During the war in 1971, one party crossed the border to India and engaged in enjoyments? While another party opposed the war of liberation, said BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

He made these remarks while virtually participating in a workshop titled '31 Points to Repair the State Structure and Public Involvement' organized by Jhenaidah, Jashore and Narail District BNP at the Johan Dream Valley Auditorium on Wednesday (January 29) evening.

He said that during the war in 1971, which party crossed the border to India made enjoyments? Again, another party opposed the war of liberation. Patriotism is part of faith. Protecting the rights of the people of the country is also part of this faith. Tarique Rahman said that during the 16 years of the authoritarian Hasina government, leaders and activists of opposition political parties including BNP have been victims of murder, disappearances, attacks and cases of assault. Activists have been subjected to torture for establishing the rights of the country and its people. A large section of the people believe that if anything good happens to the country in the future, it will be because of BNP. The great proclaimer of independence martyred President Ziaur Rahman, himself worked on the ground and walked miles in the villages to build the country. We want to work with that policy of Shaheed Zia.

Tarique Rahman said, BNP's 31 points are only for the country and the people of the country. Through the 31 points, we want to bring about a good change for the people of the country, which the people expect. This change is not a magic or magic that we say and it will happen. For this, we have to change ourselves to maintain the trust of the people. We have to change our mindset. Therefore, our thoughts are only about the people. Not only that, but through the implementation of these 31 points, we will take revenge for all the oppression and torture.

The second-in-command of BNP said, I have been saying every time that the path ahead is not smooth at all. Domestic and foreign conspiracies are being hatched against BNP. We have to remain united by confronting all these conspiracies. No work can be done that destroys the trust of the people. To gain the trust and love of the people, the party leaders and activists must be united. Lakhs of BNP leaders and activists must prepare now.

Addressing the families of the martyrs of the July Uprising and the victims of the disappearances and murders of the past 16 years, the BNP acting chairman said, those who were martyred in the movement will be given state status. The martyrs and injured will be listed and searched for. We have stood by these families in the past days as a party. If we come to power, we will try to work in a state manner. Government establishments in our respective areas will be named in memory of the martyrs of the July Uprising.

Stating that we saw that in 1971, a party fled the country to a safe place without participating in the Liberation War, the BNP acting chairman said, another party directly opposed the great Liberation War. But BNP is a party that has been working tirelessly in the post liberation period and later in building of the country. Regarding the upcoming elections, he said, we are waiting for a fair and acceptable election. The entire nation is waiting for the elections. The people are looking forward to bringing BNP to state power. If we want to come to state power in the next election, all our leaders and activists will have to gain the trust of the people.

He warned the leaders and activists, saying that various quarters are spreading propaganda against BNP. Conspiracies have started inside and outside the country. Everyone must be vigilant. BNP cannot be suppressed by conspiracies because BNP is the people's party. We have to take ourselves to the people's trust. We have to improve ourselves. The Hasina government has destroyed every sector of the country. Running the country will be a challenge for the next government. Therefore, all the parties participating in the anti-fascist movement in the future must remain united. If we are all united, fascism will not be able to return to the country.

Addressing the leaders and activists, he said that political revenge cannot be accepted. We will take all revenge for the people of Bangladesh by implementing the 31 points. I think the implementation of the 31 points is the biggest revenge. BNP is the largest party in the movement to protect the country's sovereignty and fight fascism. That is why our responsibility is greater than that of other parties.

In response to the questions of leaders and activists regarding the 31-point agenda, Tarique Rahman said, if unnecessary expenses can be reduced in state management and corruption can be prevented, it is possible to introduce and increase allowances in other sectors including unemployment allowance. We will work on that.

Jayanta Kumar Kundu, BNP's Khulna Divisional Co-Organizing Secretary, delivered the welcome speech at the workshop organized by the BNP's Central Training Affairs Committee. The workshop, chaired by Jhenaidah District BNP Vice President Munshi Kamal Azad Pannu, was attended by BNP Media Cell Convener Professor Dr. Moudud Hossain Alamgir Pavel, DU White Party Convener Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku, BNP Media Cell Member Barrister Mir Md. Helal Uddin, Md. Abdus Sattar Patwari, Farzana Sharmin Putul, BNP's Deputy Information and Research Secretary Amiruzzaman Khan Shimul, former Central General Secretary of Chhatra Dal Saif Mahmud Jewel, Jhenaidah BNP General Secretary Zahiduzzaman Mona, Munshi Kamal Azad Pannu, Abdul Majid Biswas, Anwarul Islam Badsha, Sajedur Rahman Pappu, Ahsan Habib Ronak, Ashraful Islam Pintu, Humayun Babar Firoz, Asif Iqbal Makhon, SM Samenuzzaman Samen, Mushfiqur Rahman Manik and Russell Ahmed were present.

