UNB, Dhaka

BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman yesterday asked his party members to stay vigilant until the restoration of democracy, saying the most important task now is to establish democracy by foiling conspiracies against Bangladesh at any cost.

Tarique made the remarks while addressing the biennial council of Thakurgaon district BNP unit at Thakurgaon Boys High School ground through a virtual platform.

He said BNP’s movement would continue until the democratic rights of people are restored and Bangladesh returns to the track of democracy.

As the country’s largest political party, Tarique said BNP has a “sacred responsibility” to rebuild Bangladesh.

“We have already outlined the framework for this through the 31-point framework we unveiled two and a half years ago,” he added.

He urged party leaders and activists to make two pledges from the council: to remain vigilant like sentinels until democracy is restored and to dedicate themselves to fulfilling public aspirations and the party’s 31-point reform agenda if BNP assumes office through the people’s mandate, even at the cost of their lives.

“As the largest political party in Bangladesh, it is our responsibility to confront any threat to democracy,” he said.

Tarique, however, said the movement must refrain from any course of action that disrupts peace and discipline.

Talking about state reforms, the BNP leader said his party unveiled the 31-point reform agenda two and a half years ago and the interim government formed reform commissions where almost all democratic political parties provided their opinions over various issues.

He said it is natural that different political parties and different people will have differences in opinion.

“If you truly have trust and confidence in the people, then leave it to them. Present your policies, ideology and objectives before the people and let people decide.”

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also spoke at the district council held after eight years.