Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan formally joined the BNP on Saturday, leaving his party to contest the upcoming national election with the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.
Rashed Khan joined the BNP at its chairperson’s Gulshan office in the afternoon by presenting a bouquet to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
The BNP has nominated Rashed Khan to contest the election from the Jhenaidah-4 constituency, comprising Jhenaidah Sadar and Kaliganj upazilas, using the party’s electoral symbol.
Welcoming him, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Rashed Khan’s joining will strengthen the party.
“Rashed Khan has joined the BNP today (Saturday). I congratulate him. The BNP has decided to nominate him as its candidate from Jhenaidah-4 with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol,” he said.
He urged BNP leaders and activists of the constituency to work together and make every effort to ensure Rashed Khan’s victory in the election.
Speaking on the occasion, Rashed Khan said his political role since the quota reform movement and the July uprising was well known.
“I do not want to elaborate on that. The BNP is fighting to establish the rights of the people. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is my political ideal, and the party is now being led by Tarique Rahman,” he said.
Rashed said he developed a relationship with Tarique Rahman since the anti-fascist movement.
“I believe his leadership is essential for building a new Bangladesh. I am confident he will play a key role in reforms, justice and holding a fair election,” he said.
“Today, I have joined the BNP and will continue to work and struggle for the country and the people under Tarique Rahman’s leadership,” Rashed added.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed was also present at the programme.
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Earlier, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Redwan Ahmed also resigned from his party and joined the BNP. He has been nominated as the BNP candidate from Cumilla-7.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim and Jatiya Dal Chairman Syed Ehsanul Huda dissolved their respective parties and joined the BNP.
Shahadat Hossain Selim will contest the election from Lakshmipur-1, while Syed Ehsanul Huda will run from Kishoreganj-5 with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol.