Staff Correspondent:
Grateful to the people of the country for winning the 13th National Parliament election, Tarique Rahman said, “The freedom-loving and democracy-loving people of the country have made BNP victorious again in the 13th National Parliament election. Alhamdu Lillah. This victory belongs to Bangladesh, this victory belongs to democracy.” He made these remarks in his post-election press conference held at the ballroom of Hotel Intercontinental in the capital at 3:30 pm on Saturday (February 14).
He said that after more than a decade and a half, an accountable parliament and government are going to be established in the country through direct elections with the spontaneous participation of the people. He also said that the party will remain committed to implementing the election pledge and the announced 31 points as per the people’s mandate.
Reiterating the commitment to repair the state, the BNP chairman said that a new journey will begin by rebuilding the fragile economy, weak law and order situation and ineffective constitutional institutions left by fascism. The outline of state reform that was presented after receiving the people’s verdict will be implemented in stages. He also mentioned that BNP will work to implement every pledge of the 31-point and party manifesto made on the basis of exchange of views with various democratic parties. At the same time, he said that it remains committed to the reform process, including the Note of Distinction given in the ‘July Charter’.
Calling for national unity, Tarique Rahman said that 51 political parties including Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Jamiat-e-Ulama-e-Islam and Gana Adhikar Parishad have participated in the elections. Congratulating each participating party, he said that the path and opinion may be different, but everyone is one in the interest of the country. If the government and the opposition play a responsible role, democracy in the country will take institutional form.
Stressing the importance of maintaining peace and order in the post-election situation, he said that law and order must be maintained at any cost. No kind of injustice or illegal activities will be tolerated. He also said that instructions were given not to hold victory processions to avoid possible unpleasant incidents. The BNP Chairman urged the leaders and activists to remain calm and alert despite hundreds of provocations. He also commented that attacks by the strong on the weak will not be accepted, regardless of party affiliation, religion or dissent.
Tarique Rahman thanked the interim government, the Election Commission, the judiciary, the administration, the armed forces and members of the law enforcement agencies for organizing free, fair and impartial elections. He mentioned that the role of domestic and foreign media and election observers was also important.
Paying tribute to the martyrs, he said that the nation will forever remember the contribution of those who were martyred and injured in the movement to establish democracy from the 1971 War of Independence to the recent times. At this time, he remembered the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and said that her absence has burdened the party at such a joyful time for the country. The nation will never forget her uncompromising stand against fascism.
Expressing his determination to control corruption and build a humane Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman said that now is the time to build the country. Everyone will have to fulfill their responsibilities from their respective positions to build Bangladesh as a safe, humane and democratic state by combating corruption, improving the law and order situation and ensuring accountability to the people.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir delivered a welcome speech at the press conference. Also present were party standing committee members Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Chowdhury, Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Salahuddin Ahmed and Selima Rahman.
