Fakhrul urges unity despite political differences as BNP envisions rainbow state

Stating that BNP dreams of a rainbow state upholding pluralism, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (20 July) said there is no reason to be disappointed by the differences of opinion among political parties following the July mass uprising.

"Here, the father of a martyr expressed his sorrow, saying that we had hoped the political situation would calm down quickly after the mass uprising, a proper political structure would be formed, and we would be able to enter a new Bangladesh. But politics is not such an easy path… it's not a bed of roses," he said.

Speaking at a tree-plantation event titled 'The Mass Uprising 2024 – National Unity and Democratic Journey – Evergreen Memories', Fakhrul said problems are part and parcel of politics, as that is its very nature. "But there's no reason to be disheartened by it."

"We believe there will be differences of opinion, a variety of views and paths. Some will believe in democracy, some in socialism, and others in a welfare state. Bringing all these together, we want to build a 'rainbow state' — just like a rainbow rises with many colours. Our leader Khaleda Zia dreamed of creating such a state long ago," he observed.

The BNP leader said their party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman already presented a 31-point outline, and every reform proposal currently being discussed was put forward by the party back in 2022.

Jatiyatabadi Krishak Dal and 'Amra BNP Poribar' jointly organised the programme on the grave premises of late President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where saplings of neem trees were planted in memory of the martyrs of the July mass uprising.

Fakhrul also planted two neem trees at Zia Udyan, adjacent to the grave of Ziaur Rahman, in memory of the martyrs — one named after Shaheed Saikat and the other after Shaheed Abu Sayed.

This event is part of a wider tree plantation programme being carried out by BNP in Dhaka and across the country with the aim of planting 10 lakh saplings.

Fakhrul said he did not want to get into debates over how many of their party leaders and workers were martyred, how many were killed, what sacrifices they had made, or who did what.

"Because I feel that focusing on such things is a bit self-centred. My responsibility is to lift this nation up. Those who gave their lives did so with a clear declaration — that they would remove the fascists and build a free and democratic country," he said.

He said their party wants to build a truly liberal democratic Bangladesh as dreamt by the martyrs. "We want to build a country where people can live safely, freely and peacefully. We are highly hopeful that our acting chairman Tarique Rahman is leading us towards that goal."

The BNP leader expressed the hope that the interim government, which has pledged to hold elections by mid-February, will honour its commitment.

"Through that election, we will be able to form a people's government — one that will honour our martyrs, give them the respect they deserve, and take all necessary steps to establish a truly democratic state in Bangladesh, which was the cause they fought for," he said.