Aam Janatar Dal's Tarek ends hunger strike following BNP leader Salahuddin's request
On 6 November, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also expressed solidarity with Tarek Rahman’s hunger strike
Aam Janatar Dal's Member Secretary Tarek Rahman ended his hunger strike this evening (9 November) following the request from BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.
Around 8:30pm, Salahuddin arrived at the main gate of the Election Commission (EC) building, where Tarek had been staging his protest, and personally helped him end the fast.
He was later hospitalised due to deteriorating health.
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Talking to reporters, Salahuddin said he came here because Tarek's health had become vulnerable due to the prolonged strike, reports UNB.
He advised Tarek to file an appeal with the Election Commission and also urged the commission to show special attention in reviewing the next appeal.
Earlier in the day, BNP leader Ishraque Hossain expressed support for Aam Janatar Dal, urging the Election Commission to reconsider the registration of the party.
"Tarek Rahman's party deserves to be reviewed and granted registration," he told reporters in front of the EC building, where he joined the hunger striker in solidarity.
Earlier today, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed urged Tarek to end his strike and file an appeal to the commission.
Speaking to reporters at the EC Building in Agargaon, he said, "We have already conveyed everything necessary through an official letter. They can now file an appeal if they wish and address the existing shortcomings."
"Appeal, amendment, correction, or extension of time — these are established procedures. The commission will certainly take the matter into consideration. I sincerely urge him to end the hunger strike and move towards resolving the issue through legal means," he added.
On 6 November, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also expressed solidarity with Tarek Rahman's hunger strike.
"The political party he formed definitely deserves registration. And for this just cause, he has been on hunger strike... I, on behalf of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), express full solidarity with his hunger strike programme," said Rizvi.
Tarek began his indefinite hunger strike last Tuesday after the Election Commission excluded Aam Janatar Dal from its list of registered political parties ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections.
Last week, the Election Commission granted registration to three new political parties — including the National Citizen Party — and issued a public notice inviting objections by 12 November. The EC also sent a letter to Aam Janatar Dal, outlining the reasons for its rejection.
