BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu on Sunday urged party leaders and activists to remain patient, saying it is natural for them to feel restless after enduring 18 years of political repression and struggle.

Dudu made the remarks at a prayer programme organised by the Jatiyatabadi Karmajibi Dal at the Jatiya Press Club for the recovery of three ailing senior BNP leaders: Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan and Rafiqul Islam Miah, as well as those injured during the July-August movement.

"Our three senior leaders- Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan and Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah- are undergoing treatment. We have joined you in praying for their recovery, and I thank you for organising today's programme," he said.

Dudu said BNP leaders and activists, along with their families, had suffered persecution during the past 18 years and were deprived of opportunities, including employment, under the previous government.

"Those who deserved jobs could not get them during Sheikh Hasina's rule. So a sense of frustration is understandable. But our leaders and activists must remain patient," he said.

He claimed the current government is sympathetic towards those who were subjected to injustice during the previous government.

Calling for continued support for the government, Dudu said some groups are trying to magnify isolated incidents to create instability and urged everyone to remain vigilant against any attempts to create disorder.

The programme was chaired by Jatiyatabadi Karmajibi Dal President Salahuddin Khan and conducted by its General Secretary Altaf Hossain Sardar.