Don’t indulge in any misdeeds

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has urged party leaders and activists not to give "shelter to intruders".

He also urged them to refrain from wrongdoings, reminding them that the people may once again show their strength as they did on August 5 if the activists make mistakes.

Speaking virtually at a discussion yesterday, he also said the government's accountability must be ensured through timely elections.

"I humbly request all the soldiers of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia all over Bangladesh, please don't allow intruders to crowd around you…please don't get misguided," the BNP leader said.

The BNP organised the discussion at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh, marking the 89th birth anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman.

Tarique said over 60 lakh people were repressed, with many others killed.

"Have we endured the repression and persecution to shelter intruders and wrongdoers?"

Many people believe the BNP has the most potential to form the government if a free and fair election is held, he said.

Tarique asked if the party leaders and activists

would be able to stay well if a situation emerges in which someone else forms the government due to the wrongdoings of intruders or misguided BNP followers.

"We don't know who or what may come [to power]… but it won't be good for all of us."

If anyone else forms the government, every political activist belonging to the BNP should have the sense to recognise that it would not be good for the country, both from a local and international perspective.

"We still have time to stand by the people and behave according to their desires."

At the end of the day, a political party has to go to the voters. "If any of us indulge in wrongdoing before the [election] day, you will have to answer to the people when you go to them for their votes."

The BNP leader reminded his party colleagues of how people can depose autocrats.

"That example still shines before our eyes… If we ultimately need public support, why shouldn't we try to earn it through good deeds? Why should you turn a blind eye to unfairness? If the people turn away, we will have no place to go, no matter what we think of ourselves."

Without mentioning names, Tarique said some political forces were trying to raise their voices against the BNP due to the wrongdoings of intruders and some misguided party activists.

Winning the next election will not be as easy as some BNP leaders and activists think.

"We have our party's organisations even at the village level. But people matter and people are our strength and support. People showed on August 5 what happens if they are not with you. So, if we make any mistake, the people will show something again, and then you will have to face the consequences," he said.

The BNP leader called upon the party rank and file to remain united and stand against unfairness. "We must stand with the people in such a way that they understand we are with them, according to their desires. This should be our oath on this day, the 89th birth anniversary of Ziaur Rahman."

Tarique said BNP Standing Committee member Maj (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed mentioned that he was astonished to see some people around him when he visited his area two days ago.

"Many such people have gradually started crowding around the BNP after August 5. Many of our leaders and activists were subjected to immense repression and have died in handcuffs over the last 16-17 years. If you haven't forgotten those scenes, why should we allow such people to crowd around us?" he questioned.

The BNP leader said all conscious citizens of the country are in favour of restoring their voting rights, as they have long been deprived of them.

Citing an example of Britain's democratic practice over the last 400 years, the BNP leader said all state systems there are in favour of the people, as they have kept their voting rights intact by any means.

"That's why accountability to people in every sphere of the state and government has developed there. That's why people are safe there. People don't fear the government there. Rather, the government fears people. So, the government is always alert to keep people well," he observed.

He said there are many political parties in Bangladesh with different thoughts and ideologies. "But we all need to agree on one thing that elections must be held at every level of the state within a specific timeframe stipulated by the constitution and the rule of law. Be it the parliament, municipality, or union parishads, elections must be held."

He asked the party leaders and activists to make efforts with a strong resolve so that the people love and honour them, even after their death, just as they do for Ziaur Rahman.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their party leaders and activists will remain on the right track if they follow the ideals of Ziaur Rahman, who was an honest and visionary leader.

Mentioning that the country's economic condition is not good, he called upon the interim government to focus on fixing the economy and establishing good governance and arranging the next election as early as possible.

BNP Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Begum Selima Rahman and Hafizuddin Ahmed, among others, spoke at the programme.