Tarique Rahman warns of tough election, urges party to engage people
He stressed that BNP’s proposed plans are for the people and the country, not a partisan document, and every leader and worker has the responsibility to take its message to citizens.
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman today (11 December) once again warned his party members that the next election will be a tough one amid a constant spread of lies and false campaigns, urging them to be serious and reach out to people with the party's plans and programmes.
"You must study our plans. If you don't read them, if you don't know them, then how will you explain what you want to do and what your party wants to do? Others – I won't mention any names – but you know very well that in your constituencies, in your upazilas and municipalities, they are always spreading different kinds of lies to mislead people," he said.
Speaking virtually at the closing session of the fifth day of BNP's 'Plan to Build the Country' workshop, Tarique said there is no need for BNP leaders and workers to respond with lies.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"You don't need that. You already have many correct, truthful and realistic issues on your side to counter those," the BNP leader said.
He said when BNP leaders and activists are active in the field with BNP's plans and programmes in favour of the Sheaf of Paddy, other parties will not be able to confuse people.
Tarique called upon the party leaders and activists to take the party's national plans directly to the people, saying the proposed plans can only be carried out if they win public support in the upcoming election.
He said their party has this time not only given promises but also explained how those promises will be implemented within Bangladesh's existing administrative and economic structure.
Tarique said he warned over a year ago that the upcoming election would not be as easy as many believed.
"At that time, many people laughed it off and did not take my words seriously. But today each one of you can understand exactly what I meant… The warning I gave is slowly being proven true. I want to tell you again — if we still do not become serious, the very existence and sovereignty of this country will be at risk," he said.
The BNP leader said only the restoration of democracy through the next election can save the country and its people. "It is you, every single member of the BNP, who can strengthen the foundation of that democracy. If you go to the field, if you go door to door and reach the people, then we can protect this country."
He stressed that BNP's proposed plans are for the people and the country, not a partisan document, and every leader and worker has the responsibility to take its message to citizens. "Our work is for 20 crore people. If we confine ourselves to our own problems, we become smaller."
Tarique said many leaders have genuine complaints about cases, repression and the lack of development in their areas, but the bigger responsibility now is to convince people about BNP's vision for rebuilding the country.
"I could have spoken about my mother and our leader Begum Khaleda Zia and her physical condition. I could have shared my own pain with you. But I am not doing that. You must understand something. All of you must understand this. We are in politics for the country and its people. If we keep talking only about our own suffering, then where will the people go? Whom will they turn to with their pain and their struggles? They will come to you. That is why, leaders, we must rise to a position where we truly represent the people," he said.
Tarique asked the BNP leaders and workers that they must build themselves in a way that will earn the people's trust and make people feel confident that the party is truly there for them.
"From my 30 years of political experience, I can say that if we can take these eight issues discussed at the workshop to the field and later implement them with public support, people from every class and profession will benefit in some way."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir inaugurated the fifth day's programme in the morning at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium, with BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in the chair.
Leaders and activists of BNP from different parts of the country joined the programme to receive training on eight issues so they can reach out to people and explain BNP's plans, election manifesto and promises before the polls.
