organization’s 46th anniversary, Tarique Rahman urged them to remember that students are the driving force in building a knowledge-based state so that they must be aware of the state and politics.

Noting that students first and main goal should be study, study and study, he urged the Chhatra Dal activists to keep them involved in public welfare activities along with education.

JCD president Rakibul Islam Rakib chaired the discussion which was conducted by general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

Former leaders of JCD Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Asaduzzaman Ripon, Aman Ullah Aman, Fazlul Haque Milan, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Nazim Uddin Alam, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Rakibul Islam Bakul, Azizul Bari Helal, Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Amirul Islam Khan Alim, Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan Jewel, Habibur Rashid Habib, Akramul Hasan, Fazlur Rahman Khokon, Iqbal Hossain Shyamal, Kazi Rawnakul Islam Shrabon, Rashed Iqbal Khan and Saif Mahmud Jewel, and Dhaka University unit of Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahos  also spoke, among others.

The event venue was IEB auditorium but a pandal was also set up outside it with installation of a big screen to allow the massive number of leaders and activists of the BNP’s student wing Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

Leaders and workers of JCD joined the discussion coming from different parts of the capital in procession carrying banners and festoons inscribed with photos of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

They chanted various slogans including “Ma Mati Kapse, Tarique Rahman Asche”, “Tarique Rahman Birer Beshe, Asbe Fire Bangladeshe”.  

Former President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of BNP, founded JCD on January 1, 1979.