Issuing a warning that extremists and fascists could once again bury democracy in Bangladesh, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said his party, along with other democratic parties, will prioritise maintaining the country’s secular character and strengthening democracy in their future political agenda. “We would like to draw the attention of the interim government that if it fails to control the evil activities of religious extremists and their radicalism, extremist groups and defeated fascist forces will once again bury democracy in the country,” he told at an iftar party. The BNP leader also warned that Bangladesh could face a crisis in its image within the democratic world if this happens. BNP hosted the iftar party at the Ladies Club in the city’s Eskaton area in honour of various political parties. Indian media involved in anti-Bangladesh propaganda: BNP’s Farroque “To maintain the country’s secular character, the programme to strengthen Bangladesh's democratic system will be the future political settlement of the democratic forces by bringing the fleeing mafia clique, responsible for massacres, to trial at any cost, alongside resisting the evil forces of extremism and religious fundamentalism,” he said. The BNP leader said that there are plots underway to harm the national unity forged during the mass uprising on the streets, soaked with the blood of several thousand martyrs. He called upon all leaders and activists at every level of democratic political parties to stay united and uphold national unity. “If we, the pro-independence and democratic forces, remain united, no plot will succeed.” Tarique also urged the government to provide the public with a clear understanding of its action plan in order to maintain confidence among people. “If the outline of the interim government's activities or action plan were made clearer and more specific to the people, all doubts and hesitations in their minds would be removed,” he said. July uprising and interim govt are outcomes of BNP's long struggle: Khandaker Mosharraf The BNP leader said it is true that the Awami mafia government was not overthrown merely to arrange a national election. “But it is even truer that the mafia regime collapsed brutally due to the failure to hold a fair election. So, there is no room to consider any election simply as a matter of whether a political party can come to power or not,” he observed. If the impartiality of the interim government is called into question and public trust in its activities is dented, he said the path to democracy could face serious obstacles. The BNP leader noted that some advisers to the interim government, and even certain political parties, have recently spoken in a slightly different tone regarding the national election. "We believe that if secondary issues are prioritised under the guise of a new political settlement, instead of honouring public expectations, it will send the wrong message to the people. Such a situation will ultimately pave the way for the resurgence of the cohorts of the mafia regime," he said. Tarique expressed the public expectation that the interim government will give the highest priority to elections, paving the way for the formation of a ‘democratic government’. “The term of a government in a state is fixed, but the political policy or political management of the country is long-term. So, it is crucial to ensure the political and economic power of the people to keep the political process strong and sustainable. The people who have been powerless for a long decade and a half are now ready to exercise their right to vote and establish a government,” he said. People won’t accept any excuse for delaying election: Murad The BNP leader said his party has set the goal of establishing an equitable, safe, democratic, and humane Bangladesh for both current and future generations. “This can be achieved through an elected national government.” He reiterated that if BNP is entrusted with the responsibility of governing the country in the upcoming national elections, the party will form a national government, consisting of representatives from pro-democratic political parties and elected public representatives. Tarique expressed deep concern over the alarming increase in recent incidents of violence against women, children, and rape. Noting that women make up half of the country's population, he said that without ensuring their safety, it is impossible to move the country forward. "There is a need to deeply consider whether the security of our mothers, sisters, and daughters is in danger due to the government, administration, and law enforcement agencies being overly focused on creating new political settlements or any other task," the BNP leader said. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said although the country has been freed from fascism, democracy is still elusive. “A democratic Bangladesh remains the main aspiration of the people.” Emphasising the need for unity, he said it is crucial to resolve issues relating to reforms through dialogue at this moment. New conspiracy unfolding against BNP, democracy and Bangladesh, warns Tarique He assured that if BNP is elected by the people, the party will implement its 31-point programme. "Various kinds of talks and discussions are now being circulated in the media and on social media, causing confusion among us. There is no alternative for us other than moving towards democracy," Fakhrul said. National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam urged political parties to reach a political consensus so that there would be no room for “Mujibbadi” politics in the election and politics of future Bangladesh. He said there are political parties to make the next election inclusive by representing the people of Bangladesh. “We believe that we bear the spirit of the struggle and the mass uprising that took place against Mujibbad (Mujibism),” he said. Nahid hoped that a political unity would be there in the current political situation. Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said he on behalf of his party requested all to forge a national unity on four points -- the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, a sustainable democracy, a fair election and a corruption-free Bangladesh. “I think national unity will still be the most powerful tool in building the future of Bangladesh to create a beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday expressed the hope that the interim government would uphold impartiality as desired by people. “We hope that the interim government will maintain the impartiality that people expect from it,” he said this while addressing the biannual council of Cumilla city BNP unit through a virtual platform. Noting that instability is being seen in some places of the country, Tarique said now various questions have emerged among people over different matters of the interim government. Since the formation of this government, he said, the BNP has been supporting this government as it wants it to be successful. Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh believe that this interim government would do whatever necessary to protect their political and other rights through a fair and impartial election, which had been snatched by the fugitive dictator many years ago in the dark of night. But for the past few days, the BNP leader said, it has unfortunately been observed that different persons within the government are making different remarks about restoring the rights of people (voting rights). “As a result, various kinds of unrest are being created in different parts of the country. We do not want instability in Bangladesh,” he said. Tarique went on to say, “Various kinds of instability are being created by the statements of some persons within the interim government. We are seeing the instability in the economy, different classes of society and the administration.” Run your govt with a strong hand: Fakhrul to Dr Yunus The BNP acting chairman reiterated his party’s support towards this interim government for the sake of smooth journey of democracy in the country. “We want to cooperate with this government because we think the more smoothly and beautifully this government can hold a neutral election, the smoother the democratic journey will be for this country and its people in the coming days.” Noting that BNP firmly believes in democracy, he said the differences -- whether within the party or with other parties-- should be resolved through negotiations.   “We do not want to let these differences turn into divisions. If any division is created among us, the country, its people, democratic political parties, democratic political activists and the people who believe in democracy will be the most affected,” he said. Tarique said as a political party, their one of the prime goals and objectives is to ask people to vote and participate in the elections and demand elections.  “BNP is a political party. Since we believe in the rule of people and the power of people, democracy and vote-oriented politics, we naturally would demand the vote or election in the country and ask people to vote. It is a normal matter,” he said. BNP Vice Chairman Barkatullah Bulu, its Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs Secretary Amin-ur-Rashid Yasin and Cumilla south district BNP convener Zakaria Taher Suman, among others, spoke at the council presided over by Cumilla city BNP Convener Utbatul Bari Abu.

Emphasising the need for unity among political parties, BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday urged all to remain vigilant against the return of fascism. “The fascist who fled the country will try to spoil our unity, and we all must remain alert,” he said while speaking a party rally virtually in the city. Tarique Rahman called upon those who have fought for over 16 years against the Awami League not to engage in infighting over trivial issues. Holding the Awami League responsible for destroying democratic institutions during its rule, he said restoring people’s voting rights through a fair election is the main task. Expressing optimism about his party’s prospects, he said BNP will win if the election is held fairly, and urged party followers to stand by people in both good and bad times and to be responsible and acceptable. BNP’s Dudu questions govt’s effectiveness after six months in power He claimed that several lakhs of BNP men faced ghost cases during their fight to restore democracy, while several thousand leaders and activists were killed or disappeared. The BNP acting chairman said the blood of 2,000 students and members of the public who sacrificed their lives during the July-August 2024 uprising must be valued and honoured. Urging all to work together to ensure food, education, communication and healthcare for people, he alleged that the Awami League has destroyed the country, which must now be rebuilt from the brink of ruination. Presided over by Khulna city unity of BNP convenor Advocate Shafiqul Alam Mona, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council Member Amanullah Aman, Party’s Vice Chairman Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Organising secretary Aninda Islam Amit, student affairs secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, among others, spoke at the event.