Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chair Tarique Rahman on Tuesday said that the BNP believed that it was necessary to move away from conventional politics to ensure a safe future for present and future generations.
鈥楾he BNP鈥檚 future policy will focus on improving the quality of life for citizens, both domestically and abroad, through initiatives that create employment. The party鈥檚 agenda will also prioritise establishing safe working environments,鈥� he said while speaking at a discussion event on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
He welcomed the interim government鈥檚 announcement of a potential national election in February, saying that after nearly one and a half decades, citizens would have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote and implement their manifestos through the selection of their preferred candidates.
Tarique urged party聽 members to avoid actions that could create negative perceptions among the public.
He advised party leaders and activists to remain in love of the people and keep the people in love.
Tarique, however, expressed concern that remarks made by members of various political parties within the anti-fascist movement have raised questions among the public regarding the holding of elections at the scheduled time.
鈥業f barriers are imposed that restrict the establishment of political rights, the path of democratic advancement will face a serious crisis,鈥� he said.
Tarique said that fascism could not be defeated solely through the constitution or written laws, and that there was no alternative to politically empowering the people to halt fascism in the state and politics.
He explained that through the direct exercise of voting rights, citizens strengthened their role in governance, and without an empowered populace, the state and government could not achieve political strength.
Tarique urged leaders of all pro-democracy parties to avoid divisions, saying that any distance among them would create opportunities for defeated, fugitive fascist elements to regain influence.
Highlighting the sacrifices of martyrs in the struggle against fascism, BNP acting chair said that engaging in unnecessary disputes among anti-fascist forces would dishonour their sacrifices.
鈥楾he priority now is to establish a democratic Bangladesh based on justice, repaying the debt owed to those who were physically harmed or laid down their lives for the cause,鈥� he said.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Selima Rahman and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed and Swechchhasebak Dal president SM Jilani, among others, spoke at the event.
