BNP will contest local polls after preparations: Tarique Rahman

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has called on party leaders and activists to remain vigilant against infiltrators and to prioritize unity and discipline as the party prepares to contest upcoming local government elections. Addressing a meeting of local leaders and activists in Barishal, Rahman emphasized that the party would participate in the polls only after completing its organizational preparations.

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For the past 17 years, leaders and activists kept the party alive despite repression, enforced disappearances, killings and cases. Everyone was united then. That unity is needed even more now.

Rahman acknowledged the sacrifices made by party members over the past 17 years, enduring repression, enforced disappearances, killings, and legal cases. He stressed that the unity displayed during that period is even more critical now. The timing of the local elections will be determined through discussions after the monsoon season. He urged local leaders to select candidates for chairman and member posts, as well as local party leadership, through mutual consultation.

The BNP chairman warned that disunity could be exploited by internal and external conspiratorial groups, drawing parallels to alleged plots before the national election. He highlighted the importance of a strong organizational structure to counter such attempts. Rahman also instructed party members to ensure peaceful celebrations for an upcoming major religious festival of the Hindu community, emphasizing that no unpleasant incidents should occur.

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If cracks appear in your unity, others will take advantage of that. People trust you. A hundred people greet you because you are with the BNP. The respect people give you is a blessing from Allah. Do not destroy it.

Furthermore, Rahman advised party leaders to make realistic commitments to the public, avoiding promises that cannot be fulfilled. He stated that when the BNP has governed, it has worked sincerely for the country's development, asserting that development should extend beyond infrastructure like roads.

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We will not promise what we cannot do. The country has many problems, but promises to the people must be made by considering the reality. Whenever BNP has taken responsibility for running the state, it has worked sincerely for the country’s development.