BNP senior leader Nazrul Islam Khan on Friday hoped that their party’s rebel candidates will withdraw from the race within the deadline set in the election schedule, otherwise the party will take organisational action.
“The withdrawal period has not ended yet. We have asked them to respect the party decision and withdraw their nomination papers. We hope they will withdraw,” he said while talking to reporters after inaugurating a photo show on late BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Nazrul also said many rebels have already informed the party that they will quit. “I think the situation will improve within the withdrawal timeframe. Otherwise, the party will take organisational action against them.”
The exhibition was organised by the ‘Bogura Media and Cultural Society (BMCS)’, a platform of journalists and cultural activists from Bogura working in Dhaka.
Nazrul, a BNP Standing Committee member, inaugurated the exhibition, walked around the exhibition venue and appreciated the organisers.
He said Khaleda Zia left behind her son Tarique Rahman as her successor, whom he described as the most popular political figure in the country at present.
“We believe that people want to see positive changes in the country through him. That is why there is so much expectation and emotion among people about him,” the BNP leader said, adding, Tarique Rahman will move forward by upholding the ideals of his father, late President Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
“Tarique Rahman has already said that he will begin from where his mother left off. We think the country and the people will benefit only if he can take forward what Khaleda Zia did for the nation and the motherland. We hope we will receive cooperation from everyone, including the media, in this effort,” he said.
Responding to a question about the recent killing of a Swechchasebak Dal leader during the election period, Nazrul said good initiatives often face obstacles. “In any good initiative there are enemies. Those who work for the country and its sovereignty also face enemies.”
The BNP leader said maintaining law and order is essential for a fair election and urged the government to remain active and strategic.
“We have told the government earlier as well. We are ready to cooperate. We are not doing anything that will create any law and order problem before the election,” Nazrul said, reminding that the daily responsibility of ensuring law and order lies with the government.
“There are forces that do not want the election now, do not want democratic transition, or do not want stability. They will try to create instability,” the BNP leader said, expressing hope that the government will take appropriate steps to improve the law and order situation.
Asked about BNP’s election manifesto, Nazrul said a committee is working on it and it will be announced soon.
BNP Standing Committee to meet tonight to discuss political situation, other issues
On student politics, he said BNP’s student wing could not work or enter universities and colleges for many years.
Nazrul said another student organisation that is now performing relatively well previously worked under the cover of the ruling party, hiding its own identity.
He said that group is now trying to enjoy the benefits of that strategy.
“We never considered that strategy good and we did not follow it. So we do not expect any results from that strategy. But we certainly expect that much will depend on our own activities, our own efforts and our future political plans as a political party,” Nazrul observed.