Tarique Rahman seeks fair polls as soon as possible 

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman today reiterated his call for holding a fair national election as soon as possible.

"The main task of the interim government is holding a fair election. We hope they (interim government) will do it as soon as possible," he said while virtually addressing as the chief guest the Jashore District BNP Conference.

The inaugural session of the conference began in the morning at the central Eidgah here.

Tarique Rahman said if voted to power, the main task of BNP will be to reconstruct the country and repair the state structure.

"And the main task now is to reconstruct and strengthen the party and to take the announced 31-point reform outline to the grassroots," he said.

He said the autocratic government has destroyed all the institutions of the country.

When the dictatorial ruler had been forcibly occupying state power for a long time, BNP brought a 31-point proposal, ignoring the tyranny, he mentioned.

He said that there are false cases against 6 million BNP leaders and activists.

There are many false cases against almost all the councilors who are attending this conference, he added.

Despite this, BNP and some other democratic political parties have continued to fight on the streets, he added.

Tarique Rahman said numerous leaders and activists have been martyred.

BNP tried to solve the problems of the people every time it had the opportunity to run the country, he said.

"Perhaps all the plans could not be implemented due to limitations. If we get the opportunity to run the state again with the support of the people, we will focus on increasing production, strengthening the education system, empowering women, and improving the health system so that people do not have to go abroad for treatment," said the BNP acting chairman.

Referring to the recent criticism of various works of BNP leaders and activists from various quarters, Tarique Rahman said, "The BNP follows the policy of not doing such things that do not have the support of the people. Despite this, some people among the millions of leaders and activists may be doing things that are morally unacceptable. We have taken action against them. BNP is the only party that takes action against the wrongdoing leaders and activists. We take action against the work that is not socially acceptable."

To the critics, he said, "Please do not try to mislead. BNP has made its position clear on injustice."

BNP chairperson's Advisor Amanullah Aman inaugurated the conference by hoisting the party flag and releasing pigeons and balloons.

During his speech, he said, "We hope that national elections will be held soon in the country."

He said that BNP stands by the people of the country during times of crisis and that is why people support BNP.

The inaugural ceremony of the conference was presided over by outgoing district BNP convener Professor Nargis Begum. Although there was an election for the post of president in this year's council, she expressed reluctance to contest at the last minute.

In her farewell speech, Professor Nargis said, "A new leadership will come forward. The party will become stronger under their leadership. I wish them success. I was, am, and will be there during the bad times of BNP in the future."

BNP's central acting organizing secretary (Khulna division) Anindya Islam Amit, assistant organizing secretary (Khulna division) Jayanta Kumar Kundu, assistant religious affairs secretary Amlendu Das Apu, former office secretary Mofiqul Hasan Tripti, and other central and district-level leaders also spoke at the inaugural ceremony.

The event was moderated by the outgoing joint convener and newly elected general secretary of the district BNP, Delwar Hossain Khokon.

Anindya Islam Amit said, "Our struggle to restore democracy is not over. Let us all stand shoulder to shoulder and struggle for fair elections."

In the inaugural session of the conference, aid was distributed by BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman to families of more than one hundred martyrs of the anti-dictatorship movement in Jessore.

The presidents and general secretaries of their respective upazila committees accepted these gift items on behalf of the martyred families.

Voting for the leadership election began in the second session of the conference at the Alamgir Siddiqui Hall of Jashore.

The elections were held for the posts of president and organizing secretary. Three leaders were nominated for one post of president and four for three posts of organizing secretary. A five-member committee conducted the election.

The election management committee said that the results of the vote will be announced at night.