As the days go by, political parties are becoming more vocal about the elections. There is talk of elections and the government’s state reforms in the political arena. BNP leaders are especially reacting strongly to the statements of various advisers to the interim government. In addition, they are roaming around their respective constituencies to show their strong position in the upcoming parliamentary elections, making various promises.

In such a situation, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince spoke privately with Barta24.com about the upcoming parliamentary elections, reforms, development and BNP’s political ideas. The interview was conducted by Staff Reporter Md. Nazrul Islam.

Barta24.com: What are your thoughts on the development of your constituency?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: My constituency consists of Haluaghat and Dhobaura upazilas. In the past, this bordering constituency has not seen any development. Therefore, we must first work on improving the communication system in this region. This will improve the lives of the common people, especially farmers, who will be able to easily transport their produce from their farms to the market. That is why we are listing various development works in the form of step one and step two, and we are working accordingly. A zero tolerance policy has been adopted to control drugs at the border.

In addition, the Gobarakura-Karaitali land port, which has been closed for the last three years, has been opened for the betterment of the people of this region. We have taken the initiative to ensure that not only imports but also exports can be done through this port. Our Mymensingh fish is exported to India via Akhaura. We will export these fish through our port.

Barta24.com: How do you evaluate the interim government?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: August 5 is a memorable day in the history of our nation. On this day, we achieved our second independence by overthrowing an authoritarian regime. The interim government was formed through a mass movement. Through this, a new journey on the path of democracy has begun. We have asked this government to give a reasonable time to reform the country. We have asked it to complete the necessary reforms within a reasonable time and hold elections as soon as possible. It may go beyond three months and even a year. However, the demands of the people must be met within this time. I think that in the current situation, the honeymoon period of this government is over. The people have accepted many things in the larger interest.

The great success of this government is that the people of the country are able to breathe free air today. The country is in a free democratic environment. It has started its journey on the path of reforms and elections. We hope that it will be more successful.

And if we talk about the failures, all the demands of the people such as the increase in the prices of daily necessities, during the Awami League period through syndicates, corruption, irregularities, the prices of daily necessities skyrocketed. The people had a natural expectation

Since the Awami League has ended, now it may be within the purchasing power of the people. But we did not get that expected desire.

Barta24.com: What is BNP's plan for parliamentary elections and state structure reforms?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: We want reforms. However, reforms are an ongoing process. We did not say that elections will be held within three months. Reforms will continue for ages. However, the government will have to complete them within a reasonable time and move towards elections. If we want to do all the reforms at once, it will take 5-10 years. All but two of the reforms that are being talked about now are included in our 31-point plan. If we are elected, we will definitely implement the proposals that the Reform Commission recommends. The change that took place on August 5 is not just a change of power; it will also lead to political change.

Barta24.com: What is the political future of Awami League? I want to know from you.

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: Awami League is a dangerous party. The people of this country have seen their dangerous form. No matter how they try to come back, the people of this country will not accept them anymore.

Barta24.com: Will the basis of politics be ‘71 or ‘24?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: My sprit of ‘71, nothing else can compare to that. But yes, added to this is the sprit of ‘75, the sprit of November 7, the sprit of the mass uprising of ‘90 and the sprit of this movement of the student masses of ‘24.

Barta24.com: How do you evaluate the political party of the students?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: BNP believes in multi-party democracy. We welcome anyone who forms a political party. However, if an attempt is made to form a political party using state power and various administrations, the people will never accept it. If someone from among the advisors forms a political party, then naturally this government will lose its neutrality. That is why our Secretary General has said that a non-partisan government will be needed for the elections.

Barta24.com: Is the distance between BNP and students increasing?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: I do not know about this. In fact, they are young and there is a little restlessness and tension at this age. I do not know whether it is because of that restlessness or tension. When our BNP Secretary General said something, they reacted the way they did, just like when Jamaat Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said the same thing, they did not react in the same way. Here we find one but.

