Dhaka, Jan 6 (.) BNP acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, alleged that anonymous forces have been seeking to undo the history of the 1971 Liberation War, and that the very essence of Bangladesh’s existence was rooted in the Liberation War, and as such it is quintessential to its very being.
He added that BNP believes in upholding the aspirations of the ’71 Liberation War, and take them on its stride with the hopes emanating from the mass uprisings in ’90 and ’24, as the country moves forward.
He further emphasised his vision of creating a liberal, democratic, and welfare-oriented state and expressed his wish to direct the party’s work in that direction, for the fulfilment of this vision.
The BNP acting chief made the remarks during a meeting at the Gulshan chairperson’s office with leaders of the left-wing alliance ‘Democratic United Front’, a confirmation made by Razequzzaman Ratan, assistant general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD), in a press release, reports The Daily Star.
Apart from the electoral ambitions, leaders also discussed the country’s overall political and law and order situation, as well as various issues related to the upcoming national elections in February.
In the meeting, BNP and front leaders said they believe that while there will be differences in ideologies and objectives, they nonetheless agreed on ensuring the freedom to express constructive criticism and opinions.
“Both leaders agreed that in the past, critics were tortured by the previous government by labelling them as traitors and against development. They agree that no one should be able to do this in future,” read the BSD release.
The front leaders told Tarique Rahman that the mass uprising of 2024 created an opportunity to take the country back to the path of the Liberation War. But the anti-independence group is pushing for extreme communalism in the country. They want to erase the Liberation War and take the country back to 1947.
The Democratic United Front delegation included CPB Presidium member Mujahidul Islam Selim, President Kazi Sajjad Jahir Chandan, General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Later, a four-member delegation of Ganosamhati Andolan, led by its Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki, also met the BNP acting chairman and discussed various issues related to politics and the upcoming election.
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, Labour Party Chairman Mostafizur Rahman Iran, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Junaid Al Habib, and among others, also held a meeting with the BNP acting chairman separately.
Meanwhile, the BNP revealed that Rahman was likely to visit his ancestral home and constituency in Bogura next Sunday, January 11, from his Gulshan residence in the morning, making it his first visit to the estate in over 19 years, as he last visited it in 2006, soon after which he lived in an 18 year-long exile.
In the upcoming national election, Tarique Rahman will be contesting from the Bogura-6 (Sadar) for the first time, in addition to Dhaka-17.
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