BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said Bangladesh is now facing two major challenges, building a strong political and economic foundation and resisting forces that are misleading people using religion.
“We want to state something very clearly that the year 1971 is our very existence. Remember this loudly and firmly. Today I saw in a newspaper that someone has called the generation of 1971 ‘the worst generation.’ How can they show such audacity in saying this?” he said.
Speaking at the opening session of the fifth day of BNP’s ‘Plan to Build the Country’ workshop at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in Farmgate, the BNP leader also said certain quarters are trying to confuse the people by exploiting religion.
“A dark claw seems to be emerging from behind the shadows…another form of fascism is trying to grip us. Unfortunately, by using our beloved religion, they are trying to mislead the people of Bangladesh,” he said.
The BNP leader called upon his party colleagues to stand firm against these forces.
“Today we face a new struggle. On one side, it is the struggle to place Bangladesh on firm political and economic footing. On the other side, it is the struggle to resist these destructive forces. You must move forward keeping both in mind. We always practise positive politics. We always think progressively,” he said.
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Fakhrul told the party leaders and workers joined the workshop that it would not be enough to simply listen to the discussions and take notes. “You must present these ideas to the people… these are the things we want to do. If you do this, the people will surely be drawn to you. You have to win them over,” he said.
The BNP leader said struggle is a part of human life, and a nation also has to struggle to rise. “We have carried out these struggles again and again. Our people have sacrificed their lives, our boys have sacrificed their lives. The boys of this generation also gave their lives in the July 2024 movement, just as our freedom fighters did in 1971. Let us unite all our strength and take a vow to win this battle.”
Fakhrul said the upcoming struggle is the party’s toughest and most important yet, urging leaders and activists to move forward with determination and a strong mindset.
He recalled the party’s long fight against autocratic regimes over the last 16 years, including the deaths of 20,000 party members and the hardships they faced amid immense repression and harassment.
Fakhrul also highlighted the party’s historic contributions to Bangladesh’s development, recalling reforms by party founder Ziaur Rahman and Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in democracy, education, women’s empowerment, youth employment and the economy.
He urged party members to unite, reach out to the people, win their hearts, and bring them to the polls. “This election is different from those under the Awami League. It will be a truly neutral election. You must ensure the people vote for us by understanding our leader’s vision and the plans we have for the country.”
Fakhrul also prayed for the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and expressed hope that a new phase of struggle will begin once Tarique Rahman returns home.
Fakhrul inaugurated the fifth day’s programme at the KIB auditorium, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair.
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BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to address the concluding session virtually in the afternoon.
Leaders and activists of BNP joined the programme to receive training on different issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP’s plans, election manifesto, and promises before the polls.