Barta24.com: Has the relationship between BNP and Jamaat deteriorated in the current situation?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: BNP is a political party, Jamaat is a different political party. They have different policies and ideals. The unity that Jamaat had with us is issue-based. We have no unity here on political issues. However, the instability that we see in some parties, the various statements that are made to defeat BNP, I find similarities with the statements of Awami League in these statements. If such statements are made, the people will decide what to do.

Barta24.com: We do not want any exclusion of Ziabad-Mujibabad in Bangladesh; what do you say in this regard?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: It seems to me that this gentleman is trying to stay in the discussion by making various statements. We do not have any exclusion when it comes to Ziabad, since the establishment of BNP till now, no leader or worker of BNP has ever spoken about Ziabad. Where did they invent Ziabad? It is not known what the purpose of creating chaos and tension in the political arena is by inventing these new things. You cannot survive in the political arena by doing all this.

Barta24.com: How will India-Bangladesh relations be if BNP comes to power?

Syed Emran Saleh Prince: India is our neighboring country. We have many problems with India. BNP is not an anti-India political party. But if India takes a stand against Bangladesh, against the people, BNP will definitely take a stand for the people. We want good relations with India. They have to trust and believe in the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, working against the people will lead to consequences like August 5. That day was proof of what happens if you work against the people.

At that time, he also instructed the leaders and activists to stand by the people.

He said this to the party's leaders and activists at a BNP workshop in Khulna on Tuesday (January 28).

He said, the people of Bangladesh want to trust BNP. Those leaders and activists who want to destroy this trust will be expelled from the party. And here we have to be selfish. We have come here today after making many sacrifices.

The BNP Acting Chairman said, if the BNP comes to power in the government, legal action will be taken along with the expulsion of those leaders and activists who are involved in tarnishing the party's image, extortion and various misdeeds. There will be no leniency in injustice.

Urging the party leaders and activists to present the 31 points to the people, Tarique Rahman said to the party leaders and activists, "You should continue working with the people." The people are our strength. August 5 is proof of what happens when you work against the people.

Former MPs Habibul Islam Habib, Kazi Alauddin and Dr. Shahidul Alam, BNP Chairperson’s adviser and former secretary Ismail Zabiullah, who came from Dhaka as a trainer, Central BNP training secretary Mosharraf Hossain, training committee member Atiqar Rahman Rumon, former MPs Rehana Akhter Banu, Mahbuba Habiba, Bazlur Rahman Khokon and Iqbal Hossain Shyamal, district BNP convener Syed Iftekhar Ali, member secretary Abdul Alim and leaders and activists of district BNP, organs and associate organizations were present at the workshop.

Those who have been expelled or exempted from the party for various reasons will not be able to renew their membership, said BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

He said this at the inauguration of the distribution of membership renewal forms to district and metropolitan branches across the country by the Nayapaltan BNP central office on Tuesday (January 28) afternoon.

He said that those who have been expelled or exempted from the party for various reasons will not be able to renew their membership though they had membership. But when we expel them, we expel them from all levels of posts. They will not be able to take primary membership.

Informing about how the member renewal forms will be distributed from the districts, the BNP Senior Joint Secretary General said, the purpose of the renewal is that we hear that Awami fascist pests are trying to enter from various directions and in various ways. We are giving strict instructions to the districts so that these pests cannot enter. We are not going to primary membership rights, but only to those who are ahead.

This senior BNP leader said, attempts are being made to tarnish BNP in various ways with various small incidents or even non-incidents. There are friends of fascism, they are working in various ways, from various sides, in the administration, in the police, from various places. That is why this renewal program is very important so that we can keep our political activities transparent, so that friends cannot enter, so that they cannot spread propaganda.

Regarding the cracks in the unity of the mass uprising, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said, Let this democratic unity be divided, we are not doing anything like that, what we are doing is in reaction. We are trying our best to accelerate the democratic struggle through this large democratic unity.

He also said, the victory of our movement is a great power, many do not see it in a good light. There are many conspiracies and conspiracies from outside the state, as well as from within the state. When they try to take political advantage from within, that is the biggest defeat.

Also present at the time were Treasurer M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Swechchasebak Dal Secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu and Executive Committee Member Shamsuzzaman Mehedi.