Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chair Tarique Rahman on Saturday said that a covert autocracy could emerge in Bangladesh if democratic and nationalist forces failed to remain united.
He said, 鈥業f we do not unite, if democratic forces do not unite, then just as dictatorship took root through the so-called election of 2008 and the 鈥�1/11鈥�, a hidden fascism may emerge in the country.鈥�
Tarique came up with the remarks virtually as the chief guest at the biennial council of Cumilla South district BNP at the Town聽 Hall field in the Cumilla city.
He urged all, including the democratic forces to unite and protect the people and the country from the covert autocracy.
Noting that the autocratic regime of the Awami League was ousted, he said that the party鈥檚 task ahead was to rebuild the nation with united efforts.
鈥業f Bangladesh is to be rebuilt according to the expectations of its people, unity among all is essential鈥�, he added.
Reminding that the people are the real source of BNP鈥檚 strength, he said 鈥榃e must go to the doorsteps of the people, listen to them, and work the way they expect us to do. Only then can we protect the country and rebuild it.鈥�
Tarique instructed BNP leaders and activists to form small groups of two or three and go door to door, reaching people directly and urging that only holding meetings like this was not enough.
鈥榃e must tell the people how the BNP will rebuild the country if supported by the people 鈥� how we will reform the education system for their children, improve communications, empower women, stand beside farmers, and build better education and healthcare systems,鈥� he added.
BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed at the council said that the people of Bangladesh were ready for the election though some parties were trying to derail it on various pretexts.
He alleged that a vested quarter was carrying out negative campaigns against the BNP by spreading disinformation and misinformation on social media to malign the party.
The BNP leader urged the leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies to be active on social media across the country and counter the propaganda against the party.
He also criticised those talking about a single ballot box for Islam and urged all to remain alert to attempts to divide people by playing the religion card.
Salahuddin also said that Islam is not a quota for politics. Those who want to use religion for politics must be resisted at the ballot box, he added.
Earlier in the day, thousands of people took part in the biennial council of the BNP.
