Stay alert against election conspiracies: Tarique Rahman

Acting chairman of BNP Tariqur Rahman addressing an extended meeting of the BNP held in Dhaka on Thursday. UNB

Dhaka, Feb 27 - BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday urged the people of the country to remain alert against the conspiracy to destroy national unity and the electoral environment.

"Evil attempts continue to destroy the national unity that was built on blood-soaked streets and the electoral atmosphere,” he said while addressing the opening session of BNP's extended meeting in the capital.

The meeting started at 11am on the LD Hall premise of the Jatiya Sangsad with the participation of 3,500 leaders from across the country.

Pointing at the participants, Tarique Rahman said, “Through you, I would like to call upon the farmers, workers, common people, Alem-Ulema, Peer-Mashayekh (Islamic scholars and spiritual leaders) and all sections of society to stay vigilant against this conspiracy to destroy national unity and the environment of the national election."

He said that a great opportunity has emerged for democratic forces to rebuild Bangladesh after the fleeing of fascist Hasina. But those who wanted to turn Bangladesh into a subservient state have not stopped their conspiracies, he added.

“A smokescreen is being created before the people using issues like reforms and local government elections,” said the BNP acting chairman.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is presiding over the meeting virtually from London.

He will also address the leaders during the closing session.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir delivered a welcome speech in the opening session.

The inaugural session features a screening of the documentary ‘Prothom Bangladesh, Amar Shesh Bangladesh’ produced by the Extended Meeting Implementation Media Sub-Committee.

Besides, Amra BNP Poribar has already published a magazine titled ‘Aastha’ (confidence) to mark this significant event.

Following the inauguration, a closed-door session will take place where grassroots leaders will share their views.

The meeting will conclude with a policy speech by Tarique Rahman.

The last BNP extended meeting was held on February 4, 2018, at Le Méridien in Dhaka, where BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia addressed party leaders. Four days later, on February 8, she was sent to the jail in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

According to BNP’s central office, 3,500 leaders from six organisational tiers, ranging from grassroots to the central level, are participating in this extended meeting.

The participants include members of the National Standing Committee, the Chairperson’s Advisory Council, the National Executive Committee, and presidents, general secretaries, conveners, and member secretaries of all city, district, upazila-thana, and municipal unit committees

Leaders from BNP’s 11 associate and affiliate organisations, including their presidents, general secretaries, conveners, and member secretaries, also attended the meeting.

Besides, the BNP candidates who run the 2018 national election and even those who had obtained initial nomination from the party are in the extended meeting.

With this extended meeting, the BNP’s journey towards the next national election and its election oriented programme will start. - UNB