Veterans of anti-fascism movement to accompany Tarique on campaign trail
The decision was announced at a press conference held this morning at the BNP Election Management Committee office in Gulshan.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has decided to include leaders who played significant roles in the party's 16-year-long anti-fascism movement and the mass uprising of July 2024 as companions during his election campaign tours.
The decision was announced at a press conference held this morning (21 January) at the BNP Election Management Committee office in Gulshan.
Speaking at the briefing, Mahdi Amin, adviser to the BNP chairman, said leaders from the party and its affiliated and associate bodies demonstrated "unprecedented and exemplary contributions" throughout the prolonged movement against fascism and during the mass uprising.
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"Out of appreciation for their sacrifices, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has decided that on each of his tours, senior and sacrificing leaders from various affiliated and associate organisations will be included as travel companions in phases as a form of recognition and evaluation," Mahdi said.
As part of this initiative, several young and grassroots leaders – Abdul Qadir Bhuiyan Jewel, Mamun Hasan, Abdul Monayem Munna, Kazi Rawnakul Islam Shraban, Yasin Ferdous Murad and Rakibul Islam Rakib – will accompany Tarique during his Sylhet tour.
Mahdi said the party's election campaign will formally begin with the BNP chairman's visit to Sylhet, in line with the announced election schedule.
According to the programme, Tarique is scheduled to arrive in Sylhet by air at 8:15pm tonight. He will visit the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (Ra) late at night and attend an election rally at the Sylhet Alia Madrasa ground tomorrow (22 January) morning.
Referring to the upcoming 12 February national parliamentary election, Mahdi said the polls mark a "highly significant chapter" for Bangladesh.
"We believe that by prioritising a positive, fair and acceptable election campaign, all political parties will ensure maximum tolerance and coexistence," he said.
He urged all political parties to fully comply with the electoral code of conduct so that public aspirations are reflected in the long-awaited election.
"Through collective responsibility and democratic practice, this election can set a unique example, Insha'Allah," he added.
